A white lie
1040 Words
Claire's pov
I immediately deleted the thought out of my mind.
I heard the bell, closed my locker and started heading for class.
Class was about to begin. I pulled out my chair and sat down.
Ethan was coming towards the front seat again.
I was silently praying he wouldn't sit close to me. I hated the attention I got because of him. It wasn't the good kind. It was just pure jealousy and hatred.
I bowed my head pretending not to see him coming but I could still hear his footsteps and the class murmurs.
"Is this space occupied?"
I scoffed and shook my head.
"By who? I don't see anyone here so that's my answer."
"Ethan, please not today. This class has so many seats. Try them or go back to your original sitting position. This seat is reserved for Zach."
"Oh you mean Zach who hasn't been present in school for months? I'm aware he transferred schools. If it was truly his seat he would have occupied it before I came up here."
This boy was impossible.
I took a quick peek at the back. Sarah's eyes were red and she was staring at me with the angriest face I had ever seen.
I looked back at Ethan. "Please just go. Don't cause any more trouble for me."
"Everyone sit down right now. It's already time for your class."
The teacher came in interrupting our conversation. Ethan smiled and sat down then whispered, "Seems like the universe wants me to take this seat."
I hissed and brought out my books from my bag.
I hadn't expected Ethan to be that attentive. He wasn't distracted once during the class. He even asked questions.
Maybe he wasn't truly dumb after all.
The class ended and he was about to talk to me when he suddenly stopped. Sarah was heading towards my seat.
"Hi Claire, mind if I sit next to you and Ethan?"
I nodded as if she needed my approval. She was going to do whatever she liked anyway.
She sat down too close to Ethan and started touching his hair. He ignored her and brought out his textbook, pointing at the topic — differential calculus.
"Do you mind solving a few examples for me so I could get the concept?" he asked me.
"Ohhhhh, an athlete and book smart. Did I hit the jackpot or what?"
Ethan's expression changed. He dragged her hands from his hair.
"Can't you take a hint Sarah? I ignored you thinking you had some pride to leave but no you didn't."
"Honey, it's not like that. I'm just making the process faster. We're meant to be. The rich and popular girl with the star athlete. Imagine my name getting turned into Sarah Hansgrove when we get married. It's so cool."
"Do you know you're so funny Sarah?"
"Oh thank you," she said blushing.
"I didn't mean that as a compliment dear. I think you should bury yourself in some books instead of some silly romance fantasies. We're in a real world Sarah."
He got up and started putting his books in his bag.
Then he turned back to Sarah.
"Grow up."
I almost laughed out loud but held myself back. Sarah caught the glimpse of a smile on my face. I already knew what was coming. Her minions Jessy and Jaclyn would come defend her and my emotions would get hurt.
I braced myself.
"Did I just catch you smiling? What's so funny?"
I bowed my head. "Nothing."
Jessy came closer. "You brat. Because Ethan sat with you in class doesn't mean you shouldn't know your place."
I stood up. "I may not know my place but I sure don't follow other people around like some maniac."
Sarah stepped forward and blocked Jessy's hand as she was about to slap me.
"She's not worth it Jessy. Now back to you Claire. Let's set the record straight. If I see you and Ethan getting even a little closer your scholarship will be revoked and no schools are accepting new students at this time. So watch your back."
She flipped her hair, turned around and left.
Her two little zombies followed her lead.
I hissed and sat back down.
My phone vibrated. It was a message from Ethan.
*Hey sorry about class earlier.*
I replied. *No worries. Now about the tutoring I have some rules.*
He replied with a laughing emoji and that annoyed me.
*It's not funny. My first rule is that you act like I'm invisible in school and no one must know I'm tutoring you.*
*Okay ma'am. Come to the park after school and we'll find someplace.*
I read the message and dropped my phone.
I took my books and headed for the next class.
***
I was already at the park and Ethan was nowhere to be found.
I felt someone's hand on my shoulder and immediately thought it was Ethan.
Without looking back I dragged the hand away. "Ethan not now."
"Ethan?"
The voice came in cold and sharp. I quickly turned around.
It wasn't Ethan. It was Zach Barnard. My male best friend.
"Did you just say Ethan?" He looked directly into my eyes.
I quickly shook my head. "Oh no—"
"Claire. I heard you clearly. You said Ethan. I just left for that program for a few months and you're now friends with Ethan?" He turned his back on me.
I quickly ran to him and stepped in front of him. "I could never betray you Zach, believe me. I didn't mean the Ethan at school. I'm tutoring a kid in middle school and his name is Ethan. His parents said he'd be at the park."
He heaved a sigh of relief. "Oh that's okay. I thought you became friends with Ethan out of boredom."
I laughed. "I could never. He's too proud for my liking. Walking around like he owns the school. And what he did to you just made things more clear."
He laughed and pulled me into a hug. "I really missed you Claire. I'll be transferring back on Monday. Don't worry. You'll have your best friend back."
My phone vibrated. I glanced down.
It was a text from Ethan.
*I'm here.*
- Writer
