Full Throttle

Chapter 3 - I Did Something Bad

"Isobel does actually have a girlfriend. Me."

I stare at the blond girl beside me in shock. I mean, who even is she? Why is she doing this? Why is she helping me? I can literally feel heat creeping into my face and my cheeks turning beet red. On the other hand, the girl standing right next to me has an expression on her face that I can only describe as haughty and sure, like she knows exactly who she is and what she wants.

I look into her deep, dark forest green eyes, searching for answers to the millions of questions swirling around my brain like little kids in a whirlpool. Unfortunately, as much as I would like it to, I don't think gawking at this girl is going to help me uncover any answers whatsoever.

The girl clears her throat and nudges me in my side. It's only then that I realise that the shock has faded from Anna's face and she is now looking directly at me waiting for me to say something. That instantly breaks me out of my reverie and I compose myself.

"Yes," I manage. "This is my girlfriend. Have the two of you met?"

Anna is still looking at me doubtfully. "No." She pauses and turns to Melissa then says, "So, your name is?"

"I'm Melissa, it's nice to meet you...?"

Anna wrinkles her nose and mutters, "Anna."

"It's very nice to meet you, Anna," Melissa says with a smirk on her face.

An awkward quiet descends on us and I can see Anna thinking deeply about whether or not she actually believes that Melissa and I are dating. She seems pretty sceptical about it with her narrowed eyes and lips drawn into a thin line. It's like she can't decide if she wants to argue with me about it or just leave it alone. Looking at her, I know that I've done something bad by lying but honestly, I don't really feel guilty. Finally winning an argument against her actually feels so good. Besides, for every lie I've ever told her, she's told me three, at least. I don't think I should have to feel even a shred of guilt.

Anyways, after what felt like at least a full minute of complete and utter silence and before Anna can actually make her decision, Melissa says,

"Listen, I really need to speak with Isobel. Privately. It's really urgent. So, if you wouldn't mind just... you know."

Anna scoffs looking highly offended. "Whatever. Bye... I guess."

Anna looks both of us up and down with a disgusted expression, then turns on her heel and stomps off down the hallway. She stops at the door to the girls' bathroom and shoots us one last glare before entering the bathroom and slamming the door shut behind her.

I look back at Melissa who's chuckling quietly to herself.

"That is one strange girl," she chortles.

I laugh too. "I mean, yeah, she really is."

It's in the middle of my laughter that I remember myself. 

"But far more importantly," I say, "what the hell just happened here?"

She draws her eyebrows together. "What do you mean, what just happened here?"

I grit my teeth. "You can't actually be serious. Why did you say that you're my girlfriend?"

She smiles and shrugs. "Well, I could tell that you didn't actually have a girlfriend. I mean, the look on your face was pretty unconvincing. But anyways, I was just standing there and I overheard your conversation so I thought, why not? What's the worst that could happen? And then I guess I just walked over to you guys and you know what happened after that."

"I'm sorry," I stammer, "but the reason you just did this is because you thought, why not?"

I shake my head. "Seriously?!"