One bet, One love

Chapter 4

The whole day, Ashley's words kept ringing in my head.
"He might just play a stupid game of his." ~What? Game? What type of game?~ i kept asking myself.
I guess James noticed how strange i was acting, because he asked me:
- Hey, are you ok? he asked kind of worried.
That woke me up to reality.
- Oh, uhmm... im alright. Thanks for asking...
I guess i didn't convince him, because he gave me a weird look.
- If you say... Anyways, there's this party I'm going to this weekend. Wanna come with me? He asked.
- I meannn... i don't think i have anything to do this weekend sooo... Sure i guess! I said, forgetting my thoughts from earlier.
- Great! See you there then!

*After the school ended, Eleanor went home with James. When they reached Eleanor's house, they said goodbye and James left. Eleanor enters the house*

- Hey, mom!....
No response.
- Mom?...
~I thought that today mom will stay at home...~ i said to myself.
I noticed a note on the table.
~Wow, i guess mom really loves putting notes. Oh well~ i laughed to myself thinking that.
The note said: "Hi, dear! I hope you had a great day at school! I went to the grocery to buy something. I won't be gone for too long. Love you, mom".
I put the note back on the table and went to the fridge. I took some food my mom bought yesterday and ate.
I woke up to a message from James:

Hey!

I stood there, looking at my phone. I didn't knew how to respond. Why did it I took an eternity to respond? After what felt like half an hour, i finally responded:

Hii!

I was kind of surprised to see how fast he responded:

Whatcha doing? Have you eaten?

Just finished eating! What about you?

I finished eating some minutes ago, he responded.

*They start texting eachother. Eleanor's mom came home after like an hour after she wrote that note (in the note she said that she "won't be gone for too long", but let's just ignore that)*

*The next day at school*

- Heyy, Ellie!
It was Ashley.
- Hey, Ash! How are you today? i said with a smile on my face.
- I'm good. I see that you are happy today, she said looking at me.
- Oh, i guess so.
I decided not to tell Asley about my conversation with James. I didn't want her to bombard me with a million questions.
- Hey, Ashley!
It was the voice of a girl-student which was coming our way.
- Oh, hey, Clara! What's up? Is everything alright? Ashley asked the girl.
- Yeah. I kinda need your help with something. Can you come with me? the girl said calmly.
- Oh, sure! Ashley turned to me: See you in class!
I nodded and she left with Clara.
I was walking, when suddenly, someone got into my way.
~What?~ i asked in mind.
It was a boy, i think from my class, in front of me.
- Hey! he said.
- Oh, uhmm, hi, i said awkwardly.
- I'm Carl! Uhmm, Eleanor, right? he asked.
- Yep, that's me! i said, sounding more awkward.
- Well, I'm glad to meet you! I wanted to meet you earlier, but i wasn't at school.
- Oh, no worries! You aren't never late to meet someone! i said with a smile forming on my mouth.
- So, what's your opinion on this new school? he asked looking at me.
- It's not that bad! I kinda like it here. Everyone is so nice!
- Great to hear! Anyways, i kinda have to go. If you need help with anything, just tell me.
He said that and left. I started walking my way to class, when i felt a tap on my shoulder.
- James! Oh gosh, you scared me! i said, looking shocked.
- Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you. Weird question, but are you and Carl friends? he asked.
- Well, we just met. But I've seen him around. Why? What's wrong? Is it a problem for me to be friends with him?
- Oh, no no! I was just asking, he said. But like, you have to be careful around him. He's kind of a player.
- Well, he seems nice, i said, kind of confused.
What was happening? Why everyone warned me about someone?
- Maybe. But still, be careful, he said, looking at me. Btw, are you still coming to my party? Or have you changed your mind?
~Oh gosh, i totally forgot about that party!~i said in mind, feeling panicked. I forgot it was this weekend.
- Uhm, yeah! I wouldn't miss it!
I felt my voice trembling saying that.
- Great! See you later then!
Then he left.
~Now, I have to choose a cute outfit for the party. How could've i forgotten about it? And why did James warned me about Carl? I don't know who to trust...~ i thought.
Then the bell rang and woke me to reality.
~Guess I'll find that out later. But now, i have to get to class before the teacher gets mad!~ i told myself and ran to class.