What To Do When His Girl Isn't You

Chapter 8

I admire my look in my full-length mirror. I didn’t leave anything up to chance; every last detail has been considered and planned for. On the day that I make Max my friend, I can’t wear just anything. It’s all about the execution of the plan. I have to have the right look. Young, innocent, and girly.

I paired a simple white Theory blouse tucked into my favorite light pink circle skirt. Tasteful tan leather Mary Jane flats. Minimal makeup, just mascara, rosy cheeks, and pink lips. I put my shiny brown locks into two loose braids, tied together at the back of my head.

I smiled brightly. It’s exactly as I pictured it.

I sang along to the radio on the way to school, something I only do if I’m in a really good mood. Something great must be about to happen.

Max and I have first period together again today, and I happen to know that the teacher is giving us a work period since we have a project due soon. Work periods always turn into social hours, and teachers always let us sit wherever we want. Meaning that I meet Max at his locker, apologize on the way to class, then convince him to sit together once we get there. Sometimes I really do think I am a genius.

I see Max before he sees me and thank my lucky stars. I walk up to him slowly. When he sees me a look of panic passes through his eyes and tries to walk around me. I blink up at him innocently and grab his arm lightly.

“Wait, Max, don’t go,” I say. “I came to apologize.”

I smile at him sweetly and I watch his face soften as he turns back to face me.

“Apologize?” he asks, still with a trace of apprehension in his voice.

“Um, yeah,” I say as I rock back on my heels, doing my best to looked sheepish which is something I’m not familiar with. “I realize that I came on kind of strong and I really regret making you feel uncomfortable and annoyed. Thing is, I was so nervous about coming to a new school and not having any friends that I got a little caught up in everything. So I’m really sorry about everything. I was thinking maybe we could be friends?”

He eyes me carefully but doesn’t speak, so I go on.

“All I want is people I can talk to when I come to school. I really mean no harm. I let my stress and worries get the best of my before.” I look up at him through my eyelashes and brush a stray hair away from my face. “Maybe we can sit together in class today? Just to see how it goes?”

I bite my lip and look up at him nervously. His face is covered with indecision. After a few quiet, tense moments, he speaks.

“I guess I don’t see the harm in that.”

I give him my best smile. “Thank you so much, Max. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

He returns the smile, looking only the slightest bit uneasy. That was too easy.

Max and I begin to walk towards the classroom when I realize I spoke too soon.

“Max, what the hell are you doing?” A girl’s voice comes from behind us.

Max and I both turn around and come face to face with Alexis and Ethan. And neither of them look very happy.

“Uh, Aubrey just came to apologize,” Max says, his voice uneven.

“Oh, bullshit!” Ethan shouts.

“Hey!” I interject. “How can you be mad at me for trying to right my wrongs? I know that how I treated Max was disrespectful and I felt bad about it. But I talked to Max and he agreed that we can start over and just be friends.”

“What a load of crap,” Ethan huffs. “Not that I’d ever stand up for the guy, but I know what you’re really doing. You’re just trying to get in between Max and Alexis.”

“Max, it’s not true, I swear!” I say to Max, urging him to believe me. He looks confused and a bit angry.

“Alexis, tell your boyfriend that this girl is only trouble,” Ethan tells Alexis, his hand protectively placed on her shoulder.

Alexis looks between the three of us and sighs.

“Come on, Max,” she says, taking his hand. “We’re going to be late for class.”

Max looks at me for a few long seconds before sighing and following Alexis down the hall. I take a breath and try to control my rage. That bitch!

“You,” Ethan’s furious voice brings be back. “I told you to stay away from them. I meant it. Don’t think I don’t know that there’s a reason you switched schools your senior year. No one just does that. There has to be a reason. And trust me when I say that I will find that reason if you don’t stay away from them.”

“You don’t scare me.” I try to make my voice sound more confident than I feel.

“Well I should,” Ethan says warningly before pushing past me and walking down the hall.

I just stand there in shock. How did things 180, then 180 again so quickly? I’m right back where I started. Or possibly even worse. Those two bastards! If Ethan and Alexis think they can get away with what they just did, they have another thing coming.

***Two chapters in one night! That's how much I love you guys:) Let me know what you think!***