FRIDAY'S GIRL ·ϿʘϾ·

Chapter 30

I slumped into one of the last seats on the school bus next to Maddison, who was more affectionate than usual. I smiled with feigned politeness as she placed her cold hand on my forearm and gazed out the large window as we started to move.

"I have a feeling today is going to be a great day," she remarked happily.

I nodded stiffly, reminding myself that my goal was to seduce her, not push her away. Although we had reached some sort of normalcy in our relationship, I still felt spikes of anger, frustration, and pain. Pretending everything was fine had become an iron mask as heavy as it was suffocating. While I tried to keep my composure, bitterness and resentment left no room for anything else. Some might think it all seemed insane, but it was all I had left: fight for my revenge or let myself die from sorrow. Besides, I was tired of being the eternal second-best, someone who would never be enough for others.

Stretching my long legs in that cramped space was uncomfortable. I sat in an aisle seat, next to April and Oliver. She, with her large headphones, was listening to music, avoiding any eye contact with my jerk of a friend, who kept looking at her with a mix of interest and malice. That morning she looked particularly pretty, wearing a red and white striped shirt. I couldn't remember seeing her in anything other than black or gray during those years.

My eyes also sought her out discreetly. Her indifference toward that idiot delighted me, especially seeing the frustration her lack of interest caused him. I knew that cheap soap opera seducer attitude all too well. More than once, I'd seen him use dirty tricks to seduce some unsuspecting girl. He was a master of manipulation, knowing exactly what to say and when to smile to earn the trust and interest of any girl who crossed his path. He used his charm like a snake charmer, along with false and calculated compliments, always with the same purpose: to have a good time without complications or obligations of any kind.

I particularly remember one occasion when he spent three weeks seducing Rowena Davies, a shy and very pretty girl. How much effort he put into gaining her trust, only to abandon her when she declared her feelings for him. The closest he'd come to committing to someone was with Isabella, but he wasn't faithful to her either. Oliver said he was a free spirit and wasn't going to let anyone trap him.

I always justified his behavior due to that unfortunate incident that happened to him during a summer camp three years ago when we were still innocent and inexperienced teenagers. Now I saw things differently; I had overlooked those red flags, refusing to see the reality.

Suddenly, my girlfriend blew in my ear, bringing me back to the present. The hair on the back of my neck stood up."A penny for your thoughts," she murmured in a husky tone, giving my earlobe a playful nibble.

"My head hurts a lot, I'm tired, and I wish I hadn't had to wake up early." I smiled, trying to seem convincing, while I moved away a bit. I didn't want April to see me being so affectionate with her.

Chloe, who was behind us, stuck her head between the seats with a frown and let out a loud snort; she was clearly upset and jealous.

"We just left and my butt's already hurting." As she leaned back, her fingers "accidentally" brushed my shoulders.

I clenched my teeth, trying to stay calm.

"I folded my sweatshirt and I'm using it like a cushion," Maddie explained, turning to her friend.

"What a great idea!" Chloe ran her hand along the length of my arm in an indiscreet caress and then sat back down in her seat.

"Are you uncomfortable, baby?" My girlfriend's voice was so sweet it felt unsettling.

I shook my head, crossed my arms, and closed my eyes as if I wanted to sleep for the rest of the trip. It was the best way I could think of to avoid any conversation.