The Popular, The Loner, & The Troublemaker

4❄️ Being obsessed by 7 guys is not fun. Trust me

You know what I hate about going to family reunion, doctors, dentists, ect, ect. Their questions you get asked. My lovely parents decided to invite their siblings and their kids. I am sitting on the couch with my relatives when my mom pops the question to get me involved in the conversation. I am here reading a book and you make me stop reading to answer a question. She doesn't even care about my response. She ignores it. She just wants me involved. Involved? Involved my foot! Oh yeah did I mention cussing isn't my thing. I like using other words because the looks you get and certain people and I made it our thing.

"Hey how was school, dear?" Oh my favorite question...and the name dear is seriously going to trigger me one day.

"You want to know the truth? Awful. Really stressful, life changing, and humiliating." I say sweetly nodding my head every second.

"Oh really? How nice. That's great deary!" The thing about my mother she says that about everything.

"What classes are you taking this year. You go to that school Victory Mivedes, right?" She is technically my aunt twice removed through countless marriages, but she just my mom's friend. She has dark curly-curly hair and is always wearing a navy blue.

"Yeah I go there. My subjects are English...History....Algebra 2....Art.....P.E......Chemistry.....and Creative writing." My-my I have the best conversations. I mean who doesn't love getting asked these annoying questions that are always the same. And I have to pretend to be nice. She has children! She should understand, but she doesn't. I sighed.

"Tell me about it" Kailan, my best friend said. Some thought Lydia was, she is my school best friend. But he's my childhood best friend. There's a difference. And you better not be thinking childhood friends mean something. Because that's just stupid. What is a childhood friend? Someone who is your Friend you knew since you were really young. Not any lovey dovey romance garbage. He understood me. The only person in the world who I felt understood me and been here through everything. Wow though, I forgot how his voice sounded. I'd be lying if I said I didn't missed it. He is the closest person to me. But....there's always a but, I hated when he was around. I didn't hate him. It just made me sad. He is actually one of my cousins, but only by marriage. My father's mother sister's husband's father's brother's daughter's husband's sister's child. He is my second...and my first.....was err is Kaylah, his twin sister. They are the same age as me. She got in an accident two years back and she went to the hospital and......then she......I hate thinking about it. It makes me cry.

"Come on let's go to the gym." I walked to the door showing him to come. "I'll tell you the rest there."

"Of course...you will, but you better watch out." What?

"Wh-"

"Do you still have it in you?"

....That moment, what he said sounds just like her. So familiar. I can remember it to this day. Urghhhh memories. Stop. Go away......Don't think about them. It hurts. Ughhh.

We were the closest of friends

We were the closest of friends....Kaylah and I. People would call us twins, even though she and her brother were the real twins. I even had really light light light brown hair then. It was almost blond, but as I grew older it became brown. Us three were like a trio. Kailan and Kaylah, the twins and me. Though sometimes we were called triplets.

Though sometimes we were called triplets

'Tahahahha, Ohh Natalie do you still have it in you?' The two of us are together after school. We always go to the gym on Fridays and Mondays.

'You doubt me, and I am the one that taught you." I shook my head smiling. We were training at the gym. She thinks because she gotten better I might not want to take her on.

'Lee, the trainee always one day surpasses her master.'

'So you're saying I'm your master?'

'No.... you're not Natalie, I am' Kailan approaches us, sweat dripping from his forehead, his abs showing off to the room, and a cloth hanging over his neck. He taught me who taught his sister. This is what makes the world goes round.

'Kailan....put a shirt on before you poke someone's eye out'

'What? I'm always like this.....You mean this bothers you?!' He comes closer showing his tan disgustingly sweaty chest.

'Move and go show those girls, they are ogling over you!' I tried swatting his body away.

'But they are like 11....'

'So, we're 13?'

'But if I do that you'll get jealous'

'What?!'

'My brother's right, you are always jealous of them!' She leans closer to my ear hugging me. 'I know you might like Eden, but I secretly ship you with Kailan.' I winced after I made a face.

'Ughh no'

'Tahahahaha' Her laugh flows in my ear, before... I go back to reality.

"You doubt me?" I say repeating what I said back then.

"Natalie, the master always is stronger than the trainee." I winced as he said Natalie. I don't go by Natalie anymore for a reason, but it's not his fault. In some sense, I felt bad. How I treated him after that terrible event. Maybe I should apologize.

"I'm sorry..." I mumbled.

"What?" He blinked. Kailan didn't understand. But soon he will.

"I'm sorry for everything. After what happened....to....to.....to" Giant tears fell from my eyes and I began to sob. I hated talking about this.....

"Natalie....it's okay." He showed me his smile calming me down.

"...After what happened I push you away, I apologize. I shouldn't of. It's just whenever I saw you it reminded me so much of her. I hated it and didn't want to see you. I wanted you to leave me alone. I left our traditions alone. The things we always used to do after school I left you to do by yourself. I went on my own way. I ignored your worries and calls. I went on my way without contacting you for almost two years....until now. So I must say, I apologize. It was a mistake." He shrugged and smiled. Light tears flew from my eyes. It's still the same. It's the same as I remember.

"I'm glad you finally realized. Now that you let me speak to you, can I be here for everything again?" I nodded. He was like my nonexistence older sibling. By the time we reach the gym there will be enough time to tell him what happened.

"You know Kaylah's friends. The dares and the ordeals? The games and pranks? That's what happened to me. Sometimes I wonder if I'm attracted to be their friends because of her, or maybe they are to me because I remind them of her. People always said we looked like twins...."

"Maybe that's so, but they still choose you for you. Even if that is the case....But I'm the real twin. So did you get the worst dare you could? Lemme guess...you did and you hate what everyone saw. Kaylah would often complain to me. Hey...similar minds think alike."

"She understood it....wow....b-b-b-but get this mine was the worst thing!" I exclaimed shaking his arms. He laughed.

"Try me."

"I had to befriends the populars and get them to like me, and then find out the one named Alec Meyers and kiss him in front of everyone! I don't want to be associate with them or think I'm some girl who just plays with everyone's feelings. Besides....he might take it the wrong way and think I have something for him. I don't care about any of that....anymore" This made his burst out laughing. Hey, I'm trying to be serious and he just laughs.

"That's different. I thought you always loved talking about those kind of things. Did you even realize how many conversations I had to deal with." Ohhh was he uncomfortable?

"Now everyone will know who I am, and I just want to be left alone. And some of the populars I can't stand, and they are always relevant and fake. And they say they want to help me fit in."

"Whoaaa....who says populars are bad? I'm sure there not all. At KNB we all were. Were we like that?" I shake my head slowly. "Then not all are like that. Did someone influence you decision?" I gulped. Yes and no. I do believe that, but Lyd and Phoenix always hated them, but now Lydia seems to be obsessed with the guys and Phoenix I have no idea why.

"Well....maybe, but I can tell. It's true." He was about to answer, but we reached the gym. Back to business like old times.

"Just like old times...." He whispered speaking softly changing the subject, but I wasn't ready for the subject to be changed.

"Maybe like old times, but my school life is now changing. Again. And now, the populars are trying to help me fit in. I have to deal with seven boys now! But they constantly call me nicknames and flirt with me....well some of them."

"Oh how fun" He smirked and I glared at him. "What?!! Two years ago you would've been excited." Can he stop bringing up the past, but I guess he has a point. He doesn't know everything different with me.

"Being obsessed by 7 guys is not fun. Trust me." I furrowed my eyebrows crossing my arms.

"And how would you know what it feels like if your going to be like that starting tomorrow?" He caught me. He looks at me softly carefully smiling. I know this look. No....no....nope... no....no...no....no I will not. My last boyfriend...issues. That's all I'm going to think to remind myself of then.

"Ahh so should we get started?" I ask changing the topic. He just shook his head and scowled at me. I laughed at this and we began.

"15.2 seconds, how's that?!" I screamed dancing with joy. That my friend is what you call goals. Precisely beating records.

"Not bad, but I can do better" That earned him a smack. Right in the chest. And the thing he knows to not mess with me because I can be strong as hell. Years ago at our old school everyone knew not to mess with the trio or triplets because of our ultimate strength. It honestly wasn't ultimate, we just worked out and we did some sports. If anyone to this day heard I did sports, they look at me like I just ran over an elephant. Fencing. I get to stab people what more fun than that. Swimming. Heck yeah! Being wet is amazing. If I said this aloud I swear those perverted teen-aged boys would be snickering from their corrupted minds. Hockey. Yep I get to be a part-time tooth fairy! Boxing. I get to punch people, woohoo! Cross-Country. I get to run. I get to exercise. You probably think I'm crazy, but I love to exercise. And if some psychopath tries to hunt me down then I can run for my life. Those were the sports all of us did. I did dancing and ballet, but Kail wasn't a fan of either of them. It would of been great if he was. I'd get to see him in a tutu. Actually what do male ballet dancers wear? There weren't any boys on the ballet program I did with his sister. I didn't get why he didn't do dancing. Maybe it's because you don't choose who you dance with. The best part of those programs it came with the package of going to the KNB. Krystal National Bay Academy. 30 minutes away.

"Owww, you know that hurt! It's gonna leave a mark." Oh stop being dramatic.

"And who's fault that is for bringing me here when you started bringing me here years ago?" Once the oven gets heated, it's on. Lets just say we fight for fun. You probably look at me as if a bird pooped on my head, but no. I mean what is more fun than attacking him. He does the same to me, but let's just say I'd manage to avoid it. He always feels bad. There is one thing our trio agreed on being strong to help us. His sister.....and I have to do it more if we want to have more strength than a normal guy. It was their idea for the no cussing rule. It connected us, well a lot of things connected us, but that's one of the more unique things that did.

"Why do you have to be right? What a man horse" He muttered under his breath. I won and he knew it. Yep I'm an amazing person. I'm glad he went to our parents' reunion. I forgot how much he always helped me. How much he brings the good out of me.

"It's getting late, let's go......." I was unable to finish my sentence. My eyes grew wide as I saw a familiar group of individuals. High school students specifically from our school. Salamanders! Not here!

"Nata.....lie?" He noticed my worried face and asked breaking my thoughts. We need to leave without them seeing us. Think fast. Think fast. What do I do?

"Nobody can see me here..." Was all I said and he got the picture. If someone saw me with him after today everyone will know. Then I'll get tons of attention and more questions.

"Quickly before anyone notices" He whispered. We sprinted out. Running fast as we could. Nobody just runs for no reason. I wonder how long it would take for them to notice something is up. I recognize the group of people that aren't popular, but aren't knownless. Let me introduce you. Annabelle Bailey Smith, she's your gossiper. Our school's newspaper is in her hands. She gossips, she knows everything, and honey she knows ever rumor ever. She has thick short hair and always has a journal handy. Next to her was Micheal. Then there was Brent and Hunter. The worst part of people from my school is here is the fact Serenity was with them and so was Oliver. Then a familiar strand of caramel brown hair caught my eye. It was in a curly bun too. Lydia. What is she doing here with them?

"Hey!! Is something wrong?" Annabelle shouts over to us. Billbirds!

"That Sly humphead wrasse!" Kailan groaned loudly. They caught the nickname he called Annabelle, but even worst Serenity did. They stared at him with their mouths hanging open.

"What? Did you just call me?" Serenity demanded looking at us. She did not like being called that, but it wasn't even aimed at her. It was aimed at Annabelle and she got mad, that's just down right petty. Thankfully they couldn't tell who we were yet. It was late and it was dark outside.

"Uhh yeah let's get out of here" He whispers. Y'think? Okay sorry for all the sass and no don't even go there with the stupid 'are you on your period' question. That is just asking to be hit or have a women have her demon spirit crawl out of her. That's the number one thing you can do to get a girl to be triggered. Most boys are so insensitive and don't have to deal with that every falafel month! As we tried to sneak away, we got called out again.

"Where are you both going? Is it true there is some gang over there and you are running from them?" Gang? Here? What, no... Where did they get that......oh yeah that idea was from me. So people stayed away from that gym except the regulars. Hence, me, Kay, and Kail. I really need to stop thinking about the past and feel guilt whenever I think about it.

"There's no gang....right now. We just like to leave because.....the earth."

"The earth?" The group said dully at the same time. They weren't buying it.

"Yeah the earth, it's crack. And I mean like torn it pieces, not the drug. Not the drug." He says innocently nodding his head up and down. We slowly backs away, before a lamppost comes to view.

"Are you sure your not on drugs?" This got a laugh outta me. He glared at me.

"Traitor.." I punched his arm. He wailed in pain. Oops I forgot how much that hurt him

"Owhhhaaaaawlll! I thought you realized how much that hurt." Heh heh yeah.....Maybe I'v been diagnosed with short-term memory loss. It's now or never. Run or let Kail and that group catch up. I choose run for my dear oh-so life.

"Your girlfriend left you" Seriously? Serenity did not just say that. "I guess you're so bad, she hates you so much to wanna leave."

"Oh..."I could tell he was probably pink from the idea. "She's not my....." Girlfriend I thought. But he never said it. I didn't hear the rest of the sentence. That lamppost suddenly got the best of me and appeared in front. Bam! I hit my head. Starfish.....Time for everyone to know where I hang out and who he is.

"Urghhh...."I muttered rubbing my head. I looked up and they were walking towards me.

"Naomi?!" Lydia cried out. "What are you doing here...and who's he?" She pointed to Kailan.

"Heh heh, Hi.....I could ask the same about you" I smile sheepishly. I brushed myself off getting up.

"Oh, it's you." Serenity doesn't even hide her despise for me.

"Wow I am so loved!" I spoke sweetly holding my hands to my chest.

"I know right, you're amazing...." Kailan appears besides me kinda irritated. "Come on let's go" He grabs my arm trying to drag me off. I stood my ground and raised my eyebrow.

"Excuse me, who gave you permission to grab my arm, again?....Oh wait, no one" He gives me his famous glares. I swing my hand attempt to slap him.

"That's flattering, really." He dodges my hand. I frown shaking my head. This....person.

"Ummm introductions please! C'mon Noami!" Lydia scowls. Patience. She needs to work on it.

"Naomi? You go by your middle name here?" Kailan interrupts before I could answer her. I simply shrugged my shoulders. "I'll take that as a yes. And I'll be taking it we won't be leaving for awhile?"

"You got that right, but you can leave if you want."

"Not in a hundred years I will ever purposely do that again. I made that mistake last time, I cannot have that happen again." Did he have to bring that up? "While we are at it, let's go somewhere. Moonlit Evangeline. Love that restaurant. Let it be my treat, friends of... Nat-" I nudged him with my elbow and he grunted. I really don't want him to call me Natalie. Typical wanting to go there, we get in free. His mother's the owner. Good thing he is not a stuck up Momma's boy or I would've hated it. I can't stand her questioning, but she is best buds with my own mother.

"Yeah! Yeah! Let's just go already, and then we can talk. If that's what you want." We headed inside the restaurant. The silver floors shined and must'v been cleaned recently. There are tables at counters and outside. There and smoking and nonsmoking sections. The walls are still golden like I remember. The tables are a silver blue with vases in the center.

"I haven't been here in awhile...." Lydia spoke softly. I forgot she knew Kaylah, of course she been here. "Maybe two years..."

"Carla!" I waved my hand calling out to the regular waitress.

"Kail and Lee....and Lydia is that you? You brought some of your other friends now did ya?" The tan skinned came over to us. Her black hair was back in a bob and had several hair pins in her hair. She remembers everything and everyone. Thank goodness for calling me Lee and not Natalie.

"Hit me up with a table for....." I turn around to count how many of us there were. "For nine. I'm sure Evangeline won't mind, she always loved it when I'm here with him and....other friends. If it's too much have it as a treat on us, haven't been here in two years. One creamy oil cedar mushroom soup and ice tea." Quick backstory. Evangeline Eswinds, also Kailan's mother. Let's just say she kinda might've wanted me to date Kailan. We didn't take it lightly, so we are allowed to go here now. And she kinda liked it anyways because we are spending time together. I might've like him at one time, but that's over and in the past. Let me tell you that. But if I had no choice and have to get married tomorrow to anyone I'll choose him, but I wouldn't in anyway. We headed to a table and everyone followed us.

"Oh it's fine, we'll never charge you. Where is Evangeline?" Carla got us seated and wrote my order down.

"Lounging at her house talking with Norah Alexandrianston. Keep it simple, I'll have the usual." He emphasized the word her pointing to me.

"You have a usual?" Lydia says trying to come into the conversation again.

"This is my...." He stops and recognizance goes over his face. His eyes go wide. He must've seen her with Kaylah in the past.

"Umm.... this is your?"

"His mother owns this place. Evangeline Eswinds. Everyone meet my friend, Kailan Eswinds. Kail this is Serenity, Oliver, Annabelle, Blade, Blake, Sebastion and...." I point to each of them as I say there name and they either smile or wave.

"Lydia Phillips." Kailan answers for me. He seems almost irritated "I know" This won't look good unless I do something. Play dumb. I'll act surprised they know each other.

"You know each other?!"

"No I heard of him I think. But... Eswinds? Like....no....no...no way. Her brother." Lydia opens her mouth in shock. She becomes frozen and immovable.

"Are you two together?" Serenity pops the question at us. Kill me now.

"Well it looks like we are going to be talking for awhile with the princess and her prince" Brent smirked getting comfortable.

"Too bad and she was so cute too" Micheal commented. Are the only thing these guys are good at are flirting?

"You don't say..." Hunter agreed nodding his head.

"You're kidding me, right?" Kail begins to looks uncomfortable. This is getting tiring. Even though we haven't spoken in awhile it felt like we been speaking for all the time. It still feels tiring when everyone tries to play matchmaker for us or ask us that question. No we are not, can't someone be friends with the opposing s*x without someone thinking they might be a couple or have feelings for each other.

"And after what happened today, you must play with everyone's feelings. Now I feel really bad for you Kailan. I wonder who's next maybe it is no one other than one of her friends." That's one thing about Annabelle. She takes things based off an incident. And usually it is out of proportion and claims something that is most likely not true. That's how rumors are spread. And she believes everything people say.

"Do me a favor and shut up. First off we are definitely not together. Although people been trying to get us for years to. We're technically cousins." Kailan stepped in silencing them.

"That's nice to know sweetheart, you must love hanging out with our school's hot guys" I wince as soon as Oliver's sentence pops out of his mouth. One. No I don't. Two. Kailan doesn't go to our school. He still goes to KNB. Still miss that place. Three stop with the nicknames.

"Yeah.....no. And Lydia I explained what I was doing with him, now are you going to tell me. Why are you with populars? I thought you always hated them. You always said I should watch out for them and now your hanging out with them?"

"Not all are bad just certain jocks and s****l assaulting ones....and certain troublemakers."

"I..." 'This is stupid! I know why you changed your mind and it's the worst reason ever. Just because you thinks they are hot and have crushes on all of them you changed her mind. When I first got to our school I wanted to be left alone, but then I decided maybe I'll just be known. You stopped me and told me to not waste my time with the populars. You also told me they are not who I think they are. So I didn't, I would've. At my last school I was at the top.' That was what I wanted to say. But I didn't. I don't want anyone to know I knew Kaylah or about my past. "I know more about being popular than you think..." The only person who knew what I was speaking of was Kailan.

"You? Knowing? Popular? Oh please, a trash bag could know more about being popular than you." Serenity made a snarky remark. They couldn't believe me. Of course the only one who did was Kail. I mean, I did change. We were careless to school. Everyone got out of our way. We laughed and played. We pranked and everything you could imagine. Then Evangeline transferred Kay to Victory Mivedez so she could go into technology.

"She's telling the truth. Don't believe, it's your lost. I don't like running into people that's why we were running. We explained you can go now. People that I don't really know aren't my thing...." No one moved and Kailan looked at them suspiciously. "Aren't you going to leave. It's late and after going to the gym I don't want to do anything more."

"Oh! We have to?" Annabelle looked disappointed and began to get up with a few others. Moments passed and the only ones that stayed was Serenity, Oliver, and Lydia.

"You go to the gym huh?" It almost sounded annoyed. Could he not believe that either? Or maybe he is envious.

"Yes. I do." I answered straightly. I tugged on my hair biting my lip. I was debating what to do.

"Got a problem with that?" What came over Kailan? I know he doesn't care for much people especially with what happened to his sister, but still. Wait....Maybe they are related to that. It can't be, can it? Nevermind don't think about that. He probably just wants everyone to leave. Oliver and Serenity leave and Lydia remains there.

"Uhhhmmm c-c-can I have your number, was it Kailan?" She doesn't dare to look in his eyes. She was nervous with her hands all over the place and sweat dripping everywhere. Is she? Oh no....Say no! Say no!

"...I'll think about it." Thank goodness. This was her ticket to leave. She danced out the door waving to us. As soon as she left he turned to face me. I shook my head pulling my hair back.

"Okay what is it? There is something obviously wrong." My arms were crossed and I was frowning.

"You...You could tell?" His hands went through his hair.

"Heheh Yeah." I smiled grinning widely. "Kailan I knew you basically all my life, of course I could tell."

"Well...that's that. But I'm afraid one of them may be related to the devil that stole your soul." I gasped. HIM? That i***t is related to one of the students at this school. I dare would never speak his name, but his relative is here. What if they are out to get me? Or to try to trick me like he did. Well one thing he did nobody can ever steal my heart again. Because I'm heartless now.

Silence.

Did I mishear him?

I better have...

"CURSE HIM! I thought he was going to leave us alone. It's worst that he's part of what happened to Kaylah....I thought he got arrested. But who knows he could of just said that. He could of moved schools....."Harsh tears poured from my eyes. Why.....Why.... "Who? Who is it? WHO?! Tell me! Tell me! TELL ME KAILAN!" I grabbed his shoulders and shook him. I needed the answer. Then I felt the beating in my chest rise. I was breathing fast. All of this happening....

"I'm not sure, but it is either one of them or others like them. Remember he spoke of his cousin once. It could be him. His last name started with a M I think, or was is S or R. Dreadful...just dreadful. And I cannot remember the first name either. I only remember the initial which was an A."

"Since we're positive his first name starts with an A and if his middle and last initial started with a S, it would fit. Cuz' he is one." I say bitterly. He raised his eyebrow looking at me. He laughed lightly and shook his head.

"It's going to be alright, come on. I'll make sure of that. Besides you been there this long, and they haven't done anything to you yet. But once we find out, I'll make sure to handle them." He hugged me and I slowly smiled. Maybe it will be okay. We walked outside and the cool, summer breeze hits our skin. The croaking of the shadows is heard. What if he now has a sword? Did he really got out of jail by rounding? I don't know what I'm facing. My mind is racing. My empty chest is pounding. My life is dying. My eyes are crying.

"Thanks......Kailan"

"We're here." I looked up and saw the place I once called home. I wonder what I am going to do tomorrow.

"So is your little precious fire still flaming? Ha ha hooo he he" I scowled. I hated Kailan's neighbor.

Quote:

Yeah the earth, it's crack

-Kailan Eswind