Flooded Waters

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟖

 Alina glanced up at the blaring sun that shone down on her in the midafternoon weather. Her fingers clutched her backpack strap as she headed home from school that day. Mabel and Alina would always walk home together because they lived near each other, as well as Santino, but this time it was different. Mabel no longer walked with her and Santino, the only friend who had walked with her after Mabel ditched her, had to go to his mom's show in Miami. That meant he missed the whole day of school.

She walked alone, kicking a stone pebble that was perched on the sidewalk. Alina thought back to all the good times she had with her once best friend. It's funny how someone can leave so easily, but hurt so much. The pain in her heart hadn't gone away even after talking to Mrs. Mendoza about it.

Maybe the pain would never go away. Alina dipped her head, walking slowly. She entered the school building flocked with students making their way to their first class of the day.

"Hey Als!" A voice emerged from behind her and she immediately turned around to see who it was.

Julian.

She rolled her eyes with disgust as he came strolling over. He was the flirty one in the Elite group, it was like the only thing he did was flirt and acted as if girls actually had a crush on him. Alina plastered on a fake smile as Julian with his dark locks covering his face, joined her side. They walked in step.

"Why are you here?" Alina asked in a frustrated tone. She didn't care to look up at his towering body compared to her short height of five foot something. The books in her arms were hugged closer to her chest.

Julian chuckled, tossing the apple in his hand up only to catch it seconds later. "Can't I spend some quality time with Alina Henderson? After all, the Elites and Populars are quite similarly ranked."

She groaned. Alina knew that wasn't why Julian was here in the first place. Since Mabel left to be with the Elites, that's when he started to know that there was an Alina who had nearly drowned at their school. Pathetic.

They walked past the students that flocked the hallways and hurried away to their classes. It was silent between the two of them, Alina still confused as to why Julian just randomly joined her side while headed to her History class.

"Why are you here anyways?" Alina stared into his eyes.

"What do you mean?" He frowned.

"You never talk to me, so why are you here? Are you here to make fun of me?" Her voice rose as she narrowed her eyes at him. He was shocked at the quick outburst of anger, stepping back with his hands in the air.

"No Alina! I just wanted to talk to you," he sighed.

Her cheeks flushed red of embarrassment. "Oh."

"So, how's life?" He asked, starting the conversation.

Alina scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You know that's a pretty broad question, right? I mean it's life. You have your ups and downs, so how's life? Well, it's shit, but that's what life is."

Julian nodded slowly, keeping his eyes fixed on her. The surroundings around them blurred and she watched cautiously as Julian's face came closer and closer until their lips were inches apart. Alina gasped, realizing what was happening. She pushed him away quickly.

"Julian!" She spat, eyes widened with fear. What just happened there? Why was Julian going to kiss her?

Julian chewed on his lip, scratching the back of his neck with uneasiness. Her jaw dropped to the ground in shock.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know what happened there," Julian grabbed Alina's arm and stopped her from walking towards her history class alone. She twirled around, groaning. He stared at her with pleading eyes.