FRIDAY'S GIRL ·ϿʘϾ·

Chapter 35

Running into Maddison in the locker room after gym class was something I tried to avoid at all costs. Unfortunately, that morning, it wasn't possible. I saw her whispering with Chloe, and as I passed by them, I caught a mocking glance that made me feel a simultaneous pang of guilt and anger. I knew they were laughing at me, even though I tried hard to pretend it didn't affect me. Much to my dismay, the impact of their laughter echoed in my mind, amplifying all the insecurities I was trying to keep under control.

"I heard that some guys tried to assault her during the trip. Those poor things must have terrible taste," I heard Maddison whisper, as both of them burst into laughter like two magpies.

I took a deep breath, struggling to keep my composure as I hurried to cover myself with a clean sweatshirt. Sometimes it was hard for me to understand how I had gotten to this point: part of me was glad I had taken Maddison Rivers' boyfriend, but the other part felt horribly guilty. However, in moments like that, the guilt quickly dissipated, leaving me with a mix of relief and triumph. After all, Brad was with me, not her.

My thoughts were interrupted when the cheerleading captain started talking again, this time in a more serious tone.

"I have no idea what's going on with Brad. If he was acting weird before, now he barely talks to me, doesn't reply to my messages, and when I try to kiss him, he turns his face away. He almost doesn't touch me," she confessed to her friends, her voice tinged with worry.

"Don't worry, Maddie, he adores you," Chloe murmured, patting her on the shoulder. "He's just going through a phase."

The others also tried to reassure her, promising that everything would get better in the future. However, I knew the truth: their relationship was dead.

The fact that Brad hadn't been intimate with his girlfriend gave me a certain sense of security. In fact, I'd even say it made a big difference, as it gave me blind confidence in him. I didn't mind that our relationship existed only in the shadows, in absolute secrecy, without any witnesses, so distant yet so close, full of stolen kisses, whispered secrets, and so many other things that made my heart race.

We were in touch all day, staying up late into the night, sending both texts and voice messages. While being the other woman weighed on my conscience like a rock, I was relieved to know that his current relationship was almost platonic, without any physical contact, thanks to the chastity vow taken by a good number of cheerleaders.

On my way to my locker, I couldn't help but look at myself in the mirror. The image I saw caused a mix of insecurity and self-rejection. I didn't feel comfortable in my own skin; every imperfection took on a monumental dimension in my eyes. The constant comparison with Maddison, that queen bee, with her vow of chastity and ethereal perfection, only made my insecurities more acute.

"Why can't I be more like her?" I whispered under my breath, sucking in my stomach to try and slim my waist, not paying attention to the people walking down the hallway.

My thoughts were interrupted by a tap on my shoulder. When I turned around, I saw it was Brad, and embarrassment colored my cheeks, making me feel ridiculous.

"What are you doing?" he asked in a cheerful voice, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing, nothing... just daydreaming a bit," I lied, pulling down the hem of my gray sweatshirt to cover my backside.

Brad didn't seem convinced, but he didn't press the issue.

"I'll wait for you where you know," he whispered in my ear before walking off in the other direction.

I continued down the hallway, turning at the first intersection toward the boiler room. No one ever went in there unless there was a technical issue.

"We only have ten minutes," I smiled like a fool, seeing him standing there, so handsome, waiting for me.