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"You haven't touched your food."

I looked up from my plate to see Justin gazing at me from across the table- a look of concern on his face. I shrugged, looking down at the untouched food.

It has been a day since the fight between me and Aaron took place and, since yesterday, I haven't seen Aaron at all. Only today at lunch did I come to find out from Justin and Danny that Aaron hadn't been in school the whole day.

At first, Justin was suspicious as to why Aaron hadn't told me he wouldn't be in today, but I merely excused it to the fact that 'my phone was broken so Aaron couldn't have called me to tell me' and- added on to this- that 'Aaron knew that I would be able to find out from Justin and Danny, so it wasn't that big of a deal'.

Justin's suspicion seemed to douse at this, but I was still being cautious around him. I didn't want to tell him that me and Aaron had an argument because it would mean that he may ask me what it was about and I didn't want him knowing about me kissing Elliot. I knew I was being selfish, but I didn't want neither Justin nor Danny to have a bad opinion of me. From their view, they'd just assume that I cheated on Aaron with another guy. However, they knew only half the story. They don't know about our 'fake relationship' which means I am not entitled to abide by any rules such as not kissing another man. I can do that without it being seen as cheating because me and Aaron are not in actual relationship. My blood boiled as I thought of yesterday.

Aaron held up a finger to my lips.

"You cannot touch him because I won't let you." He said simply- his eyes trained on me and me only

How dare he tell me not to kiss someone else when we were not boyfriend and girlfriend? It hadn't stopped him.

Before I could further develop my thoughts, Justin waved his hand in front of my face. His eyebrow was raised in question and I suddenly realised that I had forgotten to answer him.

"I'm just not hungry, I guess." I said honestly, pushing the plate slightly away from me because it was true. I was in no mood to eat.

At this, Danny- who had formerly been flirting with a girl beside him- turned abruptly towards us; his eyes lighting up as he did. He licked his lips leisurely before reaching for my plate. However, before he could complete his quest, Justin's hand came hurling in at lightening speed and smacked Danny's hand away from the plate.

"Hey! What was that for?!" Danny squealed, pouting like an infant. He rubbed his hand slowly, glaring at Justin to which Justin just rolled his eyes.

"What did I just tell you the other day?" Justin drawled, turning to Danny with a pointed look. At this, Danny's face contorted into a pained look- a look I had recently found out he would sport whilst he was thinking. Justin drummed his fingers on the table impatiently, awaiting an answer.

Suddenly, Danny's eyes light up and he turned to Justin.

"Don't stroke a beetroot against a woman's arm. It's considered rude." Danny said, smiling smugly as if he had just won the lottery.

Justin rolled his eyes for the umpteenth time that minute before yanking on Danny's ear and pulling him closer with it.

"No. You shouldn't touch other people's food. That's what I told you" His voice was authoritative; his vacant eyes staring at Danny in a way that would probably make the devil cower away. He then let go of Danny's ear, pushing him away in the process.

Danny pouted again, rubbing his ear.

"You could have just said so. You didn't have to be such a meanie about it." Danny muttered, folding his arms across his chest.

Justin rolled his eyes at this, but chose to ignore it and- rather- turned to me.

"You wanna tell me what's wrong?" He asked, putting a cold hand over mine. I smiled at the comforting gesture, but shook my head nevertheless.

"Nothing important, I'm fine." I said honestly because I knew it was best not to tell him.

Justin opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Danny pushed Justin away from me.

"Let me handle this, Justin." He said firmly before turning to me. He put a hand through his hair as he spoke.

"Whenever I feel upset, I just count Sheep. It makes me feel better; it may do the same for you." Danny said with a cheesy grin.

Justin scowled, rubbing his head as to show that Danny was giving him big headache.

"You count sheep to fall asleep; not when you're upset, Danny." Justin explained- a teacher-like tone to his voice.

Danny gasped exaggeratedly at this.

"Great! You control what I do and say! Are you going to control my sheep counting as well?!" He said angrily

I laughed slightly at this making them turn around at the sound and I watched as Danny smiled at my response, eyeing Justin smugly. I smiled slightly at this, but decided that I needed a break away.

I pursed my lips tightly before getting up.

"I need to go to the bathroom." I lied. I just needed to be alone right now and think about all that had happened in the last few days. So much has been going on and I needed to take it all in before I went ballistic.

Both Justin and Danny nodded at me and said their 'byes' before going back to their argument. I replied to them with a small 'bye' before walking out of the lunch hall. A few people looked at me as I walked down the hallway and I could hear some of the things they were saying about how I was unworthy of having two guys fight over me like they did. I ignored them and hurried down the corridor and into the school fields for some fresh air.

It was a hot day. I sat down, removing the cardigan from my body. I thought back to when Aaron complimented me about my attire on the night of the party. I had smiled out of joy at the time, but now all I could feel was anger and disgust.

He had been a lie this whole time. He hid the real truth from me, merely acting as the victim of the story. This made my blood boil even more and I dismissed any thought I ever had of liking him.

He was a fake. Just a fake.

I looked around at the fields, trying to forget about the whole Aaron topic, but immediately stopped when my eyes landed on it.

On him. On Elliot.

Elliot sat alone on a far bench; a half eaten sandwich in his hand. I eyed the bruises on his face, grimacing at the severity. They looked worse in broad daylight and I felt the urge to go over to him and help tend to his wounds.

So, I gave into the urge.

Walking up slowly towards him, I was about to sit beside him, but- before I could- another boy came sat next to him. I watched as they both exchanged pleasantries with each other. I moved back slightly, giving them their privacy.

I'd just have to wait until this conversation was done until I can talk to Elliot privately.

I looked down at the grass, waiting for the boy to leave until, suddenly, I heard my name being said. I looked up abruptly to the unknown boy and Elliot.

Elliot looked at the boy- a confused look on his face. He folded his arms and sat back.

"Yes, I know Alexis. Why are are asking?" He said curiously.

Why was this boy asking about me?

In turn, the boy grinned largely and moved closer to Elliot.

"Is it true that there's something going on between you two?" He asked, the large grin still on his face. I sighed heavily. The fight that occurred yesterday had reached the ears of every student by fifth period and every individual took it upon themselves to devise the most plausible reason as to why the fight occurred.

Although me cheating on Aaron with Elliot was the most popular opinion, there were weirder ones floating around such as Elliot and Aaron were enemies ever since their underground fighting match ended as a tie. Ever since that, they have hated each other and have always looked for opportunities to mess with each other.

How do pupils minds work?

At the boys words, saying Elliot was shocked would be an understatement. He looked bewildered. He stood up, looking down at the boy.

"What?! No." He said and I sighed in relief. If anyone found out about the occurrences between me and Elliot, they would automatically label me as a cheat even though me and Aaron aren't actually going out.

The boys grin faltered at this, most likely feeding off the drama.

"Really?" The boy asked, disappointment filling his tone. He looked down sadly as if he was hoping for some juicy information to be given to him and I had to stop myself from scoffing loudly at how pathetic he was.

Elliot nodded lightly before sitting back down.

"There's nothing going on. Well, from my side, that is. As for Alexis, she hasn't stopped trying to talk to me." He whispered into the guys ear to make sure no one else heard, but I did and it broke me in two.

The boy looked shocked; his eyebrows were raised in confusion.

"Seriously?" He asked, looking at Elliot. I watched in horror as Elliot nodded yet again- a smile on his face.

"Yes. Ever since we've met, she's been telling me how she'd do anything for me and how she'd leave Aaron if that's what meant we'd be together." He lied, stroking a hand through his hair. I gritted my teeth as I listened to the words he spoke. He had used me.

My blood was red hot and it was taking every ounce of self control I had to not go over to them and slap them. I needed to hear it all.

Elliot moved closer, continuing his tale of lies.

"That's how the fight started between Aaron and I. I merely warned him about his girlfriend's nature, but he didn't seem to like that. He attacked me." He snarled- a look of pure hatred on his face.

Well, he wasn't the only one sporting that look. I stared back at him with the same face. I couldn't believe he was lying about this and making me look like this.

The boy nodded at Elliot, urging for him to continue which is exactly what Elliot did.

"Seriously. What a desperate girl. I mean, she's not even pretty." Elliot sneered and then they both were laughing loudly and I heard the slight conversation on them ranking my face and body.

Tears stung my eyes and I numbly moved away from them both. At first, I walked slowly away from them, but it then turned into a jog and- before I knew it- I was speeding down the school fields, tears cascading down my cheek.

All the nice things he had said about me.

"So gorgeous."

"Your boyfriend is a lucky guy."

"Because I would hate for you not to like me."

Everything he had said to me was a lie. He didn't mean any of it and I didn't mean anything to him. He was a liar and a cheat. I cursed loudly as Aaron's voice filled my mind.

Aaron interrupted me, before I could finish.

"Elliot. That's the 'he' I'm referring to. You make him sound like such a saint, but I bet you didn't know he was the one to sleep with her. With Avalon."

So, Aaron was right... and I was wrong.

I ran back into the school hallways, ignoring all the shouting of the teachers saying 'Don't run!' I kept on running till I was out of the school and on my way to the house of the boy I missed more than I could bear.

To Aaron's house.

**************

Panting heavily, I sighed in relief as the realisation kicked in that I was only two streets away from Aaron's house. My legs were burning from running 20 minutes, but I couldn't stop. I needed to see him.

I walked up his street and breathed in, getting ready to apologise. I was about to enter his front yard when my eyes suddenly landed on something a little bit up the sidewalk.

Something that made my stomach churn.

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