Fake Bully, True Crush

Unexpected Reaction

I thought maybe that message was hurtful, but I did not want to think about it again. It was a good choice to use it to end the relationship with Noah.

I was running late for my math class, I sprinted across the hallway, casually bumping into a guy or two before my heart became on the pedestal as I rushed into the crowded classroom. This day seems to be cooperating by my side when I notice that Mr. Davis, my strict math teacher, came in right after me. I released a shaky breath and saw another problem. Oh boy, not again.

I had only two options for the two tables in front of me. One was next to Ava, obviously, I wasn’t welcomed to cross into her bubble. Ava shooed me away like a stray dog, and I let out a small frown on my face. While the other one was better, but Noah sat across the aisle. Of course, the two tables were very close since Ava liked to watch over Noah. I sighed, and chose to sit next to Noah, but looked the other way. I didn’t want to see his face anymore. I looked over at the window that had few birds roaming around the cotton skies.

Mr. Davis walked over to his desk, but not without Ava’s input, “Mr. Davis, Emma was late to class,” I was pissed off at her sudden report to our math teacher, she had a sinister gaze at me when she snitched on me. Although Mr. Davis didn’t notice, he did just now thanks to the queen bee.

My bald math teacher had the same sneering look as Ava. Both quite matching. I sighed and leaned my back downward on the chair because I know what Mr. Davis would do. He would give me a punishment just like he did with the other students before. It was either going to be detention or a pop quiz only for me.

“You will have-” Mr. Davis started, and I grew dejected until Zoey showed up. She wore a black skirt with a darkish maroon crop with a bag. She had a guarded look on her face. I couldn’t pinpoint it, but it was enough to get Mr. Davis’s attention.

His eyebrows furrowed in a complicated expression, his serious brown eyes turning to me with a glare. Mr. Davis was in his forties, and he didn’t seem pleased about my action, for a math teacher, he sure did like consequences.

“Don’t do this again.” He told me and waved for Zoey to come in. Not only that, but she sat next to the she devils, Ava. I couldn’t hide the surprise on my face at the mental duo. Since when did they become friends?

At least that will get her out of my back for a while, I sighed in relief, only for my breakfast pudding to shatter onto the floor. Exactly right in front of Mr. Davis’s sight. So he shouts, “I've said that no food in our class. Who did it? ”

He wasn’t aware that it was for me, I wanted to come out and admit, but Noah raced me to it as he stood up. To say I was stunned was an understatement, he took the hit from me, and I remained sat on the chair not forming a single word.

“Sorry Sir, it’s mine.” He declared, carelessly placing his hands in his jean’s pockets. I gaped at the daring boy, and I had no clue where that came from. Ava copied my reaction as her jaw went slack at her boyfriend.

“Go to the hall.” Mr. Davis disappointingly ordered Noah. He, too, didn’t expect Noah to be the one. He did as he was told with a poker face. Noah was never punished for anything, so doing this for me was nice. It felt nice and something new from Noah.

I felt touched at his help. He took the blame, and I couldn’t just let it go unnoticed. I decided on texting him just for the sake of appreciation.

‘Sorry about before and appreciate your help.’

After class was finished, I walked out only to be bombarded by Ava and Zoey who cornered me out of the classroom. Ava was displeased that she just witnessed her fiancé defending me.

“Warnings do finish after some time; you will regret this soon enough.” Her words haunted my ears, as she remained looking at her nails as if she didn’t care that she threatened me.

“But-I-I didn’t do anything.” I stuttered, and that only resulted in Zoey sneering at me.

“You tried to set me up with Ava about Noah’s jacket, then you claim that you didn’t do anything?” Zoey incredulous voice rung through my ears. I couldn’t breathe as their faces were like masks in front of me. The students normally passed, and nobody helped me through this. A part of me wished that Noah would reappear and put a leash on the crazy girls.

“But it wasn’t like that.” I rushed out, my hands clasped together behind my back, hoping for the girls to disappear from my sight so I could normally resume my day. But they had taken a different route.

“It was like that,” Ava bustled in as her contact lenses dug a hole inside of mine, “you have your eyes on someone who doesn’t belong to you. He only sympathizes with you. You are nothing to him.” Her venom seeped into mine and I bit my lip to stop myself from crying, my heart shaking and my fragile hands on my sides now.

They both smirked and went away. I headed back to my room after washing my face in the bathroom. I just felt like I needed someone to talk to, so I laid down on my bed, unlocked my phone and texted Mia.

‘You there?’ I texted. Her offline status changed to online in a second.

‘Whose ass I need to beat this time?’ she immediately responded. I loved my best friend more than anything in the world. I let go of my full-blown smile through my unshed tears when I typed in what happened between me, Zoey, and Ava.

‘Oh, hell no, they are both getting their asses beat.’

After a while of texting about our days, I got back to my studies after locking my phone, I thought about the reasons why Noah stood up for me, as much as I hated to admit, I felt touched that someone defended me even though I wasn’t used to it. It made me all the stronger.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside and I opened the door to see Zoey fighting with another guy, Ava trying to defend her friend at their screaming match. I rolled my eyes at the scene before closing the door, but a foot halted the door open from the side, and it was Noah. I widened my eyes at the daring boy when he slipped through, both girls didn’t notice.

He had on the same jacket I washed, and I hid my smile at that. He faced me; my heart couldn’t stop its jumpy state when his arms encircled around me. His greyish eyes taking me in serenely.

“What are you doing here?” I whispered in question.

“I just wanted to see if you’re alright.” He clarified. Ironically, it was supposed to be me checking up on him, not the other way around. His pine cologne made me want to close my eyes and stay in his cocoon, but I was reminded of the girls outside. I didn’t want to imagine what Zoey would do if she came in and saw us like that.

“I am, can you go now?” I impatiently pulled away and tried to open the door for him to get out before they broke up the fight. He smirked inwardly at me; Noah wanted to tease me. Once again. His weight as he stood, much to my attempts, failed to go. I huffed and glared at him when he came back to me.

“No can do, Emma,” He protested. He saw the tired tears well up in my eyes, his expression softened as his hands tenderly wiped my eyes, “I’m sorry, Emma, I didn’t mean to upset you.” He stated. But it wasn’t him, the toll of the events took a rough hit on me.

He hugged me, and I just burst in his arms like a waterfall as I heaved my breaths out, his arms were huge enough to engulf me into comfort. I faceplanted on his chest as I heard his heartbeats lull me into a rhythm. He made sure I was okay then he gave me a one-sided smile before he escaped through the door, finally what I wanted, and I dived into my bed again.

Moments later when I grasped my phone, Noah replied with one thing that made my heart ricochet. He influenced me, and I found myself eager to see what he had sent.

‘Always forgive.’