^^Toby McLean

After getting saved by Benjamin from the Clichés, I attended my remaining classes. In my last class, I asked one of Chloe’s friends, who was also with me in biology, for the lecture I missed. First, she didn’t recognize me, but when I referred to Chloe, she happily gave it to me.

Then I made my way toward the library to meet Toby and Ben. On my way, I felt someone following me but when I turned I found no one. Maybe I was being paranoid since Benjamin started sneaking on me.

I entered the library and saw a few students sitting there. Passing a smile to Mrs. Peterson, I walked towards the maths section of the library.

As I circled the shelf, I saw Toby and Benjamin sitting on the bench and I blew a breath in relief when I found them talking. I didn’t want to relive the moment.

“I’m glad you’re here.” I smiled, getting their attention.

“Ben was telling me about the Clichés and the stunt they pulled on you,” Toby said, grinning at me. “I’m impressed you said nothing.”

“I know how to keep my mouth shut.” I shrugged.

“Why are we here again?” Benjamin asked, crossing his arms and leaning back.

“You have to stop the stalking.” I firmly said, and he narrowed his eyes at me.

“I told him not to do it.” Toby rolled his eyes at his boyfriend. “But he won’t listen.”

“Don’t blame me for not trusting a stranger.” He grumbled, eyeing me.

“And that’s why I called you here,” I said, making them look at me. “Tell me how can I make you trust me Benjamin and I’ll do anything.”

They raised their brows at me, then side glanced at each other. “You’ll do whatever I say?”

I nodded my head confidently even though I was shaking from inside, but I had to make him trust me.

“Give us a minute.” They said and turned their back on me.

My brows furrowed in confusion as I watched them whispering. I leaned my ear to listen but still didn’t get what they were talking about.

After a good ten minutes, they both turned toward me. Benjamin had a scowl on his face while Toby was smiling.

“How about you tell us your secret?” Toby suggested. “That way we’ll be even.”

I flickered my eyes to Benjamin, who rolled his. “I had a better plan, but he thought that would be unfair to you.”

“What was your idea?” I asked, curiously.

“Trust me.” Toby scoffed. “You don’t want to know.”

I gulped and nodded. “Okay then.” I pondered for a while but got nothing. “I don’t have a secret,” I mumbled.

Benjamin snorted. “Everyone has one so just tell us and be over with this.”

“I’m not sure-”

“I’m going with my plan-“ Benjamin started, but Toby cut him.

“We are not doing it.” Toby squinted his eyes at him, then glanced at me. “There has to be something... anything.”

Without thinking, I blurted. “I’m a virgin...?” It came out more like a question.

For a second they both stared at me, then burst to laugh. I ducked my head in shame and groaned.

Why did I tell them that?!

Toby covered his mouth and tried to control his chuckle while Benjamin slapped his knee and laugh wholeheartedly.

“We-we asked you to tell a secret, not state the obvious!” Benjamin roared, making me shrink. I felt my face heat and control the urge to run.

“Oh-kay enough,” Toby said, finally stopping. “I’m sorry Lilly but I wasn’t expecting that.” He chuckled.

I adjusted my glasses and clutched the strap of my bag. “I told you I have nothing.”

“How about you tell us the name of the guy you like.” Toby grinned and added. “Or a girl.”

“I like... Nate.” I mumbled, and that made Ben halt.

“Nate? As in Nate Spencer?” I bobbed my head and darted my eyes to the floor.

I never told this to anyone, not that it was a secret, it was just I didn’t have anyone to tell. I didn’t tell Chloe because I knew she would play cupid and that would make me embarrassed.

“Everyone likes him.” Benjamin shrugged. “That’s no secret-“

“Have you told that anyone?” Toby asked, cutting Ben. I shook my head. “Then we're even.”

“You’re letting her go easily,” Benjamin growled.

“Come on, Ben, I think it’s enough. She didn’t tell the Clichés even after they pressured her. Do you think she’s going to tell anyone else?” Toby defended me.

“Whatever.” Benjamin rolled his eyes, and they both stood up. “If you tell anyone-“

“I’m dead.” I finished for him again.

~•~ • ~•~ • ~•~

The next day, I stood near the window in front of our cafeteria and waited for Chloe to come. It was raining outside so Chloe suggested having lunch in Cafeteria. I didn’t want to come but I couldn’t force her to go to the library when she told me how much she hated it.

Besides, how bad could it be to have lunch in the cafeteria? It was dark outside as the grey clouds covered the sky. I was observing the raindrops as they trailed down the window when my phone pinged.

Chloe: Got stuck with the cheer squad in the gym. Can’t make it to the Cafeteria. Sorry!

Me: It’s alright.

I sighed and somewhat was happy at the thought that I didn’t have to eat in the middle of a crowd constantly chattering.

I turned around and made my way to the library, but halted when someone called my name. Spinning, I saw Toby descending the stairs.

“Hey!” I greeted him when he reached me.

“Hi. This is the first time I’m seeing you here.” He teased, amused by the library incident.

“I was waiting for Chloe but she will not make it.” I shrugged. “So I’m going to the library.”

“Come have lunch with me.” He offered.

My eyes grew big. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why?” He tilted his head.

“You- your friends will mind-“ I tried to make excuse.

“No need to worry about that.” He grinned and grabbed my shoulders, turning me around. “Not that I have a lot of friends.”

He pushed me towards the cafeteria. “I don’t want to intrude, Toby.”

He stopped in front of the door and came to my side. “How about we sit together? Just the two of us.”

Before I could open my mouth to stop, he tugged me inside. I took a sharp inhale when I saw the cafeteria filled. Everyone was busy with whatever they were doing, and no one paid any attention to me.

Sighing in relief, I looked around the cafeteria as Toby took me to an empty seat. This was my first time coming to the cafeteria, if it wasn’t for the rainy season I would have never stepped inside it. To my left was a huge window wall that gave an amazing view of West Hills as it poured.

Toby pulled a seat for me and I smiled, thanking him, and sat down, still amazed by the interior. I peeked at the ceiling, which was filled with hanging bulbs of different shapes, the wall in front full of graffiti, and a few students were still doing some in the space.

I heard from my fellows in my class about this wall but never saw it myself. The school made this wall for students to draw anything they wanted and show their talent as long as it contains nothing inappropriate.

“Is this your first time here?” I turned my head towards Toby, who watched me quizzically.

“Am I that obvious?” I mumbled, tucking the hair lock that fell out of my braid.

“Kinda.” Toby chuckled. “What do you want to eat? It’s my treat.”

“Nothing. I brought lunch with me.” I said, taking out my lunch from my bag.

He pouted. “Come on Lilly. You have to bear with Ben’s wrath for days. I think I owe you for that.”

“You don’t have to-“

He clicked his tongue and shook his head. “You’re stubborn, you know that?”

“I’m not.” I gasped.

No one ever called me that before!

Grinning, he got up from his seat. “I’ll go get something.”

“No, Toby-“ he didn’t listen to me and stalked towards the counter which was at the very end of the cafeteria.

I sighed and suddenly felt conscious. I looked around and everyone seemed busy. I sat quietly, playing with my fingers as I waited for Toby to come. I didn’t enjoy being alone. Especially in the crowd.

“So this is the Mystery girl.” I turned my head and saw Gabrielle, Benjamin’s ex, crossed arms with her two comrades beside her.

Gabrielle was a brunette with the most desirable features, according to the student body. She was also a cheerleader with Brittany and used to date Ben when they were in freshman year.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I whispered, ducking my head.

She let out a shrill laugh with her minions. “Oh! The entire school knows about it and you don’t!”

Of course, she’s talking about the stalking.

“T-there’s a misunderstanding.” I darted my gaze and saw everyone now paying attention to us.

“No, there isn’t!” She snapped. “Hey, guys, wanna know something spicy!” She gestures toward me. “This is the mystery girl everyone’s been talking about! Lillian Smith!”

The whole cafeteria echoed with murmurs. The chance that I could have gotten away with being Ben’s mystery girl and invisibly spent the rest of my remaining year got ruined. Now everyone knew who I was.

“I don’t get what Ben sees in you. I’m way better than you at everything.” She exclaimed, giving me a once-over. “Can anyone here tell me what is about this girl that makes her better than me?!”

From the corner someone yelled ‘Nothing’ and the whole cafeteria guffawed. Heat crawled up my neck and I cringed my head praying for God to send someone to help me when Toby’s voice came.

“Leave her alone, Gabrielle!” He came forward with a food tray in his hands and growled at her.

“Oh! If it isn’t the gay dude!” She mocked him and everyone continued laughing.

“Wow, that’s so original,” Toby said in a monotone, not getting fazed by her. “If you are done, then leave us.”

“Someone get him out of my way.” She waved her hand and two jocks stood from their table, amused, and clutched Toby.

“Let me go!” He yelled, but they cracked up.

“Thank you, boys.” She gave them her sweetest smile, then turned towards me and it vanished. “Now for you. Tell me, what magic have you done with Ben?”

“Maybe she’s good in bed?!” some guy yelled from the crowd.

“I highly doubt that.” They snickered, making me shrink. “What tricks do you have up your sleeves?” Gabrielle asked, giving me a disgusted look.

I glanced at Toby and saw the jocks stuffing his mouth to prevent him from speaking.

“I’m speaking to you bit*h!” She yelled, making me look at her. “Are you ignoring me?!”

“No-no I’m not-“

“I’ll teach you a lesson!” She picked the soda can from the table and splashed it on me.

I gasped in surprise as the cold liquid trailed down my white shirt making it stick to my body. I took my glasses off my face and cleaned my eyes. Tears built in my eyes, but I bit my lip and controlled myself from sobbing. The whole cafeteria roared in laughter and I heard some camera clicking, but everything went silent when a familiar voice boomed.

“ENOUGH!”

~•~ • ~•~ • ~•~

“Gwt em hf hff mw!”

“What did you say?”

“GW TEMH OFH MH!”

“I still can’t understand you.”

“Of course you can’t you’re sitting on his face, Louis!” I laughed, clenching my belly at the scene in front of me.

Nate laid on the couch on his stomach, with Louis straddling his shoulders, Maddie on his back, and David on his hips.

This was his punishment for snitching on us yesterday.

Brutal. I know.

“Oh.” Louis sheepishly smiled and moved his legs from his face.

Nate gasped for air then bent his neck glaring at Louis. “Get off me now! All of you!”

“No one will move!” Brittany sneered as she applied her nail paint. “You should consider yourself lucky that I’m letting you away with this and showing mercy.”

“You call this mercy?!” Nate tried to waggle his body to move them, but they stayed fixed. “They are all heavy!”

“Hey!” David stopped taking his pictures and scowled at Nate. “I’m not fat, dude!”

I scoffed and shook my head, but I began cackling again when Nate struggled. After my history class, Nate tried to run to his ‘fundraiser’ thing. But I dragged him because he needed to learn a lesson.

“You shouldn’t have told Ben,” Maddie said as she continued playing her game. “He was furious.”

“Yeah!” Louis said, looking down at Nate. “We could have been in hospital because of you.”

“Only you, Louis.” Jordan chuckled beside me, placing his hands behind his head, and leaned his back on the couch.

“Why me?” Louis frowned.

“Because we would have thrown you on him...” David cracked, running fingers through his hair as he posed for his picture, “... and when he’ll be busy beating you-“

“We take that chance to escape.” Tiana finished as she reached us and sat down. She was busy with the cheer squad training before.

“You guys always throw me in danger and run for your lives,” Louis shirked. “Why is it always me?!”

“Because you’re Louis,” I said in a monotone and we burst out laughing except Nate, who groaned.

“Come on guys! I need to plan for fun-“

“Fundraiser!” we all said simultaneously. “We know!”

“Alright, guys get off him now.” Brittany waved her hand as she finished her nails.

“No!” Maddie whined. “I’m having fun here.” She said, shifting on Nate’s back, making him groan in pain. “You’re soft Nate. I should sit on you more often.”

That made Jordan choke. “What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“He’s like my bean bag. Better than the couch here.” Maddie shrugged.

“I’m going to let this one go,” Jordan muttered lowly, but I heard him.

Before I could ask him what he meant by that, Nate grunted. "Any moment now!”

Louis, Maddie, and David grumbled but still get off him. Nate got up and stretched his limbs.

“I hate you all.” He mumbled, cracking his neck.

“Feelings mutual.” Brittany gave him a thin smile and waved her hands, shooing him. “Now leave before I change my mind.” Nate rolled his eyes but left.

“That was fun.” Louis beamed, plopping on the couch with Maddie while David sat next to his girlfriend.

“And Brittany had to ruin it,” Maddie murmured loud enough for us to hear.

Brittany ignored her and turned toward Tiana. “How was the training?”

Tiana shrugged. “Nothing new. Since it’s raining outside, I asked them to do stretches in the gym.” She paused, then gave Brittany a wicked grin. “And then I told them to do it till the end of the break.”

They both burst into giggling, and I shook my head. “You’re true mean girls.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Brittany flipped her hair and a lopsided grin. She glanced towards the cafeteria entrance and her lips stretched into a full-blown grin. “This day keeps getting better.”

I raised my brow at her, and she motioned towards the door. I glanced at where she was pointing and saw Lillian entering with Toby.

I studied her as she looked around the cafeteria like this was the first time she has seen it. Before lunch, I tracked her down but got nothing. Either she was in class or at her locker.

“Now this is going to be fun.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, glancing back at her.

“I told you yesterday that I had the perfect person for her.” I nodded. “Well, I just texted her, and she’s coming.”

My brows knitted in confusion, and that’s when I saw Gabrielle entering with her minions.

“You texted Gabby?” Brittany happily nodded. “I thought you hated her.”

“I do,” Brittany smirked. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Since Gabrielle found out about the mystery girl, she wanted to meet her.” She gestured towards the scene Gabby created with Toby. “And now she got her chance.”

Brittany and Gabrielle have hated each other since freshman year. They were both competitive and wanted to be on the top. They both fought to be the Queen bee and cheerleaders of West High and wanted to be the most popular ones. In the end, Brittany got all the above and Gabrielle got away with Ben.

At first, I thought she was doing it because she despised Brittany but turned out she was obsessed with Ben. She chased Ben for a very long time until he gave up and dated her but after some time they broke up cause Ben wasn’t interested in her but Gabrielle didn’t give up.

Brittany was happy when they broke up and now she’s siding with her to take out their common enemy.

Lillian.

I watched as Gabrielle threw taunts at Lillian and she quietly sat with her ducked.

“This is not good,” Louis mumbled.

I peeked at my friends and saw them scrutinizing the scene.

“Gabby is barbaric,” Maddie mumbled.

“She’s better than you.” Brittany snarled.

“Maybe we should stop her,” Louis said, getting up, but David stopped him.

“You don’t want to get into a catfight.” He said, looking at him seriously. “Trust me.”

I spied on Lillian and she looked like an innocent girl, which made me even more suspicious of what she was hiding in her closet but that doesn’t mean she had to get bullied like this.

I saw Gabrielle throw a soda at Lillian and that’s when it snapped in me. I was about to get up to stop her, but a voice boomed from behind.

“ENOUGH!”

I whirled my head towards the sound and saw Ben furiously glaring at Gabrielle and what she did with Lillian.

“Ben-I ah what are you doing here?” Gabrielle tried to act innocent, but it was too late.

Ben stared at her with a burning gaze that made her shrink. Then he snapped towards the jocks, who were still clutching Toby.

“Let him go,” Ben growled, and the guys instantly let go of Toby as he burned him.

Toby took off his jacket and put it on Lillian while Ben went towards Gabrielle.

“Stay the hell away from her and I’m not joking Gabby.”

“Ben I uh was just-“

“Shut up!” He shouted and Gabrielle closed her mouth.

He turned toward everyone. “If I ever see anyone of you near them again-“ he said pointing at Toby and Lillian, “- I’ll make you all regret the day you were born!” He warned and grabbed Lillian’s and Toby’s hands dragging them out of there.

I blinked my eyes as I watched them leave in shock. I turned around and saw my friends gawking at Ben. Brittany was red as a tomato in anger and the look she gave was clear that she isn’t done.

~•~ • ~•~ • ~•~

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