Twist and Returns

Chapter 7

*West-End High School*

~Chandelier's POV

So today's gonna be the beginning of a new nightmare for me, because my mom is making me join an extra curriculum activity club in school today.

I hate school clubs!

I told my mom that I'll join the female basketball team just so she'll let me be. Well, what can I say? Since I love watching NBA games on TV I imagined joining the female basketball team wouldn't be so bad.

"Hello Chandie!" A voice called out behind me, drawing me back to reality.

My eyes bulged when I heard the nickname 'Chandie', and I halted on the spot. Only Mason calls me Chandie, not that I let him call me that.

I spun around and met a grinning brunette hurrying to meet me. I narrowed my eyes at her as she was fast approaching.

How she found out about that annoying nickname was all I could think about. I didn't like the nickname. I preferred my name being called in full, but I decided to let it slide.

"Hey, Serena?" I said, more like a question. Not sure if that was her name again.

She smiled sweetly at me. "It's Selene. But it's cool that you remembered my, uh, almost remembered my name" Selene said, smiling genuinely.

"Uh, sorry about that" I mumbled, running my hand through my hair.

"It's okay, I understand. You haven't gotten used to the new school, new friends, and the new environment." She beamed.

"Ouch" I said, clenching my hands on my chest playfully, "you shot me right on the chest."

We both laughed out loud, for which some students snapped at us across the hallway. I ignored their gazes and thankfully, so did Selene. She's actually not bad, I think she's cool.

"Uh, I'll see you around? I'm going to audition for the female basketball team right about now" I told her.

"No way! You wanna join the female basketball team?" Selene gasped.

"That is what I said, but why?" I asked, not sure why she was tripping.

"That's super awesome" Selene shrilled.

"Okay?" Was all that came out of my mouth.

Her face suddenly went pale. "I wish I could join the basketball team too. But, I don't think I have the height for that. I don't think I have the height for anything" she sighed.

"Hey, do you always do this to yourself?" I asked, a little disappointed.

"Do I do what to myself?" She shrugged, looking up at me with sad eyes.

"Do you always think little of yourself?" I questioned, disapprovingly.

Selene bit the inside of her lower lip as if I just dropped a bomb on her. Even though I knew nothing about her, I wasn't gonna let her threat herself like that

"Pete told me that you love modeling, but you can't go for it because you think you're not pretty enough" I gave her a look.

"I, I uh, I don't know" Selene said, looking away. "B-But, people say that I'm not pretty enough to be a model."

"And by 'people' you mean Catherine?" I blurted, using my indexes to air quote the word people.

"Uh, yeah? Did Pete tell you that too?" She mumbled.

"Yes, but, it's quite obvious too" I told her. I placed my hand on her shoulder, giving her a gentle squeeze. "Do you know why Catherine is so pretty?" I questioned.

"No?" Selene shook her head confusingly.

"Catherine is pretty because she thinks she is" I stated.

Selene narrowed her eyes at me, confused. When she couldn't get what I meant, she gave up pondering with a sigh. "How do you mean?" She inquired.

"Look my friend. If you tell yourself that you're pretty, and you believe it, it'll reflect on your composure. If you show confidence in yourself, people will start to notice how beautiful you are. It's all about confidence" I told her.

"Wow. Thank you so much Chandie. Now I know I really have to start believing in myself more" she grinned.

"You're welcome. I gotta go now. I mean, I don't plan on missing the audition" I chirped.

"Uh, yeah sure. Bye, and good luck with at the audition" She wished me.

I gave her a side hug, before heading to the school Gym.

**********

*At the school gym*

The female basketball auditions had begun by the time I get to the gym. I quickly entered my name on the audition list which was pasted at entrance of the gym. Then I went up the stairs to seat among the girls that haven't been auditioned.

The audition took almost an hour, it was indeed a tough one. I wondered how judges managed such situations. Oh I almost forgot to mention that I made the team!

The judges congratulated those of us who made the team before they left the gym. Some girls who also made the team jumped in excitement. I came down the stairs and was heading towards the exit door when I collided with something, someone...

I looked up at the figure in front of me. Slim, light skinned, blonde hair...

CATHERINE!!

I glared at Catherine who was smirking at me. Kylie and Genesis were standing by her sides. AS USUAL!

"Look what we have here" Catherine sneered, folding her arms across her chest.

This was no accident! She intensionally shoulder bumped me! I reasoned within myself as anger slowly flow through my veins.

"Why the hell did you bump into me?" I yelled at Catherine. "I know you did that on purpose."

"Let's say I did bump into you intensionally, so what are you gonna do about it?" Catherine said daringly.

Oh no! She did not just dare me.
That's it!

I lowered my eyes. I could feel my eyes burn in anger. My face was probably red hot too. The only thought in my head was to take her and break every bone in her body one by one, I didn't realise my reactions was exactly like my thoughts.

"Now look here, sugar Queen" I said through clenched teeth as I took two steps towards Catherine. She took a step backward, and bumped into Genesis who was standing right behind her.

I continued in my threatening voice. "I'm not some girl you can bully or push to the wall. If I were you, I would leave me alone. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" I emphasized on the words to make sure she understood every word I said.

Catherine widened her eyes in shock. Her eyes were as big as the wasp berries in my kitchen.

Wait what? Wasp berries ain't big!
Ugh, whatever!

Most of the girls in the gym were now staring at us in disbelief. I didn't care who was watching, all I cared about was to making myself clear.

"And leave Selene alone! She's a good girl" I said still glaring at Catherine.

Genesis and Kylie just stood there in the mixture of fear and shock. Catherine's face had the biggest, which was good. She deserved that.

"Cat?" Kylie muttered, causing Catherine to snap out of her trance. She folded her arms across her chest, trying hard to put back on the 'I'm still the boss' look.

"We'll see about that" Catherine scoffed.

I left before Catherine could say anything further, ignoring all the eyes that were staring at me.