COLD SHOULDERS
1335 Words
✿MOANA✿
Monday morning, and I was back.
I stepped out of my car in the school parking lot with Octavia and Lalissa flanking me on either side, and it was like the entire student body stopped to watch.
We’d gone shopping Sunday… I had insisted we go on Sunday hence the result was three coordinated outfits that screamed power, confidence, and sexy.
I wore a black cropped top that highlighted my slender waist over black leather bum shorts that hugged every curve, and heels that made my legs look endless. My black hair fell in loose waves down my back, and my makeup was flawless, sharp winged eyeliner and a nude lip that said I woke up like this.
Octavia rocked a burgundy mini skirt with a matching cropped jacket, her edges laid to perfection and gold hoops catching the morning sun.
Lalissa wore an emerald green satin dress that ended mid-thigh, her hair slicked back into a high ponytail, body looking like that of a supermodel.
We moved through the parking lot like we owned it… because we did.
"Our Queen is back!" someone shouted from near the entrance.
"It's been a long time since they rocked like this!" another voice called out.
"Moana Queens!!"
"Ass cheeks be clapping!"
"They got sexier!"
The comments came from all directions, a mix of awe and appreciation and barely concealed lust. I smiled, that cool, confident smile that said I heard every word and wasn’t surprised by any of it. Octavia smirked. Lalissa blew a kiss to a group of guys who looked like they might pass out.
We were used to this. We thrived in it.
As we approached the main building, Bethany and her squad stood near the lockers. Her eyes narrowed the second she saw us, her fake smile frozen on her face as she whispered something to the girls around her.
Lalissa didn’t even break stride. As we passed, she said loud enough for everyone to hear, "Fake ass bitches might die soon."
All three of us burst into laughter.
Bethany’s face went red, but she didn’t say anything. What could she say? We ran this school, and everyone knew it.
★
Classes passed in a blur.
I sat through AP Calculus barely hearing a word the teacher said. My mind was somewhere else. On someone else.
Dylan.
I’d seen him twice already today, once in the hallway before first period, and again passing by the library between classes. Both times, he hadn’t even glanced my way.
It was like I didn’t exist.
Saturday night kept replaying in my head. The pool. His hands on my back. His voice in my ear. The things he’d said.
"I didn't f**k her, Moana. I couldn't. Because all I could think about was you."
And then Richard had interrupted, and Dylan had lied smoothly, "Just swimming, Dad" and that was it. He’d gotten out of the pool, gone inside, and hadn’t spoken to me since.
Not all day Sunday. Not this morning at breakfast when we’d sat across from each other in painful silence with our parents.
I didn’t know what I wanted from him. I didn’t want him to stay away yet I was afraid if he drew closer. I didn’t know what I expected. But this? This cold, complete indifference? It was driving me crazy.
I caught myself looking for him between classes. Hated that I cared.
By lunch, I was equal parts furious and confused.
The cafeteria was loud and chaotic as usual. We claimed our table near the windows, the best spot in the room and settled in with our food.
"So," Lalissa said, biting into her sandwich. "Club tonight?"
"Finally, you said what I was thinking," Octavia said. "It's been too long since we went out properly."
"Way too long," I agreed. "We need to get drunk and dance till we drop."
"Damn right," Lalissa grinned. "I need to dance. I need drinks. I need to forget about…"
"Ladies."
All three of us looked up.
Two guys stood at our table. One was tall, dark-skinned with a killer smile. The other was lighter, athletic build, dressed like he knew exactly how good he looked.
"Do you mind?" the taller one asked, but he was already pulling out a chair.
Lalissa choked on her water.
Because the guy sitting down next to her grinning like he’d won the lottery was Bellamy. The random science department guy with tattoos she’d hooked up with at the party.
"Bellamy," she managed, her voice slightly strangled.
"Lalissa," he said, his grin widening. "Funny running into you here."
The other guy sat down across from me. "I'm Finn," he said easily. "And before you ask, yes, we know we're crashing. But we saw three beautiful women sitting alone and thought that was a crime."
Octavia raised an eyebrow. "Smooth."
"I try." He winked at her.
Bellamy leaned closer to Lalissa. "We should talk. After lunch."
Lalissa's face flushed, but she kept her cool. "Maybe."
"Definitely," Bellamy corrected.
Finn kept the conversation going, asking about our classes, complimenting our outfits, making jokes that were actually funny. He was charming in an effortless way, and I even found myself laughing despite the knot in my stomach.
Then my phone buzzed.
I glanced down.
Unknown Number: I don't like that outfit you're wearing Queens, dress decently.
My jaw clenched. I didn’t need to ask who it was.
I looked up, scanning the cafeteria until I found him.
Dylan was sitting with Asher and a few other basketball players at a table across the room. He was leaning back in his chair, laughing at something Asher said, looking completely relaxed.
Like he hadn’t just texted me.
Like he hadn’t been ignoring me all day.
My fingers tightened around my phone. I typed quickly.
Me: you've been distant and acting cold but clearly your eyes weren't distant to notice what I'm wearing.
I hit send and watched his table.
A moment later, I saw him pull his phone out of his pocket. I watched him glance at the screen. Read my message.
Then he put the phone away and went right back to his conversation with Asher.
No response.
No acknowledgment.
Nothing.
"Moana?"
I blinked and looked up. Finn was watching me with mild concern.
"You good?" he asked.
"Yeah," I said, forcing a smile. "Just a stupid text."
"From?"
"No one important."
He studied me for a second longer, then nodded and went back to talking with Octavia about some party coming up next weekend.
But I couldn’t focus. My phone felt heavy in my hand. My chest felt tight.
Dylan was across the cafeteria, laughing and joking like he didn’t have a care in the world.
And I was sitting here, confused and angry and hating that I cared.
Lalissa nudged me under the table. "You okay?"
"Fine," I said.
Lunch ended, Bellamy stood and whispered something in Lalissa's ear that made her blush and swat him away. Finn gave us all a lazy salute.
"See you ladies around," he said.
"Looking forward to it," Octavia replied smoothly.
The guys left, and we gathered our things.
"Okay, what was that?" Octavia asked the second we were out of earshot.
"What was what?" I asked, slinging my bag over my shoulder.
"You checked out halfway through lunch. What happened?"
"Nothing."
"Liar."
I sighed. "Just Dylan being Dylan."
"What did he do?"
"Nothing. That's the problem."
Octavia and Lalissa exchanged a look, but before either could push further, the bell rang.
"We'll talk about this later," Octavia said firmly.
"There's nothing to talk about."
"Sure there isn't."
We headed to our next classes. I walked down the crowded hallway, dodging groups of students, trying to focus on anything other than the buzzing frustration under my skin.
I pulled out my phone one more time and opened the text thread.
Dylan still hadn’t responded.
I shoved my phone back into my bag and kept walking.
What the hell was his problem?
- Writer
