HERE WE MET

3. PREWAR

Avery...GO AWAY.

She was a little leech---leaching all over my body, sucking my brain juices out. I threw a look back, my eyes narrowing at her manipulative eyes.

"Hey, Dezerae! Do you wanna hang out during lunch?" She bumped my shoulder like a friend. "Bring that grammar paper with you, though. I might need to work on that!"

She whispered and then disappeared.

I was about to burst into tears but thankfully she left. I shut my locker with all my force and stared at the hallway she walked through. When the hallways emptied, I kicked a locker.

I didn't care about the quizzical stares from the few others lingering in the hall. I shot a dirty look and marched off to my class.

I didn't care where she went. For all I cared, she could burn and I wouldn't shed a tear. Or if got dumped by Noah in front of the whole school. Or got mono from kissing him. I knew I was being too bitter but the amount of torture she instilled in me over the last few weeks turned her pretty face into a blond ogre--that blond Shrek.

It's been four months now. Four freaking months.

I've let her cheat off of me. On everything.

It did come with perks, of course, spending time in Avery's house doing homework together while gossipping about Noah. Turns out, he was actually afraid of dogs and Avery had to hide her dog in a room when he came over. When he showed up, they would slobber all over each other while I watched them with a disgusted stare.

I got free food too.

Was it worth it though? You are Dezerae Martin and this....shreds your ETHICS! God, she was even passing her AP classes. Her recognition was even better then mine because she was a girl who was hot and smart. Teachers adored her.

My patience level was sliding low, no---melting. I was cringing every moment I saw her pretty ugly face. I hated her with every fiber in my soul. While she didn't have the decency to attempt a problem, I was there stressing about Algebra homework which she effortlessly copied off.

I could feel her presence behind me as we settled in history class. Her sweet pear scent was like poison.

"Students, lucky for you, today is a study day," the teacher announced.

Great, another day for Avery to not do homework.

"Hey, girlfriend." Avery scooted closer to me. "So, what's in our agenda?"

Okay, you made me do this, Ms. Queen of Harts. Let's play fire with fire.

I handed her a stack of five packets. "Here's the answers of every class we have together. English. Biology. Math. Computer Science. And Spanish. You're welcome." I smirked, victory in my eyes.

Avery bit her lip, feeling relieved. "Aw." She hugged me, her perfectly long nails digging around my arms. "You're incredible. Honestly, you deserve all the luck in this school."

"Thanks." I said smuggly and took my time studying her face. I wonder if that smile would still appear next week.

I was right. That smile was not as pretty when it was upside down.

In the next week or so, when all those homework assignments were in the grade book, that's when an angry Avery stepped onto my path.

"You!" Avery pointed a finger at me as I waited for Natasha outside. "I gave you my friendship. And this is what you do!" Her eyes poured hatred.

I couldn't deny the fact that she looked scary in her all black outfit: a long trench coat showcasing her taller height. Her blond hair was pulled in a sleek ponytail. Mafia.

I chuckled, a victorious feeling taking over me. "You took advantage of me for far too long, Hart. Its time to say Adios." I pinched her high cheekbones and laughed. " Do you even know what that means? I mean, I have been doing your Spanish homework for ages."

Her eyes darkened. The cold blues shooting fire at me. "So, you did it on purpose. Huh, I guess the saying is right. Your friends are the ones that betray you."

"I should've done more." I narrowed my eyes at her and stomped once. "Good luck raising those grades up!"

I felt relief wash over me. No one could wipe my smile away.

And I vowed to never trust the elite. I was finally rid of Avery. Finally. I felt like I was released from a cage. Free.

But little did I knew, something happened between me and her.

We both crossed a line that we weren't supposed to.

And it became World War III.

10/3/2015

----

I didn't realized that I turned Avery into a monster. I mean, if she wanted to play games, by any means, let the games begin.

And also, because of my growing conflict with Avery, Natasha backed away and eventually ditched me for Kathleen. Away from my radar. And I was finally left alone.

Our "war" was growing so popular that everybody was waiting for the next juice. All the cheerleaders would give their famous eye rolls. and the jocks would give me thumbs up when I passed down the hallway.

But bottom line: Team Avery was far more superior than Team Dezerae.

===

It was another day in English. The class was clustered with the jocks and they made their own group in the back of the class. It just made the rest of the class feel smaller. I tried to ignore their laughter. I felt cornered but I wasn't.

I was dozing off, my eyes rolling close. When I opened them, I was surprised to find Isabella Smith sitting in front of me.

She was known for being best friend's with Avery and also one of the most wanted girls in the school.

I was struck by her black rimmed eyes that I forgot to stop staring at her.

"Hey." She puckered her red lips.

A predator's smile emerged from her red lips.

I smiled, "What do you need?"

She shrugged, popping her gum loudly. "Nothing. You?"

I darted my eyes around, confused. "Fine. Why?"

She relaxed, slouching down. "Listen, I'm worried about you."

I stared at her with a flabbergasted expression. That's not what usually people say when they wanted to talk about something. "Excuse me?"

"I know Avery's givin' you a hard time," she gave me a nod, "but she's a cool girl really. If you get to know her..."

Knowing where she was going, I turned my head away to my work. And I thought she was going to ask me something important. "Hmm..." I snapped at her, sneaking a quick look at Avery. She wasn't prying at me. "Is she making you say these? So I look like a witch when everybody asks me why I don't forgive her?" I hissed. "Everybody knows about this feud. Until she gives up, I'm giving her exactly what she wants."

Isabella rolled her hazel eyes. "God, you're exaggerating. Avery is not a bad person, she just doesn't like you."Her hair was in a messy bun and she looked edgy in a black leather jacket. "Don't say I didn't try. At least make it up with her."

Grudgy, even.

"I never said you should try!" I told her.

She shrugged, getting up to go back to her seat. "You're doing wrong to stand up to that bitch."

"Did you just call her a b***h?"

She scoffed. "Yep."

I gawked at her. Isabella was the troublemaker of the school. She has been suspended few times. Gotten detention as part of her schedule. Principal's office was her number one stop. Plus, she was the known slut. But she was still popular as hell, and apparently, teachers worse nightmares. I feared her, I think. Even more than Avery maybe.

I closed my book when I heard the bell ring. Avery left the room with Isabella linked at her arm.

Sometimes, I this school was just like Mean Girls.