A Neighbouring Romance

26 - friends?

Extra long chapter for you all today :)

As always, please let me know what you think <3

My eyes focus on the board in class as Mr Hawke runs through the same Shakespeare text for the hundredth time.

I mean really, I could probably recite Romeo and Juliet with my eyes shut.

The love for books began a lot later in life. I read as a child, but never as much as I did at the start of high school. Even more-so now.

In a heated class discussion I once announced how much I hated Shakespeare, despite having read most of his works this last summer.

When life doesn't make sense, you turn to anything that does.

Words make sense. They flow and create worlds and stories that end in ways that are much less horrific than real life. At least, in the books that I read.

We're interrupted by someone knocking at the door, asking Mr Hawke to leave the room and join them in the hallway. The young teacher steps out of class as the usual hum of voices fills the air.

"Romeo, oh Romeo-" I hear Aaliyah's voice from the seat diagonally behind me as she laughs with Camila, their voices go quiet and I've never been more envious to be part of the conversation.

My eyes stay locked on them for a few seconds, hoping they might turn and see me.

"Hope move your head!" Kara yells from the back of the room, and my eyes meet hers as Aaliyah and Cami turn to me.

I roll my eyes as she continues.

"I can't see the board because of your big head!"

Is that really her best insult?

My head turns back to face the board, face burning a little at the embarrassment of being seen by everyone in the room. I keep my head up but anxious thoughts begin to fill my mind.

"How are you and Tyler doing?" I hear her say, and - assuming that it's me she's talking to - I find myself turning back around to retort. Just as I do so, Maya Hampshire's voice floats across the room. Her voice surprises me, though I probably should've suspected her and Tyler would hit it off, what with the him fucking-her-behind-my-back situation.

"We're doing so good. He thinks he loves me."

After a week?

Despite my carelessness, I can feel my stomach churning, the feelings of anger, hurt and, maybe a little bit of upset bubbling inside. Before we dated, Tyler and I were friends. Maybe not best friends, but we ran in the same circle - and now he's not even there.

Stop feeling bad for him.

"Oh shut up." I look at Aaliyah as she speaks, who is glaring at Kara with full-force. "Nobody cares."

"Stay out of our conversation, dumbass."

My best friend rolls her eyes, knowing the comment holds no weight against her intellect.

"Then talk quiet enough so that the rest of us don't have to suffer." She groans, shooting a smirk at Cami, who watches in amusement.

This is ridiculous.

"How many guys have you ever kissed? Oh wait, zero."

"Oh go away, Kara. Seek attention elsewhere."

Aaliyah is so unbothered, I'd go over there and hug her if it wasn't for the argument.

"Who do you think you are?" Kara yells over the heads of people seated in front of her. "You walk around like you're so cool but who even are you?"