Behind a facade

8.

Dakota let out a frustrated sigh. She tried her best to stay calm. Whispering and low giggling sounds started to rise the moment she passed the school gate. She could sense the peering glances of everyone whom she was passing by.

Considering how fast the student population in Lakeville High catch up with gossip, Dakota predicted what is about to come as soon as school starts on Monday. She even made up her mind to face the worst during the weekend. But soon enough, Dakota realized that reality is much harder to endure.

“Hey….” Josh, who appeared from the other side of the open corridor, made a goofy face while running towards the Dakota. “Hey… my celebrity best friend,”

“Yeah, just jump on the bandwagon,” Dakota rolled her eyes.

Josh’s lips curved into a playful smile. “No… No, don’t be humble. I know you love attention,”

Dakota shook her head a few times. Josh’s teasing words helped Dakota to come out of her quandary. She reminded herself that worrying too much won’t solve problems sometimes. It only increases the stress level and the possibility of creating more problems.

Josh placed his elbow on Dakota’s shoulder, winking at her. That playful gesture was so familiar to Dakota.

“Come on… Joshi Joshi…”

“Dude… seriously,” Josh let out a scoff of disbelief. He flashed a mischievous smile at Dakota. She knew he is about to say some silly words. “You got a girlfriend, and I have to get to know it from f*******:,”

“What to do! I didn’t plan to go viral,”

“DK, this is called double cross friendship,”

“Oh, yeah. Surprisingly, it’s not sadistic,” Dakota moved aside, giving space to a student group who are coming toward them. Some of them start laughing while passing Dakota. Their sound echoed through the corridor for a while.

Josh burst into a laugh. After almost half a minute he found words. “Jokes aside… what is this all about?”

“I only know it has something to do with Brian, Ashley and the group,” Dakota’s face contorted.

“Including Tessa,” Josh chimed in. “You don’t have to deliberately exclude her knowing that she is also part of their gang,”

A silence fell between them. Dakota didn't know how to respond to Josh. More like she didn't want to respond to Josh's words, realizing how pathetic she is going to sound while trying to defend a noxious flower that grew inside her heart.

They walk down the corridor and enter the main building, turning the blind eye to the people who try to provoke them with their obvious actions.

“Just don’t think about it. They will forget it soon when they found a new topic to talk about,” Josh finally broke the silence.

“I know,” Dakota sighed. She never cared about how other people talked about her. What other people judge her never bothered Dakota. “I am worried about Emma. She already has a lot on her plate,”

“Emma?”

“The girl in the video,”

Josh gawked at Dakota for a second. “Hold on... you are friends with that girl. This is new. When did this happen? Dude, I didn’t know you have friends other than me,”

Dakota opened her locker and put some additional books inside it, pretending not to hear Josh.

“What?” Dakota asked, seeing Josh’s curious gaze.

“Yeah… what?”

“Man… Don’t be so narcissistic. Why do you think I can’t have friends other than you?”

“Simple, only I can stand you. And DK, that’s not the answer to my question,” Josh grinned mischievously. “Are you hiding something, buddy?”

Dakota leaned against the locker, gaping at Josh. “I’m speechless,”

“I am as well..."

"...."

"Fine, I was kidding. Don’t give me a death stare,” Josh stated, in response to Dakota's glare. He threw his hands in the air, reassuring his intention. “You looked dead serious in the morning. That’s why....”

“Did I?”

“Listen, We can’t change… oh, your new friend is coming this way,”

Dakota followed Josh’s gaze. Emma was walking towards them, wearing a nervous look. There were dark circles under her eyes. Her grave facial expressions made it obvious that she was going through the same hell as Dakota.

“Hi, Dakota,”

“Hey, Emma. How are you?”

“Well, it’s not exactly good. Are you okay?”

Dakota nodded and flashed an assuring smile. “Yeah… I am good. Are you really okay Emma?”

“Yeah,”

“Em... I mean it might be uncomfortable to you seeing together with me in that video,”

Emma started to fidget. “Don’t worry about me. It didn’t make me uncomfortable.”

“Really?”

“I was worrying that you won’t ever talk to me again,”

“Why would I do that?” Dakota narrowed her eyes. “That video clip thing is not your fault,”

“But…” Emma lowered her eyes. There was a gloomy vibe around her.

At that moment, Dakota somehow realized Emma might have been blaming herself during all this time. It was hard for Dakota to express what she wanted to tell, but she tried her best not to say something that negatively effects on Emma.

“You don’t have to think about it. If someone makes fun of you because of the video, punch his or her face,”

Josh chuckled, interrupting the conversation. His gaze darted between Emma and Dakota. “Sorry girls. It’s just, seeing DK talks this much with someone… Believe me, it’s a miracle,”

Dakota closed her eyes for a second, taking a deep breath. She wanted to punch Josh’s mouth for talking too much.

It was true that she was comfortable talking to Emma. In Dakota's life, she hardly found comfortable around people. Except for her father, Ryker, Carter Rooney and Josh, Dakota barely talked with others. Dakota often got the feeling that she can’t connect with people unless they are close to her.

Small talks were never her thing. Dakota couldn’t understand how both Josh and Ryker get comfortable talking to anyone at any moment. Unlike her, they never had trouble expressing themselves. Even if it is the most embarrassing situation, they easily knew how to handle it with words.

“Emma… this is Josh. Josh this is Emma,” Dakota tried to make Emma at ease, by setting a friendly atmosphere. “You guys have already met, but just in case,”

“Hi, Emma… It’s nice to meet you,”

“Same here,”

“I am not famous as Dakota, but consider taking this insignificant human as a friend as well,”

Dakota rubbed her forehead while goggling at Josh in total disbelief. For some reason, she experienced second-hand embarrassment. “Jesus… what was that, a joke? Shivers went down my spine, listening to your words,”

Emma started laughing. Josh and Dakota shared a puzzling glance.

“Sorry guys… you guys were funny,” Emma covered her mouth using both hands, trying to control her laugh. “And Josh… you are quite popular because you are part of the football team. I mean, if you don’t know,”

“Really?” Josh slapped Dakota’s shoulder. “See DK… I told you, I am famous among girls,”

Dakota snarled, rubbing her shoulder. “Aren’t you a bench? Emma… for your information, don’t flatter this guy. When he starts flying, it’s really hard to bring him back to the ground,”

“I shall keep that in mind….” Emma giggled, making Josh's jaw drop.

……………………………....

Two weeks passed with all possible disturbances happening around Dakota’s day-to-day life. Rumours started spreading in Lakeville High like wildfire. Each day, there was an additional imaginary story added to the rumours. No one bothered to question what really happened or what really didn't happen. Misunderstandings were unavoidable at this point.

The mumbling and giggling sounds became obvious and less intimidating as time passing. Still, the mental exhaustion that other people's overwhelming attention brought to Dakota's life remained somewhere inside her, giving a sense of ghostly presence.

Every dark cloud has a silver line. There was one good thing that happened in the middle of all this chaos, which they never expected at all. Emma became good friends with Dakota and Josh. Their friendship became stronger with time as if they knew each other throughout their entire life.

"How did I end up in this situation!" Dakota mused while walking fast towards the auditorium where drama club members are practising for the annual drama festival.

Dakota was heading back to the track when Mrs Potter ask her help to deliver some costumes to the auditorium. Though she was in a hurry, Dakota couldn't refuse a teacher's request. All she has to do was find the drama club president as soon as possible and hand over the costumes to him. There was no way to refuse a simple request like that.

The auditorium was filled with students who are rehearsing the play. Everyone was busy with some sort of activity they are assigned to. Dakota never thought getting ready for the annual drama festival make drama club members this anxious.

There were some designed leaflets on a side table next to the entrance. Those leaflets contained eye-catching artwork. On an orange background, a black colour hand was holding a white colour skull.

"Hamlet," Dakota mumbled the name on the leaflet. She put the paper on the table, surveying people in the auditorium. Since she couldn't find the drama club president, she decided to talk to a girl who is practising some lines.

"Excuse me," Dakota cleared her throat.

"Oh, hi..." the girl directed a curious glance. She moved her white colour gown effortlessly while turning her full attention to Dakota. She wondered whether this girl is a junior because Dakota hasn't seen this girl among sophomores.

"Eh..Hi... sorry if I bothered you," Dakota tried to hide her awkwardness.

"No worries. I haven't seen you in the play before..."

"No... no... I am not a part of the stage play," Dakota interrupted. "Just doing some errands. Would you mind telling me where can I find Vincent Kang?"

"Vincent! He was here a few minutes ago," the girl looked around the auditorium. "Ah, he is there... behind the lights. You just wait here. I'll call him. They are making a mess out there,"

After a few minutes, Vincent Kang arrived where Dakota was. He inhaled a long breath before talking to Dakota.

"I heard you are looking for me, Dakota,"

"Yeah... Mrs Potter asked me to hand over these costumes," Dakota replied, showing the clothes she is holding.

"Thank goodness... " Vincent let out a relieved sigh, taking the costumes from Dakota. He counted costumes while surveying them. "You are a life saviour... Tessa was eating my brain this whole time,"

"Tessa!" Dakota's tongue slipped before she controlled it. Since when Tesa has interest in drama performance?

Vincent shrugged his shoulders. "Secretary of the drama club. You know her, right? It is extremely hard to work with her,"

Dakota faked a smile. She knew it is time to leave. "Then I'll take my leave. See ya around Vincent,"

"See you..."

When she turned around, Dakota's feet stopped seeing a group of people looking at her with devilish smirks on their faces. They were all leaning against chairs. When did they arrive here? How could she forget wherever Tessa appears Brian appears next to her? She should have walked away from the very moment she heard Tessa's name from Vincent.

"Dakota Kent...Dakota Kent..." Brian clapped, enthusiastically jumping from where he was sitting half manner. He looked eerily thrilled to see Dakota. "What a pleasant surprise!"

"Wish I could say the same," Dakota only thought it but didn't say it out loud. After the video was released Brian never missed a chance to make fun of Dakota and Emma. His condemning remarks were unbearable sometimes.

Hoping to avoid another unpleasant experience, Dakota decided to ignore Brian and the gang or whatever rubbish they are going to say. She starts walking to the exit.

"Seems like here to see girlfriend ah Kent?" Brian blocked Dakota's way smoothly. She heard a few people laughing. "Why leaving so early then?"

Dakota let out a sigh. "Move aside, Brian,"

"Chill Kent... see let me tell you something... how to handle a girl,"

"No thanks,"

"Come on...It can't be that different, right? You know sharing is caring..." Brian continued his unpleasant speech. When Dakota wasn't expecting it at all, he said some offensive things no one could ever tolerate. No matter how patient Dakota is, she was also a normal person. That was the moment she couldn't take it anymore. The rage she held inside her break all the chains and took over control. She ended up landing a few punches on Brian's face.

After another fifteen minutes, Dakota was sitting inside Mr Quinn's office.

"Dakota Kent!!! What is this behaviour? Never expected this from you. Two weeks... detention!"