The Popularity Project » l.h.

13. Homewrecker

S T E L L A

"What is that noise?"

"I think that's Heather screaming."

My head was quick to whip up to face Gracie, watching her casually stuff a fry into her mouth. I looked to Ashton sitting beside me at our outdoor lunch table, as he was the one to ask the question, but he surely did not look as concerned as me.

"Well that's not good." Michael chuckled, taking a swig from his soda bottle as he leaned behind Gracie to trace where the yelling was coming from.

I was silently praying that it was someone other than Heather screaming her head off in the middle of lunch, my eyes desperately trying to pinpoint the noise. It seemed that it was loud enough to catch the attention of other students around us, as multiple groups of teens were looking around in confusion just as I was.

"Oh, you're right Gracie." Michael assured in an overly enthusiastic tone. "Looks like our pal, Lukey, is getting scolded on the bleachers."

I sighed, my eyes scanning over to the metal seats to find Luke slouched over with his head in his hands as Heather was unfortunately shouting profanities at him. I did not want to assume that I was the subject of the argument, but how could I not? My flashbacks of dancing with Luke at homecoming was unworldly and I am sure that Heather had her sources report to her quick about it.

Maybe you wouldn't be worried if you didn't like him so much, Stella.

Admittedly, I came to terms with how I felt about Luke. Once Gracie and I were dropped off by Luke at my house at the end of the night, she interrogated me for two straight hours after watching him place a kiss on the top of my head as he hugged me goodnight. She did not hesitate to bring up every single piece of her memory that included something between me and Luke. From Tyler's party to our slow dance at homecoming, Gracie found a way to wrench out my feelings for my blonde best friend. It was merely a crush, but I wanted to keep it that way because I knew that all hell would break loose if we were ever more than just friends.

Hell breaking loose, meaning Heather would put me through the wringer before I could ever come close to Luke.

Don't fuck with Heather's man, Stel.

I rolled my eyes at my own voice blabbering in my head, standing up from the bench as I figured it was time to do something.

"Where are you going?" Ashton questioned, latching his hand around my wrist. "It better not be where I think you're going. If it isn't, could you get me some more chocolate milk?"

"Of course she's going over there, you clown." Gracie threw a fry that hit Ashton's cheek.

The chocolate milk-deprived boy looked over to the blue haired girl with a pout before looking back to me.

"Well be careful." Ashton loosened his grip from my wrist, letting it fall dramatically onto the wooden seat. "On your way back, at least try to bring back some type of flavored milk."

I groaned at Ashton's innocent words, ruffling his newly dyed black curls in my hand. He did not hesitate to show off his cheeky smile before I stepped over the bench, slinging my bag over my shoulder.

"That's if I make it out alive."

I watched as my three friends gave me sympathetic eyes, offering small laughs to my comment as they knew it was not a far fetched statement. Crossing Heather's path is setting myself up for a death wish, yet I knew that Luke did not deserve to be publicly screamed at.

He's my best friend.

I slowly made my way over, hearing the shouts become louder and clearer with ever step I took.