His blonde, her brunette, one beautiful mess

[9] Killing butterflies

"Hey Hanna's there," Trin noticed happily but then scrunched her nose. "And Rider is all over her. Should we only pass by?"

"U-turn?" I asked and we walked back toward where we came from. No need to see any more of Hanna's and Rider's  PDA. 

"So you're not coming to the game this Friday?" That was in two days. 

"Nah, better not to," I smiled at her. "Still trying to keep a low profile after all that happened."

"Whatever you say," Trin said. "I still think you should come. You could just wear really big hoodie or something. Hide those lovely curves of yours." 

I laughed.

"Won't you be happy that I at least come to the sleepover tonight?" 

There was this tradition in our school where senior girls slept over in the school. Rumours said there wasn't much sleeping involved, instead, there would be eating at midnight and telling stories. A little late for bonding, you could say, but it was still going to be fun.

"You wouldn't miss that sleepover for anything," Trin pointed out. "Are we still going to eat before coming here? Hanna's coming too if Rider manages to get his tongue out of her throat."

______

"This is going to be so much fun," Hanna said as she rolled out her matress. I had already prepared my mattress, which wouldn't be put to much use other than a cushion for sitting. I'd brought a fluffy blanket and warm socks because it could get fairly cold in our school.

"I can't wait for some ghost stories," Trin said, nuzzling into her blanket. 

"And I can't wait to tell some," Hanna said with a mishevous smile. 

"Hey guys, I'll go take our snacks to the snack table," I offered, wanting to stretch my legs. Someone had dragged two tables to the gymnastics hall and everyone's snacks were put there for sharing. I let the bag of chips swing in my hand as I walked. 

As I was pouring the chips into a bowl I sensed someone stopping next to me. I glanced up at Stacey and found her watching me. I only ignored her gaze and would have left had she not stopped me. 

"Ella please, can we talk?" No.

"Sure, about what?" 

"Can we go outside?" Stacey asked, fiddling with a strand of her red hair. I nodded and we went out in the hallway. I looked at her, furrowing my brows at her nervous stature. 

"Is everything okay?" I asked. Hope she's not pregnant. Wait, why would she tell me even if she was?

"We miss you El," she blurted out. I hadn't expected her to say that. It came as a surprise to say the least. 

"We? May I ask whom that includes?" I raised my brows and crossed my arms over my chest. It was weird how things had changed between Stacey and I. Before I'd always felt grateful of the friendship we had, almost like I owed her for being friends with me.

"Me... The others... Thomas." She said it as if it would be the carrot to lure me back to be her friend. Could she be more wrong. The boat of our friendship had sailed. 

"Thomas sent you?" I almost wanted to laugh. 

"No! This was my decision. I've seen whom you hang-out with these days El." Could she not just use my full name? "You're not yourself anymore."

"Who are you to say that?" I wasn't offended, only slightly amused by her accusation. If anything I was more myself than I'd ever been before. 

"You're hanging out with the football team! I didn't think you would just replace us with some cool kids to get status. Honestly I almost don't recognise you anymore."