The Unexpected Deal

✿ Marilyn: Aching Memories ✿

"ARE YOU sure you actually are working with Kai Hayes?" As I took a handful of Selena's fries, I asked.

"Yeah, it's fucking insane that I have to work with him because so far he's an asshole. Did you know I hit him with a drawer by accident and he got pissed about it? Anyways, Mira might as well be fucking my boyfriend. They used to date, and I don't trust him around her. She seemed cool at first but damn she's so clingy with my own boyfriend. I swear to god I'm going to kill him if he's late again like the last time, blowing me off for his side chick."

"Hey guys, also this time I'm not late Selena." Damian greeted us as he sat in a chair, wrapping his arm around Selena and taking a seat next to us. Selena's boyfriend arrived at our table oblivious of his ex-girlfriend or him being the topic of the conversation. We weren't even that close and had just Selena being the reason we tolerated each other. The cafe is one of my favorite spots to hang out with Selena. I was preoccupied with other things in my life, so I never was able to put my whole heart into conversations no matter how badly I wanted to. I was already thinking about my AP History class for next period.

"Look who showed up," Damian said, turning to face Selena and catching a glimpse of Sabrina walking into the café. Everyone knew who she was: popular for being nothing more than being a "slut" and entitled. I never understood why people wanted to be around her when we all knew that if you got on her bad side, she'd treat you like an outcast. She was untouchable and she knew it, including me. Even still, we both knew we would never be friends for so many reasons because she hated my guts and I didn't know why. I hardly talked to her but Selena used to be friends with her and said she's not worth my time. Based on how Sabrina acts, she wasn't wrong.

As I tried to shake off my uneasiness and focus on my conversation with Damian and Selena, I couldn't help but notice Sabrina's presence in the corner of my eye. It was as if her mere presence was enough to cast a shadow over the entire café. I knew that she was capable of causing chaos and destruction with just a few words, and the thought of her turning her attention towards me was enough to make my stomach churn. It was as if the air in the café got heavier as she walked in, and the sounds around us became muffled. I could feel her eyes on me, piercing through my skin like daggers. I tried my best to ignore her, but I could almost hear her snickering with her friends as they walked past our table. It was clear that she was still trying to make my life miserable, and I couldn't wait for the day when I could finally get away from her forever.

"Are you guys going to that party tomorrow?" I asked, ignoring Damian and Selena's chat about 꽃, a musical artist, as I attempting to distract myself. They were talking about going to a concert she was hosting in New York. I didn't care about the party tommorow that August was hosting, so I'm not sure why I asked. Maybe I was hoping that the guy from the coffee shop would show up there. I didn't even know his name, but I know I've seen him before or at least spoken to him maybe once in my life since he knew my name. Or maybe he found out my name from someone else. I would have known if I did know him and I knew that he was familiar.

"Yeah, I'm thinking about going. Why?" Damian observed my expression. His bright blonde hair and green eyes gave him the appearance of innocence. Nonetheless, he caught the interest of the school's rebellious teenager that everyone either hated or didn't want to be associated with. He was undeniably hiding something as I could tell just by looking into his eyes and his facial expression whenever Selena brought up Mira, Damian's ex.

"I kinda want to go but my mother won't let me," I stated solemnly, popping another fry into my mouth. These days I wanted to go into my senior year going to a party rather than worry about grades. I haven't felt like an actual adult in the longest time, yet it seemed like everything was holding me back lately.