𝔉𝔏𝔄𝔐𝔈𝔖.

EPISODE TWENTY SEVEN :I'M BEING A B***H

**HADIZAH'S POV**

With only three days left until the winter dance, I was finishing up my drawings for the auction. A shadow loomed over me, and I looked up to find Michael standing there.

"What do you want?" I asked, my frustration evident.

"Nothing, I just came here to clear my mind," he said.

"Well then, Mr. Williams, you're free to sit down and enjoy your solitude," I said sarcastically.

"I wasn't asking for your permission," he countered.

"Well, nobody asked for your opinion," I snapped back.

"Is this about last time?" he asked.

"No, Michael, you're frustrating me. Please, I need my-" I caught myself just in time. "Michael, please leave me alone."

"Is this about your friend?" he pressed.

"Michael, don't get me worked up. Please," I begged.

"Fine," he said, letting out a huge sigh and sitting down. He put on his earpiece and started listening to music from his recorder.

My drawing depicted love in its broken state, but I left it uncolored because I couldn't paint and didn't want to ruin it.

Michael looked at his watch and I realized it was time for P.E.

"We both have to leave," we chorused, heading out together.

I would have loved to smile, but Michael was just Michael-an enigmatic loner.

********

As I walked down the hallway, trying to fix my bracelet, it slipped from my hand and fell. Maya, with a swift kick, sent it skittering into the nearby locker room. She and Lucy snickered as they walked away.

I wanted to slap her but took a deep breath, reminding myself to stay calm.

I opened the locker room door to find Michael standing there in his gym clothes.

"Looking for this?" he asked, twirling my bracelet with his fingers.

"Give it to me," I ordered.

"Hmmm, not so fast, twinkle," he said.

"What the-are you bipolar or something? This is the second time you've called me that. Are you alright? And I don't have time for nonsense right now. I need to get to class," I said.

"I'll give you your bracelet, but on one condition," he said.

"What?" I asked.

"You have to hear me out first," he replied.

"What do you have to say?" I asked, feeling exasperated.

"Well, it's none of my business, but I have to butt in. What's up with you and your best friend?" he asked.

"Point of correction: she is not my best friend and never will be. She's just an entitled brat," I said.

"Oh my God, girls and their stupid fights. Is this even worth it? She's your friend and you know it. Do you know how much she fought with me just because I said you weren't my friend?" he asked rhetorically.

"Well, I don't care. I've apologized, and if she doesn't want to accept it, I'm not wasting my time on her anymore," I said.

"Hadizah, she was wrong not to accept your apology, but you should act mature and swallow your pride. You shouldn't give people an opportunity to laugh at you. Do you know how many people are happy you guys are done?" he said.