When Dares Collide

SIX

I TOOK MY lunch to an empty classroom since I didn't want to eat in the cafeteria, my lunch consists of potato, salad and burger. Clarisse had not still given me a call or sent me a text, every second I checked my phone just to see if she sent me a text, but there was nothing. I couldn't stay in the cafeteria, it was a little bit better and peaceful as to avoid spilling food on someone else.

As I ate silently, the thought of Clarisse ending our friendship because of a minor dispute weighed heavily on my mind. I quelled my negative thoughts but my gut feeling had already written her off.

But if she haven't, while haven't she given you a call or sent a text? She is avoiding you, no texts, no call, nothing!

I tried so hard to have an high hope, encouraging my instincts but I guess she won't be patient for so long again. I turned back and saw Harry having his lunch, I thought no one loved having lunch in class, what the hell is the bad boy of all people doing here? I gave a quick peep at his plate, he was also having what I was having, Potato, salad and burger.

What kind of a bad boy was he?

“Is it my instinct or you just want to keep stalking me forever?” I asked him.

I don't know why I have to see him in every corners of the school with his prying, bulging and killing eyes, just yesterday I saw him making out with Michelle, he must have had a swell time with her.

“I should be asking you the same question.” He shoved some salad into his perfect shaped mouth. I wished I could take the salad from his mouth and give him a mind blowing kiss.

Oh shut the stupid mouth, Phoebe. You are not crushing on him- or are you?

“Of course no” I screamed back at my subconscious.

I couldn't stop staring at his physique, his hair was the perfect color and his eyes were hazel ones he had this cute baseball tattoo on his left arm. He must be a baseball prodigy. He was putting on earrings, he was like a god, my eyes roved all around his body, half of his shirt was unbuttoned, I couldn't help it dreaming about his juicy abs, I wanted to touch them.

I slowly walked up to him. “See, you listen toffee-nosed, I'm not some sort of girl you can tossed around like a piece of tissue roll you use in wiping off your ugly butt, if you get too close to me I will break your ribs.”

“Uh-oh, nice job you did there, you stole that last line from me, ‘if you get too close to me, I'll break your ribs” He mimicked my voice.

“I am Phoebe Hale and I hate you, dollophead!” I said through clenched teeth, taking my lunch, I began leaving when his next question made me stop.

“Are you done?” He asked, smiling mockingly.

“Yes.” I screamed at his face.

“Do you have feelings for me?” He said and I stared at him wide-eyed.

No. Nah. Never.

“Me have feelings for a bad boy? I'd be too crazy to do that. Not in this life and not even in my next life.”

I squeezed my face to show how irritating his questions was to me. He must be stupid for asking me that.

I can never have feelings for someone as cruel as him.

When he noticed I wasn't saying anything, he blurted out. “It's not like I'm getting attached to you, Phoebe Hale, you are such a loser, You better throw away any feeling you have for me because I don't date ugly and churchy girls like you. There is nothing good about you, you are not even that cute, tell me why the hell I should fall for you, there is nothing to fall for, or is there?” He said and left the class leaving me speechless.

I couldn't control the tears any longer, I've been patiently holding it, it was worthless for him to see those tears.

"Ugly."

"Ugly goblin's wife."

"You can never be pretty."

Those were all the comments from grade ten, remembering them brought unending tears to my eyes.

Churchy? Maybe I was churchy. I don't want to date anyone and I have my reason for that, my heart could get broken in the process, if I was given the chance to love, I'd do it with all my heart.

I wasn't even pretty, so who would love me? All thanks to the bad boy for reminding me.

It was his turn to insult me and I think he kind of won. I said it, his words were hurtful and unkind. I'd never fall for someone like him. Unfortunately, he thought I had feelings for him.

My phone rang and I wondered who was calling. It may be my mom calling to tell me that she would be returning home late and so Clare and I should take the food in the refrigerator and keep hers safe, or Clarisse- well maybe not Clarisse, she was still angry with me. I wiped the tears which almost fell off my face.

Pulling out my phone from my pants pocket, the contact name read ‘Twinnem’ filled with some best friend and love emojis and a photo of Clarisse giving me a kiss.

I stared at my phone,dithering on whether to answer it. I love the photo so much, we both took it when we went shopping together at Walmart. It's been my favorite ever since so in order to take a sneak peek at it everyday I used it to save Clarisse's contact.

I quickly picked it up on the third ring, not knowing what to say.

“H-Hi Clar.” I stuttered.

“Where are you Phebes?” She asked, she only called me Phebes when she had wronged me or she wanted something urgent from me. When she spoke, there was something in her voice, the feeling of wanting to speak to someone, most especially someone you've been avoiding for a long while.

“I just finished having lunch in class. Is there a problem, Clar?”

“There is.” She said in urgency. “I want you to hurry down, I'm outside.”

“I'm coming.” I replied,wondering what she wanted to tell me. I kind of miss talking to her too.

I kept my phone back to its position, I started heading outside in search of Clarisse. I was about taking the exit door when I felt a soft hand pull me into the school library. Surprises etched on my face as soon as I noticed it was Clarisse.

“On Clar, you startled me!” I said,putting my hair in order.

“I'm crazy, sorry about that.” She apologized, beaming with smiles.

“You said there is a problem and I should come quick-” She ran into my arms cutting my words short. I wasn't expecting this from her,or maybe I was.

“I've missed you Phoebe.”

“I've missed you too Clar.” I hugged her.

Well, I don't know if I was the one doing much of the hugging or she was. But, she was quite a hugger.

“I've been so foolish for avoiding my bestfriend all in the name of apologizing to a guy I don't care about, a guy I haven't even spoke to, a guy who hasn't looked my way since he started schooling here.” She told me sincerely.

Good. Just good. Harry's plan didn't work after all to cause conflict between the both of us. Now I know she isn't crushing on him or even care about him.

“I've been foolish too.” I also admitted in order not to make her feel bad that she was the one at fault in this.

“So, you figure me?” She blinked her eyes twice.

Clarisse is just too cute, with id without makeup, sometimes I envy her beauty but she is my bestfriend. She is fond of blinking her eyes when she want to get something from me.

“Of course, you are still my bestfriend forever and even we get in so many fights and arguments, I'd never end our friendship.” I said and she gave a wide smile.

I don't know but somehow I don't like seeing her sad and angry, she was too beautiful to get sad.

“Thank you, Phoebe.” She hugged me again. “Let's hurry back to class.”

As Clarisse held my hand, I had new hopes and my gut feeling was encouraged, I thought about everything that conspired between the both of us. As we tagged along, I felt a presence watching the both of us as I turned back, I couldn't see any figure or even a shadow but I felt that presence, I knew deep down that someone was there eavesdropping on the both of us, it was a mixed emotion.