Fade Into Nothingness

Chapter 11

"McKenna! Come sit here!"

I whipped my head around instantly when I heard my name. I wasn't surprised to find Ali waving her hand in the air, urging me to come to her table.

The table where Justin sits. I saw him mildly stiffen at the sound of my name but he didn't dare look up to meet my gaze.

To be quite frank, I've avoided that table at all costs. I would just sit in the library and try to hide myself from their view. Obviously, I'd need to eat so I'd come during my free period to grab food. Thankfully, none of them are on my spare. Well none that I know of. I mean I wouldn't really have much knowledge as to who has my spare, considering I basically lock myself inside the library.

I should've turned back around, I should've. But I didn't. I walked towards the table nervously, while my fingers fumble with the loose strings of my cashmere sweater. I halted to a stop once I've reached the table. I probably look like some dumbass idiot who is just standing there saying nothing at all.

"Mac, what are you waiting for? Come sit!" Ali suggests, almost too cheerfully for my liking.

I hesitantly walk around the table, and sit between Ari and Ali. I could feel every single pair of eyes on me and it immediately had me feeling anxious.

"Are you not going to eat? Where's your food?" Ari asks me, concern filling her eyes.

Lie. McKenna. Lie.

"Oh–I already ate so it's fine."

She flashes me a look of uncertainty and doubt, but she quickly brushes it away.

"Oh okay!"

"So... McKenna, the dance is coming up," I turn my head to face Liam, as he is indeed the one who's speaking. "Are you going with anyone?"

The dance? There's a dance coming up? Ah that must be why there are posters of Courtney Lenders all over the school.

"No I don't think I'm going," I answer.

Liam opens his mouth to say something but Ali was quick to interrupt him.

"You're not going? That's insane! Of course you are," she exclaims.

"But I don't real–"

"I don't care if I have to drag you out of your house, kicking and screaming, you're going and that's final!"

I was shocked to have seen this side of Ali, simply because I didn't want to go to the dance. I mean seriously, on what planet was 'forcing someone to go to a stupid fucking dance that she clearly has no interest in going to' allowed?

Before I could argue with her on her incredulous decision, yeah it wasn't even a suggestion, she already decided that what she was saying was right. But before I could, Ari wasted no time in siding with her.

"Yeah! You have to come! It's the only time of the year where girls actually have an excuse to dress up!" She says, a little too enthusiastically.

"But I don't want to–"

"We have to find you a date!" Ali interrupts me, and quickly turns her head to look at Ari. "Who should we set her up with?"

"Actually I was going to–" Liam begins speaking, only to be interrupted by one of the girls.

"Oh! How about that new guy–uh what's his name? Oh yeah Alex! Yeah, that's it–Alex," Ari suggests.

Wait... Alex...

My eyes widen in realization. "Oh Alex! I know him!"

They both looked at me in surprise and challenge.

"So you agree? You wanna go with him?" Ali asks challengingly.

"What? No! I just said I knew him!" I said defensively.

"But he's cute isn't he?" Ali asks me.

"I mean yeah but–"

"So then you should definitely go with him!" Ali interrupts.

Am I ever going to be able to speak or what?

"Oh for fuck sakes! I'll take her!"

What the hell?

I look up to see an annoyed Justin looking down at me.

"Yeah that's right princess, I'm taking you so either get on board or go with that Alex dude," he says confidently but nonchalantly.

"But dude when have you ever gone to those things?" Liam asked. "It'd only make sense if I take her to the dance."

What the fuck is happening?

"I'm sitting right here you know?" I try to gain their attention.

They both looked at me in unison.

"Who do you want to go with Kenna?" Liam asks me.