Stolen Kisses, Pretty Lies

~Chapter 10~

The school bell rang as I stepped onto the facility. Midnights had decided not to come to school, and I fully supported that, so I let her stay in my home and told her to text me if she needed anything. It was a big expression of trust, but she had done the same with me, and letting her stay in my home was the least I could do.

My dad was away on a work trip, meaning she had the place to herself, where she could rest and get some respite from her constant stress.

School was the last thing I wanted right now, despite usually enjoying it to an extent. While I had promised Midnights that I'd keep my phone on me all day, I couldn't help but fear for her. There was nothing that would happen, apart from things she could do to herself. Due to this, I had made her promise to update me throughout the day with how she was holding up.

I sped up my walking pace and made it to my first class just in time, unusually exhausted after my small speed walk.

I slid into my seat beside Lover, my eyelids drooping slightly. I hadn't slept well last night, either. The girl smiled at me and said a cheery greeting that I barely registered.

"Hey," I said quietly, offering a small smile.

Naturally, Lover picked up on my pathetic masking. She scooted her chair forward, her bright eyes soft and attentive.

"What's up?" She asked.

I sighed. I wasn't sure what I could say, what I should say. "...everything."

Lover frowned. "Like?"

"Uhh... Rep, mostly," it wasn't a big lie.

"You never told me the whole story with what happened between you two."

I smothered a yawn with my hand and then gave her the full explanation of the day that tore my best friend from me.

"The thing with Rep," Lover mused, "she never does anything without reason. And it doesn't seem that way at all, but if you ask her, she'll more often than not have a good reason."

I nodded, "well this definitely had a reason, I just can't work out why."

"Maybe she's jealous?" Lover shrugged.

I furrowed my brows, "of who?"

"Midnights?"

"But we met a couple weeks ago and I'm just getting to know her," I replied, slightly confused.

"Well, you hang out with her a lot now, and Rep's special little head probably believes you're replacing her with Midnights."

The open trust Lover had for Rep was extremely admirable, even just letting Rep have a girl best friend whom she was attached to was a such a small thing for the two. As it should be.

I suppose it helps that Rep wouldn't go near my clitoris with a 10-foot pole, and I don't want to imagine what she might do with Lover's.

"That does make a lot of sense," I mused with a sigh.

"When it comes to Rep, I know a thing or two," she smiled. "You two are so close, I'm sure everything will work out eventually."

I nodded and thanked her, just as the teacher walked in and class began.

Lover was right. Of course I wanted to work things out with her, but I had bigger things to worry about. I strained my brain trying to think of ways I could help Midnights. If there was anything I could do for her. By the time it was break, I had a splitting headache.

I got out of my seat and was hit by momentary dizziness that I fought hard to shrug off. Fortunately, nobody was looking my way as I regained my balance and made my way back to my locker, hands tight around my books.

My headache only seemed to worsen as I put my things away, so popped a few tablets in hopes they would reduce my pain. I'd need concentration to get through the rest of the day.

The break went by slowly, and I felt like I was on auto drive. I talked to Folklore as we sat in the sun, my head pounding slightly less, but my stomach feeling nauseous and thoughts hazy. If anyone noticed my discomfort, I didn't register it.

Our group seemed small without Rep, just Lover, Folklore and I didn't feel right. Even if it meant Folklore and I didn't have to third wheel, for once.

I straightened my back and tried to fix my posture in hopes it would reduce my stomach pains, when a short, curly blonde caught my attention.

I quickly let my friends know where I was going before getting to my feet as normally as I could make it look, and making my way over to the girl.

"De! Debut, hey," I called, walking up to where she was standing with two other girls.

The younger girl turned around and smiled when she saw me, "Nine! Long time no see."

"Yeah, sorry about that," I smiled apologetically. Rep's sister and I had a fair few good memories together. "I just wanted to know how Rep's doing?"

Debut blew air out her lips in a long exhale before replying, "none of us haven't seen her in a while, she just sneaks up to her room and shuts the door whenever she's home. Not that that's unusual, we all know how a Rep slump goes."

I pressed my lips together in thought and nodded, "I thought that might be the case."

"Do you know what happened?"

I nodded, "yeah, we had a pretty big fight over something."

Debut raised her eyebrows but didn't say anything in regard. "Well if you need anything, you can ask me or Kar."

I smiled, "thanks De, I'll keep that in mind. And look out for Rep for me, yeah?"

"Of course, I'll see you around, Nine."

I turned around and returned to my friends, my movements feeling sluggish. I stifled a yawn and sat down, resting my head in my hands. I could've fallen asleep if it wasn't for the biting sunlight. And just to my delight, the moment I got slightly comfortable, the bell rang.

~~

I'm tired.