Hopelessly Devoted

Chapter 26

Super Rewind ⟨⟨ 20/10/2003

School was just a daily routine that I somehow enjoyed. I get to be away from home and I get to be with my best friend. Hazel and I were inseparable in school. We almost had all the same classes together, we sat together during recess and in class. I didn't have many friends in school but people know me and I know people. We're just updated with each other and greet each other in the hallways or outside of school.

"So... What's the plan for tonight, Bella bear?" My best friend asks me as she pops a baby carrot in her mouth.

I shrug and sip on my juice box. "I don't really know. I don't have anything planned out."

"What?" Hazel shrieks. "It's your sixteenth birthday, Belle. We have to do something."

"You can't expect me to throw a party now, do you?"

Hazel taps her index finger on her chin, pretending to be in deep thought and I roll my eyes at her. My house isn't big enough to accommodate people for a party and my mother would bury me six feet under if I even suggest an idea of a party in the house to her. I shake my head and flick her nose. She flips me off with the middle finger and I snort.

"You know how my mum is," I grumble. "Plus, I'm most probably going to be having a family dinner. Just her, Jacob and I— like we always do for either of our birthdays."

Hazel frowns and leans back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest and lets out a frustrated sigh. I don't blame her for acting that way. My life is pretty boring, consisting of only school, home and binge watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S. alone after school. I sigh and put my sandwich aside, not feeling particularly hungry anymore.

"I'm just saying," she shrugs and leans forward. "Your mum needs to realize that your birthday this year needs to be extra special."

I snickered. "Try telling her that."

We spend the rest of recess just chatting and cracking lame jokes, laughing loudly without a care in the world. We always tell ourselves that no matter what, the both of us would always stick together. It didn't matter if we didn't have other friends.

The school bell rings, informing us that recess is over and that we should be heading to our next class. We threw everything else in the bin and headed for Math class. Believe it or not, it was my favourite subject— second to arts class. Hazel groans in frustration next to me and links her arm with mine. I chuckle and lean rest my head on her shoulder as we make our way to class.

"Math is dreadful. I'd rather die of cancer."

"Don't be over dramatic." We turn the corner and she pulls me into her more to avoid bumping anyone else. "I'll be there with you. You'll survive."

She pumps her fist in the air. "My best friend is here to save my day!"

We both lean our heads back in laughter and just then, Sam bumps into the both of us, his economics textbook falling on the floor in the process. His friends stood at the back of him, smirking and whispering to each other.

Great. Just what I needed.

I immediately released my hold on Hazel and bent down to retrieve the book for him. He does the same but a few seconds later than I did. I stood up and handed him the book. He looks back at me but doesn't smile. He used to always smile at me, until we both got into secondary school.

As if on cue, Erica comes bouncing down the hallway and squeals in excitement when she sees Sam. I take a step back, bumping into Hazel and she steadies me, trying to keep me calm by gently rubbing my back. Sam's eyes doesn't leave mine as Erica hugs him from behind and giggles.