Damage Control

Playing Matchmaker

I let out a sigh as I reached my locker and began twisting the knob to open the lock. It was Monday and that meant that I was overly exhausted, my brain had yet to adjust to the new week, and I was forced to come to the one place where I would be suffering the most; school.

I had just finished taking a history exam, and for some reason I felt suspiciously good about it. I hadn't studied all weekend because Easton had been pestering me to hang out with him. Despite our thirty minute long argument about me not wanting to go, he eventually forced me out of the house to the local park where I watched him and Brandon chase each other around the field. 

It was pretty pointless going with them, but it was nice to see Brandon so happy. There were a couple times where they had tried sneaking up on me and messing with me, honestly, I'd be lying if I said I didn't eventually succumb to their games and end up joining them. 

I had just finished replacing my books for the second half of my classes when I felt two arms wrap around me and squeeze me. The sweet smell of peonies surrounded me as Sienna's long hair brushed against my cheek. Resting my hand on top of her arms, I hugged her back as she pulled back. Turning around to face her, I flashed her a smile as she pouted her lips at me and clasped her hands in front of me.

"I'm so sorry, Mal." She said as she continued to stare at me as if I had just kicked her dog. Shaking my head softly, I pushed her hands down as I pulled her into another hug. Despite me texting her all weekend that everything was okay, and that she didn't need to text me apologizing every thirty minutes, she was relentless and was absolutely certain that I hated her.

"Sienna, like I said all weekend long, I'm not mad. I never was." I reassured as I pulled back and firmly stared at her. She let out a sigh of relief before pushing her hair behind her shoulder and placing her hand dramatically over her heart.

"Even though you texted me all weekend, I was still terrified- partly because you kept saying you're fine but it's common knowledge that when a girl says she's fine, she's actually not!" She said in one big breath as she waved her hands dramatically in the air. I watched with wide eyes as Sienna took deep breaths to calm down before I raised an eyebrow.

"God, you are dramatic." I finally said as she simply nodded in agreement. We both stood in front of each other silently for a couple of seconds before bursting into laughter. As we stood in the hallway, we both laughed like a bunch of maniacs as students around us rushed to the cafeteria for lunch. 

"What's so funny?" I heard Easton's voice ask from behind us as Sienna and I finally simmered down. Wiping my eyes, I turned to a curious looking Noah and Easton. Turning to Sienna, we both shared a look before simultaneously saying, "Nothing." 

As always, Easton's brown hair messily laid on his head as he wore a navy blue t-shirt and jeans. Noah on the other hand had his midnight hair perfectly styled as he sported a random black hoodie. They were both immune to the whispers and stares that followed them as they stared at us, awaiting a response. 

Shrugging his shoulders, Easton walked towards me and slung an arm over my shoulders as he pulled me closer to his side, "You know shortstack, if you were talking about me, you could just tell me. I already know you have a little crush on me." He said as Sienna and Noah burst into a fit of laughter. Feeling the heat rush to my face, I shoved Easton away from me angrily. I watched him stumble before regaining his balance as he turned and winked at me. Flashing him the finger, I turned around and shut my locker angrily. I could hear Sienna, Easton, and Noah talking about the carnival that would be in town this weekend, but I simply stood by quietly as I glared daggers at Easton who stood beside me.