2

Chapter 02

[Two years later]

“Eh tu, Brute?” I suggest to Mia, and she scribbles it down on the sheet of paper. We are both doing literature and we have a test coming up. Let’s just say memorizing all those quotes isn’t really easy. 

Vicky groans. 

“Enough already”, Cameron complains. I giggle and give Mia a knowing look, and we both put our books aside. It’s Saturday, and the boys have basketball practice. We decided to tag along and sit on the bleachers, having some girl time. And by ‘we’, I mean me, Mia, Vic and Cammy. I’m not the biggest fan of introductions, but I consider this necessary:

Mia aka Marissa Stephanopolis is my best friend. I met her in ninth grade, which was after I had met Cam and Vicky. Mia has curly chestnut hair that is quite as rebellious as she is, with dark eyes and olive-toned skin in addition to an amazing figure that I envy very much. She is a very unusual kind of pretty. You couldn’t describe it, but you were drawn to her. It’s like each feature of hers plays a part in her looks, that if you are to take even one away, it’d make a huge difference.

She is -- well, she isn’t exactly a mean person -- but rather straightforward, sarcastic and someone who doesn’t stand drama. Let’s just say that people don’t like people who are straightforward; this would explain Mia’s number of haters. 

Victoria Holt, better known as Vicky, has small, round baby blue eyes that complement her peachy skin, and is more on to the plump side. With that round face framed by shoulder-length strawberry blonde hair and her opera voice, she is easily one of the most likeable persons around. Along with being utterly sweet, she also has a tendency to be overly sensitive and talkative -- sometimes my ear hurt that I have to yell at her to stop. But then I end up feeling bad and I have to buy her strawberry cupcakes to make up for it.

I met Cameron Rogers in eighth grad along with Vicky. Cameron is a drama queen -- the type that you can put up with; the type that made you laugh, as in she makes a scene for the sake of humour not for the sake of attention and I love her for that.  She and Mia don’t really get along that well, I mean they hated each other at first, but eventually it became better. I guess they realized that all four of us hanging out together meant that they had to work out their issues. But the tension is still there, it’s always there. Like after a bad cut, the blood dries up, wound heals, but there’s a tiny scar. The scar’s not always visible to anyone except those who bother to look deep enough or to those who were there when it happened. Well, thing is, Cameron and I had a strong bond -- we still do -- but back then, it was just the two of us.

Mia, however, was different. Every time Mia was a good friend to me, I realized how much of an opportunist Cammy could be, and that put me on my guard. I had been let down just one too many times by her, but I don’t blame her. And I don’t hold it against her either. Real friends don’t do that. I just learnt to accept her, flaws and all. So I guess we’re good now. She has a long, oval face and long black hair. She has those flat, perfectly chapped lips and small, brown fish-like eyes. She is quite tall for her age, which reminds me of how I’m the shortest in the group and it really annoys me. Cammy could be mean, and well, difficult at times, but she’s a great person. She’d do anything for the ones she cares about. 

“Yoo-hoo, anybody home?” Cammy knocks her knuckles on my forehead.

I slap her hand away and shoot her an annoyed look. Oh god, I did it again, didn’t I? Yeah, I have not gotten over the drifting-away-getting-lost-in-my-thoughts habit.

“Did what again?” she asks with a confused look. Oh my god. Did I just say that out aloud? Great, now I’m voicing my thoughts without being aware of it. I’m on my way to insanity, I swear. 

“Nothing,” I say smiling widely. Too widely perhaps, because Mia shoots me an anxious look.

“Irene…you okay?” Mia asks uncertainly. 

“Yup! Yes, I mean, of course. I mean, why on earth would I not be okay? I-”

“Irene, if you don’t shut up, I will stuff this muffin in your mouth,” Mia says in that tone. The tone she uses when there’s a promise in what she says. That shuts me up. 

And then, suddenly, Cammy clears her throat. Vicky starts coughing and Mia purses her lips in an attempt to hide a smile -- a very poor attempt, I may add.  

Uh-oh. 

This could only mean one thing. I can literally feel my cheeks burn, and the area near my neck and throat getting warm. My face is trying so hard to break into a smile, and it physically hurts to compose my face and keep a neutral expression. 

Connor Barrington.  

He is one year senior to us, which means he’s a sophomore of high school. I met him a few weeks after that memorable first day in my secondary school. He had been in year nine, me in year eight. And, it was all sparks and butterflies and pink cheeks for me. It started out as a crush, but it’s been two years now so I don’t know if it’s grown to be something more than that. But every time I see him, it’s like the very first day all over again.

Connor is tall, and built. He is in the swimming squad so yeah, he has an amazing build. He has thick, messy blonde-brown hair and green eyes. It isn’t that sparkly, bright green, but the dull, light, almost greyish-green. And it still looks amazing on him. He is amongst the popular crowd, and that doesn’t matter here. Well, I mean, it doesn’t matter to me. We- referring to my group of besties- had no problem with gaining popularity in the school. We were nervous at first, about being freshmen in high school, but it all worked out great in our favour. But I make sure not to treat someone like an outcast- it just isn’t right. So, yeah, even if Connor isn’t popular, it wouldn’t matter to me. I would still look at him with that longing in my eyes. Sure, there are a lot of girls crushing on him, but no one knows that I am too- with the exception of my best friends, of course.

I’m not an open book, and neither am I the one for craving to be the centre of attention- my secret is safe with me. Well, not exactly; because I spoke to Connor once, but only after he began showing signs of interest too. Well, there were a few issues, and both of us just needed time though we do text each other constantly. If that’s what he wanted, I was ready to give all that I had. Though sometimes it hurt when he just walks by as if I am a stranger to him. But despite all that, he is still the crème de la crème of Romeos for me. 

“Oh, she’s got that dreamy look in her eyes again,” Vicky teases. I try to hide my smile but I fail as usual. 

“I seriously don’t know what you see in him,” Cammy says with a hint of irritation in her tone. Did I forget to mention that dear Cammy isn’t a fan of him? I don’t know why and I don’t know if I ever will. But I need to talk to her about it; I mean, she is practically the sister I never had and it bothers me that she is very hostile towards him. 

“Whatever you don’t see,” I shoot back, quite annoyed with all her recent off-handed remarks about him but she just shrugs. I look at Mia, but Mia is just watching the boys play but I know she’s actually deep in thought and I don’t like the expression on her face. “What’s up?” I ask her, leaning to her side so that only she hears. 

“Later.” She states simply. And it’s best to leave it at that. 

“So," Cammy asks, breaking the silence. "I became a member of the swimming club in the next town. It’s just a thirty minute drive, no biggie. But it’s awesome. I’m allowed to bring one guest each visit. Anyone up for it?” 

“Naah, literature stuff to do.” Well, obviously Mia isn’t going to want to be stuck with her.

“Take Vicky, I’ll come the next time you go, okay?” Vicky shoots me a sweet smile and claps her hand in delight. She was such an adorable person. Like a bunny, but I would never say that to her face. I don’t know how she’d take it; though I do mean it with good intentions. 

“Okie dokie.” Cammy says with a wink, knowing that I did want to go with her badly but that I’d given in to Vicky instead. 

We hear the coach whistle, and call it a day for the boys. Mike comes running up the bleachers, looking exhausted and drenched in sweat. Ugh. 

“Hello, ladies. Enjoyed the show?”

“Was there one?” I tease and he scowls mockingly. Mike and I have remained strong friends since that first day. Natalie kind of drifted apart; we didn’t hit it off that well. I mean, she is nice and all, but it didn’t really click, you know? Mia, Vic and Cammy, they had something in them…it was as if we had already known each other in a previous life. Crazy, but true. 

Mike is about to sit down next to Cammy, when she suddenly blurts out, “don’t even think about it!”

“What?” Mike asks with wide eyes. 

“You’re sweating.” She says the word as if it is some contagious disease. 

“Well, yeah, what else did you expect, genius? And it’s not like it can spread diseases or something.”

“If you come any closer, I will scream for help.” She warns and I try to control the laughter that is threatening to escape my mouth.

Mike snorts. “And say what? A guy tried to sweat you to death?” Vicky and Mia burst into fits of laughter; I’m biting my lower lip and banging my fists against my lap while Cammy scrunches up her face in disgust. 

“Oh my god”, Vicky tries to breathe and control her laughter, “that was so gross!” and she begins laughing hysterically again. 

I try to control myself and catch a glimpse of Mia laughing. It is nice to see her laugh. She doesn’t laugh much and seeing her like this feels nice. The laughter dies down and Mike, who’s still standing, speaks up.

“So there’s this barbeque night at Roy’s place tomorrow. Is-"

“Tomorrow as in Sunday night? A school night?” I interrupt him. 

“Oh, grow up. It’s not like we do it all the time.” He says sulkily.

“Nope. You can go if you want to.” I say, shooting him a glare for the ‘grow up’ part. 

“Not going if Irene isn’t.” aah, typical Mia. She’s not really comfortable around huge crowds of people when I’m not around; same goes for me. 

“Pick me up at seven? Or is it too early?” Cammy asks.

“I’ll be there at eight.” Mike says with a smile. “So you’re not pissed anymore?” he teases.

“Pissed? I was disgusted.”

“But it-”

Mia then stuffs a blueberry muffin in his mouth to prevent another argument. “You were going to sit next to her while you looked like you had just been thrown into a pool- a smelly pool.” She says each word with emphasis, “there is no justification.”