glitched | ✔️

s e v e n

Chelsie POV

When I got home later that day I went straight to my room.

Bolt was lounged on my bed, one of my socks in his mouth.
Figures.
I groaned in frustration, storming over to him and attempting to pry the mutilated fabric out of his slobbery mouth.

Bolt only blinked slowly and growled at me.

I gave up and just shoved him off my bed.
He grunted and sluggishly staggered out of the room, my sock still in his mouth.
As soon as he was gone I slammed the door shut and collapsed on my bed, staring emptily at the ceiling.
I could feel the tears coming.

Get a grip.

~

I got onto the bus. Except for this time I had a plan to hide from Gabe.

I went all the way to the back of the bus and sat in the very last row, squeezing up against the window.
I might have snickered evilly when Gabe boarded and couldn't find me and so went to bother Kelly Smith, a girl who made fun of me nonstop.
Take that Kelly.

"Hey... is this seat taken?"

I glanced up to see a good looking guy with tousled curly blonde hair and brown eyes, looking at me with an adorable lopsided smile on his face.

"Oh! Um. No. Not really, I guess."

Shoot.
And to think I almost got away with sitting alone.

He smiled, taking the seat next to me.
"I'm Theo, short for Theodore. I think I've seen you around. Gracie, right?"

"Yeah." I mumbled.

I could feel his eyes on me, and I shifted uncomfortably.
I don't like people looking at me.
The bus driver was driving like a maniac and my stomach was doing flips.
I really didn't feel so good.

I must have said this out loud because Theo looked at me with genuine concern.
"I have some ginger in my backpack. I get carsick on the bus all the time so I just chew some to help. Want some?"

"No really—"
The bus took a sharp turn and I nearly lost it.
"Yes please."

Theo laughed, reaching into his backpack and taking out a small bag of dried candied ginger.
But not candied enough.
After biting into it the sharp, spicy flavor hit my tongue.
"Hot!"

Theo grinned. "You know I am!"

I rolled my eyes.
"Not you, idiot! The ginger!"

Me and Theo made the usual small talk until the bus finally arrived at school.
Theo said goodbye with another one of his grins and I couldn't help but smile back.

That grin was contagious, my God.

~

Lunch that day was different than I expected.

The cafeteria was louder than usual so I fled to the library.
I was just eating my peanut butter and jelly sandwich when a girl walked over and sat down next to me.

"You know, I see you leave the cafeteria all the time and I've always wondered where you go. But ha! I have found out!" She said cheerfully.

"Um..." I mumbled uncomfortably.

"You're quiet, but that's okay. I talk enough for two people. Heck, I probably even talk enough for three!" She laughed at her own joke and I smiled a little.
She grinned when she caught my smile.
"I knew you could smile! Cute!"

"Uh, thanks? I think...?"

The girl giggled.
"I've decided. You have no choice but to be my friend. I'm Olivia."

I reached out for a handshake.
"I'm Gracie."

She shook my hand than pulled me into a hug.
When I didn't return the hug she let me go.
"Sorry. You just looked like you really needed a hug,"

I smiled at this.
I really did need a hug.

"So," Olivia put her feet up on the table, but only after glancing at the librarian to make sure she wasn't watching.
I tilted my head at her.
"This might be a weird question, but why haven't you joined the pecking order? I mean, I've seen some of the Princess girls going up to you in a pretty friendly way. And I've heard they're pretty pissed that you won't join their group."

I sighed.
"I don't know. I mean, I feel like they're kinda a dime a dozen. There were girls like that at my old school. I want friends to talk to, really talk to. And that's not what those girls are looking for."

"Was there a lot of good people at your old school too?"

I smiled.
"Yeah."

"So, why don't you have a boyfriend? If you don't mind me asking. I mean, a bunch of guys must like you. You're sooo pretty,"

I squirmed uncomfortably.

"I guess I haven't met the right guy. With the right morals, and the right feel to him."

Olivia nodded solemnly.
"I feel you, girl. A few guys have liked me over the years, but I am convinced it's for my personality."

I laughed.
Olivia had this ability to just make you want to smile when you were around her.

"But is there anyone you have your eyes on?" Olivia wiggled her eyebrows playfully.

I snorted. "Nada. You?"

Olivia actually looked sheepish.
"No telling!"
I grinned. "Promise I won't tell."

"Okay. I like Theo. He's a senior, but like super nice and sweet. And hot. I mean, that's always a plus." She laughed.

"Oh, I've met him! He was nice, I guess. He sat by me on the bus."

"Ooooooh. I'm jealous!" Olivia squealed. "But also can you invite me to the wedding?"

I burst out laughing, earning a dirty look from the librarian.
"I said he was nice. I didn't say I liked him. And he doesn't like me, so keep your delusions in your head Miss Olivia!"

She winked, and the lunch bell rang.