The player and the shy girl (ΒΟΟΚ2)

Hidden Truths

Sorry, I got carried away.
These words keep repeating in my mind...

I'm in my bed, sitting up.
This can't keep happening every time...
I put the pillow over my face and start to scream.

Don't mess with me, Lucas!
I'm not your plaything anymore...

After a lot of thinking, I finally went to sleep.

MORNING

I wake up, head to the bathroom, and then go to my closet.
Let's see...

My phone vibrates, and I pick it up to find it's Austin.

*Good morning.
*Good morning! Are you coming for coffee?
*Skipping class again, huh, Austin?
*Well, yeah, I'm bored.
*Austin, if we go for coffee every day, how are you going to get into the school you want?
*Come on, Emma, don't give me a hard time.
*I don't care if you want to grab coffee, let's just go to school, no skipping.
*Alright, I'll come pick you up.
*And tell the others to forget about it, we're going to school. I don't want to hear any nonsense.
*Fine, just don't beat us up!
*Oh, come on...

I say and hang up the phone.

Ah, guess where I'm going to unleash my frustrations today? At boxing! Yes, yes, poor opponent of mine... At least I won't keep it all bottled up.

I grab my bag and wait outside for Austin.
After two minutes, he arrives, and I get into the car.

"Let's go quickly for coffee so we don't miss the first hour. Come on!"
I say, and he starts the engine.

We arrive at the café, I order the coffees, and we get back in the car.

"Let's go!"

We reach school and head straight to the classroom as the bell rings.

I sit at my desk while Mia is absent...
I look at Austin, but he shrugs, indicating he doesn't know.

I'll scold her later...
Class begins...
What could be more exciting than biology?

The teacher wants to put us in groups...
And my stupid best friend isn't here when I need her!

The teacher asks everyone who they'll partner with; everyone chooses someone, and now she's asking Lucas.

"Emma."
I look at him in shock.
Are they kidding me? What is the teacher writing in her notebook?

"No, no, I didn't agree to this."
I respond to the teacher, and Lucas looks at me.

"Sorry, Emma, but in this case, it's just you and Lucas. And Mia is with Peter, who is also absent from class."

"Can't you put me with Mia instead?"

"Unfortunately not. This is Lucas's chance to raise his grade."
I glare at Lucas, who smiles and winks at me.

"And what do I have to do with this?He should pay attention in class!"

I tell the teacher, wanting so badly to throw her out of the window right now.

"Sorry, Emma, but it can't be helped. Lucas will be in your group to save his grade, and Peter will be with Mia to save his grade too."
She replies, and I start cursing internally!

Well, the assignments must be ready in two weeks. If you finish them earlier, you can submit them, and the three best ones will enter a competition. If you win first place, you'll get a three-day trip with your partner.

Oh, great! But what's the point of going with someone you constantly fight with, and who used you before?
Ridiculous, right?

The bell rings, and I head outside with Austin. Man, I want to kill them both—the teacher and Mia...

I walk to the bench and see Mia sitting alone with Peter, crying.

I glance at Peter and quickly approach them.
"What did you do to her?"
I say, shoving Peter.

"Why do I have to do anything?"

"Because you're a boy, and boys always do something!"

"Emma, stop it, he's not to blame."
Mia tells me.

"And who is?"

"Alex saw us kissing with Peter."

"Wait, you two together? Since when, and how did this happen?"

"From where the fox shits."
Lucas responds while standing behind me.

"Wait, you knew about this?"
I ask Lucas, and he nods while ignoring Mia's tears.

I look at them in disbelief. They kept this hidden from me? I expected it from someone else, I didn't see this coming!

I glare at Mia, and she lowers her head.
"So that's how it is, huh?"
I say, looking at them angrily and disappointed.
"And you too, Austin?"
I ask, but he doesn't answer, just looks at me regretfully.

"Nice, we're playing hide and seek from me."
I say, looking at them, and I leave the bench, heading back to school.

I'm furious with them. My best friend is in a secret relationship, didn't tell me anything, didn't ask for advice, and they were hiding it from me...
Wonderful...