When False Turns to Fate

Chapter 8

I actually updated! I feel pretty proud of myself. I had gotten kind of stuck, but I whipped this out almost entirely in one day. Thank goodness for sudden bursts of inspiration. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

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My bottom lip begins to tremble. I hadn't realized what Michael did to me still had such an effect, but I feel like I'm about to vomit. I can't though, because Brett is still standing behind me and he doesn't know about anything Michael did. So I do the only thing I can think to keep my tears unnoticeable.

I sneeze.

I know it's not the most normal thing in the world, but when I sneeze, my eyes water- ergo making it seem like that's the reason my eyes are wet. This also makes enough noise to break up the make out session going on a few feet away, making my presence uncomfortably known.

Brett checks to make sure I'm ok after that incredibly loud fake sneeze, and I nod in response. I look at Michael to see him staring at me curiously while Alona is just smirking with her arms folded across her chest. She probably saw me walk into Ms. Hart's class when she and Katie so rudely bumped into me. No doubt she brought Michael here just to make me upset- and it worked.

"Um I need to go find Gabby," I say, rushing past the make out couple while Brett trails behind me. He's taller than me though, so eventually he's able to match my stride. I glance over to see him looking at me, confused.

"What was that all about? Has he seriously already moved on? What a jerk"

"Yea," I say. "Something like that."

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"They did what?!?!?" Gabby practically screamed. We are currently holed up in the bathroom in the middle of the third class period today. I was in math when I texted Gabby- who was in art class then- and asked her to meet me in the bathroom since I hadn't been able to spew my nervous anxiety rant on her before classes started.

So here we are in the girls' restroom talking about all the horrible things that have happened today- and it's only ten o'clock!

"So what did you do?" She asked.

Oh boy... "I... Sneezed," I said.

This earns a flat look from her. "You sneezed? What the heck Holly?"

I wince in guilt," I'm sorry! I couldn't make a scene in front of Brett! He doesn't know what he did to-"
Oh no... I hadn't told Gabby about what happened either. All she knew was that I didn't think Michael and I were right for each other. That's the lie I told all of my friends.

Gabby started to process what I had just said and a puzzled look came across her face. "What did he do Holly?"

I couldn't tell her- not now- not here. It's too long a story. So I plaster on a super fake smile, "oh nothing just made out with another girl that's all. Now we should probably get back to class before our teachers think we skipped." I don't even wait for a reply before checking my face in the mirror and walking out with a slightly confused Gabby right behind me.

"Ok I guess I'll see you around?" She asks. I nod, "yea you want to go out for ice cream tonight? just me and you?" She nods and gives me a quick hug before heading back to her class.

I sigh and start to meander down the hall, not at all eager to get back to math and the monotone world that is Mr. Hanley's precalculus course.

I walk in and return to my seat next to Brett who looks at me confused. He mouths the words "where were you?" While tapping his wrist like he had a watch on. I shook my head and waved aside his concern, mouthing back the word "nothing" before looking up at the board to copy the notes I missed while I was gone. I couldn't focus on any of it though because all I could think about was what had happened in that hallway earlier. Those thoughts then warped into thinking about the other things Michael had done, which reminded me that I still hadn't told my best friend about any of it.