CHAPTER THREE WHEN PATHS CROSSED
1831 Words
CHAPTER THREE
Mum dropped me off in front of my school this morning. Tay had gone back, leaving me to fend for myself. What I really wanted for my birthday was a car—a surprise I had imagined over and over again. I just wanted that one thing so badly.
I walked slowly into school, looking around like some lost freshman. With both hands tucked in my pockets, I made my way through the hallway to my locker. The corridor buzzed faintly with chatter, but I was in my own quiet world, trying to maintain some form of calm within myself. Clerk had been getting under my skin lately, though I couldn’t explain that strange, stupid feeling that always came whenever he was near. Speaking of Clerk, Rae and I hadn’t spoken since yesterday’s incident. It was the first time something like that had ever happened between us, and it was all because of—
“Hey, asshole!”
The voice behind me made my heart skip. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. I pretended not to hear him, pulling out some papers from my locker instead. His breath touched the back of my neck, and instantly my body stiffened. Heat rushed through my bones, and goosebumps rose all over my skin.
“You heard me, right?” His tone was low, teasing, infuriating.
I turned slowly, meeting his red, infuriatingly perfect lips just inches from mine.
“What’s your problem? Can’t you just leave me the hell alone? What do you even want?” My voice rose as I spoke, anger spilling out uncontrollably. But Clerk—annoying, smug Clerk—only laughed, like I was telling a joke.
“Check my record, Felicia,” he said, smirking. “I don’t leave anyone who annoys me alone. I’ll make sure I mess with your sanity before the term ends.”
He smiled wickedly and walked away, leaving me burning with mixed rage and something else I didn’t dare name. Students along the hallway had turned to look, and among them was Rae. I sighed in relief when I saw her walking toward me.
“That dude has got a serious problem,” she said, standing beside me.
Without warning, I hugged her tightly—so tight she had to poke me in the side to make me let go.
“I missed you,” I said softly.
“Me too,” she replied, smiling as I hugged her again, though gentler this time.
“And the weird thing is…” I leaned closer, whispering near her ear, “…I kinda get butterflies in my stomach when he’s around.”
Rae’s eyes widened. “You’re joking, right?”
“I’m serious,” I confessed, almost embarrassed. “Anytime he talks to me, I can’t help admiring how… perfect he is.”
She stared at me like I’d lost my mind. “I have no words for the illegitimate butterflies in your stomach,” she said, shaking her head. “But for you—their mother—you better kill that thought. That dude is a big no, and that’s on period.”
“But—”
“Enough about the jerk and his cursed butterflies,” she cut in. “Let’s change the topic.”
I sighed and nodded. “So, how about Conrad?” I asked as we started walking toward class. We had the same class today, so we strolled together down the hall.
“He’s okay,” Rae said, smiling a little. “Not the popular type, so people barely notice him.”
“Seems like you really like him,” I teased.
“Obviously,” she said, blushing. “He’s just… different from other guys I’ve met.”
“So, are you two official now? Like, boyfriend and girlfriend official?”
She gave me a shy nod.
“Wow,” I gasped dramatically. “So you finally fell in love, Miss ‘Love-is-a-deadly-game’? Should I shout at you the same way you shouted at me yesterday?”
She laughed. “I’m sorry about that. I was just shocked that you—of all people—let that jerk get to you. But now that I’ve heard your reason, I think I should shout at you even more.”
I giggled as we entered the classroom. “You’re impossible.”
“I’m serious though,” she added, still smiling. “I’m not supporting that ridiculous crush of yours on him.”
“Hmmm,” I hummed, smiling faintly.
We both laughed and sat near the window just as the Admin walked in with a guy who instantly made every girl in the room gasp. Rae and I were no exception.
Whoa.
The dude looked like he had stepped out of a movie—chiseled features, bright smile, and an effortless kind of confidence that filled the room. His dark, slightly messy hair framed his face perfectly, and his fitted shirt hinted at a toned body beneath. Even his stride commanded attention.
“He’s one of the transfer students from Will’s High,” the Admin said, smiling as her gaze shifted between us and the new guy. She gestured toward him.
He ran his fingers through his messy hair and stepped forward. “I’m Josh Stewart,” he said with an easy smile. “But everyone just calls me Josh.”
The girls practically melted at the sound of his voice.
“You heard him,” the Admin continued. “Josh, you can take a seat beside Miss Felicia.”
I felt my stomach flip. Rae’s grin didn’t help.
Josh nodded, walking over. “Hi,” he said, stretching out a hand. His smile was warm and boyish.
“Felicia,” I replied, shaking it. His grip was firm but gentle. He turned to Rae, and she smiled back. “Rae,” she introduced herself.
Josh’s smile deepened. “Okay, so… did this school recruit all the pretty girls or what? Because damn.”
I could feel the blush creeping up my cheeks, and judging by his smirk, he noticed. “Especially you two,” he added with a playful wink.
Rae and I burst out laughing.
“Seems like bluffing is your thing,” I teased.
“I’m actually serious,” he said, laughing too. “You both look like Lucifer.”
“As though you’ve met him before,” Rae said, amused.
“I haven’t,” Josh replied smoothly, “but I’m sure he’s not half as beautiful as you two.”
We laughed again, and I found myself instantly liking his easygoing charm.
An hour later, the Anatomy professor came in and began his endless lecture. Time dragged until class finally ended with an assignment.
Afterward, I showed Josh around the campus as the Admin had instructed.
“I really enjoyed your company,” he said when we stopped near the library.
“Same here,” I replied honestly. “You’re a fun person to be around.”
He smiled. “So are you. See you around, Felicia.”
“See you,” I said, watching as he walked away.
I was still smiling when I reached my locker—until I found Clerk standing there, blocking my way.
I swallowed hard and tried not to make eye contact.
“So,” he began, that familiar mocking tone dripping from his voice, “you’ve decided to ditch your nerdy, quiet self and become social now, huh? Starting your new social life with a guy?” He smirked. “What does that make you? A slu—”
“HEY!” I snapped before he could finish, pointing a trembling finger at him. “Don’t you dare finish that sentence.”
My shout echoed through the hallway, drawing curious stares. My heart thudded in my chest, anger bubbling up like never before.
He laughed. “Why not? I mean, what explains it better? You’ve always been this weird introvert with just one friend. But now that you suddenly decide to socialize, the first thing you do is get close to a guy. Seems like the shoe fits, doesn’t it?”
I clenched my fists. “I don’t know where this disgusting narrative is coming from, but it better not spread, or else—”
“Or else what?” Clerk challenged, stepping closer, his breath warm against my face. His eyes glinted with that same arrogant amusement.
“Felicia?”
The sound of my name behind me froze me in place. My stomach tightened. I turned slightly, recognizing the voice immediately—Josh.
He was standing just a few feet away, watching the scene unfold with confusion in his eyes.
Clerk chuckled darkly. “Ah. Your new knight in shining armor,” he said, glaring at Josh. “You’re fast, I’ll give you that.”
“Back off,” Josh said firmly, his tone calm but sharp enough to draw attention.
Clerk smirked. “Relax, new guy. You don’t know her yet.”
“I know enough,” Josh shot back. “And I don’t like seeing people being treated like trash.”
Students were whispering now, forming a half-circle around us. My face burned. I wanted to disappear, but I also wanted Clerk to see that I wasn’t afraid.
Clerk stared at Josh for a moment, his smile fading slightly, then turned to me. “You’re lucky, Felicia. Seems like you’ve found someone to save you today.”
He turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the hall. The crowd slowly dispersed.
“You okay?” Josh asked gently, stepping closer.
I nodded shakily, forcing a small smile. “Yeah… I’m fine. Thanks for stepping in.”
He nodded. “Anytime. Don’t let people like him get to you.”
I exhaled deeply, finally allowing the tension to drain from my shoulders. “He just… he loves getting under my skin.”
Josh smiled slightly. “Then don’t let him win.”
I laughed softly, looking at him. “You barely know me, yet you sound like you’ve known me forever.”
“Maybe I just have good instincts,” he said. “Besides, you seem worth knowing.”
My heart did that annoying flutter again—the same one I’d told Rae about. But this time, it wasn’t Clerk who caused it.
“Come on,” Josh said, walking beside me. “Let’s get you out of this hallway before the rumor mill starts.”
I followed him, smiling despite myself. Maybe today hadn’t gone the way I expected—but for the first time in a while, I didn’t mind.
As we stepped out into the sunlight, I glanced back once, half-expecting Clerk to be standing there, smirking as always. But he was gone.
Maybe that was a good thing. Maybe it meant I could finally start something new—something that didn’t involve him.
Or maybe, deep down, I already knew it wouldn’t be that easy.
- Writer
