Love Rectangled

Six : Angry Bird

I couldn't get rid of Noah's expression the entire weekend. That disappointed shake of his head kept replaying in my mind like a broken record. To keep myself distracted, I called Emily over for a girl's night on Sunday. She always came over when I asked. Her parents adored me and never minded her staying.

"When's your dad coming back?" Emily asked, painting her toenails.

"I don't know," I mumbled, careful not to crack my egg mask as I lay on my bed.

My dad hadn't been home much lately. He's a successful lawyer, always flying off to different cities for cases. Ever since my mom left us, he buried himself in work. I guess that's how he copes and I didn't mind. I kept myself busy too-shopping, hitting the salon, cooking random things, or going on solo drives. Sometimes I was at Kevin's place, or I had Emily come over.

A maid came by on weekdays to clean up while I was at school. Other than that, it was just me.

"Can I ask you something?" Emily asked cautiously.

"You just did." I smirked but winced when the mask stretched.

"Ha, ha. Hilarious," she rolled her eyes, then looked at me seriously. "Why are you helping Jax? I know you'd never genuinely help him get Ivy. So... what's the real reason?"

I got up and went to the bathroom to wash off my mask. As I patted my face dry, I caught my reflection and smiled.

Egg masks really work.

I stepped out and met Emily's expectant eyes. "You're getting smarter under my influence," I teased. She remained silent waiting for me to continue. "I'm not stupid enough to help him win over that girl. I'm doing it for me."

"What kind of benefit are we talking about?" she raised her eyebrow.

I began pacing. "This whole deal is the only reason he's talking to me. So I'll pretend to help him get Ivy, but really, I'm going to show him why I'm better than her in every possible way."

Emily blinked. "You want him to fall for you?"

"Exactly." I grinned. "I'm playing cupid, but for myself. And once he sees what he's missing..." I flipped my hair dramatically. "He'll forget that b*tch even existed."

"It's like killing two birds with one stone," she said, impressed. "Get on Ivy's nerves and make Jax fall in love with you."

"Exactly! We've seen it in movies a hundred times-pretend relationships always turn into the real thing. I already like Jax. Now it's his turn."

"You think it'll work?"

"It always works."

* * * * *

I parked my Mustang Shelby in my usual spot in the Pinewood High parking area. I got out of my car and slammed the door closed. Adjusting my pink crop top I wore with black jeans, I glanced at myself one last time in the side mirror and turned towards Emily, who got out of the passenger seat.

"Ready?"

She nodded, and we walked toward the school entrance. All around us, people whispered and stared.