by Zara Rivas
"It's because he's dating Bailey Reed isn't it?" Trisha demanded, her words hitting so close to home. "Sophia listen to me, Kieran Wolenski was nothing until you came along. Nobody in this school knew about him until he joined the soccer team. If it hadn't been for you and your constant support he wouldn't have become the well-known jerk he is today. You can do so much better. You don't need trash like that."
At Trish's rant Soph could only nod her head in agreement – it was after all the only thing she could do.
"Soh," Essa whispered deciding to take a different approach. "If it makes you feel better I'll help you in any plan that you have in killing some of that confidence Kieran has accumulated."
An abrupt movement from Trish caused them to divert their gaze to her. "That's it, that guy is on my hit list, just below Creston's name. That way we can get rid of two birds with one stone," she announced, anger evident in her features as she placed her hand on the table with a thud.
Shaking her head, and waving her hands in a flurry, it was obvious Soph didn't want any part in 'getting rid of' or 'hurting' her ex-boyfriend. She knew that she still had feelings for the guy and she knew that it still hurt every time her friends' touched on the issue. But what she believed in was that she'd get over him one day. And by ignoring her feelings for him as well as blocking him out of her life as much as she was capable of doing, it was the easier route in erasing his memory.
"So Ess, you never told us what Creston did when you gave his girlfriend a piece of your mind."
The left corner of Essa's perfectly pouty lips quirked up, "I didn't stay around to find out," she replied.
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"And what is the bottom line of this story?" Ms. Jackson questioned, her eyes scanning the room. Sitting in the very front row was her number one student who had their hand up in the air, ready to answer her question. "Yes Miss Vander?"
A mousy chestnut haired girl smiled at the teacher's acknowledgement. "That love for specific people is a sin, however the author wanted to portray the main protagonist as a victim of his unearthed feelings," she replied simply. "I mean the whole story was a tragedy from the very beginning with the way it was introduced. But this tragedy could have been prevented if the main character just suppressed his emotions," She elucidated and smiled at the nod of approval from the English teacher.
Throughout this discussion all Essa could do was sit with her head perched on her left arm. She was busy sketching in her notepad – this time drawing a feminine figure clad in armour that was ready to go out to battle.
"Her boobs aren't big enough," came a smooth voice.
Pursing her lips and frowning, the raven haired beauty continued with her sketching, disregarding the person seated to her right.
"Well at least her ass is nice and round in that armour you've put her in. Guys dig chicks in armour, especially body armour that barely covers anything." Creston sniggered as Essa finally averted her eyes on him, throwing him a glare.
"Pervert," she snapped. "And I don't care what you find sexy. You obviously have no taste considering the fiends you go out with,"
Creston chuckled aloud at Essa's statement. Leaning closer to her ear he began to whisper, seeing as the teacher was currently staring at his direction. "Are you still mad about what happened at soccer practice the other week?" he queried.
Closing her book Essa shuffled a little more to her left. "If you don't mind Mr. Spencer, you're invading my personal space," she huffed. "And I do not want to talk to you," she finished with finality, crossing her arms over her chest.
"You do know that just because you don't want to talk to me doesn't mean I won't stop talking to you,"
Silence ensued.
Not one to ever give up Creston persisted to speak. "Why are you mad at Tynan anyway? He's sulking to all the guys about you snobbing him off ever since that day at practice. If you're mad be mad at me. You know that Chris can't take any girl hating him."
Finally snapping Essa turned her blue-green gaze onto Creston. He appeared to be so smug and laidback – half sliding off his chair.
She had tried so hard to move away from his pestering presence in every English class but every time she jammed herself between a wall and a person, the creep would sit behind her or ask the person residing beside her if they could swap seats. What made her tick was the fact that the people in the class obeyed his every command, practically grovelling at his feet. It didn't help to have the girls in class continuously staring at the devil either.
Throughout the past week, Creston Spencer had managed to make her a walking target for all the girls apart of his fan club. Essa was well aware of the various rumours – word was slowly going around that she was constantly throwing herself at Creston when in reality; she was doing her best to avoid the idiot. She had seen the many death glares that were thrown at her in the mornings down the corridor and she had also had a few encounters with Cassandra Wilkins and her mob of friends.
Every time Essa got near danger – Cassandra – she had somehow miraculously dodged the confrontation because Creston always seemed to appear at the same place and same time to save her.
Snapping back to reality, she sneered at him. "It's none of your business who I choose to shun and who I talk to. And there is no way in hell I'll allow you to be the mediator between Chris and I. Also, Chris is known as Tynan to you so stop using my endearment for him. And what makes Chris better than you is that he knows when to give people space. He knows that I'll approach him when I'm ready."
As if on cue, the bell started ringing – signalling the end of class. Grabbing her books and getting out of her seat, Essa stared down her nose defiantly at the still settled form of Creston before turning tail and walking away. It annoyed her to see that permanent smirk crafted on his face.
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Tynan Welling dribbled the soccer ball down the court, preparing to shoot for a goal. With precision and speed, he aimed the ball for the top right corner of the goals knowing it was Creston's weak spot. A trademark grin etched across his face as Creston fumbled for a brief moment before blocking his ball.
"You're getting too cocky Tynan," Creston called and smiled back at his mate.
Scoffing at his friend's words Chris cocked a brow. "You're one to talk Mr. My-Ego-Is-As-Big-As-The-Universe," he voiced, grabbing his jumper from the floor.
"Haha Mr. Girls-Love-Me," Spencer replied. "You shouldn't be too mean to me. I've been a good boy all week trying to keep that girlfriend of yours away from mine. And let me assure you it has not been easy at all,"
The two boys were heading back to Tynan's place feeling tired and sweaty. They had been practising non-stop ever since school finished for the day.
"It's not my fault you date the bitches who feel they need to lash out at any other chick that doesn't immediately drop to their knees and worship them," Chris remarked. "And for your information Essa and I aren't dating. But you knew that already." Searching the area, he was pleased to find that no one from his or Creston's fan club was around. "I haven't had a decent conversation with that girl since last practice. I think she's still traumatised."
Creston looked at his best mate briefly and sniggered aloud. "That girl traumatised?" he asked rhetorically, "Tynan my man, she's just avoiding you to keep out of trouble. I think the two of us together has made her a walking target for the female population at Ocean High,"
"And why do I get the feeling that you're not in the least perturbed by it?"
"Cause I'm not," he snorted.
"Oh I see," Tynan answered, flinging his jumper over his shoulder. He threw Spencer a look of warning, "Just remember I'll have your head if anything happens to my childhood friend."
"Overprotective much?" At those words the blonde figure laughed, placing a friendly arm around Creston's shoulder.
"Jealous much?" Chris shot back.
Creston scoffed at the very idea. "Me threatened by a girl?" H
e shook his head at the thought. "So what's your mum cooking tonight?" Creston asked jovially. He loved Mrs. Welling's cooking – especially when she made her famous chicken roast and white chocolate cheese cake.
"You know Cres, sometimes I think we only became best buds because of your obsession with my mum's cooking," Tynan commented. "And I don't think my father would appreciate it if you proposed to his woman again."
At that statement Creston couldn't hold back the grin; his straight perfect teeth gleaming. Chris had been referring to the first time he had invited Creston over for dinner. And after having tasted Mrs. Welling's strawberry tart, he had jokingly gotten down on his knees demanding his friend's mother's hand in marriage.
Throughout the scene Tynan's father had been observing in amusement however he had placed a possessive arm over his wife's shoulder, deeming her as his for life. Chris' mum couldn't argue to that. She had however made a comment about being very flattered but she only loved her one and only husband.
"Don't even talk about it. Your mother was the first woman to ever turn me down," Creston informed.
"I bet that totally killed your ego." Chris chuckled, "Though it serves you right for targeting an already married woman."
Creston shrugged at this, "I thought I had the power to make a married woman leave her man for me."
Giving his mate a pat on the back, Tynan shook his head. "And here I was comparing your arrogance to the size of the universe... Little did I know it's even greater," throwing Creston a smirk Chris continued to speak. "Just keep in mind Cres," he began. "Had you somehow managed to get a joking 'yes' from my mother to your request, I would have your head on a platter and my father would have done more than just castrate you."
Creston laughed aloud ruffling the pretty, short blonde hair on Chris' head. "Man, what would I do without you?"
"If you're trying to propose to me I rather you say it out nice and clear than speak in Morse code." Tynan remarked, "I'd love to marry you dear Cressie," he announced in a high pitched falsetto. Clasping his hands together and batting his lashes, he added: "However Cassandra Wilkins will eat me alive."
The both of them laughed aloud as they made their way up Tynan's driveway. It was no miracle that the two of them became good mates. Everybody at Ocean High knew that if they had a problem with one boy they'd automatically made an enemy out of the other. It was a shame that Creston didn't get along with Essa. Otherwise the three of them would have been inseparable.
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For the second time this week, Essa had to lie again to her mother about Chris' whereabouts, and why he hadn't been over their house for dinner. Lying to her mother wasn't an easy task. Out of all the things Essa had to deal with, lying to her mum all the while staring at her straight in the eye was definitely the hardest thing she had managed.
After her somewhat lame excuse for Chris' absence at the dining table, Essa had barely touched her dinner before dismissing herself. She had headed outside for a nice walk around the block with her ipod and her pet golden retriever Simba.
It had been oddly quiet without her childhood friend these days, considering she was so used to Tynan's company for neighbourhood strolls. Although she felt irritated by his presence at times, she realised she missed him very much after an entire weekend of no contact. What hurt most was the fact that Chris hadn't bothered to call or approach her today at school like he usually did.
Essa knew that her main reason for avoiding him was to evade the gossip that would pursue if she hung around him. There was no doubt that the girls that had been at the soccer practice incident would have spread nasty rumours about her and the number one thing she despised was unwanted attention from the school population.
Walking briskly around a corner, Essa allowed her dog to lead the way across the road where the ice cream store was located. Tying the leash around a pole, she gave Simba an affectionate pat before making her way into the ice cream parlour. At least Simba was around to provide some company.
Entering the store, Essa managed a smile at the woman standing behind the counter as her eyes glided over the many different options of ice cream. After a decent five minutes, she decided to settle for the cookies and cream. She stood patiently, watching as the woman gave her two large scoops.
Turning to the window to check if Simba was still there, it was then that she became aware of a pair of familiar grey eyes. There in all his six feet glory was Creston Spencer; staring at her.
Frowning, it was Essa who spoke first. "Stalking is illegal,"
"And yet you still do it cause I'm totally irresistible," the light brown haired male smirked, handing the cashier a twenty dollar note as he made his order.
For some odd reason it never failed to surprise her at how easily he twisted her words for the opposite meaning. She had referred to him stalking her, though he managed to switch the scenario.
Seeing that the fool was paying for her order, Essa immediately reached into her pockets in protest. "I can pay for myself," she exclaimed.
Gleaming white teeth greeted her in reply. "Save your money, drinks will be on you next time."
Quirking a brow at him, she grabbed her cup of ice cream. "Drinks? Next time?" she repeated, "Are you hinting that I'll be seeing you again in the near future?" she asked in mock disgust, scooping a spoonful of cookies and cream into her mouth.
It appeared there was a permanent smirk on Creston's lips. He took a bite from his cone, with no intention of answering her question.
Heading for the door, Creston was right behind her. "You know, ignoring people is rude," she called over her shoulder.
"And hating someone with no particular reason is mean,"
"I don't hate you," Essa shot back, "But I don't like you either," she expanded.
Shrugging, his eyes settled onto her mismatched-coloured gaze. "I wasn't talking about me, everyone loves me." He stated arrogantly.
Essa snorted in disbelief. It never failed to amaze her at how conceited Spencer was. Shaking her head at him, she approached her dog that was now wagging his tail profusely at her. Shifting so that she was facing Creston, she looked him in the eye.
"Thanks for the dessert,"
Cocking a brow, that familiar smirk was still etched on his rugged features. "I guess you like me a little more considering you remembered your manners around me this time."
Without even listening to the jet-black haired figure's response Creston approached the patiently waiting golden retriever. By now Simba had started barking, his tail wagging in pure glee at the stranger standing before him.
Bending down, Creston touched the dog and gave him a nice rub behind the ears.
Traitor… Essa thought as she watched her pet react enthusiastically under Creston's display of companionship. She hated the fact that even her own dog was grovelling at the womanizer who she disliked greatly.
Moving over to where Simba was, she untied him and observed grudgingly as the golden retriever half pounced on Satan's spawn.
"Simba," Essa scolded pulling him off of Creston. She was just about to apologize for Simba's cheekiness but she bit back her tongue just as the words 'I'm sorry' was about to escape.
Why should I apologize for Simba's actions? It's not like I'm the one that's currently licking his face… She thought, tuning out of her surroundings as she unconsciously multi-tasked – thinking, as well as eating her ice cream. It was a pair of hands waving before her eyes that broke her out of her reverie.
Blinking, her gaze met grey, a heart warming smile gracing his lips.
"Ever been to a party before?" She heard him ask and all she could do was cock a brow at him as if he was an idiot. "I mean have you ever been to a party with me there?" He queried and she shook her head at him.
"Good riddance too," she voiced and it caused his grin to widen slightly which further annoyed her.
"Well here's your chance to come and stalk me further," he announced. "I'm having a party after school thi
s Friday for my birthday. Hope to see you there." Pausing he decided to add: "And as stated before, drinks will be on you." He finished and with that he threw Essa one of his most bedazzling smiles before walking away.
Chapter Four
"Please tell me you'll come," Chris pleaded but already knew what her answer would be from the look in her eyes.
Essa Evans was glaring at her childhood friend with her mouth pressed into a tight prim line. She hated parties – high school parties to be exact – that involved alcohol and adolescents. From experience the two didn't go well together, and she had been to a few.