Love In A Friendship and Its Risks

6 - The Works of Karma

Stacy told me all the deets on Trevor and Lacie's breakup the next day. I don't get why he would suddenly break up with her though, but I guess Lacie deserved it. Ha! I didn't even have to do anything.

It feels like today is going to be exceptionally boring. School's just another trash system but at least Ethan makes everything better. We fortunately have almost every class together. Sadly, he texted me saying that he still hasn't gotten better from his fever, so I'll have to get through another day without his corny jokes. After turning the combination numbers of my locker, I open it and reach for my books when a pair of big, clammy hands cover my eyes. I already knew who it was.
"Oh. My. God!!!!!! Shut up, shut up, shut up!" I screamed, trying to break the unusually strong grip of the hands.
"I wasn't even saying anything, CiCi! Shush! Okay, okay, I'll let go!" I heard my favorite voice crack at "go" but I found it cute. I missed him so much. He let his hands off and I turned around to see a geeky smile and tired eyes.
"Ethan freaking Wyatt!!!" I hugged him so tight that he had to pull me away to make me stop.
"Haha. Yep. Surprise!"
"Why are you here?! I thought you were still sick?!?!" I grabbed him by the cheeks and examined his pale face.
"I'm fine, I swear. I figured I'd surprise you since we haven't seen each other in a while."
"You're worrying me, though! You sure you won't need to rest? It's totally okay if you go home again, I got to hug you anyway."
"I'll just take my meds, CiCi. I—"
Ethan was cut off by Lacie and her girls laughing obnoxiously.
Lacie goes, "How cute!! Ethan and Ciara, huh? Not!" And all her friends started ugly laughing again.
"A'ight, Monré. That wasn't funny or amusing and I'm not intimidated." I snapped back.
"Whatevs, Brookie Cookie! You're still a weirdo. And people shouldn't be calling you CiCi because only I get called CieCie, okay? Hahaha!" Lacie retorted.
"Yeah, Brookie Cookie! LOL!" said one of her caked up girlfriends, Amanda.
"I don't care, Monré. And I know people don't call you CieCie, either. You know what's funny, though? How your 'friends' still defend you when you're clearly fake to them and talk about them behind their backs like everyone else!" I scoffed.
"Wh-what are you talking about?! I love my girls. Right? Y'all love me too, right?"
They hesitated to answer.
"It's true! Lacie backstabs everyone! Even Amanda and Eva!" Thankfully, Stacy butt in and backed me up.
"Girl, I knew it. Let's go Mandy." Eva said, rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, we don't like you!" Amanda's not very smart.
"Ugh! Fine! I can definitely go on with my life by myself! Or with better friends unlike you!" Lacie started. Ethan and I laughed. She was helpless without her friends and no match against the truth. By this time, everyone gathered around to see what was happening and Stacy was tweeting the scene.
"What's so funny?! Ughhh!!!" She looked as if she was about to break down in tears. I saw Trevor trying to pass by but he was rudely stopped by Lacie.
"Trevor! You're on my side, right? Ahihi."
"What're you talking 'bout? I think everyone knows I broke up with you, Lacie." Trevor waves his hand in her face as a sign of dismissing her.
The crowd goes "Ooooooooh." while Lacie does her annoying pouty face and runs away crying.

Trevor heads to our direction and shyly smiles at me. Um?
"Hey, CiCi. I'm sorry about yesterday. I was really stupid and I should've—"
"Woah, buddy." Ethan interrupts and steps in front me.
"I'm trying to talk to her, dude. I'm her best friend after all, so calm down."
"Are you still really?"
The crowd goes "Ooooooh!"
"CiCi?" Trevor ignores Ethan and walks around him to see me.
"I'm sorry too, Trev. But I think it's best if we stay friends." I smiled hostilely as I laid my head on Ethan's shoulder and held his hand. The crowd goes a lower "Oooooohhhhhh."
"Right. Ok. Best friends?" Trevor keeps persisting.
"Friends." I make it clear as I walk away with Ethan. And the crowd goes silent.

Everyone starts to leave until only Trevor is left behind. He drops his head back and runs his hands across his hair and face, letting out a frustrated sigh.

Friends? Friends?! Friends, he thought. It's the only thing that's been running on his mind after that incident. Not only did he lose his chance with Ciara, but he also lost his best friend.

Since then, he just avoided and ignored Ethan and Ciara even though it hurt him that she was happier with him.