Living (RedRibbon13) **Complete**

15. Easier to Live

I know this needs to be edited on so many levels, but i had to post it to give myself a push. i've been sitting idle for too long and now i'm off to editing the next chapter.

Chapter 15

Easier to Live

 “So Miss Ramsey, how did things go inside the classroom?”

Amanda tried to shrug nonchalantly when MJ pulled her aside from the group and whispered those words in her ears. But she couldn’t hide her burning cheeks from her friend, who was uncharacteristically bubbly and bright all of a sudden.

MJ started giggling like a school girl, and Mandy stopped on her tracks feeling a little shocked. She forgot all about her shyness when she saw the glint in MJ’s eyes. The laughter caught the rest of the group’s attention and all of them turned, their mouths hanging open.

“Oh my god, is my baby alright?” Noah exclaimed and put a hand over his chest, dramatically.

MJ shook her head at Noah, and flicked his nose playfully, “Of course I am, buddy. Can’t I even laugh without you guys speculating that I have finally lost it? You guys are too funny.” she said happily, and stalked ahead, leaving her friends behind.

Confused by the sudden change in their friend’s behavior, the group followed her into the café. They had decided to celebrate Mandy’s ‘coming out’ as they were now calling it, and had headed straight to their favorite cafe after school.  They sat at their regular table, MJ and Sarah making sure they were seated with Mandy so that they could squeeze the details out of her.  And as soon as they ordered, everyone turned to her with expectant eyes.

“What?” Amanda asked nervously, sipping her water and looked around for a distraction. And bingo, she found one. Only she wasn’t happy to see the distraction.

“Oh, shit! Isn’t that Alex?” she asked frowning, as her eyes met his, She spotted him walking in through the back of the café wearing a dark pullover, the hood hiding half of his face. And as quick as he had appeared, he disappeared inside a door that she didn’t even know existed.  

“It looked like him, but why would Chase be here? I thought this wasn’t his kind of scene.” Chris added, sarcasm dripping with every word and his friends hummed in agreement.

“Who cares about him… why are we ruining our mood over an asshole?” Noah said bitterly, and added softly, “Right, May Jay?”

MJ looked up from the shoes and nodded, “Of course. Let’s stick to the hotter topics.” she said and winked in Mandy’s direction. But her friends didn’t miss the strained smile she gave them.

 “What’s up with you? You’re acting weird today.” Mandy asked concerned.

MJ rolled her eyes playfully and gave them a toothy grin, “Is that something new? I thought I was always weird.” she countered, effectively lifting the tension that had enveloped their table.

Mandy raised both hands in surrender and leaned back against her seat, letting Noah take it from there.

“Mary Jane Douglas, that’s the thing. You’re not acting weird today, which is weird in itself.” he said challenging her to deny it.

“Alright, alright. Can’t I just be excited for Mandy?” she asked with a huge smile. All her friends gave her speculative looks, not buying her act even for a moment, and she pretended to check her chipped black nail paint for a few moments, before sighing in defeat.

“Fine, I guess I’m not myself today because I finally told my sister to stop acting like a bitch.” she smiled pulling back her hood, and tied her hair into a messy bun as she continued, “She cried a little but I think she got the message when I showed her the mirror and told her that she looked exactly like me after all.”