When I Was The BadBoy's Girl

Chapter - 13 Skylar

After three long classes, I finally got a free period that synced with my friend. We all decided to meet in our elite room. And upon arriving there, I got to learn that the principal was having an important meeting with the teachers.

I went to sit beside Sam because he opened his arms as soon as he saw me. I gave him a hug before sitting with him on the mahogany table. Sam has a reputation for being a tough guy, but when it comes to hugging, he becomes surprisingly gentle.

Even though we are at the end of our school year and don't want to create any problems to reflect on our cards, Sam went and got piercings and tattoos on his sleeve and chest.

My focus diverted when I was admiring the art on his arm. Kylie and Lexi were talking about something when it turned into loud tones and stubbornness. June was just watching them because she was as confused as I was.

To prevent them from getting into a catfight, I asked loudly to get their attention.

"Have you guys seen Jace? I haven't heard from him since yesterday evening."

"His parents are in town, I heard my parents talking."

Lexi said her arms were loosely crossed over her chest. Hearing her made me question her further.

"Yeah, okay, I understand, but why is he not active in the group on the texts like usual?"

Kylie nodded in agreement. She and Jace fight a lot in the texts. She told everyone that his phone was also switched off. When she said that, I got a little worried. I just hope he isn't in trouble.

Beside me, Sam squeezed my wrist softly. It felt like he was reassuring me. I don't know why he needed to do that, even though it's a common gesture between friends.

"Actually, his parents received a call from authorities about Jace's troubled behaviour, and they decided to pay a visit to him."

My eyes widened at his revelation, and everything dawned on me. Actually, I think I know what that call was about. If Jace's parents received the call, then Nana must have received it too.

Sam shook me, and I realised I was in my own world. When I looked at Sam, he gave me a soft smile, but I know he doesn't actually know what we did.

"Don't run your horse; your prince charming is just keeping a low profile around his parents."

I laughed at his choice of words. He's making it sound as if Jace is in some kind of gangsta g**g. And let's not forget about how he addressed Jace for me.

"Prince charming? Are you serious?"

"Prince Charming, are you serious?"

Sam repeats my words animatedly in a girlish tone to tease me while dancing his shoulders with each word. When he saw my deadpan look, he said,

"Isn't he yours?"

I slap my hand over his mouth before he goes further with his concocted thoughts. Gods... Sometimes I forget that he's a 16-year-old boy, not a 5-year-old.

"Don't run your horses."

I threw his word back from earlier and gave him an artificial smile, but he licked my palm, making me remove my hand from over his mouth.

"Ewu."

Kylie scrunched her nose, and I realised that we're not alone here. The others are also present. She probably saw Sam l*****g my hand, which made her cringe.

"Are you done?"

Sam asked after a moment when Kylie still had her nose scrunched up. He and I exchanged glances, and I shrugged my shoulders.

"You two are being weird."

She said that and turned back to what she was doing. She and Lexi were gossiping about the latest makeup brand release or something.

We were just messing around, nothing else, but we didn't know that it made her feel uncomfortable. I dropped the topic when Sam signalled me. So I changed the subject.

"Have you guys heard about the upcoming school trip?"

June looked up from her phone, intrigued. She loves going to new places, and I know she will definitely go on this one too.

"Nope. Where are they planning to go this time?"

"To the next state. Basically, it's a beach trip. I don't know fully."

I said it sceptically. Lexi and Kylie's interest piqued, and they screamed together. And they had already started discussing what they were going to wear.

"Count me in if Kylie's going."

Sam waved at Kyle for being silly. But I couldn't help admiring Kyle. He's so in love with her.

"We should all sign up together, you know."

Sam said. I agreed with him. It will be a fun trip. We can make lots of memories and bond even closer. Specially me. They already know each other.

"Yeah, actually, we should. And they're giving discounts to the first 50 sign-ups. Isn't it amazing?"

I excitedly informed them. It was something positive to look forward to, especially after hearing about Jace's situation.

I hoped that he was okay and that everything would work out for him. But for now, I was looking forward to the beach trip and making new memories with my friends.

"Girl, we don't care about a discount. Unlike you, we have parents who are well off."

Hearing Lexi's words, my heart stopped. As if someone splashed a lot of cold water on me. A mere sentence broke me down.

Even after preparing for moments like this countless times, it still didn't help me. The sense of being an orphan creeps up on me. I never felt like I was an orphan with Nana and Frankie.

But today, not only did she make me realise that I am an orphan, but I am also below their financial status. If I get one chance to go back to that time, I can redo that accident. I would have saved my parents instead of letting them save me.

I wouldn't have known that I was crying until someone wiped my tears and pulled me out of my own hell. My mind. But for me, the moment stopped when Lexi said that, and I went five years into the past.

"I need to go, sorry."

I said that, and I ran out of the elite room reeling. I don't know where I am going, but I need to create as much space as I can between her and me, or else I won't stop reliving the feelings.

I heard yelling and shouting for my name behind me. and the thumping of footsteps, but it faded when I reached the stairs. It led me to the terrace of the school.

The freaking dam of my tears broke when I found a place to sit behind the empty cartons. I couldn't help shaking like a leaf, and my sobs turned into something I only felt years ago. I wasn't able to breathe and was gasping for air.

I loosely closed my finger into a fist and hit myself where my heart was. But the pain didn't subside. I closed my eyes and thought about the good times.

The trick my therapist asked me to do during the panic attacks The positive scenery helps in refocusing our thoughts, and it regulates our hard breathing.

The door to the terrace opened with a loud bang. I heard footsteps running, and then it came into my vision. It was Kylie. Her face was red, and when she saw me, her eyes widened.

"Oh my god, Skylar..."

She was out of breath when she took my name. She removed the strands of hair that went in her mouth from the side and ran to me to pull me into a bone-crushing hug.

"I am so sorry she said that, Sky... She never thinks before talking."

I felt her rubbing her palm up and down my back. Trying to soothe me. But what she didn't know is that the damage was done. I will never be able to see Lexi the same way. She's going to remind me about my unfortunate life events.

I patted Kylie a few times on the arm. So she could let go of me. When she did and I saw her eyes, they were moist, and those big lashes were damp and stuck.

I simply nodded my head while wiping my tear-stricken cheeks. Kylie moved to sit beside me with crossed legs and handed me the water bottle she dropped during the hug.

"I may not seem like a mature person, but you can always lean on me, Sky. You have my shoulder to cry on."

Kylie said, Her words are like a soft blow of air on a wound. I gave her a small smile and drank water from the bottle.

"I don't think I am going to sign up for the beach trip, Kylie, after what she said."

I informed her while trying to avoid making eye contact with her. She whined in protest and turned me around to face her.

"The one who doesn't deserve to come on the trip should be Lexi. I know her. Even if you don't go, she will have something else to ruin with her stupid mouth."

"It's ok, Ky... No one should stop her from going on the trip. It's better I stay here and have a girls night with Nana."

I told her to lighten up her mood. She doesn't need to feel bad for what Lexi did. And yeah, time spent with Nana always makes it worth it.

"Then I will join you guys too. A beach trip can wait. Or, we can go on a little beach trip with your Nana here. We don't have to tell others. Just the three of us. It will be fun."

I rolled my eyes. Kylie always goes beyond herself to cheer people up, then regrets it. I shook my head, pursing my lips.

"NO. Why are you ruining an amazing experience? You are going on this school trip."

I said it in a no-nonsense tone and ended the topic. She pouted and turned her face with a 'huh' sound.

I know she won't be upset for long. It's just one of her tricks to guilt me into coming. But I have made up my mind. I need some space to gather my thoughts and heal myself.

I got up to dust off the dirt from my skirt and gave my hand to Kylie after telling her to get up. The period is over, and we need to go back to our classes. She did the same, and we left the terrace.

We reached the locker room to get our books and notebooks when I saw Sam leaning on my locker. He gave me a gentle smile and opened his arms for a hug.

I sped my steps, but when I saw Lexi step from behind him, I halted. Even though she was just staring at me, she had the power to snatch the breath out of my lungs again.

"I am really very sorry, Skylar."

I heard her say it when I was trying to calm my breathing. I felt betrayed by Sam. How could he let her hide behind him?

"Lexi... Give her some space."

Kylie told her while rubbing her hand continuously on my back. She was trying to soothe me. Helping me control my haywire heartbeat.

I kept staring at my shoes, not wanting to meet anyone's eyes. So when I saw Lexi walking away, I went to my locker and got my things.

It was my art class, which I shared with Jace. He's not here today, and I would rather not have him see me like this than witness my vulnerable side.

And what I also know is that if he saw me crying like that, he would have given it back to Lexi. I may be upset with her, but I don't want others to lash out at her. Specially Jace. He is not involved in being close with her as much as he is with others.