Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 13

~Raelyn~

~Monday, September 15th~

I woke up a little bit earlier and put on one of the new outfits I got. Due to it being fall, I chose a red sweater dress that was tight fitting and long sleeve. I paired that with some fish nets and black thigh-high boots. I did my makeup a very natural look but still glam. I grabbed my backpack and headed out the door a little rushed.

"Wait mom"! Blake said chasing after me to the door. I turned back around and smiled, "yes baby? what is it"?

"Please come back, be careful." He said concerned with puppy eyes.

"Awe, Blake." I said kneeling to his level, giving him a big bear hug.

"I won't let that happen; I promise I'll come back." I said as I kissed his head then ruffled his hair.

"Pinky promise"? he said holding out his pinky.

"I pinky promise." I said latching onto his.

"Ok, have fun, baby, I'll see you after school, Mrs. Finely will drop you off at school later"! I said as I kissed his head. "Ok! Bye, mommy!" he said sweetly. "bye, munchkin!" I closed the door, locking it. I went outside where and saw Devyn, Kat, and Tara.

"Hey, guys"! I said as I hugged them. "So, are you ready to make your debut Raelyn"? Devyn asked me. "You bet I am." I said excitedly.

I got into Tara's car and drove to school, we parked and got out. We strutted through the school corridors, my crew in tow, our heels clicking a rhythm against the polished floors.

Katrina's hair was now a cascade of beachy waves that was a beautiful brown with blonde highlights, Devyn's trim off her hair was revealing sharp confident waltz's, and Tara's wardrobe had gone from fab to fabulous overnight.

As for me, well, I was the masterpiece of our weekend glam-up at the Grove, my transformation turning heads and setting the university abuzz. We gathered by our lockers, laughter bubbling between us, the air charged with their newfound confidence.

"Girl, you're slaying," Katrina said, tossing her hair with a wink. I grinned, feeling the warm embrace of belonging. "Thanks to you guys, I'm finally feeling at home here."

But not everyone was thrilled with the new me. Malia Agee, with her perfectly arched brows, watched from a distance, her lips curled in disdain. She sauntered over, her posse flanking her like guard dogs.

"Well, well, if it isn't the make-over crew," Malia sneered, eyeing them up and down. "Trying to shine, but we all know glitter can't turn coal into diamonds."

My smile didn't falter. "Actually, Malia, pressure turns coal into diamonds, so thanks for the extra push," I replied, my voice steady and cool. A chorus of "oohs" echoed through the hallway as Shea's face flushed a shade of pink that clashed horribly with her outfit.

She huffed and stormed away, just as the bell chimed its warning for class. That's when Colby passed by; who'd been nothing but a thorn in my side since I arrived. Yet, today, he paused, his gaze lingering on me before a sly smirk was sent my way.

"Did Colby just smile at you?" Tara gasped. Her eyes wide with mischief.

"No way, he can't stand me," I protested, my cheeks betraying me with a blush. "We're like oil and vinegar."

"But oil and vinegar can make a pretty good salad dressing when shaken up right," Devyn teased, nudging me with a knowing look.

I rolled my eyes, trying to hide the flutter in my stomach. "Guys, seriously, we're just...arguing partners, that's all."

Katrina leaned in, her grin devilish. "Arguing or flirting? Because from where I'm standing—"

"Enough," I cut her off, shaking my head, but my smile betrayed my amusement. "Let's just get to class before we're late."

When I got there and walked in, Colby muttered a "wow" as he looked me up and down.

I took my seat, as the teacher began to talk. "Good morning class, I hope you remembered that your project was due today." He said as he looked at me and Colby, "Mr. Brock, Ms. Young is your project finished?"

I looked at Colby with a cheeky grin as I made my focus back to the teacher. We both stood up and walked to the front of the room with our paper.

Mr. Reynolds looked at it and smiled, "Wow, I'm impressed, 100s for both of you." we both looked at each other with a smirk as some of the kids rolled their eyes.

"Go take your seats, next group please," he said as we made our way back to our seats, "see, I told you we could do it." I said nudging him in the arm playfully.

He smirked at me, leaning back into his chair. "I guess we did. We make a pretty good team." I smiled brushing a piece of hair from my face., "I guess we do." I said batting my eyelashes.

Katelyn started to mumble something to herself.

~Katelyn~

"Ugh, that stupid little...." I mumbled as I got a text on my phone from Malia. "Do something ruin her"! She spoke.

"Um...." I said to myself as I replied. "What do I do"?

"I don't know think I'll ask Skylar." Malia said, A message came through and said, "paint...."

"Oh." I said as I giggled evilly. We were doing some stupid illustration project for this dumb book we had to read. I brought My watercolor paint to utilize for my art. It was the perfect thing to ruin Raelyn's new look.

Colby looked over his shoulder at me with a worried look.

I sighed, "Goodbye watercolor paint. Um Raelyn"?

She turned around stupidly, "Uh, yea"? she asked. "Hey." Colby quickly moved out of the way to avoid getting splattered.

~Raelyn~

All the sudden watercolor paint splattered all over my face, hair, clothes, and my books.

I inhaled furiously. "God damnit Katelyn! Why would you do that?! Are you out of your mind"?! I said, shocked. "Oh my god, Raelyn, I'm so sorry, I must've slipped and spilled my paint." She said,

her voice dripping with mock sympathy.

Mr. Reynolds's eyes widened, worrisome. "Oh my, Ms. Young, would you like to go to the bathroom to clean that up"? he asked nicely. I turned back around. "Um, yes, please, thank y-you," I said with a shutter as I stood up and walked to the door.

"Oh, here let me help you." She said as she got out of her seat and came next to me.

Then Colby spoke up and said, "No, uh, I'll go, Mr. Reynolds." He said, making my eyes pop of their sockets.

"No really it's fine, I can handle this." She said grabbing onto my arm firmly, digging her nails into my skin slightly. "Katelyn, back away...now." He said as he came to me and took my hand. "Ok."

We made it into a hallway far away from the classroom with some lockers. I turned my head back around to see him smiling at me.

"Uh...hi." I spoke. He chuckled. "Hey." He said with a sweet smile. "Why are you helping me, I thought you hated me"? he chuckled.

"Hate is a strong word, it's not a word I would use for you." he said smirking down at me.

"Well, aren't you sweet." I said rolling my eyes.

"By the way, Katelyn did that on purpose you know." He said chuckling.

"Oh, believe me." I stepped closer. "I know." I grazed my face on his torso when I looked up at him. "Oh sorry..."

"No, it's ok."

I looked up and saw him gazing into my silver eyes...It was as if the whole world melted away...and it was just him and I... he looked straight into my eyes. I felt I jolt of electricity flood through me, it was unlike anything I've ever felt.

"Are you sure you're ok,"?

I cleared my throat awkwardly. "Yeah, I'll be ok, it's not that big of a deal."

"You need me to drive you back home? I doubt that paint is going to come off easily." He said as he looked at me with a smile.

"No, I'm ok, I can just walk. My house isn't far from here." I said sweetly.

Colby gave me a skeptical look. "Are you sure? Please I insist."

Maybe I should give him a chance, I need all the friends I can get. Especially right now. He's probably not as big of a grouch as I think he is. But this could turn into a Jeffery Dahmer situation. If he was out to get me, he probably would have done something already. Ok... I'll give this a shot. What's the worst that can happen?

I sighed in defeat. "Ok fine." Colby walked with me down to the parking lot to his car.

I looked at his car and giggled. "What"? he asked, grinning. "Just not what I expected you to drive," I said talking about the 2007, red Corolla.

"Hey." Colby said as he walked to the driver side and unlocked the car. "don't make fun of the whip." He said chuckling. I shook my head in amusement as I hopped into the car. On the way back, Colby got me some wipes to get the paint off my face as best I could, then he drove me to my house.

"Hey, thanks for dropping me off." "No problem, sorry about your hair." He worriedly.

I shrugged and smiled. "It'll come out when I wash my hair." I looked over at my door noticing it was fixed.

"Did you fix my door"? he smiled nervously. "Oh yeah, me and my roommates came to fix it last Saturday. Sorry about that."

"Oh, thanks Colby. But seriously, don't worry about it, it's fine." I said smiling.

"I guess you're not as much of a grouch as I thought," I said being a smartass. "Hey"! he said nudging me in the arm. "Well, I'll see you later Rae." I looked away flustered at the nickname. "What?" he asked.

"Nothing, no one has ever really given me a nickname before, I like it, a lot," I said smiling. "Well, I'll make sure to call you that from now on." I smiled, i we locked eyes I cleared my throat awkwardly after we made eye contact.

"See you later Brock," I said with a smirk. "Brock"? he asked confused. "You gave me a nickname so I'm gonna give you one," I said getting out of the car and heading to the driver's side window.

"Bye, and hey I wanna meet your other roommates if they're just as cool as you" I said to him hitting the trunk of his car.

He smiled at me. "I'll hold you to that." He said as I walked into my house.