Uncoordinated Paths

Chapter 5

Cecily’s POV

I was standing in front of Sophia’s locker, waiting for her to get her stuff out, reluctantly listening to her go on and on about Julian, who she’s liked for almost 2 years, yet has done absolutely nothing about it but pour her heart out to me. Not that I didn’t wanna hear it, but after hearing the same thing almost 5 times a week gets irritating. He walked past us with his group of friends, excluding Michael, being obnoxiously loud.

Sophia: God, he’s so freaking CUTE! How is it that he’s still single?

Cecily: *shrugs* Don’t know, but you should be thankful he is

Sophia: I don’t know, I don’t really think I’m his type

Cecily: Who knows what his type is? He’s so…

Sophia: So what?

Cecily: I don’t know…strange, I guess.

Sophia: What do you mean?

Cecily: He hasn’t really been himself lately…a couple of nights ago he went out with some girl, maybe she changed him

Sophia: HE WENT OUT WITH SOME GIRL!? Great, my chances are ruined. Wait, how do you know this? You talk to them?

Cecily: Yeah, I guess. More so Michael than Julian. Last week, Julian wasn’t this really obnoxious dude trying to fit in with the populars. He was…himself. Now he’s just…different…

Sophia: I thought you liked different?

Cecily: Michael different? Yes. Julian different? No.

Sophia: So you like Michael?

Cecily: I don’t know, I just….can we not talk about this now? I have a class to go to

Sophia shut her locker and shrugged her shoulders. I walked away with my bag over my shoulder to my next class. In a little nook in the school I saw 2 people kissing in a corner. Usually I’d ignore it and move on with my life. Passing them, I noticed they looked strangely familiar. I vaguely passed by them again, for a better look. It was Jessica and Julian. With no time left, I ran off to my classroom and took a seat.

I saw Jessica walk in a right after the bell rang, smirking to herself. I sat at my desk quietly, looking down at my book, doing the “Do Now” on the board. I could hear giggling in the back – giggling about absolutely nothing. Jessica was sneaky, I could hear her whispering, which she did pretty loudly. My name kept being repeated. I sighed loudly, letting her know I was irritated with her and her friends.

Jessica: *sarcastically* Oh, I’m sorry

I continued to write in my book. I felt something thump the back of my head. I looked to the side a bit, then decided to ignore it. I wouldn’t let Jessica phase me. The rest of the class went by rather slowly, I couldn’t even concentrate because Jessica and her friends were annoying me in the back of the room. Our teacher finished talking 5 minutes before the bell actually rang, and in that time, I put my head down, silently thinking to myself. I felt something thump the back of my head again. I lost my patience with her and turned around.

Cecily: What is your problem!?

She looked at me with a smirk on her phase. This was what she was waiting for, she wanted me to crack just to then embarrass me in front of the class.

Jessica: What?

Before I could say anything, the bell rang. I grabbed my books and stormed out of the classroom. I met back with Sophia at her locker.

Sophia: You okay?

Cecily: Yeah, I’m fine

Sophia: You sure? You seem a little jittery?

She was right. I was boiling inside. I knew Jessica had something against me JUST because I moved in with Julian and Michael. She was out to get me.

Cecily: I gotta go

Jessica got under my skin. I walked over to Julian’s locker to find him. He leans his arm on the wall and looked down at me smiling.

Cecily: We need to talk

Julian: What happened?

Cecily: You need to tell Jessica to back off

Julian: Jessica? Isn’t that Michael’s girlfriend? Why are you coming to me about this?

That’s when I opened my eyes. I realized he didn’t know that I knew about him. My eyes softened and I tried to hold back a smile.

Cecily: y-yeah, but I can’t find  him right now

Julian: Oh, well I’ll be sure to tell him

I noticed his eyes looked past mine. I knew exactly who he was looking at.

Cecily: Thanks

I turned around, seeing Jessica from afar, but acting like I hadn’t seen her at all. My plan was just beginning.

Julian’s POV

Jessica walked up to me kissing my cheek. I smiled back to her.

Jessica: Last period, I almost got her to crack, but the bell rang

Julian: Yeah she was telling me you need to back off’

Jessica: Who gives a damn, she’s not gonna do anything. She’s getting what she deserves

Julian: I don’t know, I kind of feel bad for this

Jessica: What? Getting back? It’s called REVENGE

Julian: Revenge for what? You thinking there’s something going on between them two, when I know for a fact there’s NOT

Jessica: This is just a warning, you know, letting her know not to mess with anyone’s property

Julian: Why do you need Michael when you hav-

Jessica: Reasons Jule, reasons. Just trust me.

Julian: Seems like you’re more threatened by her than you are mad at her

Jessica: Threatened? Of her? Funny, Why would I be threatened by her?

Julian: Well she IS pretty. And she has pure gray eyes that sparkle. Almond shaped eyes. Glowing complexion-

Jessica: Julian, you like her?

Julian: What? No, no. I mean, she’s cute, but nah not like that. She likes Michael

Jessica: Hey, can I ask you a question?

Julian: Umm…what?

Jessica: Do you have her number?

Julian: Yeah, why?

Jessica leaned over to me and whispered in my ear. I looked over at her, my heart pounding.

Julian: That’s kinda harsh, don’t you think?

Jessica: So? I don’t care, do it.

Julian: But-

Jessica: JULIAN! DO. IT.

I sighed and nodded my head.

Julian: Okay…

Jessica: I want you to take a picture then send it to me, so I make sure you do

She handed me a permanent marker from her back pocket. Flipping her hair, she walked off as I watched her.

I made my way over to the boys bathroom. I picked the middle stall and took the cap off the permanent marker. I started writing Cecily’s name and number on the stall, along with the word slut on top. I took my phone out, taking a picture, and quickly pressed send to Jessica. It killed me inside to do this, but I knew that I’d stay on Jessica’s good side, even if I was doing wrong to both Michael and Cecily.