The Love Square

7

The next day at school, Annie went to the bathroom, accidentally walking in on Addy vaping.

"Oh, hey Annie." She said, not smiling.

Annie looked up at her. "Hey."

"Why won't you sit with us anymore? I thought we were friends." Addy said, taking the vape from between her lips and putting it in her left pocket.

"It isn't you. It's just issues with another person." Annie replied. She couldn't see Collin right now.

Addy rolled her eyes. "Collin told me everything. He said he didn't mean to take it that far."

Annie sighed. "And I understand that, but im still uncomfortable around him now."

"Well, please come sit with us again. You don't have to sit by Collin." Addy said

Annie thought for a moment. She wanted to talk to Elijah and tell him the truth about Levi, but did she really wanna deal with Collin?

" ok." She finally said.

When addy and Annie walked over to the table, Collin looked up at her, but immediately looked away. Annie sat by Elijah and another girl.

"You're back, Annie BaNannie?" Elijah said smiling.

"Yea. I need to talk to you. About Levi." Annie said.

Elijah's smile faded. "You need to get away from him. He's going to hurt you, just like he hurt my sister."

"Someone started a rumor about him! He said all he did was call her hot.."

"Annie, you've been here for like 2 weeks. You don't know what type of person Levi is. He's a liar. A pervert. A man hoe." Elijah stated.

"Dude he's a sophomore. He can't be that bad."Annie said.

Elijah rolled his eyes. "if only that were the case." He said frowning. "Anyways, would you wanna hangout after school today?"

Annie softly smiled. "I'd love to but I'm slightly grounded right now haha.."

Elijah sighed. " Tell her you are going to work on the project with me."

Annie shrugged. "I mean I'll try but no promises she will say yes."

"Sounds good Annie!" Elijah said excitedly.

After school, Annie got permission from her mother to go to Elijah's house to "study."

As Annie walked up to the door, she knocked, and patiently waited for Elijah to open it. To her surprise, the person who answered the door was not Elijah. It was a young girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Hi, who are you?" She asked politely.
"Hi! I'm Annie. I need to see Elijah please." She replied

The girl smirked. "ELIJAH! Your girlfriend is here!"
Annie blushed. "He's not my boyfriend."

The girl smirked. "Ah."

Elijah came to the door. He had no shirt on and plaid pj pants. "Hey Annie! Come in!" He said grabbing her arm.

Annie walked in. "So what did you wanna do again?"
Elijah smirked. "Do you wanna watch a movie or something?"
Annie grinned, "yea sure."

The two sat down on the couch in his massive bedroom. Annie sat kind of far from him, and Elijah did the same.

He dimmed the lights and turned on Netflix. "What should we watch?"

"The kissing booth!!" She squealed as she saw his remote go on the movie.

"I've never seen that, is it good?" He asked charmingly.

"Yes! So good" she said

"Before I turn the movie on, I need you to be honest with me about something." He mumbled, scooting closer to her.

"What did Collin do to you?" He asked, looking her dead in the eyes.

Annie fumbled to find words. "He.. didn't do anything. We just hugged, that's all." She lied.

Elijah looked her in the eyes. "Tell. me. The. truth."

Annie grit her teeth. "Ok ok! We kissed and he took my shirt off and did things—but that's all! I didn't have sex with him at all!"

Elijah's eyes widened. "You let him do that to you, Annie?" He said placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I mean I didn't do anything to stop it.. I was scared but also excited.. I don't know!!" She fought

Elijah sighed. "Annie.. Collin doesn't love you like you think he does. He has been my bestfriend for years.. and he's just a filthy player. He dates girls and takes advantage of them. I'm pretty sure his body count is over 100.."

"Well.. good thing I'm not 101?" She said trying to lighten the mood.

Elijah shook his head. "That is true. Also; I'm thinking about throwing a suprise party for Addy's birthday. You can come if you want—if you aren't still traumatized from my last party.."

"Another party? How do you afford throwing all these parties!" Annie asked

Elijah grinned. "I have my ways. Anyways, will you go?"

"Yea..when is it ? What do I wear?"

"It will be this Saturday, and just dress sexy." He winked.

Annie blushed. "Alright.. I don't know if I can do that but I'll try!" She laughed. "Also.. have you ever had a girlfriend?"

Elijah smirked. "Why? Tryna be next?" He teased. "Yes, I've had like 3-4 in the last few years. I've given up on dating right now though, nobody ever lasts."

"That's very shocking. I lowkey thought you were a player too." Annie said, laughing.

Elijah shook his head. "Welp Annie, you are so wrong. See, unlike a lot of people, I have respect for women." He said, looking at her. He stared for a couple of seconds before finally turning away. "Annie, I want to protect you. You seem so gullible.. so please.. don't just go around fucking whoever gives you the tiniest bit of attention. You'll regret it in the long run. Promise?"

"I'm not gullible!! Why do you and Addy and Levi and EVERYONE keep treating me like a child, huh?" She whined. "I've only been at Sunview for 2 weeks and everyone acts like I'm some little baby. I'm not! I may be a freshman, I may be young, but I know how to stand up for myself. Please just trust me for once..."

"I'm not saying you can't stand up for yourself. I'm just saying you give in too easily and trust people so fast. Let's be honest here, you literally came to my house even though I've only known you for like a week.." Elijah stated.

"Yea? And? We're friends!" She fought back.

Elijah grabbed her arm and pulled her closer. "We are. But just stop being so open to everyone. You can seriously get in trouble." He said, in the increasing the grip on her arm.

"Ow!!" She said trying to pull away from him.
Elijah finally let go. "Sorry." He muttered.
His grip left a huge red mark on her arm.
"Why did you do that!?" She yelled

Elijah shrugged. "Just needed to be clear about what I was saying. I'm sorry."

Annie sighed. "I appreciate you looking out for me, but stop worrying!!"

Elijah nodded. "Okay. I will. But don't say I didn't try to help."

Annie sighed. "Can we watch the movie now?"
Elijah slightly smiled. "Yea, of course."