[𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐒]

𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐈 𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄

awkward between London and I now, that didn't stop me from getting up early just to go to school with him.

I even ran into Dad who got up extra early to walk Cosmo and get ready for work. Since my door was half open, he noticed me up.

"You're up early," he remarked. when I pulled out my clothes.

"Uh-huh, hey, thanks for walking my son."

"No problem, I'll see you later. Have a good day. Love you."

"Bye, Daddy, love you."

By the time London was in the bathroom, I was at my vanity mirror trying to perfect my eye makeup.

"Oh my god. What the fuck, man?" I heard London groan, it wasn't long until I heard his footsteps heading toward my room.

The door was closed so he knocked lightly. "Paris?"

"Come in."

He opened the door and I refused to look at him.

"Paris, what the hell is that in the shower?"

"What're you talking about?" I was actually confused.

"You threw up?"

"How'd you know?" I finally looked at him.

"Because the shower's a fucking mess," he hissed.

"Okay, you don't have to curse at me."

"Well, I'm sorry but I don't like seeing thrown up spaghetti in the shower when I'm trying to bathe." He sniffled and muttered, "That smell is fucking nauseating . . . . Are you going to clean it up?"

I didn't reply, because, at this point, he was just being mean. Yes, throwing up and not cleaning it up is rude but he didn't have to egg me on about it.

London stormed out after the brief silence.

"Storming out, as usual," I said aloud, so he could hear. He didn't respond to my pettiness.

I was ready for school before London was, waiting in the kitchen for him. I was in a baby blue skirt and crop top set with little Eiffel Towers on it.

London came down soon. Even though I was on my phone, not doing anything in particular, I could feel him looking me up and down. Judging me, I assumed.

"You should probably wear something else."

"Excuse me?" I questioned.

"It's cold outside."

"I'll be fine."

He sighed.

"London, you're not my father or my mother, or my babysitter. I can wear whatever I want."

"Okay, you know what, whatever, let's just go right now so you can catch a cold."

"Awesome," I replied.

The car ride was full of tension and silence.

When we go to school, I kept my head down in the hallway to avoid Shannon, so I could avoid any conversation.

"What, you can't look at me?"

I looked up from my locker to see Darion.

"H– Hey." It was that moment when I regretted my outfit choice.

"How have you been?"

I put my arms over my stomach that was exposed a little bit. "Okay, I guess."

"Look, I'm sorry about what happened between us. And if you don't believe me just know that I cut off Priscilla."

"Well, you didn't have to do that for me."

"But that's what you wanted me to do."

I scoffed."So what? Now you want to be friends again?"

"Well, yeah, that's what I came over here for."

I rolled my eyes and looked away from him. That's when I spotted London by his locker down the hall, with Kristen. He was smiling and so was she while talking to him.

I narrowed my eyes angrily. It upset me that she was making him laugh.

"That emo girl gets on my nerves," Darion's rude comment pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Shut up," I countered. "She doesn't even do anything and she's not emo."

"Yeah, well."

London looked away from Kristen and locked eyes with me, his smile going away. I turned away and looked back at Darion.

"So, you want to be friends again?" I checked, forcing myself to look somewhat okay.

"Yes."

"Okay, then, I guess we're friends again."

Darion smiled, showing his dimples.

"Can I get a hug?"

I really picked the wrong day to wear my outfit and a normal bra.

"Um, okay." He hugged me tightly, making sure my chest was squeezed against him. I caught a glimpse of London shaking his head, like someone let him down.

At lunch, I sat with Shannon, Sean, and Kristen. London wasn't there. I stayed pretty quiet.

Darion came over. "Come sit with me," he insisted.

I began to stand up and Shannon grabbed my hand across the table.

"Paris," she muttered and shook her head. "No."

"Oh, so you her mother now?" Darion was being a smart-ass, but being a smart-ass with Shannon didn't fly.

"No, but I'm her friend," Shannon retorted. "I've been her friend since day fucking one, before your stupid weak-ass ass came into the picture,"

"Yo, Sean, control ya girl."

"My woman's just fine," Sean said cooly. "She's her own person."

I snatched my hand away from Shannon's and grabbed my backpack.

"Are you fucking kidding me, Paris?"

"Don't curse at me."

"No, I will fucking curse at you. This is the same person who laughed and didn't stick up for you when some bitch called you a 'whore'!"

"Shannon, I know you got four sisters but I'm not one of them! So stop talking to me like I am."

"Whatever, just go." She waved me off dismissively.

"Okay, toodles, babe," I said smugly, just to make her even more mad.