Pariahs

Part Eleven - The Choice

I woke up at 5 in the morning like I've done for the past three days. Thanks a lot school. I got up and went through my morning routine- brush teeth, take shower, drown myself in lotion, get dressed, do hair, do makeup, eat, and then hop on my bike to meet up with Esmond and Castor in front of Two Scoops.

I wondered if they were gonna hate me. I blew them off for no reason and when I tell them about what happened yesterday they're gonna flip their sh*t.

I was scared. Scared of what they were gonna think of me. Scared of what they were gonna say when I told them about Brad. Scared of the consequences I might endure. I wasn't ready to face them, but if I ignored them again today it would only make matters worse.

I rode down main street and almost crashed my bike multiple times due to the fact that I was shaking like an earthquake. I was clammy and my breathing was heavy. I was dreading this more than anything.

I arrived at Two Scoops right on time and there was Castor and Esmond waiting there for me. I hopped of my bike and walked up to them.

"Hey guys", I said, my face to the ground.

"Hey Will", Esmond said sarcastically.

Castor said nothing, but instead came up to me and gave me a hug. I hugged her back.

Esmond had a stern look on his face and opened his mouth to say something. Castor shot him a look and he quickly shut his mouth. He just rolled his eyes and mounted his bike. Castor and I did the same and we all rode to school in silence.

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When lunch came I went and sat with squad. I sat down at our little table and started eating my corn dogs.

"So... there's something I have to tell you guys"

"We already know", Esmond explained.

"Wait what?!"

"Um ya. Did you forget who we were?! You weren't alone in that library and Sierra told us all about your chemistry in the lab"

Castor started laughing it soon spread to Esmond. The laughed for a few seconds then highfived.

"That was a good one Es"

"Why thank you! But anyways, Will, we know all about yesterdays shenanigans"

"Oh... Well, I just wanted to say I was sorry. And that nothing that happened yesterday was my fault. I didn't mean it to happen"

"We know you didn't. But you need to put a stop to it ok?", Castor said putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Of course"

"Good", Esmond said giving me a smile.

"Friends?"

"Family"

I loved them so much. They meant everything to me. I needed them.

We gave each other a big hug when the bell rang and headed to sixth period. I only had fourty-five minutes until I had to deal with Brad, but of course it only felt like ten.

I walked into seventh period and there he was, just sitting there. Peter was sitting in Brad's seat and Brad was sitting in his. Ugh.

I sat down in silence and pretended like he wasn't there.

"You don't have to ignore me to tell me that you want me to back off"

I let out a long sigh and looked at him.

"Well I don't know any other way to do it"

"Really? Come on. You break hearts for a living"

I couldn't help but smile a little, but quickly shook it off. I didn't want to hurt him anymore, but Castor and Es weren't the only ones who had a bad feeling about this.

"Very funny. But for real, back off"

"Wait are you being serious?", Brad said as he turned to me and looked me in the eyes.

"Um yes..."

"What the hell pariah! I kiss you, make you feel important and popular for once, and in return all I get is a bunch of bull. I seriously tried to make you feel special and I intended to make sure you were made popular. You could sit with us at lunch and you would finally be noticed. Cause you're hot Will, but not when you're all caught up in this "my friends don't approve of you and I rather have them and be lame all my life than have the guy of my dreams and be the queen of the school" crap. I mean I am Brad Barns after all. You'd be a legend honey, as one of the very few lucky enough to date me. And you're really gonna give up all that just to say you're a good person. If you wanna make it in this world, sweetheart, you have to learn to burn some bridges and break some hearts; for real"

I just stared at him blankly. Had he really just said that? I couldn't even look at him.

I grabbed my books and walked to the back of the room where there was an empty seat next to this really fat kid.
Brad just punched the desk and turned his chair back around to face the front of the room.

When class ended I walked straight to the door and didn't look back, but as I was just about to walk out of the door my shoulder was grabbed from behind. I was turned around and there was who I least wanted to see in this moment.

"This is your last chance Will", Brad said looking down at me, "I risked my reputation for you and I've dedicated these last couple days just to making you happy. You really pissed me off back there, but I'm not mad at you and I can't blame you for being upset. I took it too far and I was being a jerk. I just don't wanna lose you, ok? And if you don't want to be with me than that's ok, but you better make up your mind right now cause I'm not going to play these games anymore. And no take backs. If you say no, than there's no going back, you've lost your chance and you won't be getting another one"

I looked into his beautiful eyes, pondering my next move with great consideration.

"Well, what's it gonna be?"

My eyes looked to the floor not able to make anymore eye contact.

"I... uh...well the answer would have to be..."