The Insecurities We Have

Chapter Two

Tysm 4 reading
Rumours

The hallway was packed. Despite the fact that the first period bell had just rang. It wasn't even my first graffiti, but it was the first time I had done it inside the school walls. Usually, it's either in the toilets or the school backyard walls. It was never inside.

As I walked down the hallway, my phone buzzed, signalling a notification. My graffiti had just been posted on the school blog.

But I couldn't bring myself to be happy.

August knew who the School Vandal was. He knew it was me, and it'll only be a matter of time before he told his dad– the principal. And then I'd be expelled and sent to juvenile, and my mom would disown me. And Princeton would never take in a broke ex convict.

I gasped when I felt an arm sling over my shoulders. I relaxed a bit because I knew that cologne. "Hey, love," Prince said as he gave me a Starbucks.

It was a tradition.

I smiled, forgetting my problems, and took the Starbucks. "Thank you," I simply said.

Ever since Prince's family moved to America from the UK, at the start of middle school. Prince has been my best friend since. He was like a brother to me. However, most people thought otherwise. I can't blame them, though. Sometimes, Prince didn't know what personal space meant.

"Can you believe that whoever's vandalizing the school has stolen everyone's attention away from the Theme Ball?" He asked disbelievingly.

The Theme Ball was one of the biggest dances this school had. It was more of an event than it was a ball to begin with. Every sport in the school would compete against each other in order to try and raise more money than the other. The money was collectively taken and sent off to charity. It was more of a hype because they usually have parties, movie nights, food, and best of all, it was a good excuse to give your parents when coming home late. And at the end of the year before winter break, a themed ball was held.

I rolled my eyes as we started walking towards his locker. "You sound like my brother right now."

Jake, my older brother, was the captain of the football team. He's been obsessed with the Theme Ball since he started learning here. If it's not a new season that's started, it's definitely the Theme Ball. Prince was just as obsessed with the dance as my brother was. The only difference was that Jake played football, and Prince played basketball. And it was an unsaid fact that next year, when Prince was a senior, he would be the basketball captain.

"I take offence to that," he scoffed.

"What?" I snorted as he opened his locker. "I thought you like my brother."

"Yeah, I did. Back in middle school when I thought playing rugby would get you laid," he chuckled.

"I mean, you weren't that far from the truth," I shrugged and took a sip of my coffee.

"I was very far from it," he disagreed with me. "My point is the School Vandal, in an instant, made everyone forget about the Theme Ball. Not to mention how the rugby team might just win the vote of the people once more."

One more thing I forgot, at the end of fundraisers during the night of the ball, everyone gets to vote on their favourite sport. And for the past two years, the football team has been winning the vote.

The reward was a cool hang spot within the school. The room had its own TV, a vending machine, a way better WiFi connection, and it was a teacher free zone. It was a perk for the entire year.

"I don't see how the School Vandal has anything to do with this," I stated.

"You clearly–" before he could finish a certain someone caught his attention.

"Hey Aty," he choked as the short, chocolate skinned girl stood in front of us.

Atida was one of our mutual and a very close friend since freshman year.

"How do I look?" She asked. She turned around and curtsied. She was wearing a cheerleading custom.

"Like the real cheerleader you are," I jokingly said.

"Hey, don't make fun of me."

"You look lovely," Prince butted in.

"Thank you," Aty blushed. In an attempt to burn the tension, she took out her phone. "Hey, y'all hear about what the School Vandal did?"

Prince was the first to answer. "Kinda hard to miss the graffiti in the art room with the crowd, don't you think?"

"I'm not talking about that," she said. "I'm talking about how there's a rumour going around that she assaulted the school bad boy– August King."

My heart dropped. Assaulted?

"Wait, what makes you think it's a girl?" Prince questioned.

"Is that seriously all that you heard?" She disbelievingly asked before continuing once more. "Besides, no male could pull this off, let alone a boy."

"Need I remind you that most of the greatest achievements in history were done by men?"

As they both continued with their mindless argument, I felt like I couldn't breathe. They knew! It was only a matter of minutes before the feds came and handcuffed me. It'll be all over.

As if the day couldn't get worse, I caught a glimpse of Principal King. He was heading towards us. I had to leave. As I turned around–

"Miss George," he called, making me stop. I quickly turned to face him. "I believe you and your friends all heard the first bell? Or do I need to sharpen your ears with detention?"

"No need, sir, we were just leaving," Prince dismissed as he tugged my Blazer's sleeve.

I didn't move. It was only after Prince put his hand in mine that I then started to move. And the...

"Miss Sinclair?" Principal King called out. I stopped and turned to look at him. "Where are your glasses?"

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A/N

I just realised I haven't stated the main character's name. It's Candice George. Her friends call her Can for short.