Shadows and Popularity

Chapter 05: Problems

 Chapter 05: Problems

“Smooth moves you got there, heartthrob.” Clarisse said playfully, referring to Nathan.

Nathan didn’t even flinch from the comment, but Maya sure did. She was sure her face went so dark when she blushed and continued to be so when she abruptly stood up, away from the junior’s arm. For some reason, she saw him actually glared at Clarisse, but for why, she might never know.

“Uh…” Maya said as she tried to compose herself. “C-Clarisse, h-how long have been there?” She staggered.

Clarisse shrugged. “A while.” Looking back at Nathan, she continued. “I don’t really know what’s going on, but I seriously don’t mind having Maya over at my place for a night or two. I’m sure my family wouldn’t really mind me helping out a friend either.”

Maya actually felt a pang of joy warm her heart. Clarisse had actually stated her as her friend. And that fact alone almost made her forget about her troubles, and she was thankful even if it was just for a second. She actually managed a smile, and for some reason, Nathan’s glare merely grew darker.

“She’s staying at my place.”

Both heads looked at Nathan wide-eyed in surprise. Apparently, no one was expecting him to actually volunteer, but the minute of surprise disappeared quickly however, when Clarisse shot him an inquisitive raised brow.

“And why’s that?” She asked bluntly.

“Because.” A minute of silence, then he said, “This is our problem. We won’t get you involved, and that’s that.”

Nathan stood as he said this, and grabbed Maya’s arm protectively. If Maya wasn’t the wallflower she was, she wouldn’t have noticed the quick tug that raised Clarisse’s lips a tad. She blinked, then realized just as quickly that Clarisse didn’t have any intention of giving her help. She was merely toying with the heartthrob, and was enjoying it heartily.

Clarisse coughed, but Maya still heard the small chuckle. “Okay.” She said as she started making her way toward their half of the room. “I see that it’s your problem to handle, but seriously dude, if we want to be practical, you do know that she’s got a whole lot of a better chance with me than with you, right?”

Clarisse had taken a stand a foot away from Maya, just as Nathan stood a foot away at her other side. For some reason, she was suddenly in the middle of a glare off, and she was just too meek to speak up. Clarisse was volunteering to help them, and as grateful as Maya felt, she knew Nathan somehow disapproved. But why Nathan didn’t approve so much and why Clarisse wanted to bait him into admitting something, Maya didn’t know the answer.

“It’s our problem. And honestly, Clarisse, I think you’re up to something.” Nathan said bluntly.

“Dude, you have got to let go of the past.” Clarisse said nonchalantly. “I didn’t know you had such sensitive eyes.”

It seems that the two actually had a past together, but Maya didn’t bother asking questions, knowing full well that it wasn’t her place to ask anything at all at the moment.

Nathan continued to glare at Clarisse, and was just about to come to his senses when the musician girl suddenly looked toward the wallflower girl beside him and gave her a worried glance.

“W-what?” Nathan asked, confused.

“Did you guys check out the school’s blog yet?” Clarisse asked a little bit too serious for Nathan’s preference.

Without asking why, he took his phone out and searched what she was talking about. Maya did the same, and their eyes widened at the same time. Maya was the first to avert eye contact with her phone screen and close her Tumblr app.