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5 | New Friends and Late Night Talks | 5

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New Friends and Late Night Talks

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"Hey! Em. I tried calling you all day yesterday." Chloe said, jogging to catch up to me. "Wow, you look amazing. Since when did you start wearing fashionable stuff?" I looked back at Cameron for help. I knew if I decided what to do on my own I would end up forgiving her instantly, but a subtle shake of his head made me bite my tongue, hold my head higher and walk on. "Come on Mackenzie. Don't be like this. Mackenzie." She grabbed my arm and made me face her. "Seriously, Em? One moment in the spotlight and you already think you're better than me?"

"I-"

"-Just stop being so pathetic. He was never going to go for you anyway and even if he did it would only be once - probably not even then since we all know how frigid you are."

"Mackenzie?" Cameron called, finally walking up beside me. I looked between the two of them and huffed in annoyance.

"I told you this was a bad idea." I muttered.

"See? She's had her fun, you've had your fun. Now can we all go back to the friendship groups we all belong in." Chloe glared at Cameron and crossed her arms defiantly. I watched as Cameron arched his eyebrow and threw his head back in laughter.

"You know, jealousy doesn't suit you." He said.

"What? I-I'm not-"

"-No, I get it. I mean, after spending so long being the friend that everyone prefers it sucks that you've finally outgrown it. Just face it. Mackenzie is finally getting the recognition she deserves."

"The recognition she- You have got to be kidding me. Come on, Em." She said, tugging on my arm.

"Whoa, hang on a minute." Cameron interjected, slinging his arm over my shoulders. "Why don't you let Mackenzie decide what to do for once?" He challenged.

"Why? I know she'd choose me over you every single time."

"Okay. Let her choose then." Chloe sighed and faced me.

"Fine. Choose. Me, the girl who's been your best friend for years. The girl who knows everything about you. Or him. The guy you've known for two minutes. The guy who wants to change everything about you."

"H-he doesn't want to change everything about me. And you don't know everything about me. All you ever wanted to talk about was you. And you hated whenever I outdid you in anything. I went to that party on Saturday and I actually enjoyed myself. So no. I don't choose you. And I don't choose Cameron either. I choose me." I told her. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a class to get to."

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"Hey, Mackenzie." I turned round and saw Lloyd walking down the hallway. He seemed oblivious to the trail of girls behind him who were staring hopelessly after him.

"Hi, Lloyd. What's up?" I asked, slowing down.

"So I've been having this dilemma." He announced.

"Oh. Um, are you sure you want to talk to me about this?"

"Yeah. You might know that Cameron's been helping me."

"With the girl, right?"

"So he told you?"

"Um, not really. He just said he's been helping you get a girl."

"I say helping loosely. He thinks he's helping but... he hasn't got much experience when it comes to getting rejected."