Grit | under construction

11.

Joshua's POV

"Hey Mabel" I said casually as I walked up to her. I wasn't expecting to get a response, considering I never even apologized to her. But I mean, if it's any consolation to her, I've been acting pretty shady towards Sami these last few days.

She was looking for something in her locker, but suddenly didn't seem to need anything once she noticed me beside her. "Hi" she said lightly, as she slammed her locker and harshly brushed past me, similar to how I brushed past her some time back.

I didn't blame her for acting that way. I mean, not only did I treat her bad, but she also now has a very good looking, well built boyfriend with a ton of money. I can't even believe she was able to get with someone like that, she really must not be that bad after all. So in the end, it seems that I'm the one that lost, not her.

I couldn't ignore the feeling I had, I just wanted to be apart of Mabel's life now. I know she'd probably pick up on that, and assume that I'm just trying to use her for popularity. It's crazy, she became a household name in this school overnight.

Sami's POV

See I was okay with Josh acting distant, but now, he was just acting full on weird. He barely talked to me, and when he did, it was something about Mabel. Why was he so into Mabel now that she has a good looking, wealthy boyfriend? I was sick of Mabel at this point, I felt like she knew that she was getting to me. I'm gonna let her have her five seconds of fame, because what I'm planning, is gonna crush her.

***

"You look like you're thinking heavily about something" Bethany said, "what's up?" I sighed, the girls were all here since we were at lunch, so I guess now was a perfect time to say it. "I have a plan to get back to Mabel" I said, everybody stopped eating so that they could pay attention to me.

"What is it?" Bella asked me, "are we gonna jump her?" We all laughed at what Bella said. "Honestly I'd be down for that, but not that's not it. I was thinking something more simple, like stealing her man" I replied. Miranda and Bubba gasped, "but they just started out" Bubba said, "shouldn't we at least let them have like, a month together?"

I laughed, "this whole plan could take a few weeks, or a few days. I don't know. But don't worry, they'll have some time together" I replied. "Well how are we gonna even execute this plan? Miranda asked, "we don't know this boy at all, and Mabel obviously isn't going to tell us anything." I nodded, "you're right" I said, "but you're tech savvy. All we need to find out is his name, and then through you, we'll be able to find out other things like his address and social media."

This was somewhat of a daunting task. I mean, how were we going to find out his full name? Suddenly, I came up with another idea to support my original idea. "I have an idea" I said, "but it'll require someone we're not very close to, that has class with one of us." Bella raised an eyebrow, "are we gonna make that person become friends with her?" A smile spread across my face, it made me happy knowing that she caught on without me having to say much.

"That's exactly what we're gonna do, but there's more to the plan than just that" I said. "The person doesn't have to be best friends with Mabel, just friendly enough to the point that they talk on a regular basis. Then, they're gonna spark a conversation with Mabel while she's texting her man in class, so that Mabel gets distracted. Then, which ever one of us are in that class, will quickly grab Mabel's unlocked phone, and run." The girls all looked stunned, "that's a pretty thought out plan" Bethany said, "but it sounds like a 'one and done thing'. If we don't get it right the first time, then it's over."

I nodded, "you're right. We have to be precise with this plan. It needs to be executed right the first time, but we also have to pick the right candidate for it" I said. Promptly, I thought of the perfect person.

"And I have just the right individual for it" I went on, with a smile. Nobody said anything, they all just stared at me, as they were waiting for me to continue. "Ayana McKena, she's in Bubba, Bella and I's math class, along with Mabel" I said. "What makes her the perfect person for this?" Miranda asked.

"Well, a little birdie told me that Ayana happens to have a crush on Josh's friend, Xavier" I replied, "I obviously have connection to Xavier, because of Josh. So I can bride her with Xavier, saying he'll take her out on a date if she does this." Bubba nodded her head, "that's pretty smart" she said, "maybe that'll convince her to do it."

"Well if that doesn't convince her, I'll also offer her a spot at this table" I said, as everyone's eyes went wide. "Will you really do that?" Bella asked, and I laughed. "Of course I'm not actually gonna let her sit here, I'll just say it so she does it. Then once we complete the plan, I'll pretend I don't know her" I said with a smile. Bethany laughed, "you're evil Sami, I love it."

***

We were now in math class, and I was getting ready to execute phase one of my plan. Mabel had moved her seat in this class about a week ago, and luckily, the teacher put Ayana in her old spot. So now I sat behind Ayana, and Bubba sat next to her.

Bubba looked at me for approval, and I nodded my head. Then she tapped Ayana from behind, so that she'd turn towards me.

"Hey girl" I said, in my fake friendly voice. "Hey" Ayana casually said back, I could tell she wasn't shy, which was a plus. "So I know we don't talk, but I have a proposal for you" I said, "but I can't talk about it here. Do you mind meeting me at locker, S20, after school?" I asked. Ayanna nodded, "sure" she said, as she turned back around. She was pretty nonchalant, I liked that.