How to break a heart

Another conversation in the corridor

I come up to Mrs Lovett's desk, clutching the essays to my chest. I place them down, pretty proud of myself.

"Done."

Mrs Lovett picks them up and looks at them. "You did three?"

"Well the others wouldn't have done any. It's fine, I don't mind."

Alexander comes up to the desk and stands next to me. "I've done them."

He slaps practically a book down on the desk.

Mrs Lovett raises her eyebrows. "How many pages?"

"Forty or so." He replies casually.

"Alexander, I was looking for one or two pages.... Thankyou for your dedication!"

Oh, wow. I've been top-trumped.

**Time skip**

After class, I wait for Alexander. Again.

"Is this a routine now?" He says as he walks out of the door.

"Shut up. I'm just here to say, I did the others' essays, so you didn't need to do so much writing."

He shrugs. "I just felt like it. By the way, after school, me and the guys are going out for food. Wanna come with? I guess Peggy and Eliza can come too if they want."

I glare at him. "Your ex-girlfriend that you cheated on would LOVE to go eat with you. Totally."

"No need for that, Jellie."

"Don't call me Jellie.".

He smiles. "Sorry, Jellie."

"You're infuriating."

"Big girl Jellie using big girl words."

"I will LITERALLY punch you."

"Go on then. Take your best shot."

"Ha! Okay then."

I swing my fist round and punch him right in the face. I hear a CRAAACK!

He clutches his nose. "Ooooow! Angelica, what the actual-"

"I'm SO sorry!"

I sink down to the floor. I just broke his nose.

He lets go of his nose and it's bleeding.

"I'm so sorry, I can't believe I actually.... This is ALL my fault. Everything is.... I'm so SORRY!"

"You're rambling. It's fine, this isn't nearly the worst that's happened to me."

I feel SO terrible. Eliza is heartbroken because of me. Alexander is nose-broken because of me. What CAN'T I do wrong.

I start to cry right in the middle of the corridor. Everyone else has filtered into their next classes, so it's just me and him.

"Seriously, Angelica, chill it's fine... Why are you crying?"

He sits down next to me, nose still bleeding.

Angelica, pull yourself together. You're seventeen. You're the oldest Schuyler sister. You stay strong. Wipe those tears and get the frick back up again. You just broke Alexander's nose. Why are you crying? Weakling. Wimp....

Alexander tentatively puts his arm around my shoulder. I don't even shrug him off.

"It's okay... I'm fine, really." He smiles at me cautiously.

We stay like that for a minute or two.

"You're not going to your class?" I murmur.

"Looks like it."

"Why are you being nice to me. I just broke your nose."

"Nah. You probably didn't break it. You talk like I'm usually a monster. Do you really think I'm that horrible?"

"You broke my sister's heart and many others. It's my job to hate you."

He nods his head. "True. The thing is, I don't really try to play girls. It just kinda happens. Girls seem to swoon over me with everything I do and I don't know why."

"Neither." I laugh, feeling a little better.

"Hey! The disrespect.... Anyway, as I was saying before you RUDELY INTERRUPTED ME," He says jokingly. "I think there's something there but then I'm always wrong. I'm never satisfied with what I have. My worst trait."

It's weird. We're actually having a conversation. Me and the boy I'm supposed to hate. Having a civilised conversation in the corridor on the floor when we're both meant to be at class.

Eventually, the bell rings and I get up.

"You know what, Alexander? I'll come out for food. But I still hate you. By the way."

Alexander stands up. "Seriously, call me Alex. I'll text you when and where to meet us. Seeyah soon."

"I guess so."