Chapter 22: Her Side Of The Story
A/N: TRIPLE WEEKDAY UPDATE!
The code has been completed and I'm back at it again with another update and that's three days in a row! The three updates are my thank you's and I love you's to you cookies for the support and for reaching 20K reads!ð Stay Safe and I'll see you on the next update cookies!ð¥°
ðªEllie's P.OV
"Stupid Val, why did he have to ruin the moment between you?" Ark grumbled, leaning comfortably against the tree.
"There was no moment A." I denied, despite feeling my cheeks heating up completely agreeing to her.
Stupid lump of a human, he used his charms on me and temporarily made me forget that I was mad at him!
Sucks on him though because Valentino was the potion that broke his charms. HA!
It's been a few days since the incident and Ark still can't get over the fact that Alec and I didn't kissed.
We all fell back to the familiar routine, although I've been giving Alec quite a hard time and tried to piss him off every chance I get.
Todd was a willing tool for that to happen.
I haven't seen Annie around but from what Ark told me, she was sitting in the popular table and haven't been that much present because of cheerleading practices.
We've been eating our lunch in our new spot and it was just outside the school cafeteria. A huge old tree that was a perfect spot to eat and bask in the humming of the wind.
There was a table underneath the huge tree with a bench that surrounds it but Ark and I opted to seat on the grass instead.
"Don't even lie about it," Ark scolded,"It was obviously gonna happen." She pouted, taking a harsh bite out of her apple.
"Then it would happen again in the right time." I shrugged, munching on my precious cookies.
"You still haven't told me the deal between you and Jayden." I gave her a pointed look and this time it was her turn to blush.
"We're just friends." She cleared her throat, looking away from me.
"Friends don't make out," I pointed out, remembering the time where I caught them in the party.
She groaned,"Fine, we aren't dating but we've been hanging out." She admitted.
I raised a brow,"Fuck buddies then?" I suggested, earning a smack on my arm.
"Why does society always demand a label? That's complete bullsh!t boo." Ark grumbled, chewing harshly.
Seems like someone got her period today. Thankfully, mine finished two days ago and my flower can completely breathe again.
I raised my hands in surrender,"How did that happen though? Valentino wasn't the one?" I joked, wiping away the crumbs on my face.
"I liked Val but I don't know, after the date I was like meh." She shrugged, taking a huge gulp of her drink.
Ark was bipolar when it comes to her feelings. She could like someone for so long and then not feel it anymore the next day.
"You can't force something when you don't feel it. That's okay, Jayden's adorable." I grinned, giving her a small nudge.
"He is though, funny because I bumped into him on the grocery stores and he offered me a ride home. After that we exchanged numbers and the rest is history." Ark smiled softly, seeming to recall what happened.
"I ship Arkino though." I pouted, leaning unto the tree.
She snorted,"I ship Jark even more."
I gave her an amused look,"You made your own ship name?"
"Duh, of course! Why wouldn't I? I can't have a ship sailing with no name on it." She cheekily said, her brown eyes twinkling with humor.
"Definitely love at first sight." I nodded, looking away from her.
Ark smacked me on the arm,"We see each other everyday boo." Ark pointed out flatly.
"Love at first sight in the grocery store then." I giggled, pushing a strand of hair away from my face.
"You're unbelievable." She said, rolling her eyes.
"Guys! Sh!t!"
We all turned our heads to the voice, Todd was half-running and walking towards us with a small tray on his hand. He almost trip on a rock but thankfully didn't.
He sat in front of us, placing the tray down which was filled with a cheese burger, fries, and drink.
"Are you okay?" Ark asked, leaning slightly forward.
He was panting slightly, a bead of sweat running on the side of his head. A strand of curl was on his forehead and I swiftly leaned it to push it up.
"You look like you've seen a ghost." I said, leaning back on the tree, crossing my ankles against one another.
"From what I've seen, I would've much prefer seeing a ghost." He shuddered.
"What is it?" Ark said, a gleam on her face and I knew her gossip ears were tingling.
Todd leaned forward as if to tell us a secret. He covered the side of his mouth with a hand to prevent from prying eyes.
"I-I think I just saw Mr. Pimp and Ms. Coax hooking up!" He spluttered out, a disgusted look on his face.
"WhAT?" We both exclaimed, immediately earning a shush from him.
"Keep your voices down!" He hissed, glaring at us briefly.
"What? How? When?"
He groaned,"I skipped my period before lunch and I was turning around the corner when I saw them entering the janitor's closet together." He unwrapped his burger, taking a bite out of it.
"Maybe they were both gonna get cleaning materials?" I thought out loud, glancing at both them.
They both looked at me with a deadpanned look.
"I was just joking! Geez." I muttered, rubbing my arm gently.
"Dang! I hope Mr. Pimp gets that bitchiness out of her." Ark cheekily said, earning
"I hope so, All she does these days is scream detention at me. At least she could use those vocal cords of her to good use." Todd chewed, shrugging it off.
Ark laughed, completely agreeing with him.
"Still no signs of the pack of skittles? They're absent again." Todd turned to me, his grey eyes contrasting against the sun.
After hearing the way we addressed Alec and the guys. Sage and Todd started using it too when talking about them, although the boys were completely oblivious to this.
"Nope, they're still doing business stuff." I answered, remembering Alec's message two days ago.
I bit my lip, he have been picking me up to school and driving me home since the incident. I could no longer do my long walks and as much as I'd hate it, I had no choice.
Alec texted me two days ago that he can't pick me up and Todd would do it since the pack of skittles and him had some business to do.
I didn't ask questions because honestly, he'd tell me if he wants to. I just replied a be safe and that was the end of our conversation.
"I wanted to go with them but my duty as your knight and shining armor is my first priority blue." He puffed his chest, earning a chuckle from Ark and I.
The danger that lurks around them was evident and I couldn't help but grow worried at the thought of them getting hurt.
Sage and I had started our sparring lessons two days ago and let me tell you, it was soul crushing as hell.
She made me do sit ups, push ups, lunge, and even plank for 2 minutes! Imagine how I felt the next morning.
It was like I was spongebob, I couldn't feel my bones and I felt like they melted off from the extreme workout.
"Ellie." I blinked at Todd, thinking it was him who called me.
Ark and Todd was looking at my right with a blank expressions on their face. I turned around, meeting Annie's shy expression.
"Hi," She greeted softly."Can I talk to you in private?" She asked, offering a hesitant smile.
I glanced at my two friends who were shooting daggers at her before turning to look back at her and nodded.
I stood up, patting my butt to get rid of dusts."I'll be back guys." I said to them before following off after Annie.
We decided to talk in the bleachers, knowing that nobody would be there at this hour.
She wore simple jeans today and a cute shirt, her hair in a messy bun. Annie still pulled it off and I couldn't help but feel awe at how gorgeous she really was.
I couldn't help but frown, seeing Annie nervously wringing her hands together.
"Are you okay?" I couldn't help but ask, realizing how tired and puffy her eyes looked.
She gave me a weak smile,"I-I'm fine, How about you? I heard what happened from Alec," She asked, biting her lip.
"I'm doing good, The guys have been making sure I was safe." I half-smiled, the wind blowing on my hair gently.
She nodded,"That's good. I-I wanted to talk to you about Alec." She softly said, looking down.
"Sure, what about him?" I asked, leaning back slightly on the seat and crossing my arms.
I knew what she wanted to talk about and I was curious wether she would lie that it was her idea or tell me the truth instead.
"I-I'm sorry. Alec told me about you and how there were guys after you, I-I was the one who proposed we fake date so that they would stop them from finding out who you really were," She started off, glancing at me briefly.
"There's more to it than he knows right?" I asked her, turning to gaze at the field.
She bit her lip and nodded,"Alec and I are childhood friends. Ever since, I consider him a very special person and I looked up to him. He is the most selfless, kind, and gorgeous guy I met."
Thank you for telling me what I already know. Jessica sarcastically said.
I nodded at her, urging her to continue. I honestly don't have the guts to reply because I knew where this was going and I didn't like it one bit.
"Alec saved me from a bunch of guys who tried to take advantage of me when I was drunk at party. He fought three guys for me," She fisted her hands tightly.
"I'm sorry Annie, no one deserves to go through that trauma." I said, placing a comforting hand on her fisted hand.
She started to cry."That very night, I realized I'm in love him with Ellie. I love Alec." Looking up to meet my eyes with her teary ones.
I took a sharp breath of intake, clearly not expecting that. I knew she felt something for Alec, I could tell from the way she acted around him.
But Love? That's a whole different level.
She smiled sadly,"And I'm so so s-sorry because I took advantage of this situation. I-I thought that if he fakes date me then he would maybe realize that he has feelings for me." She sniffled, a tear sliding down her cheek.
"But he didn't."I softly said, feeling quite bittersweet for her.
Hearing someone confess her feelings about the guy you like isn't exactly pleasant but this is life and we're often placed in situations where we aren't the slightest bit comfortable.
She nodded sadly."He only sees me like a sister Ellie and I know he cares for you deeply. I felt guilty because I knew seeing me with him hurt you and I'm truly sorry." She apologized, placing a hand on top of mine.
"I honestly don't blame you for falling in love with him. This is Alec King we're talking about." I smiled, somehow understanding her.
Alec wasn't mine and I would never have the right to tell someone to stop their feelings. We can't choose who we fall for and I would never hold a grudge against something like that.
A small smile graced her features and I couldn't help but feel quite guilty of being suspicious of her.
"Alec and I aren't dating but I appreciate the fact that you apologized. I might not be in love with him but I know the feeling of not having your feelings reciprocated." I said, offering her a sad smile.
She wiped a tear away."It sucks but I'll get over it. I can see why Alec cares for you and why my brother rants about your friendship all the time." She timidly said, a soft smile gracing her features.
I laughed lightly at that, seeming to imagine Todd ranting proudly. He's been stuck on my hip these past few days.
"I'm sorry too Annie, I didn't exactly like you from the start because you know." I trailed off, offering an awkward look.
She pushed her hair back,"I understand, besides who likes to see their crush hanging with some chick that isn't you? Definitely no one." She giggled sweetly.
Sh!t.
Now, I really feel guilty for thinking such thoughts about her.
I can't imagine the pain she's feeling. Falling in love with someone and seeing them run off with someone else can be a huge pain in the ass.
"Despite Alec already explaining to me the truth, I'm happy that you still talked to me and shared something with me." I revealed, smiling at her.
"Thank your for listening Ellie. Alec is a tough nut but I'm sure you'll handle him just fine." She said, offering me a warm smile.
The wind blew gently against us and at that moment, I couldn't help but feel happy that I got to talk to her.
Seasons may change but emotions that you felt in that day on a typical season is something that you'd look back to one day.
Women should stop competing against one another and neither should women turn their backs for one because of a guy and vice versa.
At the end of the day, it doesn't matter wether you're rich or poor, ugly or pretty, straight or not. What matters is how you treat people and how you uplift one another, it should be like that.
"I don't know about you but if you're willing, can we be friends?" I asked, offering her my hand.
Annie's smile grew wider,"I'd love to be your friend." She glanced at my hand before taking a hold of it and shaking it.