But Still She Smiles

I

Chapter One: Calm Before the Storm

I was getting ready for school, seeing in my full length mirror my blonde wavy hair up in a ponytail, a t-shirt, ripped jeans, and some slip-on vans. I grab my backpack in one hand while my keys were in the other before leaving to go pick up my friends.

I pull up to my friend's house (her name's JoAnne) where Madison (my other friend) would always come earlier than me so I didn't have to drive out in the country to pick her up.

I honk three times and they rush out of the house into the backseats of my car.

"Hey you guys," I say to both of them while handing them the aux cord.

"Hey Luce," they both say in sync. Since me and JoAnne have been super close since fourth grade, she's always called me Luce while I've always called her Jo. Madison just moved schools two years ago, and I wanted her to make our duo a trio. We all immediately clicked and it was meant to be.

They start playing songs from back in the day and we're jamming all the way to school.

We get there with ten minutes to spare and we all rush to our lockers. "Bye! See y'all at lunch!" I wave to them and they wave back, going to their class in the opposite direction from where I was going.

When I turn, I see my fabulous boyfriend named Marc Johnson. He kisses my forehead. "Hey baby cakes," he says while smiling.

"I hate that nickname, but hey," I laugh while snaking my arms around his torso. "Anyways, you know what's this weekend?"

Marc puts one of his long arms on my shoulder, the other one rubbing his chin while he stares off into the distance, pretending to be thinking hard about what upcoming event was this weekend. "Hmmmm.. our anniversary?"

I scowl at him. "No. Something more important."

He looks at me and says, confused, "More importan-my birthday! No, no, that's in January. It's someone's birthday-"

I interrupt him by clearing my throat and saying, "Yes. Might be someone special." I wink.

He smiles and says, "I know, baby cakes. How could I forget?"
He then slings his arm around my shoulders and walks me to my class, even though he has the same schedule as my two other friends.
While we were walking to our class, we crossed paths with Daniel Covington—one of the most popular guys in school. Marc gives him a hard glare while Daniel goes on his way, not noticing anything.

Here's the tea about Marc and Daniel:

They used to be the BESTEST of friends back in the day. But one day Marc didn't want anything to do with Daniel. Everyone says that it's because Marc was hidden in Daniel's shadow, which makes sense since Marc loves the spotlight.

After this encounter we started to talk about my birthday plans and decided to have lunch on Saturday, my actual birthday. He said he was busy doing something at 3 and would be busy the rest of the day so we had to eat before then.

I get dropped off to the entrance of my class by Marc, then walk inside. I receive glares from jealous girls who were part of the fan club for my boyfriend. Marc's on the legendary football team and is extremely popular because of it (also his looks are extraordinary).

I sit down in the back, then notice a girl walking in and all the guys staring at her in awe.

At my school, there are two types of popular groups: My boyfriend Marc is in the athletic/people who look like models/average popular group you see in movies.

The girl that just walked in is named Bethany, part of the other popular group. That group consists of smart, handsome nerds, and twins who are class clowns. The twist is that they're all mysterious; they always wear dark clothing to school and barely speak, besides the twins occasionally cracking jokes here and there. All of them are gorgeous, especially Daniel, the guy we just ran into that Marc hates with a burning passion.

I move my stuff for Bethany to sit and smile over to her which shocks both her and myself. People are too intimidated by them, and are frightened that her group of friends will beat them up.

Bethany smiles back at me then sits down.

A few minutes pass before Bethany turns towards my direction while sticking out her hand. I gladly shake it and then she says, "Hello. I'm Bethany and I know we've seen each other in the halls and in this class but I wanted to introduce myself properly."

You're probably wondering why she's just now introducing herself two months after school's started.

Before school came back from summer, Bethany ran away from home (abusive place is what I've heard), and hasn't been seen until fall break that we just got off from.

I grin back at her and say, "Hi Bethany, I'm Lucy." We start to talk and have many similar interests which shocked me. The bell rings, signaling first period starting which ended our conversation about our schedule since the teacher is very strict about talking in class.

Apparently, we have most classes together, thank goodness; she's a pretty cool chick.

The period passes by fast and then the bell rings for the next class, which I don't have with Beth.

That's right, she has a nickname now.

We get each other's digits and wave before going opposite directions in the hall.
                          ••••••••••••••••••
Currently it's lunch and I'm sitting with my group. We were all laughing about something Marc's friend named John said. I turn my head to look at the other popular group, noticing my friend Dakota Summers talking with Beth.

Me and Dakota Summers have been friends as long as me and Jo. Since our friend group doesn't mix well, we decided we'd only hang out if none of them were around—which meant weekends.

Marc then swings his arm around me while grabbing my lunch tray and saying, "Come on, baby cakes, lunch's over."

[the end of chapter one]

Hello, to whomever reading this! I'm sorry, this was kinda boringggg I know, I know, but I have big plans for this story! Thank you for taking your time to reading this:) even if I get one read I'll be so happy! Thanks!⭐️⭐️