Anastasia

20

"Stop expecting loyalty from people who can't even give you honesty."

Ana has never hated Fridays before.

She was alone in the library at her usual spot doing a bit of reading on her lecture notes when she was being pushed off her seat violently and onto the floor. The loud noise had attracted the attention of several other students, and some of them have come over to see what had happened.

Ana lay on the floor in a daze, looking up to see Astrid glaring at her, nostrils flaring. Fear gripped her heart, panic running in her veins.

What did she do this time?

"I heard what happened, Cowell. You had better stay clear of my boyfriend, or you will be very sorry." she snarled, her lean figure looming over her.

"Find your facts right before you talk to me, Astrid." Ana said, and Astrid walked towards her, using her stilettos to step on Ana's palm. She yelped in pain, and Astrid increased the pressure, making Ana whimper in pain. She leaned into Ana, her breath smelling like sweet coca-cola.

"If I ever see you with him again, I will make sure you're out of this school. Hear me?" she growled, and Ana nodded, benching her jaw so hard she felt like her teeth might crack.

"Hey, that's enough." Danielle came rushing to Astrid, and aggressively pulled her back bu the shoulders, causing her to fall on her butt. There was a crowd forming around them now. People were whipping out their phones and videoing the commotion, some were whispering to one another, casting disapproving glances at Ana.

"Mind your own business, Danielle." Astrid hissed at her, scrambling to get up on her feet with her three inch stilettos. It was hilarious, if the situation wasn't in this state.

"She is not to blame, you bitch. Get your facts right before you confront her. I was the one who asked them to hang out together." Danielle defended, her arms akimbo.

Astrid stared at Danielle in shock and disbelief.

"You watch out, the both of you."

Danielle scoffed. "What are you going to do, huh? Throw your foundation powder at us? Or hit us with your pretty Louis Vuitton handbag? Ooh, such an honour to get your rich hand prints on us, how awfully disgusting." Danielle taunted, making Astrid's face go from pink to crimson red.

"Screw you." she shouted, and stalked off, still managing to keep her appearance as appealing as possible by swaying her hips as she made her way out of the library.

"I'm straight!" Danielle shouted at her before the glass door closes. The crowd responded with a loud "Ooooooooh" and raised several snickers coming from the guys.

Danielle demanded for the crowd to clear with the help of the librarian, who looked dead panned by the commotion just now. Danielle then helped Ana up, giving her a worried look. Ana waved her concern away. "I'm fine."

"I'm really sorry about yesterday. I've spoken to Zachary, and he told me he wants apologise to you too. Astrid is such an arsehole, I swear to her stupid useless make-up." she rolled her eyes in annoyance.

Ana let out a short chuckle, her lips resting in a small smile. "I know you won't do it again."

"I won't. I promise." Danielle nodded, and stretched out her arms. "Huggie?"

Ana found herself wrapped in the arms of her best friend, the familiar scent of chrysanthemum filling her nostrils. She felt safe and protected. There's so much to learn from her best friend that she doesn't even know where to start.

"Thank you for defending me." she said. "And...I forgive you."

"Thank you, Ana. And of course, I'm Danielle. That's what a Danielle would do to an Ana." she laughed.

Okay, maybe she still doesn't hate her Friday that badly.

"Hey Ana!" a voice called out to her before she went down the stairs to the cafeteria. She was about to share some good news that she received during her lecture but was stopped short by an extremely enthusiastic looking Ashton, waving at her as he made his way to her through the crowd.

"Yo, what's up?" Ana said, trying to blend in with the hype vibe pouring out from him. It sounded strange coming out from her mouth, and she frowned in amusement.

"There's a party this Sunday, and I was hoping that you'd like to come? It's going to happen at my house and it's not far from here." he spoke excitedly, the words tumbling out in a flurry.

"Woah, okay. So, party at your place? Sunday. What time?" she asked. Good to have fun once in a while. Besides, she's never been invited to a party before, and the thought of going to one made her a little excited.

"Anytime from seven onwards." he replied, his earth-coloured eyes sparkling eagerly.

"Yeah, sure. I'll come." she smiled.

"Sweet. I'll text you the address now." he took out his phone and began typing out the address. A few seconds later, she received a message from an unknown number and the address.

"Thanks. Just asking, why are you suddenly inviting me to the party though?" she mused.

"Oh, because it's my birthday, duh. You think I'd forget about you, right?" he laughed, his voice low and deep, yet it was smooth and melodious.

"Yeah, but thanks for inviting me again." I'd better make something for him as a birthday present. Should I? He's eighteen now, a present might look childish on him. She thought.

"Yep, I'll see you there!" he waved goodbye and joined the rapidly dispersing crowd.

Ana smiled at the message and walked down the stairs, more quickly than she usually does.

Double good news. What a day.