The New Girl

The new girl chapter 17

Ready.

Aim.

Fire!

The clown's head recoiled with a bang as the ball came into contact with it.

"You're really good with this game." An onlooker commented when I got a perfect score again.

"Yeah it's easy when you imagine your target as someone you hate."

"I'm sorry?"

"No, it's nothing." I smiled wryly. This was obviously affecting me more than I thought. I pulled my arm back and threw the ball as hard as I could. Bam! Bull's eye again. If only life was just about throwing balls to targets. I would be so much better off than how I was now.

The card reader flashed red.

Ah fag. I'd reached my quota for today. I shouldn't splurge anymore. After all, Aunt Elda didn't work two jobs for nothing. Though I did have some savings from my part-time job at the cafe.

I picked up my bag from the floor and walked out of the arcade. I looked at the time on my phone. 3.46pm. I still had an hour to spend before it was time to head home. Aunt Elda would be suspicious if I got back too early.

I looked down at my phone again, wondering what I should do for the next hour. Hmm? I had 3 missed calls and 2 new messages. I unlocked my phone to check who they were from. It was from a number I didn't recognise. I frowned and opened up the first message in my inbox. It was from the same unknown number.

"Hey it's Skye. Call me back when you see this."

I threw my phone into my bag without batting an eyelid. Yeah, over my dead body. I didn't know how he got my number, but I wasn't going to entertain him. I clenched my fist tightly, remembering what happened before. I thought he was different from how he acted at the beginning. But maybe, he wasn't that different after all.

I sat down at a cafe and read a book for a bit till I thought it was time to head home. I knew I should start on my assignment but I just didn't feel like doing any work. Skipping class today didn't exactly help matters as well. I sighed as I stuffed my book back into my bag and got up from my seat.

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I turned into my street and saw a figure standing outside my gate. Dylan? What was he doing here? I was about to turn on my heels and walk the other way, but he had already seen me and was waving to me enthusiastically. I sighed inwardly and walked towards him slowly. What did he want?

"Seline! Here you are! I was so worried about you!" He pulled me in for a hug before I could react. I looked off awkwardly while entrapped in his arms.

"What are you doing here, Dylan?"

"I was worried about you after what happened today. I couldn't find you anywhere in school so I'd thought I'd just wait for you to get back instead."

It was so ironic how he was the one to be here at a time like this. Instead of the one guy who caused this whole mess.

"Thanks for worrying about me, Dylan." I finally gave him a small, genuine smile. "But I'm okay."

"Really?" Dylan didn't look convinced. "I don't know who did it, but I'll find out and confront them about it!" He crossed his arm across his chest indignantly.

"It's okay, Dylan. You've done enough by just being here. Thanks." I patted his shoulder, smiling slightly. He smiled happily back at me. I paused for a brief moment before continuing, choosing my words carefully.

"I'm sorry for acting so weird the past week. I... had my priorities mixed up." I thought I knew who was being genuine to me. I smiled bitterly.

Dylan gave me a big, gigantic smile and enveloped me in another hug. I could feel all my breath being squeezed out of me.

"I thought you didn't wanna be friends with me anymore!" Dylan whined into my shoulder as he squeezed me harder. "I was so afraid I would lose you, Seline!"

My arms were flailing in the air as I tried to catch my breath. "Dy... lan, I can't... breathe."

"Oh sorry!" Dylan let go of me immediately, scratching his head with a lopsided grin.

"Did you hear that?" I could have sworn I heard a ruffling sound coming from the bushes beside me.

"Hear what?" Dylan looked to where my head was turned to, confused.

"I heard the leaves move just now."

"Is it? I didn't hear anything. Maybe it was just the wind blowing, or a snail or something."

"Maybe." I looked back at Dylan. He was standing there, with a wide smile on his face.

"What?"

"Wanna go somewhere?"

"Where?"

"Amusement park."

"I would... if I hadn't spent all my money at the arcade."

"You went to an arcade without me?!"

I smiled at him sheepishly.

He crossed his arms in mock anger, letting out an exaggerated sigh.

"Then you'll accompany me today. I'm not taking no for an answer."

"But the money..."

"Don't worry about it." Dylan gave me one last wink before pulling me along with him.

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