bathroom stalls » mileven

huit

"where you going?"

el shivered and turned to face troy. she was still feeling sick, but she had decided to push through and go to school. troy had his arm slung around another girl. she seemed uncomfortable in his grasp. his arm was in a cast. el fakely smiled, twirling a strand of her hair.

"i'm walking," el sassily answered. the sarcasm didn't reach her eyes. her eyes instilled a sense of cold. she was in no mood to play around with troy.

"when are you going to confess?" troy asked, narrowing his eyes at her.

el tapped her chin in thought. "never?" she sarcastically suggested.

"bitch."

"test me again. because i can do it again. and again and again," she said, stepping closer to his group. they nervously backed away. troy stayed still, holding the girl to him. she tried to get out of his grasp but squealed as he held her tighter. "let her go," el ordered.

"no. mary's my girlfriend."

"max," the girl bit out. "my name is max."

"maddy?"

"max," the girl repeated, finally ripping out of his embrace. max grabbed el's arm and together, they stormed off.

"did he hurt you?" el asked, checking for bruises.

"no. he's a loser. why did i think that would be a good thing to do?" max breathlessly chuckled. "i'm max, by the way. short for maxine."

"i'm elev- elizabeth," el corrected herself. "but i go by el."

"well, el, nice to meet you. friends?"

"friends," el repeated, hugging max. el's heart sank. it was just another person to mourn her for when she would be gone.