The Undercover Bad Boy

Chapter Eighteen - Greek God

(A/N: Sorry for the constant updates, I edited like all of the chapters earlier today!)

Chapter Eighteen - Greek God

Entering the school building, I was very aware that something was different. I kept receiving curious stares and raised eyebrows, not to mention a few glares here and there. Whispers seemed to be following me wherever I went. Being so used to being unnoticed, this was a very unwelcomed change. I kept my head down as I sped through the crowded hallways.

“Why is everyone staring at you?” Zach asked, falling into step with me. He was attempting to cover me from passing onlookers.

“I have no idea,” I managed to reply, hiding my face behind a curtain of hair.

I reached my locker with a sigh of relief and took longer than usual to exchange my books. When I was finished I said a quick goodbye to Zach and hightailed off to the girls’bathroom.

The tiles were cracked, the mirror was scratched and the water pipes were leaking. I admit, it wasn’t exactly the must hygienic place to be.

To my surprise, Tara was in here as well, standing in front of the mirror. Her mouth hung open slightly as she reapplied a layer of mascara. Thankfully, other than her, the bathroom was relatively empty.

“Alex,” she said when she saw me standing here. She smiled cheerily at me, acting as if nothing had happened between us earlier this morning. That was the positive thing about our friendship; we would always forgive each other almost immediately after an argument. “Hi.”

When I spoke, my voice had an edge of hysteria to it. “Have you noticed anything different lately? Did something happen yesterday?”

She frowned, looking at me as if I was mental or something. “No,” she said slowly. “Is everything okay? Have you been sleeping lately, eating properly? You look pale.”

“Oh no, everything’s great,” I replied in an unconvincing tone.

It was clear she wasn’t buying it. She crossed the room to reach me, her face adopting a serious expression. “What’s happened?”

I backed up so I was able to lean against the wall for support.

“Is it because of Zachary? I swear if it is, I will murder him-”

“No, it’s nothing like that. People keep staring at me and I don’t know why,” I told her, glancing up nervously at the door.

She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Are you sure you’re not imaging it?”

“I’m pretty sure, Tara.”

“Are you really, really sure?” she pressed.

Before I could assure her that I was definitely sure, the door burst open and a girl from a younger year stepped inside. She seemed intent on making the atmosphere uncomfortable as she gaped at me from the doorway. I just shifted awkwardly underneath her stare.

Her hair was wild and curly, reminding me of a lion’s mane, and she had a collection of freckles running down her arms and face.

After a few seconds, she confidently strutted up to me. Yes, I am not exaggerating, she legitimately strutted. “You’re Alex Hale, right?”

I nodded, apparently losing the ability to speak.

The girl carried on. “Could you,” she paused, struggling to find an appropriate word, “introduce me to your friend?”

I raised an eyebrow, swapping a confused glance with Tara. I gestured towards her. “This is Tara.”

The girl let out a fake, bubbly giggle. “No, silly, I mean you’re other friend. The boy.”