We're Not Lovers

Chapter Two

Nicole's Pov

Noelle never returned to our room that night, after her unexpectedly exit the evening before. She hadn't returned, I had no idea where she slept nor did I want to know.

She slipped inside the next morning, changing into leggings and a crop top, while I pretend to be asleep. Soon after she made her way through the door as quickly as she came.

Slowly I began drifting back to sleep, for some time which would have been longer if it wasn't for the continuously banging demanding knocks on the door.

“Just a second,” I called entangling my legs from the death trap of the sheets.

“Jesus, Nicole I don't care if you're wearing a bra or not! Opened the goddam door!” Claire's impatient voice rang through the door.

With an eye roll, I successfully untangled myself from the sheets and make my way towards the door, opening the door wide enough, so she could see me and I could see her.

But unexpectedly she pushed the door opened, strolling inside like she owns the place. In the process of forcing herself through the door, her shoulder jabbed mine.

“Good Morning to you too,” I muttered sarcastically after closing the door behind me.

“Oh, Good morning, Nicole did you slept well?” She asked with a stiff smile on her face.

“Yes, I did,” I fabricated. “So what are you doing here?”

“To help you get ready, of course. Now wipe that frown off your face, if you want to make a good impression, I'm just the right person to help you with that. I'm not a top student for nothing, now shall we get you dress?”

I nodded silently at her knowing arguing is just a big waste. Not only that, but I watched as she straightened out the school uniform with her hand which I tossed on the chair last night.

“Have you tried it on last night?” She asked holding up the uniform before me.

“No, I didn't have a chance.”

With a frown on her face, “Put it on then, let's see if it fits and if it doesn't I'll ask for a different size.”

“Thank you,” I nodded at her taking the uniform from her hands and make my way over to the bathroom to tried it on.

Charterhouse school uniform consists of a white bottom down shirt, its collar peeking out under a dark navy jumper, school pin. Then, of course, there was the black skirt reaching the knees, denier black pantyhose. Oh, and a black blazer with the school crest.

But since it wasn't cold I didn't bother putting it on. It was my first time wearing a school uniform before I had gone to a public school that didn't require a dress code and as I looked at myself in the mirror I felt like a little girl. Playing dress-up.

Immediately as I stepped into the room Claire's attention fell on me, “Wonderful, the uniform fits perfectly. Now put on your shoes, so we can go to breakfast…” With that, she pointed to the shiny new pair of black leather ballerinas.

After slipping on the shoes, I excuse myself to the bathroom to get my makeup done. Even though Claire was huffing and frowning, but I just ignored her.

Subsequently, after applying my mascara, and foundation which I've only worn, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Staring back at me was hazel eyes, above my nose which were buried with freckles.

Once I was happy with my makeup, I brushed through my shoulder-length brown hair.

“Hurry up, Nicole. Breakfast is starting in five minutes, and I'd like to be there early.” Claire prompted.

“Sorry, I'm ready,” I said grabbing a hold of my bag. Claire immediately lopped her arms with mine and pulled me out the door.

I squint my eyes into the bright daylight in the corridor and tried not to trip down the stairs, Claire was sprinting down. The hall was illuminated by sunshine streaming through the windows, and girls of all ages were busy running around.

When we almost reached the foyer, it was when Claire suddenly came to a stop. And gripped my arms so tightly it almost hurt.

After looking over at her in confusion I realize that Noelle was making her way up the stairs pushing her way through a group of students.

She was still in leggings and a crop top and wore headphones that were blasting music so loudly that I could hear it when she makes her way closer towards us.

Her lips twisted in a frown as she jogged past us as if we weren't even there.

I wondered how could someone as sweaty could still look that flawless. Only then when Claire nudge me in the shoulders did I turned my attention to her.

Arriving in the lunchroom, Claire dragged me over towards the buffet and headed me a plate where students were lining up to get breakfast.

“I suggest you only eat fruits and vegetables, for breakfast you look a little pale and tired, some vitamins might help.”

I only nodded at her feeling slightly offended, but I decided not to argue, I guess, so aren't you going to eat?”

“Oh, I do not eat anything,” she states before turning to a lady behind the counter asking for her smoothie.

With a smile, the lady reached for a huge glass filled to the brim with a green liquid.

Claire took a big sip, without thanking her after filling my plate with fruits, yogurt, and a can of coke I excited the line.

After taking a seat beside Claire who was seated opposite Taylor and Tyler.

“Hey,” I greeted with a grin.

“Hey, Nicole,” Tyler answered yawning right after.

“Didn't sleep well?” I inquired.

Tyler was looking paler than yesterday, with dark circles under his eyes and his hair sticking in every direction.

“I don't think I slept for thirty minutes he responded stirring his coffee.

“Stayed up late on the internet again?” Taylor asked rolling her eyes.

“No, it's f*****g Lucian.”

“Who's Lucian?” Taylor and I asked in unison.

“My roommate, there's no way I can change room here?” He groaned looking over at Claire with a pleading expression.

“Nope.” Claire let out taking a sip from her smoothie.

“Urgh! You should see our room it's like a dumpster and the smell.”

“You sure you're not exaggerating, seat brother?”

“Of course not, I know I'm not the most organized person but Lucian... I swear if I go back to that room I'll throw up…”

“You're being overdramatic, I don't think it is half that bad as Nicole's roommate?” Claire let out.

“Why? What happened?” Tyler asked in surprise.

“Nothing, my roommate is just a little....”

“b***h” Claire threw in.

“Harsh, she's not happy about having a roommate,” I added.

“Speak of the devil, and she shall appear,” Claire mumbled looking at the entrance of the lunchroom.

Looking up I saw Noelle dress in her school uniform walking towards a table filled with girls and boys, I noticed that she wasn't entirely wearing the correct uniform.

She was wearing thigh-high socks, leather shoes which by the way look way more comfortable than these shoes. She had also discarded the jumper and was just wearing the button down and skirt.

I watched as she takes her seat next to a red hair boy who grinned at her and pressed his lips to her cheek. Noelle rolled her eyes at him, but my lip twitched upwards in a small smile before she wiped her cheek with her sleeves.

Just at that moment the red hair boy lifted his hand and met my eyes across the hall, I immediately looked away, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he was watching me.

“Who's that guy?” Seth asked Claire motioning to the red-haired boy.

“That's Carlos Gonzalez.” She answered.

“Is he Noelle's boyfriend?” The question slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.

“Nope, their best friend she's with someone from the year above us.”

After all my classes have ended, which I found out that Noelle is one of the top students in my class, I made my way to our dorm room. Determined to ask Noelle for help, but when I got there, there wasn't any sign of Noelle.

After standing in the middle of the room debating whether I should make my way over to her Desk. I knew it was a bad idea to touch her stuff especially in her absence but there were some notes just laying there...

After glancing at the closed door, I reached out and took one of the pages. And just at that moment, the door flew open and Noelle entered.

With blazing angry eyes, she takes a threatening step towards me, out of instinct I took a step back but was cornered by the desk. “You're more stupid than you look.” She hissed.

I gulped, looking down at my shoes afraid of what she might do.

“Have you read any of this?” She asked in the same dangerous quiet tone.

“No, I... Noelle, I'm so sorry. I should have asked...”

“Don't you ever touch my things again?” She let out after what felt like hours of just looking at me with anger and something else.

“I won't,” I whispered looking at her under my eyelashes. “I'm so-

“Get out of here!” She growled slamming her hand on the desk.