In My Mind

Chapter Twenty Two - Olivia's POV

Going back to school today felt different. Maybe it was just me knowing all the secrets and what had changed over the weekend, or that Cara and Aria knew more about me then the people I'd grown up being friends with. But something was defiantly different. It didn't take long to find out what that difference was when I walked down the hallways. All seemed pretty normal, the same people making out, looking through lockers for things, stopping and staring as I walked past and then I found it. Ruby. And not just was Ruby there, but she and Cara were holding hands. Obviously there is more to Ruby than Cara let on the other night.

Along comes Ellie running towards me. "Hey," her voice is perky and bubbly. "Hey," a smile comes to my face. "So anyway, that photo you took the other day, what are you going to do with it?" She quickly walks along side of me waiting for a response. "Oh, I don't know, maybe nothing," She gets a frown on her face, "Nothing, this doesn't seem like you, are you ok?" She puts her hand on my forehead. I push her hand away,"Yeah I'm fine," It looks like she is thinking about this,"Is something going on between you? Are guys friends or something now?" Yes we are I guess. "No, of course not. Don't be stupid, that would be like putting trash and treasure together!"

"Hmmm yeah I guess you're right, I don't know why I even suggested it. Anyway I bet you'll come up with something great, you can't just let this opportunity slide. I can't wait so see her face when this gets out!"

We walk in silence to English. Ellie probably hasn't seen Ruby yet, but when she does I guess she'll just drop the idea with the photo. I sit down in my usual spot.

Suddenly, Aria, Cara and Ruby walk in. Aria smiles at me, "Hi."
Ellie looks shocked. I ignore them and continue to talk to Ellie.
The rejection must have hurt pretty bad, like watching someone kick a puppy, because the smile fades away from Cara's face and looks hurt. "She seems like a pretty big bitch to me!" Ruby says, apart from what Cara must have told her, this was my first impression and I blew it. I feel really bad about doing that, but I'm not sure how others would take this right now and I shouldn't care what they think but I guess I do.

Under the desk I check my phone for a message from Mum. There isn't one and I sigh. I send anothr message to her, Where are you Mum? "What are you doing Liv?" Ellie asks me. "Nothing!" My response is quick. I hope it wasn't too quick that I sounded suspicious. I put my phone away and just in time because Mrs Laven walks in the door. "Good morning class," Her voice is slow and croaky, like most days. "Gooooood mooorrrrnning Mrssss Laavenn," The class chants in that slow way that every person just seems to do. She calls out the roll like normal until she gets to the end, "Ruby?" She looks up and her eyes scan the room. Then they soften, "Ah, Ruby. It's been a long time since I last saw you love. It's nice to see you back from..er..ok class let's open up to page 300 of The Great Gatsby. Now I expect you too all finish up to page 400 by the end of the english double today as we will be reading individually. If anyone finishes early they can continue with their assignment. If you don't finish, you will have to do it for homework and do some of the assignment."

The class groan in unison. As if anyone can finish 100 pages of The Great Gatsby in a double lesson.

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By the end of the lesson only one person has completed the 100 pages, Aria. This doesn't really surprise me, although it does make me a little jealous that one can have such a reading ability that they can finish something so quickly. Outside the classroom, I am by myself again. I spot Cara, Aria and Ruby. Aria and Ruby start to walk off in the opposite direction to their lockers. Ruby must be in her class. Cara walks over to me, "Hey, way to go. Ruby thinks you are a total bitch now!" She says with her eyebrows frowning.

"Yeah I heard," I respond.

"I mean you are, most of the time, but it takes one to see the light and you did not make that possible."

"Great! Thanks for that!" I'm a bit hurt by this.

"Sorry....ish,"

"Ish? Thanks!"

"She takes first impressions quite seriously, it's going to take something pretty big to change her mind about you you know,"

"Well, that's just lucky for me then!" I must sound quite angry at what she's said because Cara's face softens and looks hurt as well from this conversation.

"I've got to go," She turns away and walks off.

What am I even doing, she only wants to be friends...well....sort of anyway.