The Problem with Popularity

Chapter 4: Double Date and more Drama

Sorry for neglecting this story! >< Anyways, I'm writing a longer chapter as an apology.... And I'm so grateful for the 100+ reads! :D Please carry on sticking with this story :3 

ENJOY..

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My phone beeped twice. 

Hey:) Dinner 2nite? I already booked a table at the Japanese BBQ near the supermarket. So no "no"s. Pick you up at 7pm! -M

Hey Shan. Dinner? Table alrdy reserved. I hope you like Japanese BBQ. The one around the supermarket? Cya! 8pm it is ;) -T

  Oh no, I thought. Why are the two of them so similar sometimes? I couldn't let any one of them down. They'd get suspicious! Ok, whatever, I'll just have to take the risk! I quickly texted back "ok" to both of them and let Troy know that I was having a date with Mason first and for him to wait for me there. Troy wouldn't mind anyways. I slipped into a denim mini-dress, put on some make-up and heard the doorbell ring just in time. I ran down, stepped into my ballet flats, opened the door, got into the car and kissed Mason on the cheek. 

  We reached the restaurant and sat down at the reserved table. I let Mason order the food, and gently reminded him not to order too much for me. When asked why, I lied, "On a diet." 

  He shrugged and smiled a little, "You don't need to." I knew that. I just smiled back. Time flew, and after about an hour, it was 8.15, Mason paid the bill and walked me out of the restaurant. He offered to send me home, but I turned him down with the excuse that I wanted to walk around alone. He frowned - disapproving and confused - but just nodded, kissed me on the lips and left. 

@ the supermarket. Come find me. -S 

  I then walked into the supermarket, not wanting to give Mason a reason to be suspicious. Just as I was paying for a granola bar, Troy appeared and kissed me "hello". 

  "Ready?" He asked. I nodded and we walked into the restaurant. The waitress looked at me weirdly so I stared back, my eyes warning her not to say a word. She immediately looked away and led us to our table.

  Troy ordered some food. And this time, I ate more. Halfway through the meal, Mason called. I swallowed and picked up after receiving a nod from Troy. 

  "Shan, where are you?"

  "I'm on... on the way home. Why?"

  "Just... didn't see you walking around."

  "I was in the supermarket buying some stuff. Anyway I'm in a taxi now."

  "Oh ok, take care, see you tomorrow." He hung up. Phew. 

  "Mason?" Troy asked. I nodded apologetically. He just shrugged and carried on eating. I munched on my food to avoid talking. 

  Finally, the dinner was over. Troy sent me home. I felt tired. Sigh. Two-timing is so difficult and tedious and... untruthful. What to do? Why is being popular and pretty so horrible sometimes? Ugh. Irritating me. Why do I have to be so attractive? can't I just be pretty enough for that one cutest boy in the world to like me? 

  There were so many things to think about. Without even changing, I drifted off to sleep in th comfort of my bed.. 

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~Catfights and Gangfights~

  I could imagine a headline in my head. "Hottest Boys Fight Over Chick - Shanna J. White. Troy and Mason have created their own "gangs".

  Troy had Daniel, Alex, Kyle, Trey and Ethan. Mason had Benjamin, Caleb, Gabriel and Cain. 

  Troy has more "followers". No surprise. It's better to be on his side. Or you have a 90.0% chance of getting bashed up. 

  A few times this week, some girls have come up to me and called me a two-face slut. I was momentarily worried that they knew about my "affair" with Troy. But then again, that always happens. No big deal. 

  But, yesterday, something big happened. A girl, I think her name is... Janelle?, came to me, slapped me across the face, and said loud enough in a annoyingly nasal voice for everyone to hear, "Slutty b*tch! Stealing all the boys in this school!" I touched my cheek and my jaw fell agape. Did that girl just call me a female dog? I turned and glared at her. 

  "Oh really? I don't ask them to like me, they just do! What can I - or you - do about it?" I retorted. She rolled her eyes and cursed me something much more worse than a dog under her breath. But it was loud enough for me to hear it. I slapped her back. Hard. 

  "I heard what you said!"

  "Whatevs, you deserve it!" She stuck her tongue out at me and stomped on my foot. 

  "Excuse me, what did you just do?" A low husky voice sounded behind me. Troy. 

 "What? Nothing!" Janelle's character transformed 180 degrees into a nice, innocent, flirty little teenager. Troy looked at me questioningly. So, I told him roughly what happened.

  "Scram! You'd better watch out, kid," Troy squinted at Janelle, who happened to be a sophomore. Hmm... she was a tough one. Janelle started crying and clicked off in her heels. 

  "Thanks," I muttered quickly, then walked away. I caught Troy's wink, which meant - thank me later. 

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  It was lunch. Troy sits with his gang now. I sit with Mason and the rest of his jock friends, at least what was left of them. Most of them were with Troy. 

  I don't know why, but Mason walked over to Troy's table and said, "You are so damn dumb." 

 "Yo, if I'm dumb, your an idiot. baichi!" Troy knows Chinese, which emphasizes his point that he is definitely NOT dumb.

  "Your a moron." 

  "That's the same as idiot, idiot! Wait, Idiot starts with I and Moron starts with M... "I" comes before "M" so... your a higher grade of stupidness aka stupider." Troy smirked. I guess there was a reason for Troy being in debate after all... 

  "Whatever," Mason was momentarily speechless, "What matters is that Shanna's mine. I'm a fool for Shanna." Mason planted his lips on mine and started kissing me senseless. I was blushing by the time he pulled away and my lipstick was all messed up. 

  "No girl wants to go out with a fool. So obviously, she's not really yours is she?" Mason was no match for Troy. I have no idea why he even tries. 

  As they continued with their stupid heated argument, I turned and slowly walked away. I hated all this. And I was getting tired of being in the middle. 

  The truth is... right now I don't know what true love is anymore... :<

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Was that a little longer? Anyway no aim for this chapter :) You guys do wonderfully well on your own! Please add this story to your library! And vote! XD 

Comment too :) Team Mason? Team Troy? Isn't Janelle a little bitch? ... Or is Shanna one? 

Questions, questions. 

Next time! :D

-Charlotte<3