Unexpected Connection

CHAPTER 18

Wow!! Best summer break ever! Sadly, we are back home and another school year begins. I loved the break, the guys and I had so much fun in New Zealand, Iceland, France, Italy, South Korea and Japan. Globe trotting is the best.

I never received any more calls from Hailey or Brad, which is good news for me, that is. I don't know what I would do if I hear from them, my anger towards them is gone up a tiny, little bit more. Oh who am I kidding, my anger has been renewed and it is at an all time high right now.

I get off my bed and walk to the balcony, my binoculars in hand. Ian is on his too.

'Stalking me? I write and show him. He laughs.

'Like you have to ask ;)' he writes with a winking face. What am I going to do with him.

'Coming for breakfast?' I ask.

'Definitely, see you in twenty' he writes. I blow him a kiss which he catches very dramatically if I may add before we go inside. I love that man.

I get showered and get dressed for school, I cannot believe I have class this morning first day back at school. If you ask me, it's not fair. I choose a slim fitting sleeveless high neck crop top paired with white washed low hanging jeans with my wool jacket. I have on my sneakers and my hair is straightened down. I do my makeup, put on perfume and carry my bag before leaving the room. I quickly run back in and put on the necklace Ian got for me in Italy, it's a platinum necklace with an emerald stone pendant. it's beautiful and the best part is inside the emerald pendant, the letters I+L is written. I love it. The gave to me when we were stargazing. I still smile at the memory. He was so happy and relieved when I told him I loved it. He probably thought it was too much, it wasn't. I clasp on the necklace, Now I am ready.

I slide down the banister and meet my people in the kitchen. Mum and Dad left pretty early this morning, they had a lot to catch up on after their what they call, a honeymoon trip. I don't want to know what that entailed. Nope. 

    "Morning" I greet walking in. 

    "Morning" Asher greets pecking my forehead.

    "Morning bunny" Ian says kissing my lips.

    "Good morning" Eli greets and I peck his cheeks.

    "Morning, Lily" Rachel greets smiling.

    "Hey, Rach" I greet her back. 

That's right, Rachel. The same Rachel you are thinking about. England Rachel, Ian and Eli fighting over Rachel. You are probably wondering what she is doing here, she is Eli's girlfriend. That's right, Eli's lady and she is awesome. We met her in Iceland, she was with this douche bag for a trip, according to her, they are just friends but the guy thought something more would happen, it didn't and he got so angry and was about to hit her when Eli came to her rescue. She and Eli it it off immediately again. The funniest part is he was just gushing and blushing and talking about her to me when we walk into the store and see her. How weird is that? Ian is cool with her, they had a talk, she apologized and they hugged it out. Rachel is my height, 5"8 with short jet black hair, she's also a bit curvy and is really pretty. Not as pretty as I am though, says me and Ian and Asher and Axel. Just thought you should know. But I can see why Eli fell for her. I thought they were not close before but they are. You know I told you she came to visit Eli when they were dating, apparently, she broke up with him because she felt bad about what she had done to Ian and to their friendship. 

I thought Eli broke up with her but that wasn't true. In fact, Eli has been dating around because he missed her and nobody made him feel like she did. His words, not mine. Rachel and I got close pretty quickly, I was the one who invited her to travel with us so she went to France, Italy, South Korea and Japan with us. We really got to know each other and she fit right into our group. She also really really likes Eli, why did I say so? Because she transferred to our school to be with him. Asher and I made sure she is put in the same class as Eli. You call it hacking, we call it penetrating firewalls. After talking to her parents, Eli's parents allow her to live with them.

    "First day at school, huh?" Asher says.

    "I am pumped. I have always heard about your school and to actually be going there is amazing" Rachel says before taking a bit of her slice of bread.

    "It's going to be awesome" Eli says and Rachel kisses him.

    "That's our cue to leave" Ian says and we all get up. We drive to school together, we have been going places together so it seems normal. We did something crazy, we all bought a car together for easy movement and rather than drive three cars to the same place, we just bought one car that we drive, we only take separate cars when we would be moving differently after school. Okay, so we got a black six seater car. Right now, we are driving to school, Eli is driving with Rachel beside him, Asher is sitting in the middle while Ian and I are at the back seat. 

    "See you for lunch" I say when we all alight the vehicle.

    "Yeah" Asher says before going with his friends. Eli walks into school with Rachel to give her a tour of the school grounds.

    "Where to my love?" Ian asks putting his arms around my waist pulling me to him. 

    "I'd go anywhere with you" I say putting my hand on his cheek.

    "A bit corny there, love" he says and I laugh. I stop laughing when I notice he's just looking at me.

    "What is it?" I ask, "Do I have something on my face?".

    "You are so beautiful" he says and I laugh again.

    "Now that is corny" I say and stand on my tip toe to kiss him.

    "Love you" I say against his lips.

    "Love you" he says.

His arms still around my waist we walk towards the school, I notice Heather is looking at Ian and I, but there is something different. I can't put my hand on it though. I smile at her and the strangest thing happen, she waves at me. That's right, she waves at me. What the heck. What is she planning. I quickly look away but find myself looking back at her. She is talking to Hailey but it seems more like they are arguing. I can sense drama. Cannot wait to see what unfolds. 

Ian and I walk into class and Hailey gives me the most dirty looks I have ever seen. Welcome back t school, right? Ian and I walk to our seats and Asher joins us not long after. 

    "Hey" I say when he sits down.

    "Why is Hailey staring at us like that?" Ian asks. I look at Asher. Sue me but I didn't tell Ian what I heard Hailey say and I made Asher promise not to say anything.

    "What's with the look" Ian asks noticing Asher and I exchange a look.

    "Nothing" Asher and I say together. Ian raises a brow.

    "I forgot something" Asher says. 

    "Traitor" I call after him. He looks back at me, smiles and runs out the class.

    "Talk to me, Lily" Ian says and I look at him. I take a deep breath and tell him what Hailey said in the hospital. His eyes get so dark with anger. He looks at Hailey and she gulps before looking away. I wouldn't want that look to be addressed at me either. 

    "Ian" I call. He is still looking at Hailey. "Look at me" I say and he faces me.

    "I am going to kill her" Ian threatens.

    "She isn't worth it" I tell him and hold his hand. He visibly relaxes and I release the breath I didn't know I was holding. 

    "I am sorry you had to hear that" he says kissing my hand. I smile at him.

    "I'm happy you told him" Asher says sitting back on his seat.

Just then the lecturer walks into the class,

    "Welcome back" Mr Conrad, our Algorithms and Data Structures lecturer says walking in. Heather raises her hand getting the lecturers attention.

    "What I submitted, has it been approved?" she asks.

    "Yes, Miss Clarkson" Mr Conrad says.

Heather stands up and goes to the seat beside Asher and sits down. I noticed that the seat beside Asher was empty but I thought the guy that is always there is running late.

    "What is happening?" I ask. 

    "This is my newly assigned seat" Heather answers me. Why is she talking to me like that, she almost sounds nice and all. 

    "O...kay" I trail. 

    "Why does she sound almost nice?" Asher whispers to me.

    "I am thinking the exact same thing" I say, "It's creepy right?" I ask and he nods. 

I look at Ian and he is whispering something to Heather, take it easy Liliana, you trust your man. Ian sits back up and Heather looks at me with a somewhat apologetic smile. Okay, this is weird. All through class, Asher and I keep looking at Heather waiting for her evil horns to come out but they did now, which makes it even weirder.

I am walking to our locker, I'm with Asher. Ian says he has to do something and will join us. Asher and I drop our bag in our locker before being joined by Eli and Rachel.

    "How was it?" I aske her.

    "I love this school" she says smiling. "Nothing bad happened".

    "Speaking of bad, Heather was nice today" I say and Eli's mouth drops. 

    "Really?" Rachel asks. We told her al about Heather and Hailey to prepare her for them.

    "Yes, she sits beside me now and she was smiling at us and waving. How weird is that?" Asher asks,

    "Very weird, are you sure it was Heather?" Eli asks.

    "Now that I think about it, it might not have been" I say and Asher nods.

    "Hey" Ian greets walking up to us. He puts his hand on my shoulder and kisses my head. 

    "Where were you?" I ask.

    "I'd tell you later" he says.

We are walk to Leo building together and on our way, the weirdest thing happens. Okay so we see Heather with Hailey has usual and when we pass by, Heather smiles at us and waves at us. 

    "What diabolical plan is she up to?" Asher asks and I shrug. I wave back at her and Hailey looks angry at the exchange. I didn't know that me waving to Heather would get to Hailey like that, good to know. I raise my brow at Hailey and then smile. Some might say it's my evil smile but I don't think so.

    "Why is Lily smiling like that?" Rachel asks.

    "Uh-Oh" Eli says.

    "What is she looking at?" Ian asks and they all follow my line of sight.

    "Lily stop your evil smile" Asher says.

    "I don't know what you are talking about but this smile is perfectly innocent" I say and broaden my smile and raise a brow.

    "I am scared" Rachel says.

    "We should all be" Eli says. 

    "Be back, meet you in cafeteria" I say and walk to meet Heather and Hailey.

    "Liliana Grant" Asher says. I look back an blow a kiss at them with a wink.

    "What I'm just going to the ladies room" I say still smiling, I walk away and look back to blow a kiss at them with a wink before walking towards the bathroom and am walking to meet the group when I see Heather and Hailey again with the third H, I keep forgetting her name. Heather looks at me as I walk towards them.

    "Hey" I greet Heather ignoring Hailey. I am about to walk away,

    "Can we talk Lily, sorry Liliana" Heather says taking me by surprise.

    "Sure" I say and we walk away. "What is it?" I ask when we get outside.

    "I want to apologize" she blurts out and I start laughing.

    "Oh, you are serious. Wow" I say when I see her unamused face.

    "I heard what happened to you and I actually found myself worried about you. Can you believe that?" she says pacing. "I didn't even think about getting Ian back instead I was worried about you and how scared Ian must be. Does that make any sense to you?" she asks me.

    "Are you serious?" I ask her and she nods. "Doesn't make any sense. You should have been rejoicing and plotting your plan to 'Get Ian Back'" I say actually surprised about what is happening. I don't know what I was expecting when she said we should talk but this isn't it. At all.

    "I even came to visit you at the hospital, would you believe that" she says and my mouth actually drops. "See, you are also surprised" she adds. 

    "Wow, Heather".

    "I was actually worried, Liliana" she says. "I am so glad you are okay" she adds. She sounds so sincere.

    "Thank you" I say and smile at her.

    "I am sorry for being mean to you, you didn't actually do anything to me in particular nor was Ian even in this school when I came but I just didn't like you" she says. "I think it's because I met Hailey first and she immediately poisoned my heart about you" she adds. Of course Hailey in involved. "I am sorry, Lily".

    "What brought about the change of heart?" I ask curious.

    "I was at the hospital again and was about to enter your room when I saw someone was in there, it was Hailey. I heard those horrible things she said to you and it was like a veil was lifted from my eyes. She is the worse and then I realized I had been the worst to you as well. I felt so bad. This summer was one of clarity for me. I ended things with Zach, I apologized to my friends and to Ian as well for what I did to him" she says and I am just here staring at her.

    "He loves you so much, more than he did me and I know that now" Heather says, "It's time I moved on" she adds. I am still standing here shocked, not gonna lie. "I hope you can forgive me" she says and walks away. What the actual heck just went down.

I find myself still standing here not knowing what to do? Is it possible to be cool with Heather? Her apology seems so sincere. Decision made, I would give her a chance. I am the nice one after all. My phone chimes alerting me that my order has finally arrived. I walk up to my car and meet Conner, my cousin.

    "Hey" I greet him.

    "I got the package" Connor said like he is in a spy movie and then laughs.

    "Thanks" I say and collect the bag from him.

    "This was seriously my pleasure" he says. I hug him and we say our goodbyes.

    "See you Sunday" I say and wave at him. He gets in his car and drives off.

 I walk into the cafeteria with the pink bag in hand. My friends are seated in a corner and they haven't ordered yet. They wave me over and I wave back but instead walk up to Heather and Hailey. 

    "This came for you" I say and hand Hailey the pink bag.

    "From who?" she asks ignoring my outstretched hand. 

    "Well, I was on my way here from the bathroom and this delivery guy stops me and asks if I know Hailey Logan and says I should please give it you, that it had already been signed for. I don't know. I didn't ask for details" I say and put the bag on the table.

    "Maybe it's from Brad" she says and every cheerleader and jock on the table 'Ooh' and 'Ahh'. Suckers. She opens the bag and brings out all the food inside. There is apple caramel, Donut, Oreos and Chocolate. 

    "So I have been thinking Heather, apology accepted and I am sorry too for the things I did to you as well" I say to Heather. "If you are tired of Hailey and want to join our group, I'd be cool with that" I add and smile. She smiles back and I walk away. You all are probably thinking, 'Why am I forgiving her so easily, she seems sincere and I wouldn't want someone doubting my sincerity if it was the other way around. Besides, if she's lying or messes up. I will kill her, emotionally, mentally, socially and then physically.

I am walking to my group when I hear Heather call, "Liliana". I look back and face her.

    "Yes"

    "I think I would take you up on that offer" she says and carries her bag. We walk to the group together. 

    "Hey guys, Heather is one of us now" I announce. "She apologized and we are good" I add.

    "What is happening?" Asher asks. 

    "I think I should apologize to you all too. I am sorry for how I acted and treated you all" Heather says and they all stare at her. 

    "I think we should give a another chance. She is giving us another chance too. I was kind of rude to her too" I say sitting down.

    "If Lily is cool with you, I am" Asher says. 

    "Me too" Eli says. 

    "I don't know you so I am good with you" Rachel says.

    "We already apologized to me so I say welcome to the group" Ian say sand Heather smiles sitting down. 

    "What did you give them" Ian asks me.

    "Nothing" I say smiling with a raised brow.

    "That is Liliana's evil smile" Heather says, "I dreaded that smile" she adds.

    "Lily" I correct her and she smiles.

    "What did she give them Heather, you were there" Asher says. 

    "Donuts, Chocolate, Oreos and Apple caramel" Heather answers.

    "Seems innocent enough" Rachel says.

    "Nothing is innocent with Lilia- Lily" Heather says.

    "She's right" Eli says. "So, what did you actually give them?" he asks.

    "Heather already told you guys, it's donut, Oreos, apple caramel and chocolate" I answer.

    "What's in them?" Ian asks with a raised brow.

    "Why can't I just be nice?" I ask with a shrug.

    "Because Hailey hurt you" Heather answers. 

    "Okay, fine. There is grounded pepper in the donuts" I say with a sigh.

    "And?" Ian asks.

    "Toothpaste instead of cream in the Oreos" I answer.

    "And?" Asher asks.

    "That is all" I lie.

    "Lily, what else?" he asks and I sigh dramatically.

    "Okay fine, the chocolate is actually chocolate covered truffle sprouts" I say. 

    "What about the Apple Caramel?" Eli asks.

    "Onions" I say and laugh.

    "Lily!" Rachel says shocked.

    "Liliana Grant, what would I do with you" Asher says. I smile and shrug.

    "You all are stuck with me" I say smiling.

    "And I wouldn't have you any other way" Ian says kissing my head. I look over at Heather and she shrugs.

    "I have moved on" she mouths to me and I smile. Maybe she has changed.

    "They are about to dig in" Rachel says and we all look over to Hailey and her group. They all take a big bite of the food.

    "Enjoy my little rats" I say with my brow raised and an evil smirk on.

    "I am so glad I am on your side now" Heather says as we watch the gagging nd vomiting and cursing unfold on Hailey's table. 

One of the girls throw up in another person's purse while one of the jocks is crying because one other jock spat his onion caramel out and it entered into the first jocks eyes. It's a calamity over there and I am loving it. They all run out of the cafeteria pushing people along the way, they are obviously running to the bathroom. Hailey makes eye contact with me and she walks up to our table.

    "You did this" she shouted.

    "I cannot believe you actually fell for my 'the delivery man said I should give you a already signed package routine'" I tell her. "Don't blame me for being so gullible" I add with a raised brow.

    "I would make you pay for this" she shouts.

    "Number one, step back. You reek of Onions and caramel, not great" I start and she covers her mouth. "Number two" I say getting up and walking towards her as slowly as I can go, "Do not threaten me if you cannot keep up" I add.

    "I will make up pay" she say spoking me.

    "You said you've always hated me and that you wish I would just lie in the hospital bed for ever. Well, I will make you wish you were lying in an hospital bed for ever" I tell her and I am happy to see the fear in her eyes. 

    "What w-wi-will yo-u do. You cannot d-o an-ything, Lily" she stammers and I smile.

    "Do you really think that, Hailes?" I ask and she nods. "Okay, do you remember when in middle school, you were bullied and then one day, they just stopped?"

    "Yes but what does that have to do with anything?" she asks.

    "Well, I made them stop bullying you" I tell her and she was shocked. "I spoke to them but they might say I threatened them, potato tomato, right?"

    "What?" Hailey says surprised.

    "The cheerleading squad you joined here at school, I made them put you on the team because you wanted to be a cheerleader so bad. The jocks are only friends with you because I made them" I reveal to her.

    "It's true" Asher says, "I was there" he adds.

    "Why do you think the jocks or cheerleaders never joined you to attack Lily?" Eli asks.

    "Right now, you actually have nobody on your side, Heather is no longer your friend and she was the only one that I didn't force to be with you but you pushed her away" I tell her and she looks at Heather.

    "Lily" she says.

    "What? You said you hated me, always have have well I would act to you like I would a hater" I tell her. "You know how crazy I am Hailey" I say to her with my baby face, "I will take everything from you, I will break you and bring your world crashing down".

    "I would still have Brad" she says spitefully.

    "Oh sweetheart" I say and shake my head.

    "What?" she asks.

    "I pay Brad to be with you".