by Zara Rivas
Sinking her teeth into her lower lip, Essa plodded the urge to speak as her eyes darted over to her best friend. He was sitting with his side profile visible, a smile etched on his lips as he exuded an air of casualty. Throughout her observation, she was well aware of her mother speaking – murmuring about how important it was to not make people wait and that it wasn't very polite to make Chris linger at their doorstep. She ranted on for another few minutes before Chris wisely intercepted.
"Mrs. Evans its fine, I was only waiting at the door for a minute." He explained flashing one of his charming grins at her.
Ava gave Chris 'the look' as he quickly corrected himself.
"Ava I mean,"
She gave a satisfied smile.
Essa could only roll her eyes at the play before her. It was evident that Tynan Christopher Welling had her mother wrapped around his finger and she didn't like it one single bit. In fact Essa despised that her mother always appeared to take Chris' side in arguments as well as treat him as the son she never had. To her it was sickening to see her mother treat her best friend nicer than her... Call it jealousy but at times it was infuriating to have your best friend talked about by your mother twenty-four seven.
"Well I will see to it that you get a key to this household by tomorrow since Essa is so unreliable with answering the door."
Getting out of his chair Christopher approached Essa. His blue eyes settled onto her in a laughing manner as she glared at him. Only able to watch him grab her arm, she allowed him to half drag her out of the kitchen.
"That means I'll be over every day to look after Essa," Chris announced and heard Essa scoff at the idea.
"I'll have to invest in a new lock system," he heard her mutter under her breath and it caused him to grin wider.
They were barely out of the kitchen when Ava's voiced halted them.
"Chris you'll be over for dinner tonight?" She asked, and Essa shoved him back into the kitchen, attempting to make a run for it.
Grasping her arm before she could flee, Chris began talking nonchalantly. "Of course. But Essa and I might be back a little later, she did after all promise me that she'll come to soccer practice today."
"Have fun," Ava chirped in reply, observing her daughter and Chris marching out of her kitchen. She had to admit that they did look like a good couple but shook her head at the thought since it wasn't her place to play matchmaker.
Staring defiantly at Chris, Essa allowed him to haul her down the corridor and out the entrance. She allowed him to lead her down the front porch steps before becoming deadweight at the driveway. Breaking out of his hold she sat down on the concrete floor, trying to get her message through that she wasn't going to go anywhere with him voluntarily.
"Essa this is so childish," Chris stated unable to hold back a smile.
"I will not go," she stated stubbornly. "You can't make me, and I hate your friends. And I'm sure that you've already got your own fan club waiting for you at the park ready to cheer you on. And I already made a fool of myself today and I'm not going to show my face and be further embarrassed and what makes you think I'll go?" She babbled.
Gaping down at her, Chris shook his head. "You said you would go," he simply replied but it was obvious Essa wasn't going to budge. Sighing, he settled down beside her, "Well if you don't go, I won't go."
"Fine," Essa shot back.
"Fine," Chris said, lying down to stare up at the sky.
Any minute now and she was sure to feel guilty…
Maybe I'll just push the process a little faster… "You do know that I'll be bashed to death by the guys in the soccer team if I miss out on this practice?" He breathed, "But that's alright because I have my Ginger Ale to tend to my wounds,"
Groaning aloud out of frustration Essa got to her feet and started walking to the park. Did he have to make passes at her all the time? She cursed at herself for being an idiot and making a fool out of herself at lunch time today. Now Chris wasn't going to let her off the hook that easily.
So now she had to show her face at practice and have the boys laugh at her and put up with the brainless cheering from Chris' fan club. It was a pity she didn't bring her sketchbook with her…
Crossing the road she could see the rather large mob preparing for soccer practice. The soccer team was doing their warm ups as the girls stood at the sidelines screaming loudly. Rolling her eyes and releasing a sigh, Essa mentally reminded herself to never do anything spontaneous ever again. As she neared the group she became hesitant, but Chris placed an arm around her – leading her to his mates.
"I gotcha sunshine," he reassured her as he called out to the team.
"You're late Tynan," Jensen stated with disapproval and his eyes locked onto Essa. "Glad you could make it," He greeted catching Essa off guard. His eyes were studying her for a brief moment and it made her feel self conscious.
It was then that Essa realised she still had on her oversized, paint covered shirt. She hadn't noticed and was sure that Chris didn't say anything because he was used to it. Crossing her arms, she tried hard not to be affected by Jensen's stare.
"Go and mingle with the girls for a while. I'll be back later." Chris breathed and left her alone to go and do his warm ups.
Pulling her oversized, paint splattered shirt over her head, she decided to ditch it for her green t-shirt beneath. Gazing over at the bunch of girls huddled at the sidelines, Essa closed her eyes for a short while and opened them again hoping they would disappear. To her dismay the group of girls were still there.
It was evident that a few of them had spotted her as she grudgingly approached them, able to spot the redhead from today and her two brunette friends. They were all busy chatting with a blonde who was no other then Cassandra Wilkins.
"He's so perfect isn't he?" breathed Cassandra as she stared at the team captain with a dreamy expression. "He's also good in bed," she remarked, her attention fixed on the redhead beside her. "You're not going out with Ivan anymore are you?"
Shaking her head in reply the redhead began pouted. "He is so last year," she breathed and nodded her head over to a stretching Tynan. "But Welling on the other hand… He's my kinda guy, but there seems to be a goth constantly surrounding him these days." There was a brief pause before the red head continued. "Speak of the devil,"
Essa despised the fact that she was centre of attention. Even from meters away, she could feel the many pairs of eyes glued to her. From what she could understand, it was obvious that the girls were summing her up with that speculative glare of theirs. And from what Essa could gather, she wasn't going to be welcomed warmly by any of them.
As she reached the mob of girls, Essa could see that the redhead, Riana Hearst, was giving her the nastiest whilst Creston's girlfriend gave her the cold shoulder. With her head held high, Essa decided to take the seat as far away from them as possible. Just as she was about to seat herself a few meters away from the group, a voice caught her attention.
"Essa right?" came a catty feminine tone. Lifting her head, the dark headed figure spotted Riana. "So like, what are you to Tynan and what is he to you?" she asked.
Essa wasn't obliged to answer however she was tired of all the gossip and rumours that was spreading like a disease in Ocean High. She had spent all her schooling years trying not to be associated with Chris – trying to stay out of the lime light – simply because she hated the attention and now her nightmares were coming true.
"You must be Tynan's new fling,"
Gazing up at the source of the voice, Essa's mismatched orbs caught sight of Cassandra staring at her gallantly. Her tone hadn't been friendly at all but Essa wasn't in the least perturbed. In the background she noticed some of the girls throwing her icy glares and immediately concluded that they must belong to Chris' fan club.
"We're just friends," Essa stated.
"Oh, right." Cassandra said, her voice was doubtful and it was evident she didn't believe Essa's words at all. "You don't look like Tynan's type. He usually goes for the
blondes or brunettes – nothing darker than that," the blonde informed, her tone rather harsh.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"So who's your new girl Tynan?" Jensen questioned, "She's different to the usual ladies you date."
Chris sniggered at the comment and shook his head, "You guys definitely don't want to mess with her, that girl is scared of no one," he warned as he dribbled the soccer ball around.
"Oh, so you're after the dominant chicks now ey? Like to be whipped and taught a few lessons?" Alex joked, "Hey man, I rather be the one wearing the pants in a relationship, but whatever floats your boat."
There were a few chuckles here and there as Chris smiled along. It was normal to be discussing his relationships with his team mates simply because they had been friends ever since joining the soccer team. The group continued to practice their drills for half an hour longer before Alex's voice caught their attention.
"Creston, seems like your girl is moving in for the kill," Alex called, nodding his head over to where Cassandra and Essa were seated.
"A cat fight is about to start," Jensen added.
Both Creston and Tynan stopped their soccer training momentarily, suddenly aware that the two girls had been left to socialise together. It was obvious that the two weren't getting along seeing as Cassandra was leaning over toward Essa in a menacing manner whilst Essa appeared to be calm.
Blue orbs locked onto grey ones, his perfect teeth showing in a charming smile. "Spencer, why do you always have to choose the feisty ones?" Chris asked.
Creston beamed back at his best mate giving him a carefree shrug. "I dunno, there's always something about blondes with boobs and attitude," he replied. "But hey, you knew this was gonna happen right? And if your girl is as feisty as you say she is, I'm sure she can handle my minx." Glancing over at the girls again Creston released a sigh, "But just in case things don't go according to plan maybe it's time for a short break,"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Essa Evans didn't understand why the moment you appeared in public with a person of the opposite gender, society deemed that person as your partner. What was even more frustrating was the fact that she was being picked on by brainless bimbos who didn't appear to be listening to a single word she was saying.
"I don't really care what kinda girl Chris fancies," Essa stated for the umpteenth time.
It was then that the blonde finally paused for a short while, "Chris?" she repeated dopily, "Who's Chris?"
As if on cue the blue eyed devil emerged from the group of girls that were suddenly surrounding him. He was sweaty with a water bottle held in his hand.
"Why that's me," Tynan greeted, well aware of the many looks he was receiving.
Quirking a brow, Cassandra stared at Tynan as if he had just grown another head. "But your name is Tynan," she said dismissively, eyes fixated onto Essa once more. She gave Essa a condescending glare, "You like the guy and you can't even get his name right?" She shot, "That's so smart of you."
Essa had a look of indifference on her face; it was very easy to take an immediate loathing towards Cassandra. There was a smug look on her face as if she had made a fool of Essa before the crowd and all Essa wanted to do was wipe that expression away.
"I see you're the smart one," Essa replied, her voice drawling with sarcasm. "If you had been around long enough you'd know that Tynan's middle name is Christopher, Einstein."
With that last comment, Essa stood and smiled in satisfaction at the expression of indignity on Cassandra's face. She knew that she was treading in dangerous territory by publicly humiliating the blonde; however she wasn't the one who acted immature first. Grabbing her shirt from the bench, she commenced making her way out of the centre of a circle which she hadn't realised had formed around them.
Slipping pass a large figure, her eyes came in contact with grey-blue. They were staring at her intently as she practically ripped her gaze away from his. As she commenced leaving, a hand grabbed her wrist halting her a few meters away.
"Ess," she heard Tynan's familiar voice breathe.
Without turning to face the blue eyed male, Essa shook her head. "Just continue with practice, I'm heading home first. I'll see you later for dinner,"
She was glad that Chris hadn't pursued the matter any further as he released his grip, allowing her to walk away. In all honesty, she just wanted some alone time right this instance and she was relieved that he was giving her a break after what had just happened. She had never intended on getting herself in such a mess… If only she had kept quiet during lunch today!!
Mentally kicking herself for being such a fool, she was looking forward to going back home and returning back to her painting. At least when she was down in the basement painting she felt at ease.
Chapter Three
"Let's not talk about it anymore," the raven haired figure stated, taking a gulp from her strawberry milkshake. She had just finished retelling her best friends of the events the other day which was still fresh in her mind.
Trish snickered aloud causing her two friends to look at her strangely. "I still can't believe she tried to make a fool out of you."
She burst out into yet another fit of laughter and all Essa could do was arch a brow at her in warning. Shaking her head, Trish gave an apologetic grin. "I'm sorry Ess, it's just that I can picture her smiling proudly at her comment only to have you wipe that expression off her face."
It was Soph's turn to beam with delight as her brown eyes filled with merriment. "Well if you put it like that then I guess it is quite hilarious considering Cassandra Wilkins has an ego the size of the universe."
"And don't forget she has a boyfriend with an even bigger ego," Essa added. "Those two really do deserve each other,"
"Amen," Trish finished and the three of them shouted 'cheers' and drank from their cups.
There was a brief silence as they dazed off into their own thoughts. Essa was busy studying the people entering and exiting the café whilst Trisha was busy studying the booth the three of them were occupying. Sophia on the other hand fidgeted in her seat.
"Oh, that reminds me…" Soph drifted, her gaze settled onto the table. "I have something important to tell you guys," she informed and decided to blurt out the news at her friends' demanding stares. "I can't go to the musical this year…"
Cutting off Trish, Essa voiced her thoughts. "What?!"
"But that's like our annual tradition," Trisha remarked not long after.
Sophia pouted staring at her friends poignantly. "Yeah yeah I feel really bad but Ms. Atkins' constant bantering about academic achievements and being a part of the team got to me the other day," She explained. "I mean I've refused her offers over the past few years but now that it's the final year, I just wanna participate in these competitions just to see what it's like."
"And all these nerdy competitions are occurring during the musical?" Essa queried her bi-coloured orbs staring at her best friend.
Sophia could only nod in reply.
"Will you be kicking butt with that high intellect of yours?" Trish asked whilst poking at her salad. "I mean it's one thing to see you use that resourceful brain of yours but it's another to be watching you use that brain to kick some nerdy butts,"
"And you know how much Trish and I enjoy watching peoples' expression when they notice you're not just a pretty face after all."
Sophia scoffed at Essa's words. "Let's not go there Ess," she pleaded but she saw what was coming.
"Are you saying you're not pretty?" Essa inquired, gazing at Soph in disbelief.
"Well..." the brunette began doubtfully.
Dropping her straw back into her chocolate milkshake, Trish threw her hands up in the air. "I cannot believe this." She said aloud her eyes narrowing on her brown haired friend. "You are beautiful Sophia Teague!" She pronounced with passion, "Just because that jerk dumped you, it's obvious that you can do better!"
Feeling awkward about the entire situation she
was jammed in, Sophia really wanted the floor to open up and swallow her. Trish always had a way with words and with every syllable; she was able to cut open old wounds. "Guys seriously… We were talking about missing the musical this year" Soph said, trying her best to change the subject. It was obvious that her two friends weren't going to let the topic slip that easily.
Essa crossed her arms over her chest, leaning back into her chair. "And now we are talking about you," she stated with finality. "What's gotten you to feel this way about yourself?"
At her friend's query Sophia couldn't bring herself to look Essa in the eye. She was glad that her fringe was covering her view, blocking her vision of her two friends. She had been feeling morose for the past few weeks and she knew what had triggered it. It was the sight of her ex-boyfriend dating one of the cheerleaders and totally disregarding her presence at the cafeteria which had hurt – causing past pains to ache.