The Unfriend Zone

Chapter 2. Feelings

The day grew slowly until it stopped all together; Mila comfortably stared into Alice's ineffable beauty whilst the teacher blabbered on about yet another boring topic that they had heard all before. 

Suddenly, Mila had to stop her eyes and adjust her attention to the book in front of her as Alice turned her head. "Do you have a free last period?" She asked, a glint of curiosity glowing in her ocean blue eyes adding the slight hint of gold that made her irresistible. 

Mila smiled softly as she grabbed her timetable to see, "Uhh, yeah it seems I do! Did you want to go and study for a bit?" She chuckled. The teacher paused her talk to hand out the information papers for all the coursework they'll need to complete. "Thanks Miss!" Said Mila as she turned her head back to the goddess beside her awaiting her response. 

"I was actually wondering if you wanted to come to my house for a movie night or just chilling out?" Queried Alice. Mila's face dropped as she realized her fatal mistake. 

Ending her eye contact, Mila put her head down. "I am so sorry, but I'm walking home with James, my friend, today. We have so many clubs that Fridays and late on Wednesdays are the only days we can. So sorry." Cried Mila with a faint laugh of embarrassment. Guilt struck her right through the heart as she felt the bond the two had built break ever so slightly. Why would Mila choose a boy she's known her whole life for a new friend who she eagerly wants to know? 

A gentle press of a hand on Mila's shoulder brought her attention back to her friend. "Don't worry about it, maybe on the weekend then?" Alice asked. Mila nodded quickly in response. Perhaps the friendship isn't completely doomed. "You aren't talking about James McDarley though, right?" A look of query planted on her face.

"Yeah, do you know him?" 

Alice smiled, as if she had just found out the secrets to the universe. The answers to man kinds problems. "Yeah! We became friends in first school." Her smile grew with every word, her eyes glistened with excitement and glee. 

Wondering how to ask a friendship threatening question, Mila breathed in, "Are you the girl he is secretly in love with. He won't tell me who and it has been at least two years now and I don't want to sound crazy but after two years don't you think you'd tell your good friend who has never shared a secret before?" Gushed Mila. Laughing in response Alice held onto Mila's hand.

"It isn't me, and he won't tell me either" She lied. "However, I can be sure it isn't me as I am very proudly gay and he knows it all too well." Continued Alice. Mila knew that James would respect this and her worries quickly flew away. However, the words of Alice rung in her mind. The way how easily each word slipped off of her tongue. Especially how easy it was for her to just come out like that. Gosh she must be comfortable in her sexuality to be that confident, Mila thought. Eager to tell her new friend that she too was interested in girls, as well as guys. 

The school bell ring indicating the end of the day, Mila ran down the corridor and through the rush of lower school students to beat James to their usual meeting spot. She waited only for a few minutes as she saw the tall boy tower over all the younger and much shorter students. "Hello there stranger!" Mila yelled.

"Hello back to you, James is the name. And yours?" He chuckled.

Mila thought for a witty response, "Well a lady never tells a name to a gentleman so I guess I can tell you. Mila is the name, good to meet you James." She laughed as he nudged her to the side so effortlessly, like she was a mere domino waiting to be flicked.

Rummaging through his bag in search for something he cocked his head towards the ray of sunshine beside him. "So, in music today, we were told about a barn dance on the fourteenth. Do you want to be my date?" James asked, a small amount of blush appearing on his cheeks. He handed her the flyer with all the details on it and she examined it closely. 

"You know what, I'd like that very much. We could also invite your friend Alice." She smirked. James's eyes widened with embarrassment as he cupped the back of his neck. 

"Sorry." He muttered. "You were just having so much fun talking about her, I didn't want to interrupt." He replied, "Anyways, it is so obvious that you have a crush on her!" He laughed, trying to hide the pain in his eyes. She punched him and laughed along as they walked down the path. 

"Yeah, maybe I do."