(44): Verdict

Just a filler. Haven't been feeling my best but I feel bad for not updating. Hope you still like it though.

**

After Winnie came to pick Willow up an hour ago, Kyle and I decided that we seriously needed to do some grocery shopping. The fridge and cardboards are literally empty. I really don't remember what happened to all the food.

Anyways before that, Winnie spent some time with us. She explained that her parents were in town for business and brought Willow with because apparently she missed her big sister even though she had just seen her on Christmas. Maybe she just wanted to wish her a belated birthday.

Speaking of... Winnie's parents bought her car. I noticed an unfamiliar red Mercedes Benz and when I asked, she said it was hers. We were both so excited.

Lucky fish.

I didn't really get to ask Winnie about the whole adopting thing because Willow was still around but she was too distracted with Kyle. They're really cute. I guess I'll ask her later.

"Since when do you drink fat free milk?" Kyle asks as I place the milk in my cart.

"I think I wanna go on a diet. I've been eating way too unhealthily" I explain as I scan the aisle for anything else I need.

Kyle grabs a yoghurt "But you're tiny"

"I'm not doing it to lose weight, I just want to be healthy like you" I say.

He just rolls his eyes as he drives his cart to another aisle and I follow him. We've been shopping for about 10 minutes now and I'm already tired. I've always hated shopping. It's tiring and useless. I would always get someone to do it for me.

"Ohh Granola bar" I exclaim excited as I grab two boxes with six inside and place them in my still kind of empty cart.

I love Granola bars. They're so good.

"What happened to the diet?"

"These are healthy" I excuse defensively.

He raises a brow snorting "Do you know how much honey is in that thing?"

"I don't need your judgment" I retort.

He clicks his tongue before going further forward as he grabs three different cereals, sugar, a bunch of noodles, spaghetti and macaroni, and places them inside his cart.

"You're so weird" I note watching him.

"What?"

I laugh fascinated "Why'd you take so many different cereals?"

"I can't eat the same thing every morning"

"So you open them all at the same time?" I ask amused.

He nods "Yeah. It's normal"

"It's not" I snort following him.

"I don't need your judgement" He retorts using my line against me. I would smartmouth him back but...

Oh shit.

We've just entered the next aisle and I immediately spot Noah. He's walking with Mick.

Since when does he hang out with him?

I really hoped I wouldn't bump into anyone I knew, because a lot of kids on campus do their shopping here. Well, looks like I did.

Before I can make a dash for it, Noah turns to

my side and notices me before his smiley face is replaced with a scowl. Why do I always get that reaction?

I see him whisper something to Mick's ear before his gaze shifts to the two of us.

"Why do I always bump into him when I'm with you" I ask absentmindedly to Kyle.

He sighs shaking his head "It's annoying"

I just follow behind him in the same aisle, trying my best to ignore Noah's sharp gaze.

"Chelsea-Welsea" Comes Mick's voice as I walk past them. I hoped they'd also ignore me. I look to him unamused and he smiles waving at me.

He still calls me that stupid name.

"Hi" I say tightly.

"Hi. You don't greet anymore" He tseks.

"We were never friends" I retort "We only spoke because of Kathrine"

He laughs amused "Sharp words"

"Okay I'm going. See you by the tills" Kyle announces to me after shooting daggers at the two boys. He doesn't wait for my response as he leaves me alone with them.

"So you and Chambers, huh?" Mick asks curiously, his hand on his chin.

Noah is just scowling and saying nothing.

"What about us?"

"Are you two together?"

I roll my eyes annoyed "Is that any of your business, Mick?"

"I'll take that as a yes" He tseks amused "I have to admit, Chels, I thought you were better than that"

"What are you talking about?" I bite.

"I thought you liked the good guys like my man Noah over here" He says, nudging the straight-lipped boy at topic "I thought the bad boys were for Kathrine"

"Don't speak about my friend like that"

He just laughs "Oh, my bad"

"Don't you remember what happened the last time you got all arrogant with her" I remind harshly.

That immediately shuts him up.

I look to Noah "Since when are you friends with him? Does Kat know?"

"Know what?" He asks nonchalantly.

"That you're friends with him. Did you forget what he did to her?"

"That's between them" He says.

I laugh bitterly unhumored "Wow."

"Don't even start with your shit, Chelsea" He bites accusingly and I flinch "You can't judge my choice of friends when you're friends with someone like Chambers... probably more"

"You don't even know him" I snarl.

Noah smirks, shaking his head "Look at you; even defending the guy. He must he fucking you good. Just like every other girl"

How dare he?

My hand seems to have a mind of its own as it connects with his cheek hard.

Oh my gosh, I actually just slapped him.

"Fuck you" I say before driving my cart away from him.

Who does he think he is? I mean I can tolerate his hostility when he's drunk- because he at least has an excuse- but now he's sober. How dare he say that to me? What happened to him? Why does he hate me so much? Why is he hanging out with such jerks now like Mick, Lisa and Jared who apparently is friends with Zorro?

Maybe it has something to do with him thinking I like 'dicks' now so he's also trying to be one. Could it be?

But is he right? Am I just like every other girl to Kyle? I can't help but swallow a lump at even the thought.

"You always look like that after you've seen him"

I'm snapped out of my thought when I see Kyle watching me. I had just been driving around the shop aimlessly leaning on my cart.

"Like what?" I utter.

"Sombre. Angry" He replies.

"Well it's hard not to be. I literally don't even recognize him anymore. He's changed so much... for worse"

"Let me guess... he thinks you have too?" Kyle asks knowingly and I nod.

"He says I can't judge him for being friends with Mick because I'm friends with 'people like you'. I don't really know what that means"

Kyle rolls his eyes "He's jealous"

"But we're not together anymore"

"He still likes you or whatever" Kyle says "Do you like him?"

I shake my head "No. But I at least want to friends. He's making it hard to be"

"Then leave him alone"

"You're right" I smile gently "Hey, did I tell you that I slapped him?"

His eyes widen and he smirks looking proud "Woah. Who are you and what have you done to the innocent Chelsea-Anne"

"I buried her" I shrug smugly.

He laughs shaking his head "Well well well. Anyways let's get this shopping done with. I'm starving"

I drive my cart "Yeah"

***

"You will not believe who I saw Noah with yesterday" I regretfully tell Kat who is laying comfortably on my bed.

I've been easing my way into telling her for the past hour or so.

She raise a brow "Who?"

"Mick" I utter.

She gapes, hurt evident in her eyes "What's wrong with him? He's been acting out ever since you two broke up"

"I know. He's so rude to me" I tell her.

Kat sighs "He doesn't even speak to me anymore. He says I've picked your side"

"It's bad" I murmur sadly.

After grocery shopping yesterday, Kyle and I just spent the rest of the day watching movies and speaking about nothing in particular until he decided to ditch me for the gym.

As always.

I got bored and went to Winnie's because luckily Willow was still around. We just chilled together until Winnie had to drive her sister back to her parents.

Kyle came back in a sombre mood and wouldn't converse with me so we didn't speak much after that. He just closed himself in his room. I was sad. I can't remember the last time he was like that. Something involving one of his family members must've happened. He always gets like that after. Whether it's his mother, father, Riley or Zorro.

He did wish me a good night though.

"I don't even know what to say to him. He's like a completely different person now" Kat says.

"You won't believe what he said to me yesterday" I inform her, still quite angry about it "So him and Mick were grilling me about Kyle so I defend him and then Noah goes he must he fucking me good just like every other girl. How dare he!"

Kat gapes "That is so unlike him"

"You seriously have to speak to him. Do you know he hangs with Kyle's brother now?"

"The psycho one?" Kat asks shocked.

I nod "Yeah. Kyle told me that he saw them together at this other club"

"Oh gosh" Kat sighs regretfully.

"It's bad" I repeat.

"I'll speak to his brother or something" Kat tells me and I just nod "Anyways... what's been happening with you and the hottie?"

"As in your arch nemesis?" I snort.

She rolls her eyes "Yeah yeah, so what if I don't like him? I still want to know"

"Mm I don't really know what's going on"

"What'd he say about the hickey?" She asks smirking at me.

"He said everything he did that night he wanted to do" I tell her thoughtfully biting my lip "I don't know what that means"

She squeals loudly "It means he likes you!"

"How?" I furrow my eyebrows confused.

"Why would he want to suck your neck if he didn't like you?"

I shrug frowning "I don't know"

"Stop overthinking this... the guy freaking likes you and you like him so stop playing around"

"I don't know Kathrine"

Kat rolls his eyes "You two are so annoying"

"Whatever. It's just always weird between Kyle and I. I guess we'll just have to let things happens by themselves" I tell her.

"Wow" She shakes her head unimpressed.

"Hush" I deadpan "You're not allowed to intervene, okay? You have to promise"

I know my best friend.

She rolls her eyes "Okay. Scouts honor"

"Hey... so why don't you like Kyle again?" I ask curiously.

"He's rude and hostile" She says.

Oh. That's it?

"We're all used to it" I deadpan shaking my head "Why aren't you?"

"I don't tolerate shit"

I just laugh amused "It's Kyle. You kind of have no choice. He's really not that bad, Kathrine"

"Your opinion is biased. You like him"

"Oh come on" I giggle "What will it take for you to have a conversation with him? Remember you used to force Nathan and I?"

"Please don't do that to me" She objects.

I smirk menacingly "No promises"

Before she can say anything, we hear the front door open signaling that the boys are back. Kat dashes there because I'm guessing she's been missing her boyfriend even though he only dropped her off two hours ago.

"Hey y'all" I greet the sweaty boys.

They just all come back from the gym. Nick, Kat and Nathan came unannounced this morning before deciding to hit the gym, leaving Kat and I alone.

Winnie is also here now and I wave at her.

Kat is in her boyfriend's sweaty arms and I'm wondering how she's surviving because I'm

pretty sure he stinks.

"Hey little Chels" Nick grins.

I hadn't seen them since two days ago after we came back from the resort, except Winnie.

"Hey player" Nathan says, his arms around a happy looking Kat.

They're so in love, it's sickening.

"Yeah, how come you call her that?" Winnie asks curiously.

Nathan smirks at me "Cause she breaks hearts like they're glass plates"

The exaggeration.

"I don't" I grumble rolling my eyes.

"So... when are all of you planning to leave? This is still my house" Kyle intervenes taking a seat on the spinning chairs.

Nick takes the other one and Nathan moves away from his girlfriend to sit on the kitchen counter.

"I didn't know that was key for get comfortable" Kyle deadpans watching his friends.

"We missed you two" Nick informs smiling.

"We didn't miss you" I say dryly.

He pouts "Oh come on, are you still mad that I chose to drive with Nathan and Kat?"

"Shut it" I point a finger at him.

"Anyways... I came here to discuss what we're doing tomorrow to welcome new years" Winnie says joining Nathan on the counter.

Kat and I just standing next to them.

"Who says we have to do everything together?" Kyle asks curiously, his arms crossed.

He has a point.

The other don't say anything. I think we're all kind of curious as to why is it like that. I don't really mind though. It works out well.

I hum "It's like the unspoken rule"

"Don't you want to do thing with us?" Winnie asks him pointedly.

"I was just asking" He excuses.

Winnie shakes her head skeptically.

"Anyways... There's a shit ton of parties all over the city" Nathan says going back to the first question.

"So which one are we going to?" Kat asks.

"Cuba" I reply and everyone looks at me to elaborate "We're familiar with the place. Plus they always throw good parties there"

"We always go there" Nick grumbles.

"Do you have a better idea, Nicholas?" Kyle asks dryly.

Nick just laughs spinning around in his chair dramatically "Why am I not surprised that you're taking her side?"

The other all laugh too, except Kyle and I.

"Okay shut up" I deadpan shooting daggers at all of them "Have we reached a verdict?"

"We'll just go where the wind takes us" Kat sighs after no one says anything.

"Why don't we all just stay in?" Winnie grins doing jazz hands to sugarcoat her absurd idea. I may not exactly be fond of partying but it's freaking new years. We can't break tradition.

"No ew"

"I'd rather die"

"Absolutely not"

"It's new years. Are you crazy?"

"I agree with Winona" Kyle chirps dismissing all our protests.

"The only people who can be okay with that idea are Nathan and Kathrine. Who are the rest of going to kiss to welcome new years?" Nick asks matter-of-factly.

"You don't have to kiss anyone" Winnie mutters rolling her eyes.

He just gives her a pointed and dry look as if to say 'did anyone ask you?' but doesn't say anything else. We can all literally feel the tension between them.

How awkward.

"We're not staying in" Kat finalizes.

"Who made you boss, Kathrine?" Kyle retorts looking at her sharply.

Here we go again.

I hear Nathan snort. He likes it when they fight. I don't know why.

Kat rolls her eyes "I'm not about to argue with you, Kyle. You don't have to come with us. You and Winnie can stay in alone"

"They're not" I intervene looking at the two people at topic "You guys have to come with"

"They don't" Nick snaps.

I'm guessing his hostility is more to Winnie thought. I have a feeling he's still annoyed at her early statement about him not having to kiss anyone.

"We're coming" Winnie snaps back, looking at nothing but a grim faced Nicholas.

Jeez.

"Kyle, dude, you're also coming" Nathan speaks for his friend "Chels will have no one to chill with. What kind of friend are you?"

Off course he uses my name.

"What will the rest of you guys be doing?" Kyle rolls his eyes dryly.

"I'll be with Kathrine. Nicholas will be looking for someone to make out with and I'm not sure what Winnie will be doing but she won't be with Chels" Nathan answers.

The lies.

I wonder what they used in the past to get him to come with them. It looks like he always puts up a fight.

Kyle gives me a look at me as if to say 'should I really come?'

My opinion actually matters to him.

"You should come, Kyle" I tell him.

"Yeah. You heard the girl" Nick says "Plus you don't have a choice. We'll drag you. We do every year. You put up a fight but always end up coming. It's getting old"

"Fine. I'll come" He sighs.

"Good" His best friend smirks.

"Okay so are you all going to leave now?" Kyle deadpans after a while.

"Nope" Nick and Nathan say at the same time as they both run behind the other to the living room and put on the tv.

"You guys do know that you stink right?" I ask as I follow them and sit on the floor.

The others join us, except Kyle.

"We'll shower later" Nathan dismisses.

Boys.

***