𝐆𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎𝐆𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 || #𝟏

Chapter 37

The fight rages on, but seemingly starts to calm down. Midway through lunch, it looks as if their fight is over and they've forgiven Alexis. But my fight isn't over, and I need to talk to her about why she had done what she did.

"Let's talk," I sternly say, pulling her aside. "Me and you, alone."

-- ------ --

I pull Alexis aside, leading her into an isolated hallway. There, she looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to start speaking.

"I don't know why, but you always have it out for me," I start. "Trying to blame me for breaking your leg is one thing, but trying to get me suspended is another. Why'd you do that? I obviously didn't pull the fire alarm."

"I don't have it out for you," she contradicts. "Don't think so highly of yourself. Is this the only reason why you pulled me aside? And I didn't pull the fire alarm, if that's what you are wondering. Always so quick to blame me for everything."

"Then who pulled it?" I frowned, "and you can't say that I did."

She shrugs, still keeping her glare on me. "It was you, yet I'm being blamed. You did pull the fire alarm, I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Alright then," I hissed. "What about when you blamed me for breaking your leg? Why did you do that? Because we both know that I had nothing to do with it, and didn't you try and lock me in on opening night? Remember that?"

"Listen," she pauses. "I don't care about whatever you're saying. I don't remember locking you in on opening night, because that was Lilliana. And me blaming you for my broken leg is because I don't like you - and you never deserved to get the lead role in the first place. I was supposed to be the star, and yet you take my place like it's nothing."

"It wasn't your place," I cut in. "And I had nothing to do with it. I just want to know why you keep on doing all these things that are meant to harm me. I get that you don't like me, but why? What did I ever do to you?"

"Do you remember when we were kids? And you were locked in the bathroom?" She scorned. I remember it, clear as day. She had locked me inside, and left me there to rot.

"Yeah, of course I do," I replied coldly. "You locked me inside, remember?"

"No," she fumed. "I may have accidentally locked you inside, but you got me in trouble."

"This is all it's about?" I scoffed, "you're mad that I... Got locked in the bathroom, even though you locked me in the first place?"

"Now you're making it sound unreasonable."

"First off, it was almost ten years ago. Second, that's a horrible reason to hate somebody, just because you did something wrong doesn't mean-"

"You know what Jasmine? You can stop playing the goody-two-shoes you are. Always acting so oblivious to everything, acting as if you aren't the problem." She growled, "I'm sick of it. I hate how nobody but I can see it. You want to know why Lilliana and Lilac don't like you anymore? It's because I opened their eyes, I told them just how manipulative, and what a liar you are. I really have to give it to you, Jasmine, you really are an expert at all of this."

"How am I manipulative?" I asked, anger boiling inside of me. "What did I do? Whenever I ask, you either don't give me a reason or you come up with something so trivial... I don't understand."

"You know, I really have to admit... You are a good actor, but you can pull down the facade. I can see through it. You want to know why I hate you? Well, first, you keep on trying to steal my boyfriend."

"No I'm not!" I reason, "when? When did I try?"

"Remember at the night of the musical, and Shawn defended you?"

"I'm not trying to steal him! He only defended me because you were lying your ass off about how I physically assaulted you! And by the way, I saw through your lie instantly. You can't fall down the stairs, and get away with only just a broken leg - if you're talking about the stairs at school."

She throws her hands up in frustration. "You know what? I can't deal with this right now. Come talk to me when you've become less insane. You know what? Come talk to me after school, bring along all of your loser friends as well. I'll bring mine, we can talk then." She turns to leave, but I yell out after her.

"You can't just run away from all of your issues," I protest. "Using your friends as defence, why can't you just face me on your own? Why are you... Why are you hiding behind them?"

"I'm not hiding behind them!" She snaps, whipping around her furious face to look at me. "I'm not hiding behind my friends! If anything, you're the one. I see them, defending you in class while you hide behind them. You're scared, and too nervous and shy to defend yourself - so they have to do it for you. You're a coward."

"You did not just call me that," I hissed. "I'm the coward? Why'd you drag all of your friends with you in detention, instead of taking the suspension instead? It seems to me you're the coward here-"

Her nostrils flare up, and everything plays in slow motion. She raises up her hand, and quickly slaps my face. My hands flew to my cheek, feeling my skin. I glare at her, and she glares back at me. My rage almost flies out, but I notice that there is a figure, watching us from behind.

Alexis notices my gaze, and turns her head around as well. She looks shocked, as she realises who is standing there.

"Claudia?" I say, still holding my stinging cheek. "What are you doing?"

Claudia looks like she's about to explode with anger. She breathes deeply, looking scarier by the second. Alexis decides that this is the best time to run away, going back into the safe arms of her friend group. Claudia's anger subsides, and she runs over me to check whether or not I'm okay.

"Are you alright?" She concerningly asks, "I followed you. I heard the whole conversation. We can go to a teacher, and get her in trouble-"

"No it's fine," I dismiss. "Plus, apparently we're confronting each other after school with our friend groups."

Claudia nods her head, "I'll tell everybody else at the lunch table. You should go get some ice on that," she motions towards my cheek. I smile, thanking her for her assistance.