Labeled

Chapter 23

"Sydney, we seriously need to talk." He said.

I walked out the door, "Talk, Luke." You'd think that I would say no, but seriously what's the point? He wasn't gonna give up on me. I didn't really care about this as much as I should have. The only thing that has changed was the we were not dating, we were talking, and people would stare at us for hours.

"Why?" Luke asked.

I ran my hand through my hair. "You... This is hard to explain."

"Then why do it?"

I sighed. "It makes complete sense in my mind." I wasn't fighting hard, but neither was he. Neither of us were trying to keep our relationship going, it showed in our voices. "I don't need any of this. I shouldn't be trying to keep us together. Even if it isn't a problem with you, I'm not this self-conscious. But what Matt said-."

He stared at me. "Matt. Matt talked you into this. Do you know what you just said?"

I snapped. I was trying to not make this a problem, but he wanted an explanation for my actions. Like always. Another reason I was done with this. "Of course I do. I said exactly what I mean. Matt can make sense. He isn't completely brain dead. But to be honest, sometimes, you are the brain dead one." Did I need Luke? Of course not. I survived that year without saying a word to him. Did I like him? Yes, as a friend. Not a perfect other half. Did I want him as a friend? I would like to.

"Syd," He said. I calmed down. "I just can't believe this is because of Matt."

"It isn't." I cracked again. "This isn't what he said or did. It's just something that I realized with the help of Matt. I probably knew it the whole time. I just didn't think about it. Not until he made me."

"It is your choice, then." He replied after minutes of silence. "I can't do anything?"

I ran my hand through his hair. He caught it on his cheek. "I'm sorry. I've made my mind up. Hey, this benefits us both. You'll have the pity of girls and Naomi on your arm in a second. I have a badass reputation, now." I said. He smiled at me.

I drew back my hand and began walking back. "Bye, Sydney." Luke called.

I turned and waved to him. He took that quite well. I thought. But it's not going to last. Luke is immediately nice and understanding. What he agrees to or helps hits him later. He loses it afterwards. I just hoped that wouldn't happen this time.

"Do you still want to practice?" Brian asked me when I walked in.

My friends gave me pity smiles. "I'm fine." I said casually. But that wasn't enough. They knew me better. I truly was okay with the conversation. I just felt a little bad for Luke. Oh well. Get over it now. Think later. I told myself mentally.

***

"Hey, Mr. Taylor." My friends greeted my dad. They all decided to come over. I dropped down on my bed.

"I call this meeting to order. We will start with Sydney. You may speak." Laila said.

"About?" I asked.

"What happened during band?" Carter replied.

I sighed. "Luke asked for why. I gave him the same thing I told you guys." I leaned on Carter's arm. He patted my head. I was like his little sister or cousin. He was protective, knew practically everything about me, and he knew what to say and how to act around me. Do not get any ideas, he and I are just long standing friends. Next to Tessa and Luke, he is my oldest friend. The whole liking thing passed in 1st grade. Couple of girls dared me to give Carter a kiss on the cheek. But back then we still believed in cooties, so it was like a big deal. Obviously, we had the repulsed reactions. 

My room was silent. You'd be surprise how not awkward the silence is between us. Since we practical know everything about each other. "How'd he take it? Again." Kira asked.

"The way Luke takes everything. Overreact. Sweet. And later on, he'll probably overreact again." I answered. "Luke will probably never change. Never has."

"Next on the agenda. Sydney's new found popularity." Laila continued.

I straightened. "What?"

"We all know that you are getting to a Naomi level of popularity. This is because you were the dumper." Laila evaluated.

"What about it?"

"Brian has a plan." She signaled for Brian to begin.

"We can use this for the band." Brain said. "The band will be more popular since Sydney is part of it. If she leads a lunchtime concert we can take this to the top. We can out do Naomi." He gave us a details as to when the principal thought was a great day. Frankly, I was surprised that he even let us   perform.

"The thing is we are out doing Naomi. Sydney your life will be in great danger." Tessa added.

I just shrugged. I didn't give a rat's ass about Naomi. She can throw all she has at me, date my ex-boyfriend, even try to kill me social. I don't f-in' care. "Let her do her worst." I responded calmly.