Chapter eighteen| Not so shy glances

Chapter eighteen| Not so shy glances

One way to describe the following Monday was awkward. Eyes followed Connor more than usual, with some brave ones even pointing fingers at him.

It turned out that somebody saw Navya and Connor breaking up that night, making it trend over the unofficial school page.

Many girls now had an evil glint in their eyes, making me shiver in disgust and fear. Some were ready to pounce and sink their claws in the once cheerful best friend of mine.

I was yet to come across Navya, and I don't know what I felt about it. I was both parts concerned and relieved.

"Elias, man!" Some unfamiliar voice called behind me. I gave a questioning glance at the boy who patted my back in a friendly manner. Locking up the temptation to ask who he was, I gave him a nod.

"Dude, you are cool, but you suck at beer pong," he said and left. Once again, I just nodded. It seemed like that being constantly spotted with Cynthia and being part of the track team somehow gained me recognition.

People now knew me enough to pass random pleasantries here and there.

I shook my head at my thoughts and turned my attention to my path.

The hallway was filled with murmurs and shouts, echoing across the off-white walls and tiles. Just as instructed, Connor was leaning against my locker, waiting for me to arrive.

I glared at the sight when a girl approached him.

"Connor?" she said in a sickly sweet voice. She blinked up at him flirtatiously, twirling a strand of her hair. "Can I help you in any way?"

Her intentions were obvious from her trying to be sultry, making me cringe. Increasing my pace, I took my place next to Connor's tired form.

Connor just stared at the girl blankly, with purple bags prominent under his eyes. His air was rumpled as if he couldn't bother himself with taming it.

I opened my mouth to deny her request on Connor's behalf, but somebody beat me to it.

"Show some respect, Bethany," hissed a voice on the other side of Connor. "You need not live up to the cheerleader cliche."

Cynthia glared dagger towards the girl, tapping her foot in annoyance. She took her place right between the girl and Connor.

"But, he is single!" the cheerleader screeched, pointing a finger towards him. Her whining voice was grating my ears, making me scrunch my face in disgust.

If she continued, she could break some glass and bleed some ears.

"He just got out of a three-years-long relationship. Leave him alone for some time. He is not ready for your shit yet," Cynthia seethed, stepping closer to the girl.

She pinned her menacing glare on the girl, making her gulp a little. Bethany looked around her for an exit or a comeback to say.

Her gaze fell on me, and then she scoffed. With her tone mocking, she spat her next words out. "First you fuck his nerd best friend and then him. You are such a slut, Cyn." She turned her gaze towards Connor. "He must have been a horrible fuck. That is why his girlfriend turned towards girls."

Anger clouded my vision when I moved forward to hiss my words.

"Shut the fuck up!" I warned, standing protectively in front of Connor. It was obvious on his face that Bethany's words had struck a chord inside of him, making his already somber face turn downwards.

"Bethany," Cynthia tutted. "Are you still angry about the fact that your boyfriend cheated on you with me?" Cynthia ended the sentence with a small fake pout.

Bethany turned an angry shade of red at her words. Not being able to find a response, she sneered and stomped away from the spot.

Connor gave a small grateful smile in Cynthia's direction, making her nod her in return. Her eyes settled on me, and she hooked her arm around mine. "Let's get lunch. I am hungry."

Connor gave us an odd look and raised a questioning brow towards us. Pointing his finger at us, he wriggled it in accusation. "Something you might want to tell me about?" His tone was almost playful, making me smile in relief.

Maybe the old Connor was returning.

Cynthia gave him a bright smile. "Why don't we go along the rumors and say we are fucking." Her statement made me choke on thin air while both of them chuckled at my expense.

"I knew it was a lie!" Connor exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air.

I just rolled my eyes and pushed past the canteen doors. Settling on the regular spots, the two seats on our table were empty.

"Where is Andrea?" I asked, turning my head towards Cynthia in question.

She just shrugged in response.

"She had to visit some family out of the town. Her aunt broke her back in some accident," Cynthia said as she stole a piece of chips from my bag.

I glared at her playfully as she grinned in response. "She will be back today. So, don't worry, lover boy," she added as an afterthought.

Connor cleared his throat, gaining our attention. Giving both of us an amused look, he finally stuck his gaze on Cynthia.

"What you said, was it true?" His voice was filled with curiosity. "About her boyfriend cheating on her with you part," he clarified, noticing her confused look.

My curiosity piqued too. Somewhere deep inside, I wished she had lied about it, but the look on Bethany's face was enough to tell the truth.

"Did you?" My voice was impassive, just like my face. I made sure to keep my true feelings smothered by curiosity.

Truthfully, I wasn't even sure what I was feeling.

Seeing the look in my eyes, she shook her head rapidly. Her dark locks flew all around her as the heavy weight of strange emotions left my shoulders.

"I didn't do it. I met him at a party, and we slept together a few times after that. I didn't know that he was dating her on the back. I don't do that kind of thing," she ranted with a nervous quiver to her voice. "Even if I am a cheerleader, I have some morals and respect. I am not as cliche as everyone assumes me to be."

It was weird, but for some reason, it seemed like she was trying to prove herself and make sure her image was untainted in our eyes.

Connor stared at her with an inquisitive gaze and then nodded his head. "It is good to know. It was kinda bugging me after hearing you say that."

She gave a relieved look and sighed. At the same time, Connor leaned closer to my ear, whispering his next words.

"I approve."

His statement left me in question. I tried to find an answer to his words even though some place deep in my soul, I already knew the answer.

It was absurd that I was looking for answers I already had.

"I don't get you," I replied, shaking out of my philosophical and lost thoughts. I leaned away before he could say anything further.

The lunch was nearing its end when Connor quickly excused himself.

Cynthia poked me on the side, gaining my attention.

Removing my worried gaze from his retreating figure, I turned to face her.

Her kohl-rimmed eyes glittered under the artificial lights, distracting me for a moment.

"Eli, have you talked to Navya?" She asked, sounding concerned.

As her words registered in my mind, a heavyweight settled on my heart. With a slight shake of my head, I looked down at my hands.

"I have been trying to call her the whole morning. She has been ignoring my text. I don't know how to talk to her." I whispered, feeling overwhelmed on the inside.

"You need to talk to her. You need to be unbiased here," Cynthia replied, placing her hand on mine.

I looked as our skin came in contact. I gave her a weak smile and nodded.

"I am trying... it's just that seeing Connor..." I trailed off, trying to find the right word. "...so dull. It  is fucking up with me."

"I might visit her home later. We need to talk," I added as an afterthought.

I internally grimaced a bit, thinking about the conversation that was awaiting me.

My phone pinged with a message. Quickly and hopefully, I pulled my phone out, checking the text.

My lucky stars worked, and it was indeed Navya who texted me this time.

"She says she will be back to-" I cut my statement short, noticing Connor return to the table.

"What are you guys gossiping about?" Connor asked, trying to be cheerful, but his voice betrayed gave away his tired mind.

"Nothing," I lied, staring at Connor in concern.

I met Cynthia's eyes for a moment, and I could see something brewing inside them. A war was happening in her eyes, but she averted her eyes and hid it from me.