Project Popular (A James Mcvey Fanfic)

chapter 18

I sat at the booth with Luna, knocking our knees together every now and again and laughing. I'd barely paid any attention to what she had been rambling on about but Connor was covering me, he kept her interested and signalled whether to nod or laugh at her.

My eyes kept finding their way back to El and Brad, it was bugging me more because they looked like a couple on a date with a third wheeler (Tris). My heart lept a little as Ella's eyes locked on mine, but she soon ripped them away as Luna placed her phone in front of my face for a selfie. I stuck my tongue out as she snapped the picture before looking back over at Ella, she was sipping her drink quietly as the boys chatted.

I felt a light tap on my leg and looked round at Con, he was frowning rather harshly at me.

"Just go over there." He mouthed, I shook my head. I didn't want to cause even more drama, Ella practically already hated me and Brad was done with my jealousy. He was just going against everything I said. I felt Luna lean her head on my shoulder but I didn't react, instead my attention was drawn to an angry Ella, huffing and getting out of her seat. She stormed towards the entrance and I knew it was time to move, so I stood up quick (knocking Luna's head) and chased after her.

She didn't look back once until she pushed the doors to the car park open and checked if anybody was behind her, sighing when she saw me. I ran my hand through my hair as she continued to walk away, making me chase her like a lost puppy.

"Ella, please stop." I pleaded, swerving round the parked up cars.

"Ella," I repeated, raising my voice slightly.

"EL!" I shouted. She stopped in her tracks and turned to me, standing up straight and crossing her arms.

"What James? Seriously, what?" I bit my lip as I walked closer to her, stopping when I felt like I was getting a bit too close.

"I just -"

"You just what? You just followed me all the way out here to have a stupid argument with me over a stupid reason, didn't you? Of course you did. You never chase me for a good reason, it's always because I'm in the wrong or because you want your silly little jacket back."

I was a little taken back by her words, stuffing my hands deep into my pockets awkwardly.

"I didn't follow you out here to have an argument El, I came out here to ask you what the fück was going on. You've completely blanked me today for Brad, purposely flirting right under my nose and rubbing it in." She let out a slight laugh and rolled her eyes, stepping towards me in anger.

"Me, flirting, me? Are you being serious James, Luna was just all over you and I had to sit with the lads, who were also feeling uncomfortable, acting like everything was perfectly fine. I saw you coming over to the table yet you made me and your friends you're second choice. I wouldn't care if you blanked me but Brad and Tris as well, what have they done to you?" I removed my hands from my pockets and threw them up in defeat.

"Sorry little miss perfect. But yes. You were flirting, with one of my best friends might I add. That's what he's done to me El, he's purposely got in between us and made us argue like this."

"You're wrong," she cut in, "throughout the whole day he's been asking me to help him win this girl over for prom. I showed him a few things he should do to her and for her to help him out, I wasn't flirting with him." I raised an eyebrow at her,

"Did you kiss him?" She glared at me before shaking her head.

"Are you mad James? I said helped him out to win over another girl, emphasis on the another." Her voice rose a little,

"I'm not mad no, but i'd be furious if he kissed you."

"Wh-" I hated myself for it, but I did it. I stepped forward and cupped her cheeks in my hands, kissing her softly. She was clearly taken back by the action as she stood still for a second, taking in the current event. Sadly, it didn't last long. She used all her might to shove me off her and pinched the bridge of her nose,

"Why the fück did you just do that James? This wasn't one of those movie arguments where they kiss and make up in between, im still mad at you." I shrugged my shoulders and let out a slight laugh.

"If only, eh?" The door to the car park opened before she could react and the three boys marched in, looking back and forth between an angry Ella and a flustered James.

"Thank God you're here." El said, breaking the silence. I watched as she made her way over to them, stopping when she reached Brad.

"Can you take me home please? I've had enough." She asked, purposely directing the end towards me. I walked over to,

"I can take you." She gave me a glare before walking back towards the door, dragging Brad away with her. They disappeared and I let out a loud yell, stamping my feet like a little kid.

"What did you do now?" Tristan asked, pulling some cigarettes from his pocket and handing me one.

"I did a bad. I kissed her." Both boys shouted stupid comments and patted my shoulder before laughing at me,

"Wow James, your first kiss with El." I smacked Tris lightly round the head as we headed out to the busy streets, lighting up the cigarettes as we did.

"I was mad and it was all high rate and she looked REALLY good because she was angry, I couldn't help it, I had to kiss her." Connor tutted from besides me before shaking his head,

"You need to learn some more self control, she's going to use Brad as a way to make you mad now." He explained,

"Yeah so you'll probably take her right there on the spot next time." Tristan joked, earning a smack from both me and Connor.

"Stop being so crude Tris, this is serious." Connor huffed, but we all erupted into laughter. We couldn't be serious.