Candy Floss ✅

Candy Floss (8)

CANDY FLOSS

EIGHT

To say it was difficult to concentrate on anything the next day would be a huge understatement. I was pushed between avoiding Cameron whose antics were going out of control, trying not to panic when I got three candy flosses in my locker and that not seeing Miles was impossible. He was everywhere; in hallways, in cafeteria, outside the staff room and on the grounds. It was hard not to stare back whenever he smiled at me or winked casually, and I would just keep a hand on my racing heart and try to calm it down, whispering assuring sentences, 'he's just being friendly, he's just being nice.'

''Did you see Cameron's video?'' Roland stopped me on my way to Chemistry and asked, he looked odd. Worry lined the edges of his face and his eyes were narrowed in concentration. I rose by brows as he pulled me in a quite corner. At first I just rummaged through my brain, wondering what he was talking about, all I knew was that Roland was referring to the party that had wasted my time yesterday. Then it me!

I was there when Cameron was acting like an idiot and was drunk beyond measure, people had been laughing and making videos, enjoying the show at it's best.

''Yeah I did.'' I didn't laugh, it wasn't exactly funny now. Cameron was always dotting me to keep ''our'' reputation clean, blaming me of being nerdy and constantly embarrassing him and making this one of the major reason why our relationship had gotten bad so fast and was now a very fragile thread. And now being a hypocrite he just got drunk like there was no tomorrow and the world was facing alcohol extinction and acted all crazy in front of the entire school. I had no reputation dilemmas.

If Cameron was doing such weird things - I didn't care. It wasn't my business even if I was his girlfriend and all but his double sided opinions was what made me mad at him. If I had been in his place, right now he would have made my life hell and made me feel guilty for it.

''You did?'' Roland asked, he looked like my answer had thrown him off guard.

''Yeah I was there when it happened.'' He didn't say anything else, but kept looking at me like someone had died. For two annoying minutes we stood like that and I began to grow impatient. I checked my watch and realized I was already late for chemistry.

''Look I need to rush to Chem, I'll see you later.''

''Peyton, did you really don't care about what he did? Aren't you mad?'' he stopped me, ignoring my words and pulled that same face again. I frowned, Roland never really scared about Cameron, and all he ever did was to advise me to break up.  

''To be honest, I'm mad but I am not mad enough to waste my time on him right now.''

He opened his mouth again, an exasperated and confused look crossing his face but this time I cut him off, ''Roland I'm really late, I'll see you later. Bye.'' I said in a rush and walked off towards the chemistry lab.

I suddenly started feeling a bit self conscious and wondered if something was wrong with my face, because everyone passing by me stared, their faces alarmed and curious, their eyes hunting for anything unusual, some of them whispering. Were they all hyped about that stupid video? Maybe my reputation was tarnished because of Cameron.

I could tell he was embarrassed, he wasn't even at school today, and maybe this was too big for him. Why did people these days care about trivial matters?

When I reached in Chemistry, Mrs. Becker didn't say anything, she was probably in a good mood. I sat next to Miles who smiled at me, making my insides flutter. I tried to look away but my neck was fixed on one place, not wanting to move.

''Hi'' I said, my voice unusually low, I sank in my seat as Mrs. Becker started class. Sitting next to Miles was like sitting in a very difficult exam where I was clueless about answers.

''So, how was the party?'' he whispered to me making me jump.

''Um...I was...it was fine. A total waste of time actually...''he nodded,

''I was at the hospital, yesterday a kid was charged from there,'' he began telling me, ''his name is Mathew he is just eleven years old, he had cancer...''

''That's horrible!'' I said, sounding like myself again.

''It was, but now he's fine.'' Miles told me, smiling again - it seemed like it was one of the biggest happiness of his life - '' I was so happy yesterday, Matt is a very sweet kid and seeing him out of pain was the best thing. I enjoyed a lot yesterday-''

''Yeah I was there.'' I blurted out, and his brows drew together. I instantly looked away. How awkward was that? Now he'll think I was spying on him like a crazy fan girl. Miles was about to say something - probably something that was gonna embarrass me to no end when Mrs. Becker spoke, saving me.

''I saw the files of the projects you all handed in and I marked them so now the results.'' There was one thing other than Miles that could put me on edge and it was this. I instantly gripped the desk and glanced at Miles who now looked anxious as well.

''And all of you passed - which came at a surprise.'' Everyone laughed.

''But I mist congratulate a pair whose project was the best. I am truly impressed I hadn't seen such keen and perfect project in three years. Peyton and Miles, you got full marks, congratulations!'' Everyone clapped for us briefly and we exchanged a wide eye look, unable to believe it. I could've hugged him for sure but managed to constraint myself. We had a huge grins stretched on our faces as Mrs. Becker gave us our file back with two other papers.

''These are...?'' Miles asked her looking quizzical at her, she beamed.

''Tickets to a science exhibition tomorrow, I couldn't go so I decided to give it to the highest achievers as a gift!'' I got excited quickly; so far this was the best morning I had for a long time.

''I can't believe this!'' I squealed, my worry of being awkward with him forgotten in happiness,

''Yeah it was completely out of blue,'' he replied grinning still, ''this calls for a celebration.'' This was what I called a non trivial matter. Sure I was a nerd, celebrating on full marks on a project but I didn't have to answer to Cameron right now. I was just me; Peyton. Peyton and Miles.

''Yeah, it does.''