ethereal (k.l.)

•TWENTY THREE•

•••

Selena was getting more anxious by the day. She could barely keep her mouth shut when Rachel and Jc were together, she always wanted to yell and be coarse with them even though she knows they've done nothing wrong. Her jealousy is consuming her and I wish I could stop it somehow.

We were both sitting on her bed as she ranted and I listened. Something I've learned about Selena is that she doesn't talk much about her own feelings, but when she does, it's very important that someone is there for her. I've been that someone since my first day at Orange County High.

"I just keep thinking that they're not going to last. But then I see them cuddled up together the next day and all my hopes are crushed." Selena sighed while looking discouraged. "Jc will never have an interest in me, anyway. He doesn't like crazy girls with blue eyebrows. He likes sweet and caring girls like Rachel."

"You care," I pointed out but she scoffed before I could say another word.

"D, it's a different kind of caring."

I raised my brows at her and waited for one of her extraordinary explanations she gives with her words. Selena played with a strand of her half-blonde hair. 'Back to basics', she had said when she got it done.

She looked up at me while she spoke. "Rachel cares softly. Like a teddy bear, or something. She's kind and polite when she deems necessary. My caring is more intense and in-your-face. I don't hold back. I'm all bark and bite, your sister is neither."

"Rachel barks," I defended, "on occasion."

Selena smiled bitterly. "I don't need an occasion."

I knew what she was saying was true. Rachel is a strong minded person but is considerably soft compared to Selena.

"It's not that I don't like your sister." She continued. "She's been a really good friend and I love how close we've gotten over these past few months. But I can't help what I feel towards her stupid boyfriend."

My smile was unintentional as her words were spoken. "He's quite a character." I said and she grinned. I could tell she was thinking about him. "So, what if they do break up? Would you go for it?"

Selena's smile faded and her eyes drifted away from me. A pang of guilt hit me in my chest as I waited for her response. "I don't think that would be a wise decision. Rachel would hate me and it would cause too much drama. Plus, I fly solo. No Prince Charming, remember?"

"That could change."

Silence followed my statement and I wondered if I said the wrong thing. Should I assume that Selena will change her ways for a boy? She doesn't seem like that kind of person.

For the past few weeks, I've been contemplating this whole love triangle thing. I want happiness for both my sister and my friend but Jc seems to be the source for both of them. What if this all blows up in everyone's faces and we stop being friends? I don't think I could handle that.

"Okay, what if Jc asked you out one day after he broke up with her or something. Would you say yes?" I asked her.

"Oh God, Davina, stop throwing hypotheticals in my face. You're gonna raise my dead hopes from the grave."

I chuckled lightly at her remark and quickly vanished the other questions from my head. Maybe I'm not so good at helping others with their problems.

Selena faced me with her brows furrowed, itching to say something. "You're in love, D, why don't you give me some advice?"

"Are you in love?" I asked.

She quickly shook her head, "No. I just want to know how you got from having a crush to getting them to love you. It seems so impossible but you did it."

I took a small moment to think. "Kian and I just started hanging out a lot, I guess. We talked almost everyday and then it just ended up evolving into what it is now." I told her but I think I could've said more. I should've said that the connection between us was there the minute we locked eyes for the first time. How that connection wasn't lost even when we were apart. I should've asked if she felt something like that for him.

•••

The next day at school was a nightmare.

It started off normal, everyone seemed to be happy and content. Kian kissed me while I was at my locker and Emilee gushed over it like she always does. Rachel was leaning onto Jc's shoulder as he talked to Shawn about the latest football game. But Selena wasn't there, at least not yet. The lack of her presence made me feel uneasy since she's always there.

Classes passed and she was in all of them, but she wasn't as vibrant and personality oriented as she normally is. What changed in the twelve hours we were apart? I was really starting to get worried but I assumed I was overreacting.

Lunch came and I still had a bad feeling. Everyone sat down at our usual table in our usual spots like we did everyday. Kian's hand was holding mine, making my nerves settle as conversation started.

"Sel, you good?" Emilee asked as she leaned her head on Shawn's shoulder. I listened intently for her answer.

"Yep. I'm absolutely perfect." Selena said without removing her eyes from her phone screen. Everything she was wearing was black except for her blood red shoes. She was definitely not perfect, she wasn't wearing any bright mix-matched colors.

Jc chuckled, swinging his arm around to rest on Rachel's waist. "If you're gonna keep dressing like that then I should stop calling you Gaga."

Selena smirked. Then she casted her pointed gaze onto the curly haired boy. "And I suppose I should stop calling you a fuckboy, because you're so committed to Rach, right?" Her voice was dark yet playful at the same time which fit her personality perfectly. I knew something was about to happen, she was going to go off.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jc asked. Rachel had her eyes locked on him.

"It means that she's no different. Your intentions are the same with her as they were with very other girl. Rach is just another notch in your belt." Selena sneered and my sister's jaw dropped.

Rachel scoffed and leaned forward to look her friend in the eye. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

Selena shrugged with a snarky smile. "Well, you know about his past, right? What makes you so different?"

"I can't believe you're talking this, you're my friend."

"Sweetie, you can't actually think that Jc Caylen is gonna love you forever. Once you guys fuck your relationship is over. No happily ever after for you."

"Sel!" I exclaimed. I wanted her to stop, I wanted her to realize that this wasn't the way to handle things. How could insulting her crush and best friend be a solution?

She looked at me and I saw a flash of guilt in her eyes. "I'm just telling the truth."

I nodded for a second before saying something I probably shouldn't have. "Why don't you tell the real truth, huh? Tell us how you really feel about Jc."

She narrowed her eyes at me and everyone looked at her, wondering what the hell I was talking about. Jc looked like a lost puppy. "Wanna know how I feel?" She questioned angrily, glancing at him for a split second, then turning back to me. "I think he's a selfish asshole that sleeps with girls to feed his ego, and he wouldn't know real affection if it hit him on the head."

In the next second her lunch tray was all over Jc's shirt and her heels were rapidly clicking across the lunch room floor. Rachel's eyes were watery, my chest felt heavy, and Jc had pasta sauce all over him.

•••
Hey LawleyPops! New chapter :)

Sorry this took forever, I don't think I have a good excuse tbh. But I promise I'm gonna try to write more chapters for this story.

What do you think about Selena's outburst? Do you think she was reasonable or out of her mind?

Comment, vote, and follow!

Love, Dad