The Tangent Lines

Chapter 18 - Anyway, it's friendship: not relationship

♡♡♡♡

I've learned to get really good at this — say one thing when I'm thinking about something else, act like I'm listening when I'm not, pretend to be calm and happy when I'm really freaking out. It's one of the skills you perfect as you get older

—Lauren Oliver, Delirium (You should read the book. Really good.) ♡

♡♡♡♡

Chapter 18 - Anyway, it's friendship: not relationship

The next day, I appear at school with my head raised.

My night was sleepless, consisted of my debate with my inner subconscious about what I should do about the damage the pamphlets have made. So I decided to raise my head up and show them my fierce spirit. I would not let myself be stepped by their filthy feet.

When I walk through the main hallway, Chris is right beside me. He told me just to act normal like nothing has happened. So I enter the hallway with no doubt. My heart breaks a little when I see few pamphlets are still taped on the glass window. But it's all okay now. I decide not to care about anyone's opinions about me anymore. It's up to them.

Even if my reputation got ruined because of them, I decided to just let it go, because the pamphlets aren't true.

I wouldn't let myself be down.

Some of them glance at me when I walk on hallway. They all become so quiet when I enter the hallway of my locker, like I was a disease. Just as I pass one door, my friend from History class greets me all of sudden.

"Morning, Chels!" She beams at me. I was shocked at first, but I managed to greet her back. "Morning, Elena," I smile, shocked. Soon after, almost all of the people I used to greet every day, greet me back like nothing has happened. Some say, "Sorry about yesterday," although I don't know why they mainly apologize. Some say "Heads up" and cheer me up.

Apparently, the story of my bullying since two days ago spreads like wildfire. They all also know that Samantha is behind this. I hear it from people's gossip that I pretended not to hear. There are so many versions of it, like that I was thrown with eggs, or that I was pushed to trash can before beaten by Jack. I can't help but laugh whenever they get the story so wrong. But there's one conversation that I find interesting that morning. I was just in the toilet stall when I heard it.

"Why all of that? I mean she's kindhearted. Well although we all prefer her than that bitchy queen bee though." A girl's voice rings through the toilet all of sudden, stopping me from going out of the stall.

"Well duh!" Another cheerful voice booms, "Of course it's because Tyler. It's been two weeks that Tyler doesn't show up at cafeteria with Samantha. I heard Samantha was so mad because she likes him. But of course Tyler doesn't like her! Eew! Who in right mind would like her though."

Well, apparently, he likes her. I mentally huff when his words ring on my brain. On her behalf.

I roll my eyes, tired of hearing everyone's gossip about Tyler and me. Ah, I feed everyone a topic of gossip again. It feels like I'm the headline of today's news, as the pitied and tragic victim. They all tried to dramatize the story to make me look like the victim. But who am I kidding? No matter how hard I deny it, judging from every perspectives, I am the victim. There is nothing I can do to get back to the past and avoid her threats, to stop all of the nonsense and crap I've gotten since few days ago.

"Wait up! That's because Tyler is with Chelsea right now right?! Right?!" Another cheery voice appears, almost making me jump out.

"Yeah!" The girl replies, "They are so cute actually. I can't believe Chelsea was interested in boys like Tyler too. He has that chaaaarm." The girl has star-struck awed tone. Ah, weird. I'm not that interested! Not, right?