That was all I could take. I couldn’t hold it in anymore, and so I let the tears out.
I bet Mom and Dad could hear my cries but I didn’t care. I let it all out. The frustration. The sadness. The pain.
“Aaaah... I didn’t bunk school to see my hell-princess cry.” Heath says aloud, breaking the awkward silence.
With tears blurring my vision, I stare at his face.
So they bunked hah. All four. For my sake.
The usual childish grin was plastered on his face.
“Goodness. Look at this mess.” Lara sighs pointing her perfectly manicured finger at me. “I’m gonna call you snotty-princess from now on.”
A ghost of a smile on her face.
“My precious three hours wasted shopping make-up with a girl who doesn’t even bother washing her face with the expensive Avene Facial cleanser I gifted her!” Amy exasperates throwing her hands up.
“Believe me, this child has been a snotty brat since the day I met her in two pig-tails.” Ryan teases shaking his head.
I break out laughing while the tears continued dripping down my face.
“God, she’s a freaking train wreck!” Amy remarks giggling and soon enough everyone joins in.
A soft pat on my head makes me look at Ryan.
“We’ll help you survive Mia.”
And the rest nods in agreement.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
A week passed and not a single word from that crazy girlfriend of mine. Urgh! She dares to not even pick up my calls.
It was the same with Pierre and Ethan. None of them picked up my calls. Pierre who has always answered the phone long enough to even say a ‘Hi’ ignored me these few days.
Didn’t Ninnon say me they’ve still got me on their mind? Then what’s going on? I wonder if its exam time?
“Mia, stop daydreaming about me and get your pretty ass inside the classroom.” A voice disrupts my thoughts. Who other than Heath would admire my ass?
“Oh shut up. Who’d dream about you so early?” I scoff and he grins. Grinning back, I walk into the Calculus class with him.
Just like how they’d promised, the four managed to keep my head from worries. When at home it was a different story, where I was always gloomy and sad.
Oh, and before I forget to relate this wonderful news to the world, I better spit it out.
I punched Noah. Hard
Who knew I had so much strength inside of me?
He constantly abused me with his words and way of talking. If he thinks I’m like those other girls he’s slept around with, he’s dead wrong.
Sarah was different. She genuinely fell in love with the ass. The other bimbos? They just slept with him, because they thought to have sex with the school hottie somehow would elevate their social standing.
I couldn’t bear it in anymore and while at the almost empty hallway, I slammed my fist, into his so-called god-like face. The weak guy fell to his feet.
Thankfully, an Amelia Brooke supporter had video recorded the whole thing and thus I had proof, that it was Noah fucking A-hole that assaulted me, in which I used force to make him stop.
Not that I would have minded suspension.
The whispers didn’t stop nor subdue. It rose like a wildfire.
Amelia’s taking revenge for her deceased friend is the current rumor floating about.
Coming back to the present, I try to stare at the whiteboard. I avert my gaze from all the stares that are directed my way.
“You good?” Heath asks from behind me. I turn around and smile, nodding.
My phone vibrates and I quickly grab it. Ninnon!
Oh. It’s just Amy complaining about class.
“Wow. Disappointed much Princess?” Heath teases, a smirk on his face.
“Shut up ass.”
The two of us bicker until the calculus teacher walks in and slams his book on the table, and yells at the class to keep quiet. He starts class and I zone out.
Ninnon. Pierre. Ethan. Where are you guys? What’s going on?
“Psh. Psh... Mia. Amelia” A finger pokes from behind.
“Stop that Pierre!” I swat his hand aside.
Wait... no that’s wrong.
“Uh... Mia?” Heath begins, but I raise a hand beckoning him to stop. Sighing I apologize.
Resting my arms on the table, I lie my head down and shut my eyes tight. Trying, forcing, pleading myself to give this life a chance.
Futile.
The whole damn thing in me trying to forget Lyon is effing futile.
I’ve been lost in thought the whole damn day. I even served myself the school’s spaghetti. Yuck! The thing tastes like plastic. Just how much lower have I fallen?
The last bell of the day rings aloud signaling the end of school. The teacher goes on about something. The kids don’t care and pack their bags to leave.
I remain seated on my seat. Deep in thought.
“Yo, straight A’s smartypants. Get your pretty ass off the chair and let’s get going.” Heath calls out from the doorway.
How he can be here just as the school bell rings is beyond me. Doesn’t he have Chemistry for the last period? Isn’t it on the other side of the school?
And he thinks I’m Supergirl?
Shoving my books and stationery into my blue backpack, I zip it closed and get to my feet. By the time I’ve yawned and stretched, the rest of the crew had arrived. We walk out of the school building together.
We’re in a deep conversation about the new store that’s been opened up at the mall when the loud whispers penetrate through us.
“What’s going on? Who died?” Heath asks looking at all the faces. I stomp on his foot with my healed boot for his joke.
There’s a crowd at the bottom of the stairs, hiding something or perhaps someone from view.
Oh god. Did someone actually die?
Heath and I share looks as Ryan tries to make us a way to walk through.
Some of the stares get directed to us, more precisely; me.
Great. What kind of rumor is going on now?
“My, don’t you take your sweet little time.” A familiar female voice shook me.
Oh my god.
Please. Not any more.
No more hallucinations.
“Ameliaaaaa” another familiar voice playfully calls out to me. His accent which I’ve missed so much.
Then a chuckle follows.
When we manage to somehow make way to the front, three figures stand before me.
There’s a nose-bleeding Noah on the ground, but who cares?
A set of arms go around me, crushing me in a mama-bear hug.
“God, I’ve missed you.” Pierre voices out.
Ninnon smiles, while Ethan stands beside her cool and calm.
“Wha... what’s going on?” I squeak. When did I exchange my voice with a mouse?
Pierre laughs beside me while still holding onto me close. His shoulder bumps into me with its rising and falling due to laughing.
“Why so surprised? Didn’t I tell you before? It’s time we get down to business.” Ninnon says as she moves forth. “It’s high time we talk with that father of yours.”
If she had punched her fists together, she’d have looked like a true mafia.
Before I could take in all that was happening, Noah’s annoying voice interrupted. He got to his feet. The guy had remained on the ground all this time. His face was red with anger, and I’m pretty sure embarrassment. Clenching his teeth, he shoots daggers my way.
“I knew it. I knew these scumbags were acquainted with you Brooke. Did you call in help to save your sorry little pretty ass?” He spat. That was all he could do because as soon as he spoke, a fist collided with his face.
“Only I call her pretty ass.” Heath stood before me, his eyes menacing. He then looks over his shoulder at me, then the rest of the crew and people surrounding.
“Fuck suspension. I feel god damn good after that!” he balls his fists once again, grinning. He must ha
ve wanted to punch the living shit out of this guy all this time.
“The earlier masterpiece was Ethan’s work.” Ninnon joins in. Earlier? The nose-bleed?
“He was trash-talking you, so big brother Ethan gave him a piece of his French mind,” Pierre adds grinning.
Heath fist bumps with Ethan and pats him on the shoulder with pride.
Great. What are they, bodyguard buddies?
“Stop using the guy as a punching bag. Let’s go.” Amy pushes us all towards the car park. With one last final glare towards Noah, the boys walk in front and we girls follow.
More like I’m being dragged by the arm by Ninnon since I’m still in a daze on what’s happening.
Amy is the last to walk past Noah, and moves her side bag to the left, more than needed, banging it onto Noah’s already wounded pretty face.
“Oops. Sorry, Hun. Didn’t see you there.” She waves toodles with her purple nail polished fingers and sashays her way to where we’re waiting for her.
She so did that on purpose.
She’s fucking grinning like a damn Cheshire cat.
Ryan had wanted to get to school early to hand over some unfinished assignments, so he’d left without us. Which is now in our favor since we’ve Ryan’s Toyota Yarls and Heath’s land rover at our disposal.
Ryan throws his car keys at me.
“Take them home. I’ll come to get my car later in the evening babe.” He says with a smile as he gets into Heath’s rover.
“Slay any guys who try to flirt with our Mia, French chic.” Amy and Lara say in unison to Ninnon and scrambles to the back.
“Take care of my pretty ass hell-princess.” Heath winks as he gets into the driver seat and they pull out and drive away.
I now turn towards the three, who’d shocked the life out of me. They stood smiling, without a care in the world while I was nearly close to strangling them for ignoring me all these days.
Before I could utter an ‘uhm’, Ethan holds up a finger.
“First, let’s get out of here. The stares are burning holes in my head.”
Ninnon and Pierre nod in agreement. Sighing I give a nod and walk them to Ryan’s car.
I get into the driver’s seat and start up the engine. Ninnon and Pierre bicker on who gets shotgun. Of course, who could ever win over Ninnon in word argument?
She sits beside me, triumph written all over her face. Ethan slaps Pierre’s head and gets in at the back. Pierre sulks. And all the while, I’m feeling happy and giddy.
How long has it been since I last witnessed these two arguing? Or Ethan’s annoyance towards Pierre’s childishness?
“What are you grinning for?” Pierre calls out from the back annoyed.
Turning back, I look him in the eye. “I missed you guys.”
The single sentence blows his annoyance away replacing it with a warm smile.
Putting on the seatbelt, I press on the gas and we move out of the school driveway and onto the street.
The drive is quiet. Not awkward but comfortable. Each, I’m sure reminiscing old times.
I put through Miami Av. Driving towards the Vice City Beans coffee shop. Right about now, Starbucks would be packed with students, so definitely a no-no for us.
“Where are we going?” Ninnon asks as she looks out the window in awe at the passing scenery. I definitely should take her sightseeing.
“A famous coffee shop. It’s less crowded. The perfect place to have a talk.” I say, not taking my eyes off the road.
“We’re not going home?” Pierre asks as if talking about his own home. I shake my head. The last thing I want is getting into a fight with dad, and having my friends involved.
The three remain quiet. I hope they understand why I’m doing so.
I pull up into the coffee shop driveway and we climb out and walk into the sweet coffee aroma filled shop.
As I expected, there wasn’t much of a crowd. Just an old couple and a few working-class people. We take a seat at the table furthest away.
“What do you guys wanna drink?” I ask getting to my feet, to take the order over to the counter.
Ninnon grabs my hand. “Drinks can wait. Sit down. We need to have a talk.”
So I take a seat beside her once again and look at them expecting an explanation of what’s going on, and why they’re here in Miami.
They don’t say a word and keep staring at me.
“Yeah what, like I know the reason why you three are here in America? Is that why you lot are staring at me? Waiting for me to give you a goddamn explanation, which must I remind you is what you have to do right now!” I wasn’t snapping, but I am annoyed. C’mon, I’ve waited long enough.
“Oh right sorry.” Ninnon apologizes.
“Before that. Why haven’t you guys answered any of my calls or replied back to my messages?” I ask. They don’t look guilty like I thought they’d be. Instead, they had their eyes twinkling.
“Master planning,” Pierre says with a grin.
Huh?
“Can you elaborate on this master planning of yours Pierre?” I ask literally confused now.
Sighing Ninnon asks Pierre to shut up since it’s obvious he’ll just confuse the shit out of me more.
“It’s not easy trying to find an excuse to leave school, to go out of the country. We had to go through some procedures.” Now that I think about it, these three have school going on. It’s not vacation time. “Not to mention- parents’ approval.” She explains.
“For what Ninnon?”
“To bring you back to Lyon of course.” She says nonchalantly flipping her dark hair back.
“Excuse me?” I gape at them, mouth wide open.
Did I hear right?
“Look, I don’t know what your reason is to come back to Lyon, be it Vice- Prez or his fam. We in our class sure as hell find it difficult to accept your departure, Amelia. You might have been with us for a mere short time, but your existence meant a lot to most of us.”
There it is again. The pull of my heartstrings.
“Ninnon,”
“Come back, Amelia. Please come back to Lyon.” Pierre pleads. Ethan holds the same desperate expression as identical to Pierre and Ninnon.
“Guys, I’ve tried. I truly have. No matter what I say, or how I plead; my dad just doesn’t understand.” I protest.
“Which is why we’re here. To plead, beg on our knees if we must.”
I stare at her in shock. What the hell?
“Ninnon... why go so far? I don’t understand.” I shake my head, my mind buried in clouds.
She places her hand on mine which was resting on the tabletop.
“You just don’t get how much of an important person you are to us.” She says softly.
True, Ninnon had been a total shut-in. She had once related to me that, I was the first person she’d ever gotten close to. Attached to, apart from her parents.
She had beauty and brains yet she said she always felt like a bird caged up. Precisely how I’ve been feeling.
“And me, who despised women,” Ethan takes up from where Ninnon left. “You proved me wrong; that there are girls out there who don’t look at guys just for wealth and fame.”
Ethan.
“I’ve always been a goofball,” Pierre said smiling sheepishly, as he takes off his baseball cap and ruffles his hair messily. “That’s what everyone’s said so. Since I was a kid.”
Well, he IS a goofball. He doesn’t know the serious nature of anything and swats everything away with sarcasm and childishness. But that’s the side I love in him.
“You’re perfect just the way you are goofball. Your goofiness is what makes you Pierre Thomlinson.” I say throwing him a smile. He chuckles in return.
“See, you’re the only one who has ever said that. Even my parents get tired of me sometimes. Heck, Ethan gets annoyed too.” Well true enough. He has earned enough head slaps. “They call me the adorable guy of the school, but many a time I’ve heard people at school who fawns ove
r me, talk trash behind my back. It’s only you Amelia, who’s made me feel welcomed. Like I’m not some loser. I’m not willing to let go of you.” Pierre swats Ninnon’s hand aside rudely and grabbed mine with both of his. His eyes filled with love. Not romantically, but towards a friend he didn’t wish to lose.
I give one final squeeze, and take my hand from his. Getting to my feet, I grab my backup and pull Ninnon up.
“Let’s go.” They stare at me. “We’ve got a Dad to convince.”
Ethan gets to his feet at once. Pierre looks around and then his eyes stop at the menu board.
“What about coffee and cake?” he asks expectantly.
This fool. His sweet tooth is active as ever.
“That can wait. Let’s go have a serious talk with Mr. Brooke” I say firmly. But I couldn’t stop a smile from appearing at Pierre’s pouting face.
He gets to his feet and follows like a lost puppy, or so I thought.
The guy was actually skipping. Skipping!
Throwing an arm over my shoulder and another across Ninnon’s, he steers us outside the shop and towards Ryan’s car.
God. Please look down on us. Have mercy and let things go our way just this once.
It was just a 10-minute drive to my place. I park the car in my driveway and get out. I heave a deep sigh, closing my eyes in silent prayer.
A pat on either side of my shoulder brings me back.
Ethan and Pierre beside me and Ninnon in front gave me the confidence to face Dad.
“Let’s go.” I lead the way to the front door.
Before I could touch the doorknob, it turns and the door is thrown open.
“What in God’s name took you Personnes so long?” a voice demanded. I stared bewildered.
Fuck this shit!
“V-Vivienne?” I stutter her name. Before me stood Vivienne. The only Vivienne I know. From back in Lyon.
“You bet it’s me. Get in already. We’ve been waiting assez longue” I don’t really get the last bit. She doesn’t give me time to ask Ninnon what she said. Vivienne grabs hold of my hand and pulls me inside.
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