Rewrite the Stars

EPISODE EIGHT: GROUNDED

I got to my room and had a quick bath. I look at myself in the mirror and it feels like a nightmare. I can’t look at myself. I can still feel his touches. Everything he did. I got dressed and went to bed.

*Ring*

“How are you?” Mackie asked from the other line. My tears began to fall, again.

“I don’t know, I am so terrified.” I said and I heard Mackie let out a heavy sigh.

“Ok, I feel like you should quit this plan, we should quit this plan.” Mackie said and I can’t answer. I don’t know what to say. I don’t even understand my situation right now.

“Ok, just go to bed now. I will be at your house later.” Mackie said and dropped the call.

I woke up with the sun rays in my face. I yawn and grab my phone. I saw the man’s picture, it was trending in our school. That stupid douchebag. I don’t know who he is but I am sure that he deserves some pain. I get ready for school and go downstairs. I saw my dad. He didn’t greet me like usual. I know he is mad at me.

“Dad, I am sorry.” I said and he looked at me, straight in the eyes.

“I don’t know what to say Alice.” My dad said. My tears are forming under my eyes. I can’t cry in front of him.

I heard our doorbell ring and I stood up to look for it. It was Mackie.

“Good morning, Good morning, Uncle.” Mackie greeted and my dad smiled at him.

“What happened?” Mackie whispered.

“Oh, I get it.” He said and got his back pack from where he put it. He is scared too. He knows my dad. We know the silent treatment.

“We are going now Uncle Andrew.” Mackie said and I got my bag.

“Wait.” My dad said and we stopped.

“The keys.” My dad said and I sigh. I know he will do this.

“No CAR, until you learned your lesson. You are still grounded. Be here at exactly 4:30, NO MORE CHEERDANCE.” My dad said and I nodded. My tears fall down, I know I don’t have the audacity to cry. It was my fault. Completely my fault.

“Can we have some coffee? I mean an iced coffee before getting to class? I am so f*****g drunk and I was completely miserable right now.” I pleaded to Mackie. I really don’t know what is happening in my life right now but meeting “Margarette” is one of the worst events that happened in my life. Now I have to deal with her.

“You just got some coffee before we leave your house.” Mackie said and I put my head on his shoulder. 

“I need real coffee! I NEED CAFFEINE!” I loudly said. Completely enough to make him hear me clearly so he can understand my needs.

“Ok, just shut the f**k up, I can’t focus.” He said and I nodded. My phone vibrated and I looked at the notification, it was from Margarette.

“Great! Now my day is really getting worse.” I sigh and look at Mackie. 

“What is it?” He asked and I showed him the text message I got from Margarette.

“Meet me halfway? What the f**k is that? Does she have some errands at this point?” Mackie asked at the school bus stop. 

“Are we still grabbing some ice coffee?” Mackie asked and suddenly my phone vibrated again. It was from Margarette. She is asking me to meet her within 5 minutes. I showed Margarette’s message to Mackie and Mackie rolled his eyes.

“I guess that is a NO, the Hell Queen is calling you know.” He said and I just shrugged. How this girl can literally want me to suffer. 

I ran to her office and I was panting, I was out of breath just to be on time. I looked for her and I saw no one inside. Is this a kind of joke? My head was starting to heat up and suddenly my phone vibrated.

“I’ll be there in 10 minutes, please clean my table. TIA”

My head and blood starts boiling and rising. I rolled my eyes in annoyance and shouted as loudly as I could.

“MY LIFE IS NOT A FREAKING JOKE!” I shouted and suddenly I heard a knock.

“Who is it?” I asked and I saw Troy.

“Hey, are you ok?” Troy asked and I smiled at him. I let out a deep sigh and he smiled back.

“I heard a scream and I thought…” He said and paused.

“It’s fine. I am so sorry that I am too loud.” I said and giggled. Troy put his bag in one of the chairs on the side and put his hands on my shoulders.

“It’s fine. I know that everyone has something going on in them.” He said and gave me a soft smile.

“Do you need a hug?” Troy added and I felt like I needed one. I stepped closer to him and hugged him. His scent is like salt water mixed with vanilla. I can’t really tell but he smells really great. 

“Are you alright now?” I opened my eyes and immediately broke the hug.

“That is too awkward, I am so sorry.” I awkwardly said and He smiled. He brushed my hair and we laughed.

“So what are you doing right now?” He asked and I took a deep breath.

“We need to do some chores for some “QUEEN BEE” in our campus.” I said and he nodded.

“But, aren’t you late for your class?” He asked. How am I supposed to answer him? Should I be nice because he is one of Margarette’s colleagues or should I have said it frankly?

“I guess I have to be late for a couple of minutes, I just have to clean this. Well actually I should start right now so I can finish this early.” I said.

“Let me help you then. Since I am here already, let me help you. In that way we can finish this easily.” Troy suggested. I looked at him and he smiled genuinely.

“I mean it. Let me help you.” Troy added and I smiled. For the first time in my life here on the campus, there is at least one person who gave me help. Who am I to refuse this kindness? 

Troy and I started cleaning the office. It was really fun. I never expected him to be goofy and easy to be with. There is a lot of dancing and laughing going around. For I felt calm and happy again.

“WHAT THE ARE YOU DOING HERE!” We heard a shout from behind. It was Margarette. Cutting my happy moment. Stopping me from being happy. I looked at Troy and I can see how fast his transition is. 

“Are you two out of your mind? How can you put some dirt in my office? You two are both disgusting!” I look at Troy and he is telling nothing. He grabs his bag and walks away. How can he stand her?

“I’m sorry, please don’t get us wrong. We are j—“

Margarette cut me out and rolled her eyes in. She walks closer to me until her face is close enough to share the same air I am breathing.

“What I saw is enough. I don’t need any explanations. I only believe those I saw with my two eyes. I did not need reasons. Shame on you.” She said and gave me a cold bitchy look. She steps backward and looks around. 

“Did he f****d you here?” Margarette said and looked at her table and chair.

“No, we didn’t” I protested and she smirked. 

“Lying. You may leave now and ask the janitor to buy me a new table and chair. IMMEDIATELY. THIS SHOULD BE CHANGED.” She strongly commanded and I gasped. I have never been so terrified like this. My heart is skipping a beat and I can’t explain what I am feeling right now.

“LEAVE!” She shouted and I grabbed my bag. Why do I feel like I owe her?

I ran to my first class and gladly, I got in just right before the discussion started. I look at my phone and I am hearing nothing from Margarette. I finally can have my supposed peaceful day after all. Time passed and I didn’t hear anything from Margarette. I got to Mackie’s table and he looked shocked to see me.

“What is happening? Why are you here? Are you kicked out from the cheer dance?” I looked at him and rolled my eyes. I really can’t stand him sometimes.

“No, I just heard nothing from Margarette this morning. After what happened in her office.” I said and sat down. Mackie looked at me like he wanted a detailed explanation and I looked at him like I didn’t get his point.

“DETAILS PLEASE! DO YOU WANT ME TO SPELL IT OUT FOR YOU?” He said and I brushed my hair. I looked at the cafeteria’s entrance and I saw Margarette walking. I saw her, looked at me and rolled her eyes.

“Gez! Details please! I can smell some burning connections.” Mackie excitedly asked and I sigh. I told him what happened and I saw Mackie’s eyes widened. 

“So is this sort of love triangle? Some jealousy acts?” Mackie asked.

“I don’t know if there is something going on between them or they intentionally do that or they have some sort of argument or love quarrels! I am not their pet!” I clearly and loudly said. 

“Ok, I get it. Just calm down.” Mackie said and gave me a bottle of water. What is happening between them should not make me included. I should be excluded because it is their private thing! I am hating these two. I never said this but I am now longing for vacation. I need some serious break from all the drama.

Mackie and I had a conversation while eating and suddenly I saw a person standing in front of our table. I slowly looked at her, hoping and praying that it was not Margarette. But as I laid my eyes on her face. It is Margarette.

“What is it?” I asked and she looked at Mackie and looked at me.

“Have you told the janitor to buy me a new table and chair where Troy f****d you early in this morning?” Margarette said and my jaw dropped.

“First of all, he didn’t f**k me. Second. Yes, and they are putting it right now. Lastly, I am not included in every drama you have in your life, so f****d off. I am not interested.” I said and she smirks at me.

“Now you have the audacity to talk back?” Margarette said and I firmly looked at her. We are now looking at each other’s eyes and she is not cutting it off. Mackie clears his throat and interrupts us.

“Hold on, hold on. Let me cut you two. The whole school is looking at us. I mean literally, they can sense the heat going on. Just cut it.” Mackie said and I looked around. I looked at Margarette and she rolled her eyes. She looked at everyone and shouted.

“GET BACK TO YOUR BUSINESS!” She glares at me. Finally she walks out. I wonder where she’s going but I guess I won this round.  Everyone got to their business like nothing happened and I looked at Mackie.

“What is wrong with you?” Mackie asked and I gave him a “what” look.

“I thought we had a ‘Pursuing Margarette plan’. What is happening right now? Is there any change of plan or what?” Mackie asked and I let out a deep sigh. I really don’t know what is happening and I totally forgot the plan since I am really pissed at Margarette plus my dad grounded me and I am freaking lost right now.

“I really don’t know. I am so doomed right now. Please don’t say anything, let me think.” I said and lay my head at the table. I am so freakin out of my mind.

“It’s fine if you just back out.” Mackie said and I glared at him. I can’t back out. This is one of the freaking memories I will have. I swear.

“Ok, fine. I will just shut my mouth.” Mackie added and I looked out of nowhere. How am I supposed to continue my life here?

Time passed and I haven’t heard anything from Margarette, I think she is still mad at me but I don’t freaking care! I walked to the bus stop and I looked at my phone. My dad is sending me a message. My dad is really driving me crazy. I sent my dad some of my pictures on the school bus. He said that it is necessary until I earn his trust again. I texted Mackie and he is not responding. Maybe he has some practice.  I looked at my bag and searched for my air pods. Music is so therapeutic for me. I badly need this at times like this.