The Broken Ones

Chapter Eight

Alesia flipped through the pages of her Media Genres Textbook absent-mindedly. She had just finished the seminar for the subject and had to wait an hour for her two-hour psychology seminar to begin. She was seated in the corner of one of the many cafes on campus, drinking a large chai latte.

Frankie had a Corporate Law Lecture while Johnny was at an Introduction to Mathematical Statistics Seminar.

"Well look who it is," someone said as a shadow fell on Alesia.

Alesia looked up to see Angelica. "What the hell do you want?" she asked annoyed.

"I just can't figure you out," Angelica told her.

"Just leave me alone," Alesia complained as she looked back at her textbook.

"Bossy much," Angelica criticised.

"Shut up Angelica," Alesia commanded not looking up.

"You used to be so loyal," Angelica told her. "And you were so easy to recruit."

"And control?" Alesia added dryly.

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"I don't think Aiden likes me," Maya complained to Alesia.

The two Year Sevens were hanging out together at lunchtime.

Aiden was missing as he was spending time with his new friends: Jonah, Jude and Blake. Aiden was enjoying having male friends that didn't want to play sport all the time. Not that Aiden would admit it to anyone except Alesia and Maya, but he hated basketball. The only reason he played the sport was that he liked the attention he got from it.

"Of course, he likes you, we are his friends," Alesia told her.

"I mean like-like," Maya muttered.

"Why would care about that unless..." Alesia said as she began to put the puzzle pieces together. "You like Aiden!" she exclaimed loudly.

"Not so loud!" Maya complained as she hit Alesia lightly on the arm. "I don't want anyone else to know."

"Since when?" Alesia asked eagerly.

"A few months," she replied quietly. "Not that it matters, we both know he has a crush on Tabitha," Maya complained making sure to say Tabitha's name in a sing-song voice.

Earlier in the year, Aiden and Tabitha had been paired together for a history assignment. Ever since then Aiden had acted different around the girl. He acted more nervous and self-conscious. When Alesia and Maya pressed him for answers, he turned red and denied everything.

Alesia didn't know much about Tabitha. They were in the exact same class but never spoke to each other. Alesia many stuck with Maya and Aiden while Tabitha hung out with Amelia, Katarina and Angelica.

"Maybe it for the best," Alesia said. "You guys have been friends since you were seven, this could ruin your friendship."

"I guess you are right," Maya sighed.

"Alesia, Maya," Someone yelled out to them. Both girls turned around to see Angelica walking towards.

Angelica and Alesia had a strange friendship. The two become friends during their textiles class early in the year. Alesia had been struggling to use the sewing machine and was too shy to ask the teacher for help. Instead, Angelica had recognised her struggle and helped her out. Angelica had a way of making other people feel important and special. For someone like Alesia, a girl who struggled with anxiety and insecurity on a daily basis, that was a great feeling.

"Hi Angelica," Alesia said greet the girl. While the three were the same age, Angelica towered over both girls. Her caramel brown hair was straight and been pushed off her heart-shaped face with a school blue coloured wire headband.

Angelica smiled at the two girls. "I was wondering if you girls wanted to hang out with Grace, Renate, Tabitha, Lisa and I from now on."

The two girl looked at each other. "Sure," Maya replied smiling.

Angelica's smile grew wider. "Well come on," she said led the two away.

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"You become my friend so easily," Angelica reminded her.

"Actually, it was Maya that agreed to be your friend, not me," Alesia corrected her.

"But you were the one that stuck around long after she was gone," Angelica added.

Alesia didn't answer. It was true after all.

"It was almost too easy to make you stop being friends with that loser," Angelica pointed out.

Alesia smiled. "Oh Angelica if only you knew," she said mockery.

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"I can't do it anymore," Maya told Alesia. "The way she treats Katarina and Amelia is disgusting, and she wants as to do it too."

It was a month after Maya and Alesia had become friends with Angelica. The two girls were at Alesia house. They were seated on Alesia bed cross-legged and facing each other.

"So what are you going to do?" Alesia asked her.

"I'm not going to hang out with her," Maya announced. "I'll go hang out with Aiden and his friends."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Alesia asked.

"You sticking with her?" Maya gasped. "Lesie she is a terrible person."

Alesia didn't answer she just looked down.

"Why Lesie?" Maya asked.

"She makes me feel special," Alesia muttered.

"And I don't!" Maya yelled angrily as she pushed herself off the bed and walked towards the door.

"Maya," Alesia yelled as she ran after her. She grappled hold of Maya left arm and made Maya face her. "Please Maya, you know better than anyone how messed up I am. I don't know why but Angelica makes me feel like I am worth something. I have never felt that way before. I can't lose it."

Maya looked at Alesia. "I know Lesie," she told her.

"We can still be friends right?" Alesia asked quietly.

Maya smiled. "We will always be friends."

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"I didn't stop being her friend that day," Alesia told Angelica. "We were still friends. We just didn't hang out during school time. Now leave me alone!"

Without another word Angelica walked off leaving Alesia alone with her thoughts.