Bittersweet Affection[COMPLETED]

Free ride to school and the thought of him

WINTER

A honk sounded outside snapping me awake. Rolling over, I took the pillow to encircle my ear as the honk continued. In no time, the i***t blaring it would make me go deaf.

It was the beginning of the week meaning another boring Monday. I would have to sit in history class all over again. A routine I wished I could eradicate.

Hopefully, this week looks promising since I have gotten a spot in the popular squad.

My hand went beneath the pillow to my right, bringing out my phone as it vibrated.

Rolling over, I grinned as Rey's name flashed on the screen. For the past two days, we had been texting and talking a lot, which made my feelings now harder to ignore. Hitting the answer button, I placed it on speaker so I wouldn't stress myself by glueing it to my ear.

"Hello,"

"Morning sunshine." He replied, his voice laced with sarcasm.

"It's still so early," I murmured but he heard me. "It's just 7:20 A.M," I added, glancing at the clock on my bedside table.

"Well, that's bad because I came early because of you and you ain't even ready."

"Because of me?" Drowsiness flew out of my eyes as I instantly became alert.

Rey is here because of me!

"I promised to take you to school. Remember?"

Oh, right!

I mentally kicked myself for forgetting, still, it was early and I wasn't ready to face history and its defiance just yet.

He probably thought I often left for school on time since he always arrived late.

"I detest history," I grimaced. It started last week after receiving detention from Mr Jackson.

"Glad we share something in common." He chuckled and my heart warmed at his voice.

I ran to the window, raised my curtain to see him stuck his head into his car through one of his glasses that was wound down. One of the reasons I liked my room. It was on the second floor which was the top and I could see everything happening outside.

"True," I said watching as he brought out his head, smiling.

"Take your time. Remember, I'm now your chauffeur for the time being." Another smile played on his lips.

I wanted my heart to stop beating fast but it couldn't. I was smitten with Rey.

I didn't know how it happened.

It came as a crush at first, now it was more than a simple infatuation. Though I wanted him to be mine, he would not ever be.

The corner of my mouth turned down in a scowl as Lee's face popped into my head.

I stepped away from the window, shook my head, my bedridden hair followed suit. Rey was off-limit.

My eyes strayed to the pink diary sticking out underneath my pillow- It constantly slept with me- I gripped and flipped it to the rule page.

Rule three: Never date your best friend's ex or crush on your best friend's boyfriend.

I let the book slip from my hand onto the bed whilst emitting a sigh. I walked to the bathroom to freshen up, then wandered to the living after I was done.

Hailey stood in the kitchen, preparing toast and coffee for herself. She twirled when she noticed me.

"Off to school," I said.

"Okay." She nodded.

Jamming the door closed, I strapped my backpack on and moved towards the gate.

**************************************

"Lil girlie."

"Win win."

Rodriguez and Carlos waved immediately as I stepped out the gate. I waved back at them with a big smile. They were an acquaintance of Hailey- Having met them at the bar she frequented close by.

At first, I thought they were harmful because of the several appearances of cuts and roughness on their skins. I later realized they were harmless and only looked like baddies because of years spent on the street.

I slid into the seat of his sleek car. His woodsy scent filled the air and I sniffed deeply. I noticed Rey watching me but I ignored him. I wasn't going to apologize for sniffing.

He switched on the ignition and turned to me "Seat belt."

I grunted because I hated it. Breathing was a tad difficult when I used the beast of a thing. Also, it enhances my motion sickness. I used it anyway as a safety measure.

We were twenty minutes away from school when it slammed into me. My face, hands become clammy. My eyes snapped shut. I took a deep breath, rested my head on the seat headrest. I winced, rubbing my stomach as a wave of nausea hit me. I opened my mouth taking the air in and fanned my face with my free hand.

"Are you alright?"

I didn't reply to him, I couldn't as I snatched the paper bag close by, I emptied the contents of my stomach in it.

The car bumped into a pothole and halted. I winced as my stomach somersaulted and I threw up one last time.

Rey got down from his side to help me out. One of his arms around my waist whilst the other fingered a lock on my hair. As soon as the air hit my face, I felt better.

We entered after ten minutes of stalling. I begged him to switch off the car's air conditioner which he did. Also, he rolled down the window to allow normal air in.

Not minding how fast Rey was driving, I laughed as the air whipped my hair around my face. I didn't hold it up today with ribbons. Moreover, I chose to wear a brightly coloured blouse with grey skinny instead of my usual dark clothing. During the weekend, Lee and I had gone shopping since I would be sitting with the popular squad from henceforth. I needed a change before then anyway but had had no time to do it. I was not sure Rey noticed my look since I was not his darling Lee.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned to him.

"Pooh, we're in school."

I didn't notice passing through the gate. I wanted to thank him but bit my tongue when he called me that.

"i***t," I mumbled but he heard me.

"i***t?' His brows knitted. " I remember." He exclaimed referring to our call and texting two days ago

"I'll let that slide again." He scowled at me as I giggled.

"Wait." Rey halted me as I was about to step out.

"You look cool today. "

He did notice after all.

"Oh, thank you." I lifted my hands to my cheeks as I felt them reddened.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw him stare at me. He smirked when my eyes connected with his.

"What?"

"Nothing. " He shrugged. "You look so cute when you blush. "

Rolling my eyes, I attempted going out but he halted me again.

"Also, clean those things from your face. You look like s**t. " He pointed to my face, chuckling.

Bringing out the mirror in my backpack, I squeaked at my image on it. It truly was a mess.

The eyeliner and mascara I had applied weren't waterproof, so it was smudged. Some lipstick appeared on my cheek too, must have been when I wiped my mouth after throwing up.

I imagined Alyssa, having the time of her life if I had appeared like this. I brought out a wipe to clean the makeup I applied earlier, leaving my face in its natural state.

I let out an exasperated sigh as Rey halted me for the third time.

"What now?"

"A thank you would suffice because I can imagine how Alyssa would be so happy if she had caught you looking like that herself. "

It would be news for years and pictures for generations to come.

"Thank you. " I let out, sighing and at the same time, rolled my eyes.

"Can I go now?" I inquired not wanting to stay in the car with him. I could see some students with their phones out, ready to take a snap.

Rumour in Sunnyville never dies. Someone will surely dig it out and it would keep circulating. Even in years to come. Just like Kendall's mother, she had been the school slut in her days.

Alyssa had dug out the story from the only God knows where and it started trending again. Kendall had to miss school for two weeks because of the insults and jeering she received. She returned when it shifted to another person.

I noticed Alyssa coming and quickly got out before she saw me.

Never trust Alyssa even with your book. She would use it to sabotage you.

I didn't even want to think of the headlines she would come up with.

Ignoring the eyes that followed me, I jerked as Lee booed frightening me.

"Someone is a little happy this morning." I playfully pinch her cheeks. She slapped my hands away and blushed.

"Why are you all red?' I asked, staring at her.

She blushed even harder as my gaze fixated on her.

"Rey called!"

I glanced around and noticed we were in the hall and it was free of people. Free of rumour bringers.

"He hasn't called you before?"

"Yep." She said, popping the P.

"That's not all." She grinned.

"Do tell," I said and a half-smile graced my lip.

"It's official. We are going on a date after school. " She squealed.

Jealousy trickled into me but I disguised it with a smile. "I want details of how it went." I only wanted to know if it ended in disaster.

The rest of the day went by in a blur, I couldn't concentrate. My mind kept drifting off to Rey, Lee and to how their children would look like and how many they would like to have.

During recess was the worst, I had to avert my gaze, looking at what was going on around me, rather than them.

I wasn't the only one affected as Alyssa kept glaring at Lee whenever she gripped Rey's hand. The salad she ordered was the one that took the brunt of her anger as she kept stabbing it with her fork. She later excused herself, as she wasn't getting the attention she deserved.

The attention was all centred on me as the new girl in the block. They all wanted to know where I had been since all this while.

I hopped out of my seat immediately the bell rang.

Lee was nowhere to be found, which I assumed she left earlier. I saw Kellen waiting by his car. He held it open when I stepped to his side.

"I'm your chauffeur for today. Milady. " He said with a heavy southern accent and bowed.

This must be what it feels like being in the "in crowd". They weren't bad though as all of them were nice to me earlier. Except for Alyssa and her wannabes.

Laughing, I gave him a mock bow too. "Thank you, wonderful sir. You are such a gentleman. I hope I didn't cost you much trouble?"

"Not at all, ma'am. I am always pleased to help damsels in distress. Especially beautiful ones." He winked.

I blushed at the compliment. Sliding in the car, I sat down and fixed the seat belt. We talked for the thirty minutes journey to my house. It wasn't awkward, but rather refreshing.

"Thanks." I got down, closed his door and waited for him to reverse.

"Bye." He yelled, sticking his head out.

I smiled, walking into the house. I gaped as Hailey appeared in front of me.

"s**t, stop scaring me like that!"

"Why do different boys always drop you?" Her brows furrowed as she surveyed me.

I rolled my eyes, "Only two people have dropped me, that's all. " I stepped away from her and proceeded to my room.

"Is there something you are not telling me, young lady?" She rested her hands on her hips, waiting for my answer.

"They are my friends. " I stated.

"Okay, just be careful." She moved to the kitchen to continue whatever she had been doing.

"I will be. " I stepped into my room and turned the lock.

Stripping out of my clothes, I donned on a pink tank top with a black polka dot pyjamas bottom. I sat on the bed, took my laptop and logged in on my laptop to continue where I stopped on Artemis Fowl. I was going to distract myself from Rey and going on a movie spree was the best way to do it.