𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐒ᵃʳⁱᵃⁿᵃ ᵍʳᵃⁿᵈᵉ

eleven

eleven - help from an ex.

——

   i was at loss. i had run out of options.

   it had been a whole ass month since the party at nadia's, and ariana was still treating me like a piece of shit. i had tried literally everything i could think of—well, definitely not everything, but i didn't necessarily know what she liked that much so—i did what i could.

   i had gotten her a shit ton of those burritos, coffee, i wrote her notes saying how sorry i was or just stupid little compliments that i would give to her if we were talking. i was trying to be as nice as possible to her, and since i liked her so much, that wasn't hard.

but still, nothing worked. all i got were insults or a hard glare on her half. i was upset, obviously. and also, i had been thinking about that rumor about me, the one i had absolutely no clue of. seriously, what the fuck?

i huffed out a breath as i tapped my pencil on the desk, embarrassed that i was sitting completely alone while everyone else in class was working with their partners on the "get to know your classmate assignment." ariana absolutely denied working with me, so one day out of each week of this month, i've been sitting alone this whole time just watching her.

soon enough the bell rang, and i immediately followed after ariana when she ran out of her seat. i grabbed my things and ran after her. i guess she didn't hear me, because her steps slowed as she exited the classroom. walking up next to her, i swung my arm around her shoulder, making her jump in the process.

ariana groaned in an instant, most likely knowing it was me. "what the fuck do you want, y/n?" she spat, trying to shrug my shoulder off. i held firm, slightly frowning at the use of my name. it just felt weird after weeks of her calling me something else.

"just wanted to talk to you, that's all." i shrugged, hugging her tighter to my side. ariana sighed loudly, her body releasing some of the tension it held. i silently cheered in my head at the minute victory.

i let go of her shoulder as she stopped at her locker, leaning against the one next to it as she put in her combination. my eyes were locked on her as she shoved her things into her bag to go home.

   ariana's eyes snapped over to mine as she zipped up her bag. "what?" she yanked her bag out of the locker and swung it over her shoulder, slamming her locker closed and placing her hands in her hips.

   i smiled at the action, thinking about how cute she was when she was angry. "you're just so pretty, i can't help it." i shrugged again, sending her a sly smirk. ariana just rolled her eyes and began to walk away without another word.

   my smirk turned into a frown as i chased after her, "damn, where you going girl?" i teased, bumping her side with my elbow. she looked back up at me, her cheeks red. "i'm going home, and i would like it if you left me alone like i asked you."

   i pouted, a loud and exaggerated whine escaping my lips. "you're so mean, but fine." my arm wrapped around her arm and i pulled her closer to me, bending down to peck her cheek briefly. "i'll see you tonight." i whispered, the smile returning to my face.

   ariana's brows furrowed, a look of confusion on her face while her cheeks blazed even hotter. "why...?" she questioned, brushing a stray hair behind her ear.