All I Can Do Is Shrug

Chapter 12: Sweet Lies

"Wait he actually said that?" Sabrina asks me. I nod as we sit at our usual table. "I believed him at first but as soon I got home, I remembered who he is and how pretty lies can be. I hate guys they're so confusing." I say while picking at the stiff spaghetti that sat on my tray.

"Yeah me too girly. Guys are great to look at and fool around with but we always have to remember that they're trash as well. When is your guys' audition ?" She asks as she pushes her plate away and takes out a bag of chips, a lemon, and a switchblade. "It's this Friday. I'm a little nervous to be honest. If we don't get chosen to continue, Derek is gonna lose it. I think I will too." I tell her while biting my nails. She offers me some chips and I gladly take some.

She puts the blade back in her bag. "Derek is so nice though. I didn't think he'd actually boss everyone around and I don't think you should put this all on yourself. You've been here, how long like 2 months?," I nod, "Exactly so don't put his feelings or his opinions in front of yours. He's a big boy he can take care of himself."

I sigh and realize she's right. "I don't have rehearsals today and my mom isn't gonna come home till late. Do you wanna hang out after school?" I ask her while eating the chips, completely ignoring the poison that the school has decided to serve us. "Yeah sure. I can show you around. Oh my God there's this place that I go to with the rest of the group and you would love it. It's those cafes with couches and they serve drinks in those big mugs and they have art all over the walls and better yet, tonight they have an open mic night. So many underground performers go there to rap or sing. We have go there right after school." Sabrina excitedly tells me.

"That sounds great!" I tell her. "What sounds great?" Andrew asks. Andrew has black hair and brown eyes. "I was just telling Annie that after school we should head over to The Hole. You wanna come with? It's an open mic tonight." His eyes light up. "Yeah I'd love to. What if we all go? They already know us there and we haven't hung out recently."

Sabrina puts her chin in the palm of her hands. "Yeah you're right. Alright well text the group chat and let everyone know. We'll head there around five. Oh Annie we should go shopping after school and then go to your place to change that way we can just go. Is that cool?" I liked that everyone treated me like a member of the group. In LA, you would have to know everyone for at least a year in order for them to loosen up around you.

"Yeah sure." I responded with a smile on my face. I was actually going to be able to explore the city a bit. "Okay cool. So Andrew have you given any thought who you would-" I didn't pay much attention to their conversation as I zoned out and thought about Caiden. Why do I care so much about a guy who is clearly just playing me and why did he look and feel so familiar?

Maybe I met him in another life? Maybe he's my soulmate? No! I can't think like that. That is too cheesy and that's exactly how he wants me to feel. Get yourself together Rose. You cannot let him get in your head like that. Just relax today is a beautiful day and you're gonna get the chance to hang out with your friends.

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"Oh my God I love this shirt! Do you think it'll go with the pants?" Sabrina asked me, lifting up this white deep V shirt.

"Yeah I think so but maybe if you add a chain to the pants you'll look a lot cooler." I say while grabbing a chain from the rack. "Yeah it looks great." The employee behind us says. I look at her and she's just on her phone. Whatever happened to great customer service? I roll my eyes and smile at Sabrina.

She had amazing style and she was going to look amazing in the outfit. "So with these boots, the chain, and the shirt you think it'll look good?" Sabrina asks, trying to convince herself through asking me. I smile at her, "Only if you wear it. Go try it on." She turns around and asks the employee for a key to the dressing room and they both go.