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Today was the day. I took a deep breath before walking into school. Nicole had the entire weekend and two days holiday to come up with something. But I really did not have the time or energy to get caught up in an argument over a guy. Especially when that guy was Ashton and we weren’t even dating for real.

I stopped in front of my locker and entered the combination code. I jumped back as I opened it, expecting some kind of unpleasant surprise, but there was nothing unusual.

“Uh, what are you doing?” Callie asked, staring at my locker.

“Nothing. I just thought Nicole might be out to get me since she and Ashton broke up.”

Callie laughed. “We’ve got your back,” she announced. Then she shoved her phone in my face. “Speaking of Ashton. We have to go!”

“Where are we going?” I asked, pushing her phone back so I could see properly. It was Ashton’s Instagram page. Apparently he was having another party on Friday night.

“I don’t know about that, Cals,” I said uncertainly as we made our way to homeroom.

“Aw, come on, Liz. You did say you were going to talk to him about what happened on Monday.”

“I know. I still plan to,” I told her as we stepped into the classroom.

Ashton was by his seat surrounded by a group of people as usual. He was laughing and cracking jokes with his friends as I walked past him. His eyes followed me to my seat, but he didn’t say anything.

By the time English and Literature class rolled around, I decided that it was time to talk.

“Hey,” I greeted as he stepped into the classroom. He scowled in my direction.

“What do you want?” Nicole sneered, appearing beside him.

“Um...” I looked from her to him in confusion.

“Uh, hello? I’m waiting,” she scoffed. “What the hell do you want with my boyfriend?”

Her boyfriend? That felt like a slap to the face. Didn’t they break up?

“Nicole,” Ashton sighed in irritation.

She shrugged and continued to stare me down.

“I wanted to talk to you,” I mumbled.

He stared at me before crossing his arms.

“I don’t think we have anything to talk about,” he said, before walking off.

“But we do.” I stepped into his path before I could stop myself.

Ashton leaned down to my height. “Whatever you want to say, you can leave it in the trash over there,” he said, pointing to the trash can.

Nicole cackled as he stepped past me and went to his seat. She placed a hand on my shoulder and dug into my skin with her nails. “You’re so f*cking embarrassing. Do us a favor and disappear, would you?”

“Hands off, Thotiana,” Callie snapped, appearing by my side.

Nicole ignored her and gave me a once-over before sashaying to her seat next to Ashton.

I just stood in the middle of the rows, staring at the ground. My heart felt like it was crumbling again.

I let out a sigh, before looking at Callie with a sad smile. I refused to cry anymore. I shook my head and went back to my seat as class began. It felt like torture reading Romeo and Juliet feeling like this, but I managed to survive the hour.

Biology and Chemistry passed quickly because I got pop quizzes in both classes, but my mind was divided between the questions on the paper and Ashton. I had really wanted to tell him that I could be understanding of his situation, but I guess he didn’t need me to tell him that.

I just managed to finish the last question as the bell rang, signalling the end of school. I didn’t even bother checking over the paper like I usually would. I just handed it in and left.

Maybe this was for the best. I would be doing some really important exams in a few months to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. I shouldn’t get distracted now. I nodded and exhaled slowly. It was for the best.

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