Between Love and Friendship (Completed)

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

I would’ve given anything to miss school that Tuesday. But I had a test in Trig, and a project due for AP World History, and both my dad and my teachers would kill me if I missed either of those. So I was stuck, sucking up my episode of teenage angst and getting out of bed that morning.

I looked at my alarm clock, which read 6:42.

I felt dizzy as soon as I sat up, but I pushed myself to get out of bed anyway. I look a pair of white jeans and a denim blue blouse out of my drawer, deciding that they would be my outfit for the day.

Usually, I just pulled on whatever was closest to the front of my closet, but that day I felt like I needed to put effort into what I was wearing. I was starting to care what people thought of me.

After a quick shower, I blow-dried my hair and got dressed. I stared at my refection in the mirror. I looked tired, like I’d had a bad night. Which I did.

But the entire school didn’t need to know that.

I put on some makeup, and then, deciding that it was too much, I washed it off. I looked even more tired than before.

I put the makeup back on. Just a little concealer and powder. To finish off the look, I reached for the eyeliner. Gabriel’s voice echoed in the back of my head. “I always thought you were beautiful without it.” I groaned aloud, mentally scolding myself for thinking about him.

“Screw you,” I whispered to myself, stubbornly applying more eyeliner than I should have. “I’ll wear as much eyeliner as I want.”

* * *

After fifth period that day, I retreated to the bathroom, hoping to have a moment to myself. Thankfully, it was empty.

School had become almost unbearable. I could feel the stares I was getting from Annabelle and her new posse, and on more than one awkward occasion, Gabriel had caught me staring at him.

A week had passed since he found out about me and Trevor. But news travels fast around my school, and by then, the fact that Trevor and I were together was common knowledge.

Trevor was absent from school that day because he had to get his stitches removed. When he wasn’t around, the only one who made an attempt to talk to me was Promise, who had been super nice to me all week. I was glad to have her as a friend, but hanging with her wasn’t nearly as fun as being with Gabe and Annabelle had been in the past.

I sighed, tucking some hair behind my ear and washing my hands with cool water. While I was drying them, someone else walked into the bathroom.

My heart nearly stopped when I realized that it was Annabelle.

I quickly flung my bag onto my shoulder and tired to make a dash for it, but to my surprise, she stopped me. “Aria, wait! I need to talk to you.”

“Okay,” I said, biting my lip nervously. I couldn’t imagine what kind of thing she’d want to say, but I decided that hearing her out was a better alternative than making a mad dash out of the ladies room.

“I wanted to apologize,” She began.

Oh. I was not expecting that.

“I’ve been a shitty friend to you and I’m sorry for that. I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors … you know, about you trying to steal Gabriel from me. I’ll admit, I kind of … overreacted.”

You think?

But out loud I said, “That stuff was just—”

“Wrong. Made up. I know.” Annabelle finished, cutting me off. “I heard you’re with Trevor now, so I’m sorry for freaking out on you like that.”