The One She Lived For

2 Frenemies

January 13, 2015

It was winter. Ranae was now in the 7th grade. Her class was 7EE which was the same as Penelope's and Colleen's. Krista was in the all-girls class now which was 7JJ. And she hated almost everyone in there. "They were too petty and stupid for her. Always drama." But they all still kept in touch. Colleen visits in Krista's class every morning when she comes to school just to say hi. Penelope and Krista are still best friends since the second grade. They all sit with each other at lunch. Colleen and Ranae's bond has been growing stronger ever since. Last year they barely spoke to each other. Now, they sit next to each other in almost every class they're able to. Ranae had convinced Colleen and everyone else that she was over Toby now. But Colleen didn't have to wait for Ranae to tell her it was a lie. She could see it. In the hallways, looking for his class, copying his schedule. It all made sense. Colleen was blind to not have seen any of this. Nor the others. How could she have gotten over him so fast? How could she have forgotten everything that has happened?

It was another sunny, snowy day outside while Ranae was stuck in ELA. She opened and closed her big yellow book, flipping through the pages as if she were looking for a diamond ring. "What're we doing?" She asked Colleen who was sitting next to her. Colleen looked up. "Page 17," she answered numbly. A few moments later, Colleen spoke up. "Is it true?" She asked. Ranae gulped, not making eye contact. "What?"

"Do you still like him?"

"No."

"Seriously, tell the truth."

"Okay, ok. But stop because last year everyone used to make fun of me. And you know how bad I feel about being embarassed. That's why I didn't tell anyone now." Ranae sighed.

"It's ok," Colleen said chewing on Orbit. "Your secret's safe with me". Or was it? Ranae was a little gullable if your really good at making people believe you. Like Colleen. Ranae gained Colleen's trust fast. Not that Colleen wasn't a good friend. She was, only a little pushy sometimes. She loved to tease Ranae. She thought it was funny. But nobody knew what Ranae thought. She laughed at it too, but did she really think it was funny? The way she teased her about every awkward moment thats happened to her? Even though she regrets every last one. But one part of her heart says she loves that its still happened. Because atleast he was there.

It was lunch and they were having their regular "lunchtime routine". When they were done eating, they would stack all of their trays on top of each other and the last person to put their tray on top would have to throw it out. At the table sitting was Penelope, Krista, Ranae, Colleen, Keke Harriot, Mariam, and the rest of "the petty 7JJ girls" sitting on the other side. "I got Gushers" Krista said as she held them up in her hands ready to drop them on the table for whoever grabbed it first. It dropped out her hand and Penelope snatched it up. Penelope snickered. "Ha Nae." Just then, Annika walked towards their table. "Eww, it's Ranae," she said in a mocking voice trying to squeeze in between her and Colleen.

"What do you want?" Ranae spat.

"Where's Toby? I need to get tell him his girlfriend's acting up." Annika clapped her hands as she talked.

"Oh my god shutup! Your so annoying!"

"Ha", Annika snickered and sashayed away. Annika was the only one who Ranae forgot to convince about not liking Toby. Now this.

Penelope and Krista had confused looks on their faces. "I knew it!" Penelope cried. "Nae! You still like him!"

"Of course she was lying," Krista added.

"Alright alright!" Ranae clapped her hands and made a dismissive face. "You guys need to stop though. Especially that stupid-ugh!" Colleen was getting up from the table. "I need to go to the bathroom to fix my hair. Nae come." Colleen and Annika had a close relationship. They had many sleepovers and spent a lot of time together. But Annika has also told nearly everyone who knew that she was over him too. But everytime Colleen, brings it up, she always denies it.

"Your hair is fine!"

"No its not just come on please!" She whined.

"Oh my god." Ranae grunted as she got up from the table.

By the time they got back, some people were trying to get to class, while others were crowding the staircase. Colleen took Ranae's hand and led her past the school safety security guards. "Lets go this way". She said. Ranae turned back to see Penelope and Krista looking at them as to wanting to follow. But the security guards motioned for them to go up. When she turned back around, she sees Toby in a gray hoodie and jeans walking slowly towards both of them. She forgot his lunch period was right after hers! Of course, he was in the 8th grade. Colleen saw him before Ranae did and she had a smirk on her face like she was planning something devious. Ranae squealed as he got closer. And tried to hide behind Colleen. But as soon as Toby was about three feet away from them, Colleen pushed Ranae lightly to the side only blocking off his way. Toby looked up and touched her shoulders as if he were apologizing for being in the way, then moved to continue walking like a turtle. Ranae ran to catch up back with Colleen then shoved her against the wall hard. "HELLO?! What is wrong with you seriously?! What if somebody saw that?! You could've made me hit him!!!" She yelled in her face. Colleen backed her up off of her. "You know you liked it," she snapped. "I did it for you. It's called getting to know each other. Stage 1."

"Stage 1 nothing!" What if it went wrong?! Ugh, just think of something else next time other than pushing! And physical contact!" They got off each other and started up the stairs. But Ranae knew she loved it. Her body squealed with excitement when he touched her. Even that one second, made her tingly. Was Colleen good for that?