Behind a facade

5.

FLASHBACK STARTS....

Ten years ago, Lakeville High School.

“You are hopeless.”

Josh’s sarcastic words startled Dakota, simply because she didn’t expect someone to approach her from behind. She arched her head slightly and gave Josh a mildly quizzical glance.

Both of them were soaked in sweat after an intense practice session. Dakota, who is getting ready to participate in the state high school cross-country meet, has to continue daily practices. Likewise, Josh, who is a member of the school football team, was under mandatory practice thanks to Lakeville High’s upcoming match against Easton High in a month.

“Whatever,” Dakota threw the water bottle at Josh, who sat next to her on the ground.

Josh caught the bottle effortlessly. He took a few sips before pouring the water on his hair. “Ah… now it’s refreshing,”

“Girls won’t pay attention to your water play, the charming oaf,” Dakota’s mouth curved into a mocking smile.

“Well, the right girl will notice,”

“Man… that’s so cliché,”

“Forget about me,” Josh let out a sigh. “Seriously, dude… how long are you planning to keep doing this?”

In Lakeville, no one knew Dakota’s personality better than Josh, who knew her since they were kids. He understood every little change of Dakota, making it impossible to fool him.

“What do you mean?”

“You very well know what I meant,” said Josh, indicating one corner of the ground using his head movements. It was where cheerleaders usually do their practice sessions. “I saw where your eyes were when I was coming here. You didn’t even notice me,”

“….”

“You can make a fool out of anyone, but you can’t fool me DK,”

Dakota wrapped her hands around her knees. She took her time to answer Josh. “I just can’t help it, Josh,”

An inscrutable look appeared on Josh’s face. He close his eyes for a second and shook his head a few times. “DK… in the end, you are the one who is going to get hurt. She doesn’t even care about you. Besides, she got a boyfriend now,”

Dakota smiled, knowing the reality well. Though she knew the reality, hearing it loud from Josh made her feel somewhat distressed. “It is okay. I mean, I don’t wish her to return my feelings. She will never know how I feel about her,”

“You and your damn way of thinking. Tell me one thing dude, what do you even like about her?” Josh snarled.

“Even I don’t know. I just love her,” Dakota concluded, ignoring hints of anger in Josh’s voice.

Her gaze moved to where the cheerleaders were. This time she found Tessa, who is cuddling with Brian. Dakota felt it hard to breathe, just seeing them together. A wave of sour feelings attacked her without any mercy.

The entire Lakeville High was aware that Tessa and Brian started dating a month ago when sophomore year began. People believed that they suit each other well. There was a solid reason behind the judgement. No one could compete with both of them when it comes to looks, popularity, achievements or family backgrounds. Tessa and Brian indeed live up to the title that others have given to them; the perfect couple of Lakeville High.

With a great figure, long wavy golden hair, magical sapphire eyes and charming features, Tessa stood out among all high school girls. She participated in every significant school event, and took the lead in activities, making her the queen bee in Lakeville High. Her academics were also on the good side of the scale.

Proving the proverb that every rose has its thorn, Tessa behaved like a spoiled person. After being a part of the school’s popular group she lives up to the repute of the rest of the people she hangs out with. Her mean way of treating other students, and her rude attitude, weren’t new things to the majority in Lakeville High.

“You are really….,” Josh lean a bit towards Dakota, placing his elbow on his knee. “Dude, Tessa Brown either ignores you or lets Brian and others walk over you. She acts like she doesn’t see any of it. I don’t know how you can even… I really don’t understand,”

Dakota couldn’t deny Josh’s remarks, because what he was stating carried indisputable truth.

It is not as if Dakota shared a deep friendship with Tessa since they got to know each other. They weren’t best friends, but they weren’t enemies either. There was a strange connection between them.

When Tessa and her family first moved to Lakeville, she was merely six years old. As a neighbourhood kid, Dakota offered a helping hand to Tessa several times to get used to the new place.

Tessa’s personality completely twisted after coming to high school, making Dakota could no longer recognize her sometimes. The stronger Tessa’s friendship with Ashley, Brian and their group gets, the distance between Dakota and Tessa increased.

“Maybe I am really hopeless,” Dakota mumbled.

Josh shrugged his shoulders before standing up to his feet. He remains silent for a few seconds as if he wants to say something. Instead of saying it, he shook his head from side to side. “Hey, I need a ride today,”

“I remember,” Dakota rose to her feet as well. “You are a pain in the ass, Josh Rooney,”

“Such a pleasure to hear it from you,”

When they both were walking toward the stadium stairs to collect their bags, Dakota noticed half of the cheerleading girls and some team members of the football team gathered around a chubby girl and a pale-looking boy who is holding a camera. Brian Parker, Caleb Smith, Miles Garcia, Tessa Brown, Ashley Jackson, and Maddison Weil were among the people. Simply seeing the well-known group, Dakota could guess that Brian and his friends are showing off their arrogant nature to the weak.

“They are at it again,” Dakota sighed, rolling her eyes.

“Well… it’s not a new thing here,” A line appeared between Josh’s brows. “Most importantly, it’s not our problem,”

“Right. People need to learn to stand up for themselves or learn to live with it. Law of survival,”

Josh placed his arm around Dakota’s shoulder. “Dammit… whom did you copy those words, DK? Plagiarism is a real thing,”

“Duh… what is the spelling for plagiarism, Joshi Joshi?”

Their steps automatically freeze, hearing a sharp wail of someone. Dakota and Josh shared a glance, seeing what was happening a few feet away from them. Caleb Smith pulled the pale-looking boy from the collar and glared at him. Others made some noises, boosting Caleb’s ego. Anyone could see that the weak boy couldn’t do anything against the six feet tall well built school football player. The boy was like he is about to faint merely because of Caleb’s grasp. Making the situation even worse, the chubby girl stepped forward and said something to Caleb while trying to get to the weak boy.

Even though Dakota and Josh couldn’t hear anything they could see Brain was saying something and the gang start laughing, making the girl uncomfortable.

Dakota looked around the open stadium to find a teacher or a coach, wondering whether they can’t see what is about to happen. Unfortunately, she couldn’t spot any responsible adult, making her quite worried for some reason.

“Isn’t that the guy from the bookstore?”

“Yeah… Luke,” Dakota replied, letting out a sigh. She had met Luke McCleary a few times whenever she visited the old bookstore because he is working part-time there. Though she didn’t share many conversations with him, she knew he is an innocent guy.

“What’s up with them bullying a harmless person? That girl also looks terrified,” Josh’s brows snapped together.

“Because that’s what bullies do,” said Dakota, climbing two stairs at once. The situation peeved Dakota, making her want to punch something. “At least try to talk some sense into your teammates,”

“As if they would listen to me,”

After getting their backpacks, Josh and Dakota deliberately walk fast without looking at where the bullying takes place, thinking not to get involved with Brian and others. They wanted to help the poor girl and the boy, but they both knew helping those two would make their lives even more miserable.

“Oh, no… DK…” Josh’s faint voice reached Dakota’s ears, but it was already late before Dakota recognize what is happening. Someone clashed with Dakota, making her lose her balance. She took a few steps back and hardly recovered from falling while lightly giving support to the person who clashed with her.

A sharp pain went across Dakota’s feet, giving her a clear warning that someone is stepping on her feet. Dakota groaned, trying to endure it.

Dakota slowly figured out the one who clashed with her in the first place is the chubby girl. She looked frightened while holding the pale-looking guy barely.

It took only a few seconds for Dakota to realize what has happened, seeing the arrogant smirk on Brian’s face. Obviously, someone from that group has pushed the two weaklings towards Dakota.

Like always, when Dakota avoids troubles, troubles have found their way to her.

“Are you okay?” Dakota asked, helping the chubby girl to straighten her body. Her innocent, chubby face tensed. Dakota flinched, seeing tears roll down the girl’s cheeks. Her body was quivering as well.

The girl’s wide-open eyes rest on Dakota’s face. It wasn’t hard for Dakota to understand the girl was surprised by Dakota’s sudden friendly, behaviour as if she never experienced friendliness from anyone. After a few seconds, she nodded her head, trying to force a smile. Dakota flashed an assuring smile.

“Oh, ho… look who is here. Hey Rooney! Piggy… you have told us before that you are friends with Dakota…,”

Without even looking Dakota recognized Brian’s voice. Others start laughing like they have heard the funniest words in the world. Instead of replying to him, Dakota stepped near Luke and the girl. Seeing how Luke is trembling, Dakota couldn’t pretend she doesn’t see anything anymore.

“Why don’t we leave? It’s already late, right?” she suggested.

Luke and the chubby girl blink their eyes, showing their confusion. “Ah.. yes… yes…” the girl responded after almost a minute, understanding what Dakota is silently trying to say using gestures.

“Woah… I think you are misunderstanding something here, Dakota Kent,” Brian blocked the way. There was a challenging look in his eyes. “I didn’t give you permission to take my little fun away. Unless you wish to join us,”

Corners of Dakota’s eyes caught that terror overtook Josh’s face.

“Do I look like I need your permission, Brian?” Dakota scorned. Dakota wasn’t someone who talks much, but when the time comes, she knew exactly what she has to speak.

Brian’s jaws tightened. A dangerous silence fell among them, making others nervous.

A clapping sound rose among the group, taking everyone’s attention. A brunette girl walks slowly towards them, flashing a malicious smile. Ashley Jackson… She was someone Dakota avoided in all possible ways. This girl was capable of making chaos, simply appearing somewhere or speaking a word in any sort of situation.

“Not again…” Dakota mused.

“Hey….. Dakota,” Ashley’s silvery voice echoed near Dakota’s ears, giving her a shudder. The glossy bright red lipstick shade on Ashley’s lips reminded Dakota of a bloodthirsty vampire whom she saw in a tv series. Yes... a bloodthirsty creature, for sure.

“You look awfully concerned over our neckless dotty. Is there something you won’t tell us, ah?”

Jeering sounds and laughs spread among the people.

Dakota noticed how the chubby girl’s expression changed after hearing those words. The shattered look in her eyes brought pity to Dakota. “Just shut up, Ashley,”

“Yeah, why don’t you shut your mouth once in a while?” Josh also interfered, standing next to Dakota.

“OMG!!!” Maddison Weil shrieked. She inspected her fingernails before continuing her drama again. “OMG… OMG… It seems….”

Dakota inhaled all the air she could, trying to think of a way to escape from this entire unnecessary drama. Josh averts his eyes between Dakota and the gang, wearing a worried expression.

“That’s enough, Maddison,” Ashley’s silvery voice ordered before she turned her attention to Dakota again. “Wow, it seems the school found its new hottest couple who can challenge Brian and T,”

Dakota silently cursed, scolding herself. She shouldn’t have reacted to Ashley’s meaningless words earlier. Knowing Ashley’s personality, Dakota could guess she won’t let this go until she is satisfied.

“Isn’t it, T?” Ashley raised one of her eyebrows at Tessa, who is looking at the scenery with a heavy expression. Brian was next to her, placing his hand around Tessa’s waist.

“Apparently,” Tessa gave a half-shrug. Her dry tone didn’t surprise Dakota anymore.

Ashley gasped in an excessively loud manner. “Oh, my… Dakota darling… Your secret is exposed. Finally, you also found true love. Seeing how hot your girlfriend is, I’m speechless. You got yourself a queen,”

Except for Dakota, Josh, Miles, Luke and the chubby girl, everyone starts laughing. Dakota decided to wait until they stop their ridiculous laughing play. She knew what she has to do if she wants to tame Ashley’s vicious tongue.

“So....”

“Unless you don’t want to become my concubine, you should keep your distance from me Ashley,” Dakota grinned, in a devilish manner.

Josh’s laugh escaped before he controlled it. He starts coughing, trying to hide it. Miles, Caleb and the rest of the guys burst into laughter again, pointing at Ashley’s shrewd face. Tessa and Maddison stared at Dakota with jaws hanging open.

“It’s time to leave, I guess,” Dakota cleared her throat, trying to take the attention of everyone. “Ah... by the way, Mr Quinn will be here any moment,”

“No way… you called him?” Miles exclaimed while jumping down from where he was sitting. “Jesus Dakota!,”

“Miles, you better go,” Dakota nodded. Among Brian’s friends, Miles is the only one Dakota found who can think like a rational human. Though he hangs out with Brian and others, Miles was a sensible person compared to the rest of the others in the group.

“Guys we should go. Hurry up! Josh, please take your friend away,” Miles shouted at Josh.

Dakota holds her laugh inside, seeing how effective her lie is becoming.

Someone pushed Dakota suddenly. Brian was standing a few feet away from Dakota, fuming with anger “Hold on Miles. I don’t think we are done.”

Dakota rubbed her shoulder. Because of Brian’s aggressive push, Dakota felt as if her shoulder cannot move for a second. Even so, she faked a brave face while stepping forward.

“Why… are you trying to bring Ryker as a backup Lesbo?” Brian exclaimed, seeing Dakota’s confident attitude.

“You already know that I don’t need my brother to protect me, Jerk,” Dakota clenched her teeth.

“Both of you enough,” Josh pulled Dakota backwards. “Dakota…. DK…. we should go,”

“Yeah... Brian enough,” Miles raised his voice, darting his eyes between Brian and Dakota. “We will get in trouble. Let’s go, man,”

Brian clenched his jaws. “Damn you… freaky lesbo,”

Dakota showed her middle finger to Brian while Josh was dragging her away from Brian.