The Truth About Love

chapter nine

I fall flat onto the ground, belly-flop style. I slide across; grains of sand scrape against my bare legs and consequently an intense burning sensation spreads through the expanse of my knee caps and shins. I wouldn't be surprised if the entirety of my lower body actually ignited into flames. When I lift my head up, I quickly realise that the prospect of acquiring any severe friction burns is the least of my worries.

Rani yelps in horror as her eyes meet with the berry-coloured stain splattered all over her -inconveniently- white top. She lowers her gaze to me, narrowing her eyes. If the friction burns weren't enough to set me on fire, the flames she's shooting in my direction will certainly do the job.

I give her a wobbly smile from the ground, apparently doing an incredibly accurate imitation of a starfish.

"What the fuck was that for?!" She hisses, flipping her hair back with a little more aggression than usual.

Standing up, I dust the sand off my skin and wince at how much it stings. I size up the severity of the stain. In her defense, it's pretty bad. Oops.

The blood-resembling stain, her outfit choice of a white blouse and a red-tartan mini skirt all contribute to her emanating a strong zombie-schoolgirl vibe. On the plus side, she won't have to buy a costume for Halloween this year.

A group of people encircle us, peering to see what the commotion is about. They snicker at Rani who is attempting-and failing- to shoo them away, "What are you looking at?!"

"Here. Let me help," I insist, reaching into my pocket for the packet of tissues I always keep in there.

I lean towards her and start blotting the fruit punch off her blouse.

"Oh my god," she pushes my hand away, "What are you doing?! You're making it worse!"

I tilt my head to examine the stain which has now doubled in circumference. She may be right.

Stepping away from her, I raise both of my arms up. "I was only trying to help!"

"Sure you were. Wait- what are you even doing here?" She looks at Jacob, one of the rugby lads from school that she's dating, who I didn't even realise was standing beside her. "Babe, what is she doing here?"

He shrugs before throwing me an apologetic look. Jacob's always been one of the nice ones so it's impossible to comprehend why he would choose to go out with the devil incarnate. She must have him under a spell.

Crossing my arms and mustering a sickeningly sweet smile, I say, "actually Rani, I came here specifically to ensure that you had the worst possible evening and by the looks of it," I point my head towards the grimace on her face which hasn't budged in the last five minutes, "I've succeeded."

She lets out a noise of frustration before looping her arm through Jacob's. "Come on babe, let's go and find people who are actually worth our time." She spins on her heel, dragging him with her. He turns around and mouths sorry.