Chapter four

The next day I stumbled out of bed, yawning and stretching as I headed for the bathroom. I stepped on something hard that made me shriek, and when I looked down, I saw Andre's Nintendo DS on the floor. That instantly made me scowl. Gritting my teeth, I went to his room to give him a piece of my mind.

He was still fast asleep, his mouth hung open while he snored loudly. I looked around his room for a weapon, grabbing one of his Marvel figurines off the desk and dashing it at his head. 

Andre quickly sat up, clutching his eye. "Argh! What's wrong with you man?" He glared at me and I gave a sweet smile in return.

"Now we're even. Don't leave your stupid games on the floor."

He rubbed out his eye and kissed his teeth. "I left it to charge."

"You have plug sockets in here, don't give me that crap. Anyway get up, you've got school soon."

He cursed under his breath and I left his room. 

*

I walked into sixth form feeling more tired than ever. If it were up to me, I'd skive and sleep in for another few hours, but attendance in school matters, plus I had a group project to deal with. Within seconds I met up with Brooklyn and we headed to our first lesson: Media. Once we were seated at our usual table, I got my books out and plonked them on the table.

"I hope today flies by. I've even got work after this," I grumbled.

"Be happy you've even got a job," Brooklyn teased with a nudge of the elbow. She retrieved her exercise book and flipped it open to a fresh page. As she wrote the date, I saw a smile curl on her lips. "Speaking of work, you still haven't told me much about this Kayden guy."

The name alone made me roll my eyes, then I was quickly reminded of our phone call last night and how sexy he sounded over the phone. After that, I remembered how much he had annoyed me the whole day. The fact that I'm stuck working with him was torture in itself. "What more is there to say? He's a prick."

Brooklyn laughed. "He sounds funny; you two are gonna be best friends."

I shot her displeased look. "Don't push it."

She shrugged. "Everything happens for a reason, though. God didn't make you bump into him for nothing."

"I'm sure this was less about God and more about me being clumsy."

"We'll see."

I scoffed and angrily drew a table on my sheet. "Anyway, we've got our plan and storyboard. We need to make sure we borrow the cameras and tripod today so that we can get some filming done over the weekend."

Brooklyn nodded in agreement. "We need at least three people to act for us."

I pondered for a second. Our project was to produce a short film. It could be about anything of our choice, as long as it had a concise story and a disequilibrium. The film had to be no longer than five minutes with minimal actors. We decided to go for a short horror story. It was easy to do and there were many different angles that we could take it. I was lucky to have Brooklyn in my group, as she was good at her craft. The third person, however, was missing. Some idiot called John. He was never around when it came to group work, so it was practically us two carrying this project. I was going to make sure he didn't get any points from this if he wasn't even around to make the effort.

"We need Chris," I concluded.

Brooklyn's eyes lit up. "Yeah, he's sick at acting." She glanced at the clock on the wall. "He might be in Sociology. You reckon we should ask him about it now?"

"Yeah, why not. I need to go to the bathroom, anyway."

She nodded and began writing stuff down. I was amazed at how quickly Brooklyn's wrist flew over the pages. I decided to leave her to it and excused myself from the class. After using the toilet, I made a quick detour, skipping upstairs to the classroom I knew Chris would be in. I looked through the glass in the door and spotted Chris in the corner of the room, paying no attention to the teacher and texting on his phone instead. I reached for my phone in my pocket and dropped him a quick text. Then I waited.

He glanced at his phone and raised a brow before his head shot up, his eyes locking with mine. I gestured him to leave the class and he immediately stood up. Judging by his lips, I could tell he used the excuse to use the bathroom, and the teacher nodded, finally excusing him.

Chris exited the class like a convict who'd just escaped prison. He stretched and bent his back, sighing loudly. I couldn't help but laugh at how relieved he was to be free. Chris stood at 6'2, light-skinned and slim. He was good-looking, but one of the class clowns. Girls loved him for it, though. Funnily enough, there's never been an attraction between us. He would flirt with me, but then again, he flirts with every girl. Chris and I have been friends since year seven and I wouldn't have it any other way. He was a rude boy too, even for me.

"Is the class that bad?"

"Too dead," he groaned. Then he grabbed my wrist and yanked me into a hug, burrowing his head into my hair and sniffing deeply. "Thanks for saving me, baby."

I laughed, wrapping my arms around his slim frame and rubbing his back. "You're welcome, boo. I need you for something."

"Even though you have a man? You're wild, Becc's."

I pulled away from him and slapped his massive head. "Not sex, you wasteman! Me and Brooklyn-"

"Threesome?" He rubbed his hands together and bit his lip.

I rolled my eyes and gripped his hand, pulling him down the corridor and back down the stairs. He simply laughed and squeezed my hand.

"You started your new job yesterday, I swear? How was it?"

"Not bad, actually."

Chris hummed. "Might have to pass through one day."

"You can. Don't expect a discount though."

"Fuck."

I laughed at his failed attempt at getting cheaper trainers and turned the corner, Chris' lanky body still in tow. "We're doing a short film for Media and we want you to be in it."

"What do I have to do?"

"We'll show you the script."

"If it's porn I'm down."

I laughed. "You're a horny guy. It's a horror."

"Ahh. That's cool, too."

"It will be."

"Better make it quick though, I need to shit."

I suddenly dragged my hand away as if he had done the deed already. "You shit in public toilets?"

Chris shrugged. "Yeah man. You would as well if you ate my sisters cooking last night. Fucking nasty. She try give me curry but everything was off. Now I have the runs." 

I couldn't stop the bubble of laughter that erupted my throat and soon I was in hysterics. Chris nudged me hard and we eventually reached the classroom. It was still buzzing with groups chatting about their assignments. My Media teacher, Mr. Samuel, noticed Chris and raised a brow.

Chris didn't care, however, and raised a fist. "What's good, Mr. S?"

Mr. Samuel rolled his eyes and bumped fists. "Avoiding class again, Chris?"

"Only for a little bit. Don't mind me."

Mr. Samuel waved us away and Chris winked at me before joining our table. Brooklyn smiled at the sight of him and was wrapped in his thin arms.

"Chrisss!"

"You alright, beautiful?"

"Yeah. Did Becc's tell you?"

"About the threesome? Yeah, I'm down."

Brooklyn glanced at me and I shrugged.

Chris snatched Brooklyn's pen and began doodling on her page. "Obviously we need a solid plot to make it theatrical. You two are childhood friends and you agree to experiment because you've both been single for a while. I'll be the delivery man from RoyalMail. When I ring the doorbell, you two answer and go 'what a big package you have,' and that's when you both drag me in and I get-"

"Show him the storyboard, Brooks," I sighed, rubbing my eyes from exhaustion.

"You need help," Brooklyn shook her head with a chuckle, flipping the page over and presenting the neat storyboard we'd written up the week before. Chris looked over the work, his finger and thumb stroking his chin in faux-pondering. Then he leaned back with a nod.

"This works as well," he muttered.

We both laughed and began planning the filming session.

*

My stomach grumbled as I sat down. It was lunch time and I had dragged Brooklyn to Morley's to get some good ol' chicken and chips. The common room was bustling with people, but I was always with the same mixed bunch. As I stuffed my face, Gavin leaned in for a chip. Reluctantly, I fed him one.

"How's the new job?" he asked with his mouth full. Gavin was another boy who I knew and loved. He was dark-skinned with single plaits and a really big mouth. Always chatting. Gavin was Chris' companion; they were basically joined at the hip. If you saw one without the other, chances are something is seriously wrong.  

I shrugged at the question. "It's alright so far."

"You get a discount and all that?" 

He was definitely more blunt than Chris, that's for sure. "I do, but you don't."

Everyone laughed.

"Who else has a free period next?" Isaac asked. 

"I do," I said as I slurped my carton of apple juice. 

"Same," Grace replied, glancing up from her phone.

"Wanna chill at the park?"

I raised a brow. "What's at the park?"

He shrugged. "I hear they they have a new basketball court there." 

"I'd come but I'll kill you at B-ball so I don't see the point." Chris chewed on his bubble gum and gave a shrug, pulling Grace closer to his chest.

Isaac's face screwed. "Just cos you're lanky, doesn't mean you're good." 

"You know I can beat you, though. What are you, like, 5'6? Just forget it, man."

Everyone laughed at that. It was true that Isaac was the shorted of the bunch, and the boys never let him forget it. Him and Chris found it hard to get along, they were polar opposites. Most of the time it was banter ... although at Isaac's expense. They were always having verbal war, and have been since year seven.

"Again with the height. I still get girls, so what now?" Isaac stood his ground (just about) and everyone eyed Chris, waiting for the next clapback.

Chris only smirked. "What girls? Coz if you're chatting about that gargoyle you brought to Gavin's birthday, I have to tell you from now, you're mistaken."

"Ooooooh!" The group erupted in a jeer and I shook my head with a smile. Every day they went at it, and Chris always came out on top. It was entertaining to say the least. 

Chris stood up, Grace following right behind, and leaned over to kiss me on the cheek. "I'll be outside," he announced before leaving.

"Bye, guys." Grace waved and they both left the common room.

"You not going with them?" Another boy, Derren, asked Gavin. 

The boy shrugged in return. "They've got a little ting going on, I'm not tryna be a third wheel."

"Becc's," Brooklyn nudged me gently. "We need to see about the cameras."

I nodded, chucking my empty food box away and getting up. "Let's go."

*

I hopped off the bus and walked down the road, once again passing McDonald's with a wistful sigh. I can't eat there all the time, but it looked so inviting. Plus, I just ate. I walked down the road, listening to my favourite soul playlist and merrily singing to myself. Just as promised, I reached Footlocker early and waved at the workers before heading to the staffroom to change and put my belongings away. As I pulled on my work top, I glanced around, expecting the demon to magically appear. Luckily he didn't, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Once I left the staff room, Herman approached me with an amiable smile.

"How's everything, Rebecca?"

"Good so far."

He nodded and handed me a thin plastic document file with some papers in it. "Over the next couple of weeks I need you to fill this in. It's about health and safety regulations and operational tests that we've gone through so far. Just fill it in, sign it, and get it back to me."

I nodded and took the papers from him. As he walked away, my eyes were drawn to his round head. The balding spot in the middle reflected the light in the room and bounced off his head as he went to the office.

After being trained on the till by another supervisor, Michael, I was tasked to stay by the counter as the shop floor was becoming busy. I didn't mind, though. I began filling in some of the paperwork given to me by Herman, sometimes frowning at something I didn't understand, or smiling at something that was too easy. Despite having to serve customers at such a busy hour, I still managed to get through five pages. I was feeling an immense amount of progress when I felt a figure looming behind me.

Then warm air on my neck.

"Having fun, Ree?"

I swallowed hard at the low voice. Why was he so close?

Slightly stepping aside, I turned to glare at him. "No."

"You were smiling just now. Are you cheating?"

"Why the fuck would I cheat?"

Kayden shrugged and leaned on the counter, his brown eyes watching me and that lopsided smile on show. "It was just a question. I checked some of Stacey's answers when I did mine."

"So you happily admit you're a cheater?"

He chuckled. "Just this one time."

I glanced down at the sheet and read out the first question. "What are the three extinguishers we have in the store?"

Kayden bit his lip as he thought. "Water, foam, and carbon dioxide. We also have a fire blanket on the top shelf in the stock room."

I hummed, moving on to another one. "Describe the fire emergency evacuation plan."

"Evacuate the customers, close the shop if there's time, and exit out the back door."

"Where is the meeting point for the employees?"

"Just by the station."

I was taken aback by how quickly he fired the answers. "You seem to know everything, so why did you copy Stacey?

His broad shoulders shrugged again. "To save time."

"You're annoying."

"You're sexy."

I rolled my eyes and placed the papers in the drawer. There was no way I'd be able to concentrate if he was here, anyway.

Kayden moved closer then, his voice dropping even lower. "Why did you lock off on me yesterday?"

"Because you were chatting shit and trying to have phone sex."

He laughed and I saw the dimple in his chin. "I was messing with you, I don't do phone sex."

I raised a brow. "Oh really?"

"Yeah. What's the point when I could be doing the real thing?" His eyes laid on me and I didn't sense an ounce of humour. I stared back, unable to tear my gaze away. He pushed away from the counter and stood straight, looking down at me with such a serious expression. I could only watch those eyes as he searched mine. Right then and there, I wanted to delve into his mind and read his thoughts.

Before my heart could rip out my chest, I finally looked away. "Next time don't disturb my peaceful aura. I was trying to sleep."

"I just wanted to hear your voice."

"You ain't heard a female voice before?"

Kayden laughed. "Yeah."

"Exactly, so don't call me for foolishness again."

Like a Godsend, a customer came to the till. Kayden shifted away from me slightly and I felt like I could breathe again.

"Hiya," I beamed with my fake employee persona. 

The middle-aged Caucasian woman only smiled back and placed a full Puma tracksuit on the counter. "Can I get these, please?"

"Sure. Would you like a bag?"

"Yes please."

As I scanned the items through, I felt Kayden's eyes on me the whole time. It made me nervous, and the bag almost slipped out of my hands as I stuffed the receipt inside and handed it over to the customer. She thanked me before walking off.

"You need to stop this staring thing," I muttered, avoiding eye contact completely.

"I can't get enough."

My heart thumped and I felt overwhelmed and dizzy ... too dizzy. I clutched my forehead and groaned at the sudden pounding of a migraine. I had a slight headache this morning but I didn't think anything of it. Now I was paying the price with a full-blown migraine, and it was gradually getting worse.

Kayden was close to me in an instant, his hand on the small of my back as he leaned closer. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing serious, just a headache." I cringed at the incessant pulsing.

"That doesn't sound like nothing serious," he argued, seemingly truly worried.

"I'm fine."

Kayden watched over me with a brow crinkled in worry. With a soothing voice, he whispered, "Go rest in the staffroom. I'll cover the till."

I nodded, not willing to argue. "Thanks," I mumbled. I left the till area and half-stumbled to the staffroom, quickly finding the sofa and falling down onto it before shutting my eyes to rid of the blearing light. It was such a sudden onslaught of pain, I didn't even know what to do with myself. After a few minutes, my mind wandered and I found myself drifting off to sleep.

It was the same dream as always. Last time it got interrupted, but this time things were different...

"Please join hands," the minister instructed like last time.

We both did as he said. Once again, my hands were sweaty from the constant nerves. Like he did in all of my dreams, Leon gave me a reassuring smile and squeezed my hand tight.

"Leon Richards, do you take this woman, Rebecca Stellon, to be your lawfully wedded wife; and do you promise to love, honour, respect her, and comfort her, and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her for so long as you both shall live?"

Leon looked at me with a pleased smile. "I do."

"Rebecca Stellon, do you take this man, Leon Richards, to be your lawfully wedded husband; and do you promise to love, honour, respect him, and comfort him, and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him for so long as you both shall live?" 

Suddenly everything changed. The aura was different, darker, and in slow motion. I could see from a whole other perspective in this dream. I witnessed Leon holding my hand; I could see it all from a third eye. For some strange reason I was an onlooker in this dream. It was weird seeing myself in a elegant flowing ivory dress, holding onto Leon's hands and reciting my wedding vows.

"I do."

Wait a minute ... that wasn't my voice. 

"I now with divine blessings and the power vested in me, joyfully pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may kiss the Bride."

I watched as Leon slowly removed the veil from the suspects face. I froze and became stiff with shock when I saw Olivia's face revealed instead of mine. She flashed a broad smile and Leon leaned forward to kiss her on the lips.

I shot up with a hot forehead and a thumping heart. The dream seemed so realistic and surreal, almost like I was experiencing paralysis. No matter how much I wanted to move, my body wouldn't allow me, and it felt heavy like lead. 

"Ree?" 

I jumped at the voice, completely startled at the sight of Kayden sat on the end of the sofa, his body leaning closer. He was watching me intently; my whole body began to heat up. I glanced around and realised I was still in the staffroom. I breathed deeply in order to contain my irrational heartbeat and scattered thoughts. The lights were off. I assumed Kayden switched them off to make it easier on my forehead. I slowly sat up, letting my feet touch the floor.

"How long have I been asleep?" I asked.

"Roughly half an hour." His eyes were sincere as he edged closer, his cologne making my head swim. "How're you feeling?"

I turned away, feeling my head and noticing that the thumping had died down. Now a dull ache was left in its place, but it wasn't unbearable. "Not bad."

Suddenly he reached for a glass of water and some painkillers that were on the table. "I bought you some Anadin from next door. No one had any tablets here. So fucking useless."

I watched him for a while before accepting the glass and tablets. "Why?"

Kayden arched a brow. "Hm?"

"Why are you going this far to help me?"

He watched me momentarily, shocked by the question. Then he flashed a gentle smile. "Because I care."

I instantly looked away, not wanting to get caught up in those intense eyes. I threw the pills in my mouth and chugged down half a glass, placing it down on the table and wiping my mouth. "Thank you. I'll give you the money back."

He chuckled. "For some tablets? Nah, you're good." He looked at the clock before glancing at me. "I came here to wake you. I spoke to Herman about covering your shift. You can go home."

My eyes bugged. "But I feel better."

Kayden shook his head. "Doesn't matter. Go home and get some rest."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"We were meant to finish at the same time. If you cover me you'll be pulling a 10-hour shift."

"I already know that."

I groaned and shook my head. "You didn't have to do that."

"Didn't I just say I care?" He reached up and placed the back of his hand on my forehead, checking my temperature. I winced and stayed still, suddenly realising that my nose was blocked as well. "You're hot," he whispered, eventually moving his hand away.

That sentence alone made me shiver. 

"You look pale as well. I think you're coming down with something." I was shocked when he pulled out a pack of tissues. Where the hell was he getting all these items from?

I sighed with a sniff and took the tissue from him, quietly blowing my nose. "Thanks," I huffed.

"No worries." His gentle smile returned. "Get some rest, yeah?"

I nodded, deciding to obey him and stood up to go to the locker. After packing my bag, I left the staff room, Kayden following closely behind. Herman gave a nod of assurance, and I said my goodbyes to the team before heading to the exit.

"I'll chat to you later," Kayden promised.

I glanced up at his tall handsome frame, unable to form words.

He opened the door for me and I stepped out, glancing back at him curiously. Why was he so good to me? He knows nothing about me, I'm rude to him, I could be a complete psycho ... yet he still...

"Bye, Ree."

I swallowed hard and gave a weak smile. "Bye."

*

"You don't get it. He won't leave me alone." I groaned and stuffed my face in my pillow. Shanay laughed and rubbed my back. It's been two weeks since I had that nightmare of Leon and Olivia. Shanay decided to visit me after work and I had a free day so we were catching up. I was informing her about Kayden and how much of a pain in the backside he was, but just like Brooklyn, she found it hilarious.

"You said he was nice so what's the problem?" 

"That doesn't mean I want him!"

"I'd have him." Shanay licked her lips.

I kissed my teeth. "Be my guest, take him. Then he wouldn't bother me all the fucking time." She can have Hayden and Kayden.

She hummed as if she was genuinely considering it. "How is he even annoying?"

I rolled onto my back and glanced up at the ceiling, my mind reeling at all of the things he's said and done to bother me over the past two weeks of knowing him.

"He's cocky. He knows he can get any girl he wants and he plays on that. He follows me around everywhere I go, always asking me shit. He doesn't know when to quit and he's too sexy."

"Huh?" Shanay raised a brow.

"He's too nosey," I corrected myself.

She laughed. "At the end of the day, he likes you. He probably thinks you're playing hard to get. You should let him know from now that you're not interested ... even though I think you are."

"Fuck no! I always let him know that I'm not interested."

"Have you flat-out told him that?"

I paused for a moment, thinking of our past conversations. Actually, I don't recall ever telling him that I wasn't interested, maybe I just forced myself to believe I did.

Shanay gasped and suddenly leaned closer. "Hold up! Does he know you have a man?"

My eyes widened and I cleared my throat, looking away.

"Becc's ... you haven't told him about Leon?"

"Not yet."

"Yet?" Shanay shook her head in disbelief. "How has that not come up in two weeks?"

"I always forget, man. I dunno." I shrugged and had flashbacks of Kayden holding me a certain way or talking in my ear whenever we were at work. Although I always pushed him away and spat insults, I never actually mentioned that I had a boyfriend. Kayden was a respectful guy, maybe he would hold off on his advances if he knew I was taken. 

"Y'know what I think?" Shanay asked with a smile.

I rolled my eyes as soon as I heard her Dr. Phil voice. "Go on."

She leaned on me and began playing with my hair, wrapping her finger around a curly strand. "I think you consciously hold off on telling him. Deep down, he intrigues you, and you want to know more about him."

My heart thumped. "Shan..."

"So when he's all up in your face, hugging you, whispering in your ear, being considerate, you're loving it. But obviously, you can only play it off by being rude."

I shoved my head into the pillow again, trying to block out her words. "Stop..."

"That's how it started with Leon. He used to piss you off, and you didn't think he was worth your time, but eventually, he wormed his way in. You were always mean to him for like the first two months of your relationship. Must just be a defense mechanism."

I glared at her now. "Shut up."

"And it sounds like Kayden likes this rude side of you. That's why he keeps coming back. Even though you know you have Leon, you'll keep letting Kayden in because Leon's already on thin ice with this whole cheating thing, and like you said, Kayden's sexy." She folded her arms and gave a triumphant smile. "Am I right?"

I watched her with narrowed eyes and a snarl. Shanay was always ready to psychoanalyse me. "No. He's just annoying. I don't want to let him in, I just always forget to mention Leon because the chance hasn't come up. Anyway, I don't think that'll stop him from calling me every ten minutes." Almost on cue, my phone began to vibrate. I checked the caller I.D and showed Shan the screen. "See?" I threw my phone to her. She caught it and looked up at me curiously. "Tell him I'm in the bathroom or something."

Shanay nodded dutifully and answered the call. "Hello?" I heard Kayden's familiar deep voice on the other end and she smiled. "Nah, it's her friend." She took the phone away from her mouth and bit her lip. "He sounds so sexy," she whispered.

I simply tutted and rested my head on the pillow, waiting for her to come off the phone.

"You wanna speak to her?" Shanay glanced at me and I shook my head. Kayden's deep voice was heard again. "Alright, here she is." She threw the phone and I caught it, staring at her in shock. Then she smiled sweetly. This must be for all the times I've hung up on Hayden whenever she was on the phone to him.

"Bitch," I muttered.

She winked and began texting on her own phone.

I sighed and finally put the phone to my ear. "What do you want?"

"You should know by now."

I held the bridge of my nose and sighed. "Is this gonna be a waste of my time, or can I lock off now and save all the trouble?"

"You're not hanging up on me again, Ree."

That confidently stern tone made my heart flip. What pissed me off the most was that ... he was right.

"I wanted to ask you somethin'. Me and my boys are hitting a rave next Saturday, I was wondering if you wanted to come."

"You and your boys?"

"And some girls."

My body became rigid. All I could picture was Kayden in a packed club, gripping the waist of some random pretty girl. The image made me sick. "No."

He gave a throaty chuckle. "You didn't even think about it." 

"Hold on a minute while I ponder ... no."

I heard him sigh. "You're a stubborn girl, y'kna."

Shanay grabbed the phone from my hand. "Kayden, she'll call you back yeah?" Then she hung up. "What did he ask you?" 

"Something about going to some rave with  him and his boys," I answered dryly with a shrug. 

"And you said no? Are you dumb?"

I watched her cautiously. "I'm not going."

"You are."

"I have Leon."

"Fuck him!" Shanay went onto my call log and pressed the green phone.

"Don't you dare, Shan."

She smirked and in no time he answered. "Kayden? Nah it's her friend again." He said something and she glanced at me with a smile. "I know, that's just how she is. But she said she's down for the rave." She quickly held me back as I sprang up and lunged for her. Shanay was way too agile and flexible to try and fight with. Somehow she turned her body, making me drop off the bed and land on the floor with a thud.

"Owwwwww!" I clutched my elbow and she snickered quietly before going back to the conversation.

"Yeah, yeah. Oh, the one near Clapham Common?" Kayden's deep voice continued to resonate through the phone and Shanay hummed. "Okay. Next Saturday at 10, then? Oh ... nah, I'm busy that day. Thank you, though."

Slowly, I crawled back on the bed, glaring at her as I spooned the pillow in defeat. 

Shanay couldn't care less. "Okay, that's cool. She'll see you Saturday. Bye!" She hung up and smiled down at me sweetly. "He sounds frigging sexy mate. Thank me later."

"You're a bitch for that."

"You deserve it. You should give him a chance."

I kissed my teeth and screamed loudly into the soft folds of my pillow. "I have Leon!"

"No one says you have to fuck Kayden. Just treat him like a friend. How does that sound?"

I removed my head from the pillow, feeling deeply upset that I'd been dragged into this mess. "Shit idea," I mumbled.

"Why, because you wanna be more than friends?"

"No way."

"You sure?" She leaned closer and poked me in the cheek. "Imagine whining with him. I wonder how big he is down there."

I quickly stuffed my face back in the pillow, ashamed to admit to myself that I had already beaten Shanay to that fantasy.

Shanay continued to laugh at my pain and went back to texting on her phone, unaware that she had officially ruined my life.