The Bad Boy I Met On Christmas Eve [✔]

23

"Drop the act, Kristen. I know everything."

The girl who was standing in front of me released a really strong and firm charm. But when I said that sentence, she immediately faltered.

Francesca slapped her on the back and whispered stuff in her ear.

I became really wary of my surroundings, but that was when Kristen fished out a bracelet from her jeans pocket and, with a forceful tug, broke the thin, weak string.

T-that... was our friendship bracelet. No... no... no... this cannot be real! After 17 years of friendship, this is what Kristen does?!

"KRISTEN FINNERTY!!!" I screamed so loud, everyone in the café turned heads.

But behind Kristen, Francesca and Verity, Kora shot me a wink and waved another similar-looking friendship bracelet.

But I couldn't understand what Kora was trying to say.

"Go on," Verity nudged Kristen.

I slowly backed off and the gang of four advanced, Kora following behind them, trying to tell me something but using weird gestures. What were they going to do?!

Alright. Call me stupid. But I really didn't see that coming.

Kristen raised her fist in the air and delivered a punch to my chin.

Caught up by the impact, I stumbled back and nearly fell. Nearly.

Apparently, something caught me. Someone. The person helped me up and I looked behind me.

"Huxley?!"

Zachary winked. "That's me. Anyway, who do we have to deal with here?"

The boy took a menacing step forward and scowled. "Out of here! Now! And don't think of bullying Dalanie ever again because I'll be by her side 24/7!"

"Oh, will you?" Verity smirked.

Francesca pushed her to the back and walked up to Zachary, shamelessly tracing a finger down his sharp jawline. "She's with Alex..."

Zachary had changed. You could just tell. He immediately gripped her hand and swung it away. "F*ck. Off. It doesn't matter who she's with. As long as she's away from the people in her life she ought to go without."

"I suppose that includes you," Francesca was persistent.

"No, it does not," I suddenly said. "Listen here, Francesca. This had better be the last time that you ever cross my path. Right here, right now, I'm taking the people I care about most back with me into my life. Kristen, Zachary... and Kora included."

"Kora?!" Francesca and Verity shouted in unison, turning to face the crimson red-faced girl, looking down at the floor sheepishly.

Stepping forward bravely, I grabbed both Kora and Kristen by the hand and led them out of the café with Zachary giving them a death stare before following closely behind.

When the four of us were a safe distance away from Francesca and Verity, Kristen brought me in for a hug. "I'm so sorry for everything, Dal. But I had no choice. And I don't deserve your forgiveness."

"What rubbish are you spouting?!" I scolded. "You're my best friend, now and forever. I'm the one who should be sorry. All I cared about was myself and no one else."

Kora clapped softly from the side, beaming widely. "It's so good to see you both together again. Also, I sincerely apologize on behalf of those two back there. Now I really should get going."

"Hey, if you went back, wouldn't you be pounded?" Zachary's clear voice rang out. I'd almost forgotten he'd been standing there.

Kora nodded weakly. "But we three are friends."