Was I Just A Bet?

(5) Rachel's Birthday

Jessica?

Like seriously? Jessica?

I fought the urge to rub my eyes or pinch myself 'cause it would have been stupid. I knew that she was in the same shoes as mine. Its been 6 years. She never came, she ignored all my texts and calls. Now? Why was she here? I mentally threw all the questions at her and her eyes seemed like she had heard it all. I was confused what I should do next. It's not like I everyday meet my old lost friends who left me because of my sister.

"Hey Gabriella" Jessica said as she smiled and walked towards me. I smiled awkwardly.

"Why are you here?" here you go the queen of lameness. Did I seriously ask that? Why are you here? No seriously? "I mean its so unexpected Jessica" At first it felt a little awkward to call her Jessica, I used to call her Jess but she used called me Bella too.

"Dad's transfer again. He has to take over the new company branch." She said while looking at my locker's mirror and applying lip balm. After that she turned towards me "Also I have some remaining work to do here"

"You still hate me?"

"What are we? twelve? I don't hate you Gabriella. Why would you think like that?"

"What would one think if her best friends leaves her turning, deaf ear towards her constant pleases?" I said to her who was acting so cool about it.

"I had to Gabriella, I couldn't have stayed after all that." She got a little near "I was weak Gabriella, I couldn't face everybody." She faced away and looked at the floor. "Sorry Gabriella. I couldn't just walk through the corridor and be made fun of by your sister's friend. And you know what hurt the most, not that my best friend's sister did that to me but the fact that my best friend couldn't stand up for me." She looked at me with a face which showed how hurt she was.

Then she walked away before I could even answer her. But well, what was I supposed to say? She is right. I was a coward who couldn't stand up for her best friend. Guess why? because I was too afraid of her friends and was worried what could they do to me. I was weak then, and I am weak now. Now I realize that she was pretty much right about the decision of leaving me alone, without any friends because I just don't deserve them. I don't because I don't have the guts to stand up for them. Maybe it was reason that I couldn't tell dad about Rachel, it was because I didn't want to show him what a big coward I was.

"Hey Gabriella" I was waken up from my little guilty realization session by Mia, the girl I met the first day at school ( and the one who wanted to be friends with me! )

"Hey Mia" I answered and started walking towards my Chemistry class along with her. She was smiling as usual and wore a pretty pink dress with floral design on it. Chirpiness was something majorly present in her character. She walked bouncing her pony tail like a 6 year old.

"I was looking for you" She was looking for me? Sure, she didn't meet Rachel yet. "That guy you just drove to the school with..."

Major attention.

"I saw him kissing some girl behind the library's shelf. I mean I just wanted you to know that since I thought you knew him well" Nathan Wagner was kissing some girl. Are you serious? Just now, about 10 minutes ago, he was like 'Oh c'mon Gabriella you are my girlfriend!' before opening the car door for me. And yesterday he didn't want anybody to know that we are in a bet-relationship instead of a official committed relationship. What if, just like Mia, saw him kissing the girl? The whole bet-relationship drama would come be disclosed. And for sure he wouldn't have liked that. What does this guy want?

"Hey Gabriella, are you okay? Did he mean you something" yeah he meant that one month bet-boyfriend.

"Nothing, I'm just gonna go and have a grab." on Nathan Wagner's neck and drag him down. Well I meant that I am just gonna go talk to the jerk. And pardon if I sounded like a Vampire ( have to stop reading that genre books).

"But chemistry class?" Mia said signalling towards the class nearby.

"I think I would get the notes from the teacher, and I'm not in a mood to start the day with chemistry" I so want to go in the class. I love chemistry. I hate Nathan Wagner.

CONCLUSION - My life has became a serious s**t since Nathan Wagner has put his single step in it.

___

Gabriella's House

Now , here I am siting in my bed on my cozy bed with my phone in my hands which right now has a message on its screen.

Hey Gabriella, I'm sorry for yesterday night. I just wanted to ask if you could come to the party. Please.

Your sister,

Rach

I received this message a while ago and (really) I cannot believe what's written. Rachel invited me in her party? and that too this nicely? When did Rachel becomes so polite to me?

Maybe this morning.

No ways. I never expected this outcome. Maybe there is something fishy! and this can be just a trap? What if..?

No you are just overthinking Gabriella. Maybe she really wants you to come. Maybe she really liked what I did in the morning which might have made her feel sorry about what she did last night. I think this is exactly the reason why. Moreover, why would she waste her birthday night playing tricks on me?

Maybe I should go. It may turn out really well. So yeah I would start getting ready after some time.

After, about 15 minutes of searching I couldn't find the b***h-boy in the school. Behind every library shelf, near the basement and other isolated areas. He wasn't there, so I decided to go home because after knowing that Jessica would be in every single class I would be in, I dropped the idea of attending the classes.

I cannot face her and I don't know what to say. Sorry? duh. Sorry? seriously? Just Sorry? I know she is upset and she has very rights to be but I don't want her to be. I don't know what to do about it, how to apologize. Seems like all the problems are dropping from the sky into my life at once.

I woke up from cozy bed, walking towards my closet and took my blue shimmering dress out that dad sent.

-----

I stepped out of my Volkswagen adjusting my blue knee-length dress. Unlike all other girls, I took no more than 20 minutes to get ready. I don't apply makeup. I believe in natural beauty.

Actually you don't know how to do makeup.

If the whole school wasn't enough, I had my conscience bringing me down every moment.

Front of me was a huge farm house which was lighted up beautifully. The pavement lead towards a big house of cream and brown color. In the lawn was a big swimming pool which was, presently, unoccupied. Loud music was blaring out of the house ( and I still wonder how people are surviving in there in this critical loud music condition). Maybe its because I have never been to such parties where loud music is as common as pencil in pencil box? I am lame dammit. Maybe its just the nervousness.

Gosh! Get over it and move.

I started towards the house slowly. Maybe I should have removed my glasses. Or maybe should have worn heels.

I swear I heard my conscience laughing at me when I mentioned 'heels'.

Maybe I should have put on some accessories.

Maybe you should have done nothing and bloody walk fast.

Brushing off every thought I pushed the glass door which had white floral designs. Totally opposite of what I expected I saw beautifully lighted up hall instead of dark party places with blue, green and red lights ( as I saw in movies). The place was heavily crowded. It was good to realize that most of the faces were known.

"Ma'am, drink?" A waiter stopped by with the tray of flavored drinks.

"No, thanks" I said and walked further more into the hall scanning it completely. A beautiful chandelier was hanging from the ceiling right in the center of the hall, put below was a big round glass table on which 4 layered strawberry-chocolate cake was kept. I wouldn't be lying if I said my salivary glands had come into operations after watching it. Translation- Mouth watering.

Not only the cake was the reason, also all the delicious food counters that lined up on both sides. Slow claps for this amazing arrangement, dad!

It was when I was dealing with a dilemma of which counter to go first- Chinese or Italian? that I felt a tap on my shoulders. I turned around to Rachel smiling at me. She was wearing long pink gown that fitted nicely around her body with matching silver necklace and tiara. Her blonde hair were in curls. She was definitely looking beautiful without much of efforts. Her warm smile added to her appearance and first time she looked this much approachable to me. I couldn't help but smile back. Seems like my idea of gift had actually worked. Rachel is really being nice to me!

Ironic.

I know.

"Thanks for coming Gabriella" Oh. My. God. Something has really gotten into her.

"Have you decided to do something new today ?" I asked her lamely.

"New? As in?"

"I mean your being nice to me" I said and hated that I sounded a little mean. She looked at me for a second and then said "No, its just I'm happy today. C'mon lets cut the cake" She held me by my arms and took me towards the round table where the cake was placed. Just then, all the crowd started walking towards the table. Till now I had noticed that Nathan had not come. Well, why did I even notice? Happy birthday tune started playing behind as everyone cheered and Rachel started cutting her cake. We all clapped as she cut down a triangular piece of cake and carried it towards me so that I could take a bit.

But instead , she smacked it on my face.