I silently shifted my seat a bit when Alan placed his arm over my chair. I nervously wet my lips, trying to ignore his fingers that kept brushing my shoulder and instead let my eyes roam the rowdy hall. The room was abuzz with students whispering and chatting among themselves, trying to come up with several conspiracy theories of who had done it and why. Several minutes had passed since Bianca and her sidekick had been rushed to the hospital and several minutes since we've been sitting here, waiting for the principal to address the students and possible suspects.

I turned my eyes to an unworried Alan typing away on his phone. As if sensing my gaze, he inclines his head and held my stare as if trying to read my thoughts. I shake my head dismissively and focus on Mrs Helga when she cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention.

"Words really cannot explain how overwhelmed I am. For the sake of the probity this school depicts, I'm going to assume it was nothing short of fortuity rather than a calculated misdeed. So whosoever that is responsible. . ." Her unnecessarily melodramatic pause and hard stare brushed around the gym that served as the makeshift hall, increasing the tension floating in the pin drop silence ". . .consider yourself a lucky chap since no charges will be raised against anyone. However, that doesn't mean I'm sweeping this under the carpet as well. Whosoever the culprit may be, I know very well you're right here but I want to let you know that such act isn't tolerable in this environment so consider today a day of grace and I have my eyes on everyone. . ." Her judgmental gaze slowly swept around again and landed on mine as she said ". . . everyone of you"

I gulped.

**

Knock knock knock

"I'm coming!" I yelled at whosoever that persistently kept knocking.

"What do you want?" I clipped the second I flung the door open without looking at whosoever.

"Hello to you too" I rolled my eyes at her sarcastic tone that contrasted the gracious smile she wore.

"Why are you knocking?" As blunt as I sounded, it really was weird for her to knock. She basically never does but lets herself in with the spare key my mum hides in the flower pots on the porch.

"I couldn't find the key. . ."

I facepalm.

"Shit sorry, mum must've changed the position again" which she does regularly incase of thieves and whatnot.

"Come in" stepping back, I opened the door wider and swinged my palm inwards gesturing her in.

The second I shut the door, an awkward silence wafted in the air. She kept bouncing on her toes and avoided my eyes confirming she felt it too.

I raised an expectant brow when she opened her mouth for the umpteenth time only to shut it without saying anything resembling a fish.

"Uh. . . I made you this" her voice low as she pushed a white box towards me. I didn't need to look cos apart from the awkwardness, the scent of the chocolate banana cake was pretty much obvious.

She raised her free hand in defense when I shot her a look "okay okay, I guess madam Maria helped a tad bit but it was mostly me so. . .yeah"

I rolled my eyes. "Right. A cake would totally solve everything. How thoughtful of you" I folded my arms, letting the sarcasm drip from my voice.

A sigh slipped past her lips as she combed her fingers through her hair "I know I was a bitch. . ."

"No shitting" I scoffed "You acted like a goddamn traitor. Did you really think showing up with a cake would make it alright? You didn't bother reaching out to me for four fucking days and you just show out of the blues and expect me to welcome you with a hug or maybe a kiss and move on like you didn't treat me like a goddamn piece of shit. I'm sorry but things don't work that way Olivia"

"I know you hate me but-"

"I do not hate you Olivia, I'm just pissed" My shrilly voice pierced through the empty house and I was secretly grateful mum isn't home or I'd have my ass handed to me.

"I know, you have every right to be. It's just that-"

"Don't you dare justify your actions. This isn't the first time this is happening and you know it-"

"Of course I know, you don't underst-"

I cut her off with my index pointed at her, my hateful glare intensifying "you don't know shit Olivia, stop saying you do and STOP using that excuse of me not understanding, it's bullshit"

Another sigh slipped her lips as she slumped on the couch, head in her hands.

"Shit. I'm sorry Raven, I'm so sorry-"

"If you're so sorry, why'd you go AWOL for days, not even a text or call"

"Face it Raven, what's the point? You wouldn't have answered anyways" She rasped. I was about to snap back but when her bloodshot eyes met mine, a part of me melted. Her array of glumness tugged at my heartstrings, my glare instantly softened. Maybe I'm too harsh on her.

I ran my palm down my face, letting a sigh of my own "so why? Why do you always let it happen in the first place? I defend myself so much but why don't you ever tell them off?"

"I'm sorry it seemed that way but I can't exactly speak up that way without getting on their bad side-"

"So you'd rather get on my bad side?"

"No, no. I don't mean it that way. You know they run the cheerleading, if I get on their bad side, I'd be out and you know how much that means to me" Aye. For Alan.

I sucked up the urge to roll my eyes and bitch about how much of a waste of time that is but said instead "I know but have you ever thought of not needing them, have you seen how amazing you are doing those stunts?" As much as it pains me to say, she's amazing, leading up to my next suggestion. . ."Why don't you contest for captain?"

Her eyes widened several millimeters as she shook her head sideways "No. No way"

"Yeah way, you've got what it takes"

"Thanks for your support but not now okay? I'm not there for any spot or shit related" All for Alan "I just wanna stay cool with them okay? But I'll try and tell them not to agitate you further"

"Better. They're really crossing their boundaries especially that bitch face Paula" My face contorted in disgust, earning a low chuckle from Liv "I really dislike her"

"I know right? I was shocked you didn't punch her on the face" Shrugging, I joined her on the couch as another awkward silence settled between us.

"Hey, I'm sorry" Her warm hand caressed mine that lay numbly by my side. "I want to let you know. . ." Her teary eyes met mine as she whispered "I choose you over and over again"

With a blink of an eye, I was wrapped up in her infamous bear hug. "I really hate it when we fight" she mumbled into my shoulder, her breath tickling my neck.

"Me too" I concurred. I took a moment to enjoy the comfort of her familiar expensive cologne before struggling to break free.

"Okay okay, enough of the mushiness" I tilted my head at the cake that lay forgotten on the table "chocolate icing?"

She smirked making my smile widen "you know it"

I didn't need any go ahead before I had my entire palm occupied and dripping the chocolate goodness.

"Oh yeah, before I forget...." Liv piped up.

"No way" I managed to squeak out as much as my full mouth would allow, staring wide eyed at the two cards lifted in the air.

"You better believe it and get dressed, the movie starts in an hour"

My hopes and smile fell when I remembered I was supposed to meet Alan today.

Shit. I quickly gazed at the wall clock that read 4 o'clock. Thirty minutes. That's all I have left to our presumed meeting. Double shit.

"Uh..." I drawled causing Liv to raise an expectant brow. Was I really gonna ditch my bestie for some stupid biobuddy? He can wait, this can't.

"I better start getting dressed then" I hopped off the couch and dashed to my room still licking my hand, Liv tailing behind me.

**

"Well that was a disappointment"

Liv nodded in response "Who knew the blockbusting movie Raven Hills has been ranting about for weeks turned out to be not so captivating" I rolled my eyes at her exaggeration. "Didn't you say it's horror?"

"Psychological horror"

"Well then consider me mentally scarred" I rolled my eyes again, chuckling nonetheless.

"You still owe me those candy flosses by the way so better get your ass over there" Clicking my tongue, I jerked my head and thumb in the direction of the booth behind us.

She made a face at me, walking backwards "Try not to get kidnapped" I rolled my eyes. Yeah, like someone would kidnap me in the center of a busy mall.

"Yes mum" I hollered dryly. Satisfied with my reaction, she turned in a swift motion, skipping to the booth.

I sat at the little water fountain at the center of the buzzing mall, my eyes still trained on Liv's waist length hair where she stood behind two people on the queue. I smiled. Knowing her, she'd purchase more than just candy flosses.

"Asshole" The voice of a female drew my attention when she walked past me alongside a male. Their height difference obtrusive with the woman's head barely reaching his neck. They were both laughing as she swatted his arm playfully. The woman probably in her mid twenties had blonde hair just like Liv's but straighter than Liv's wavier own. The guy had brown hair, shorter on the sides, curlier on the center. His hair style was recognizable, reminded me of someone. . . .

Oh shit.

I scrambled my phone from my blue purse and checked my messages. Nothing. No missed calls even.

That's weird.

I felt my stomach tighten up and honestly, I don't know why. I didn't exactly expect my phone to be blowing up with calls and messages but I didn't expect to see nothing as well. I didn't know him well -okay, I don't know him at all- to jump to any conclusion. Maybe a word or two that he's waiting would've been better? That is if he showed up at all. I may not know him well but it wasn't improbable of him to be caught up in his famous activities.

Resisting the urge to gag, I rolled my eyes instead when the memory of our supposed first meeting turned futile when he showed up late with a love bite. Why was I even bothered?

"Are you expecting a call or something?" Liv's voice chirped, staring skeptically at my phone I got lost in thought staring at.

"Uh... Nothing. Just checking the time"

"Hmm.... The time?" She rose a doubtful brow.

"I recall mentioning only candy floss" I took the fluffy goodness from her hands eyeing the white disposable bag probably filled with more junk food. I purposely changed the topic before her doubts morph into questions I really don't want to answer.

She shrugged "consider it my treat"

I turned my attention back to my phone when it pinged, indicating a notification.

Knots grew in my stomach as a minute part of me expected it from a certain someone. Pushing that thought aside, I opened the message. An unexpected smile broke out on my face when I saw who it was actually from.

Tbh, the best thing bout besties fighting is when they get back together 🥺❤️

Shout-out to every bestie out there that tho you fight y'all still make up.

Keep up the support y'all, it means so much to me ❤️ ✨ and I'm always open to constructive criticism, correction or feedback either on the comment section or in my dms, it'd help me be a better writer for y'all. *Blows kisses*

Don't forget to remain your weird selves. ;-)

Xoxo Ruth.