Looking For You

Chapter 51 - Only

Chapter 51 - Only

All went silent as I walked into English class, standing at the front of the classroom as the eyes of my fellow classmates give me weird looks. I try to look away from their big eyes, but the force of their stares compel me to stare right back at them. Even my friend who’s been accused of being my affair buddy is silent, but stares at the ground, being one third of this whole problem.

“Wow, this is the quietest this class has been. Take a seat, Aimee.” Mr. Holloman interrupts my thoughts, patting me on my back to shake me from my clouded mind. I give him a nod and an uneasy smile, scurrying to the desk in the front row. Sinking in my seat, I shut my eyes closed for a second to clear my head, while still trying to focus in class. This day has been the worst so far.

“So today is all about Shakespeare, since we have moved on from our constructive argument topic. You are to flip to page one hundred and ninety of your textbook as in introduction to the famous writer.” I hear groans form from the back of the room, students laughing as well. I just stare at my desk in front of me, tracing the carved lines on the desk made by scissors, spelling out words as well. I just ignore them and open my textbook, burying my nose in it.

As time passes, I have done nothing but answer the questions given on the page, looking back to Mason every now and again to try to catch his eye. Never was I able to do that, being left alone to fend for myself and build up thoughts about what happened today. I don’t even know how he’s feeling about this. He must be feeling quite embarrassed for being used in a revenge plan aimed at me. All I see on his face is a tensed jaw and furrowed eyebrows.

Looking to the back of the classroom, Mr. Holloman checks the popular people’s work, standing right in front of their desks to torture them to do work. I giggle, watching Mr. Holloman’s stiff actions with his hands behind his back and his spine hunched over one student.

I jump out of my seat, keeping my eyes on my teacher while scurrying to Mason’s desk two rows behind mine. Crouching down right beside him, I meet with his eyes, examining the dark brown his irises have turned into. As he leans forward, he opens his mouth, but I stop him before he speaks.

“Before you say anything, I just want to apologise for embarrassing you and making you a part of my problem. Celine is planning revenge on me because she wants Christian when I’m with him.” I speak with a whisper tone, but loud enough for Mason to hear. He twiddles with his pen he holds between his fingers, losing eye contact with my eyes. The frown he displays is hard, and I’m afraid he’ll do something unexpected.

“Then why am I being used in your relationship problems? Why does my liking for you have to be turned into some competition and revenge plan for somebody else’s benefit?” Mason spits his words out as he leans closer to my face, bringing in his long legs that were stretched out under the table, joining his hands together on the desk. My eyes dart between his, watching the anger flow throughout his face; his jawline hardening, his neck veins tensing and his lips flattening out into a straight line. Now I know he’s mad.

“Mason, don’t be like this—”

“No, Aimee. I don’t want our friendship drowning from a pack of warships. We can deal with this later.”

I am shut up by his strong demand. Edging back from his face, I feel defeated and weak. Mason is obviously hurt from this problem and he thinks he’s being used. Well, he’s absolutely correct. I am such a terrible friend.

Leaving it at his word, I get up from my crouch and turn my back to him, walking away to slouch in my seat again. I stare at the board in front of me, thinking why so many people have turned on me. I guess part of why Mason’s upset is my fault, being the centre of everything that’s happened at this college. I just don’t know how to control other people’s actions and stop them before it gets worse. Celine will never give up until she gets what she wants and I am not falling for any of her traps again.