Part 15

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I spent the rest of the daylight being Kyle's moral support. The Drama Club had attracted quite a few freshmen. Kyle successfully gave a cheered-up intro speech and also announced this year's play, an alternative version of Cinderella. Auditions were to be held in two weeks. Good thing that I already have secured the role of the window...
Wednesday's conclusion: I need to make a bet with Gen; Aiden and Chloe are definitely getting it together before Homecoming.

Thursday was relatively mellow apart from 12 seconds of it. As I was walking towards the cafeteria from the distant Wood Shop class, I chose to take a detour through CRESS' gardens. It was sunny, something it hadn't been for what seemed like ages, and I wanted to enjoy the warm sunlight before going back inside the large red-brick cube building. I passed by the Gazebo, Chloe's and her pack's territory. To my rather not so much surprise, Aiden was with them as well. I averted my eyes and strode straight ahead. I was politely ignored by him during Physics-Lab as well.
Thursday's conclusion: With this pace, I will be making 25 bucks very, very soon.

And then Friday came, and the whole day was more revelatory than what the entire week had been. I was completely over the whole Aiden deal and back to my old self. It had rained during lunch-time and by the time I had my PE period, the last one for the day, the sky stretched ahead without a single cloud in sight. Yet - despite the crispy weather - the clear blue sky and the bright sunshine were the perfect excuse for Ms. Bree to do the lesson outdoors. Typically, during PE, Ms. Bree prefers that I practice my running rather than join the other girls who play a team sport. She knows if I don't run during her lesson, I won't bother to run any other time. I could hear all the cheers and the groans of my class playing kickball, while I was isolated at the beginning of the track doing a stretching warm-up.

The alternating wind and sunshine stressed my skin; prickling and then tingling. With closed eyes, I tried to take a deep inhale but then, it hit me. It literally did! Something bumped onto my head at a great speed. Was it a ball? Did somebody just shoot at me? The sound of chuckles ringed in my ears. I looked behind me, with a threatening glare. Most of the girls had a shocked expression; I immediately understood that what just happened was anything but accidental. Who would do that to me? I was one of those girls who got along with everyone – your typical neutral student.

"Oi! Sophie!" a cocky shout dragged my stare to the front row of the gathering crowd, "Stop fooling around. Let's run! One hundred." It was Chloe – a surge of confusion splashed in my mind. Why would she do that to me?

May I properly introduce to you, the Queen, Chloe Simmons. She was your archetypal of high school's alpha female. She wasn't a snob bitch, the exact opposite actually! She was very pleasant and approachable. Of course, she had a bit of an arrogant demeanour but that could be excused, she was Chloe after all. Who wouldn't act conceited if they had her angelic beauty, her rich family and her shiny reputation? She flicked her golden wavy hair over her shoulder as she approached me. So, she was indeed serious about challenging me, that got my adrenaline rising. I was a good runner, not the best, but at least in my opinion an above-average one. On the other hand, Chloe was in my school's track and field team.

"Just give me a minute to get my shoelaces tied." I signaled to Eve who immediately rushed over to me.

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