Chapter 20: Chapter 20

I shut my eyes for a few seconds, swallowing a gulp down my throat. I couldn't stare at Romeo or mutter anything after the last thing I said.

I glanced at Xander. His eyes were gleaming in delight, he was grinning from ear to ear. Why wouldn't he be happy? He should be happy because I chose him over his enemy. I was sure that Xander would be very pleased with himself right now. He would be feeling on top of the world.

I took a deep breath and breathed out. I finally got the courage to look at Romeo. I stole a quick glance at him.

Romeo's eyes met mine. His forest green eyes were a shade darker and he had a blank expression on his face. But, he was hurt. I knew it. He just did well to hide his feelings.

"Okay," Romeo finally muttered.

He stood up from the seat and walked out of the class, without sparing me a final glance.

A line appeared between my brows. Why did Romeo leave the class? I only told him to vacate the seat next to me. I didn't tell him to get out of the class.

Don't tell me this annoying jerk would skip class because of what just happened.

"Thank you,"

I looked up. It was Xander, he was still smiling like someone who won a lottery. I instantly felt irritated, I didn't know why.

It was obvious that I was acting stupid. I literally chose Xander over Romeo, why was I acting like a cranked up bîtch now?

"Thank you, Ivy." Xander repeated once again.

I forced a smile. Probably, he thought I didn't hear what he said the first time.

"You are welcome. It is nothing, anyway. " I muttered.

Xander opened his mouth to say something. God! I wasn't ready to have a conversation with him or anymore. I felt bad. I needed to reflect on my actions.

I heaved a sigh of relief when the calculus teacher walked inside the class. Even though I wasn't in the right state of mind to have a class. I still liked that the calculus teacher came to the class. At least, I wouldn't be having a conversation with Xander anymore.

Not that I disliked Xander or something else. But, I didn't know why, I felt bad for choosing Xander over Romeo. It felt like I committed a sin.

What the heck was wrong with me? I did the right thing. Why was I feeling so bad?

*

I liked the fact that I was sitting alone in the cafeteria. It was an opportunity to eat peacefully and process my thoughts.

I hoped that Xander wouldn't come and join me. I hadn't seen him in the cafeteria and I wasn't looking forward to seeing him.

I glanced around the cafeteria, sipping my orange juice. My eyes caught a glimpse of Joey and her boyfriend, Jake. They were having a conversation, grinning from ear to ear. I quickly averted my gaze from them before they noticed that someone was staring at them.

Perhaps, this would be the end of my friendship with Joey. I didn't want that to happen. Damn, she was my best friend. The only person I associated with in school before I started hanging out with Romeo and Xander. But, it seemed like my friendship with Joey was going to end, anyway.

I wouldn't talk to her first. Joey was the one at fault. If she didn't apologize to me, I wouldn't make the first move too. She and her boyfriend should go to hell. No, her boyfriend didn't do anything to me. Joey should be the only one to go to hell. She should have fun there.

All of a sudden, I felt someone's presence in front of me. My hands tightened into fists. I silently wished that it wasn't Xander.

I looked up. It was the queen bee, Samantha.

Why was she here?

I noticed that students in the cafeteria were staring at us. I wasn't surprised by their stares. The queen bee of the school was standing close to the school nerd. It was something unusual, so that was the cause of their stares. But, it was kind of annoying. Why were the students of this school in love with gossiping?

"May I sit down?" Samantha's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

She sounded nice and that was fake. Why was she beaming a sweet smile at me? I was sure that she was up to something.

"No," I blurted out.

Samantha let out a soft chuckle."Never mind," She uttered.

She shot me a wink and she sat down on the chair in front of me.

My brows snap together."I believe that I didn't grant you permission to sit down. I am enjoying myself here," I hissed.

"I don't care about that. This is the school cafeteria and not your father's house. By the way, I am acting nice. You should do the same," She shrugged, pouting her lips.

I drew in a long breath."So, what do you want?" I questioned her.

"Can't I sit down with you? Can't we vibe?" She asked back.

"I am sure you are not here for that, anyway. We can't vibe because our energy is so different," I rambled.

She lifted a shoulder in a half shrug."Whatever! Let's forget about what."

She added, beaming a sweet smile at me.``I liked what you did in calculus class. The look on Romeo's face was so epic. I felt like hugging you tightly,"

"Were you in the class?" I asked, lifting an eyebrow.

"Of course." She replied."You are such a smart girl. I like the way you chose Xander over Romeo. If you don't mind, I want to take you out for shopping,"

"Don't bother to take me out for shopping, I don't need your gift. I chose Xander over Romeo in the class because it's the right thing. Xander was the first person to ask about the seat," I explained.

I was also trying to convince myself that what I uttered was the reason I chose Xander over Romeo. I hated that I felt bad about what I did, even though I was right.

I guess I couldn't handle the hurt look on Romeo's face. God! What was wrong with me?

Samantha's eyelids dropped."I don't like the way you are acting cold towards me. I think you really hate me,``she muttered.

My eyes narrowed in confusion. What was wrong with Samantha? I didn't hate her but I hated her bitchy attitude.

"I don't hate you," I muttered under my breath."If you do, you won't be sitting close to me,"

"Then, why don't you accept the shopping date? It is just a friendly gesture," She voiced.

"Friendly gesture? We are not friends, Samantha."

I almost yelled at her but I kept my voice calm. I didn't want the students who were busy staring to gossip about us or get the wrong idea.

"I want to be friends with you," She blurted out.

My jaw dropped. I was shocked and confused. Now, I felt like confirming if Samantha was drunk.

"I am Ivy Young and I am a school nerd. Have you forgotten, Sam?" I queried her.

"I don't care if you're the school nerd. I just want to be close friends with you. You're the only one I told about my dating experience with Romeo. I can't tell my other friends because you're going to make fun of me. But, I told you. That should tell you that I trust you," She rambled.

"I don't know what to say," I mumbled, giving a half shrug.

I didn't think accepting Samantha's friend would be a good idea. Samantha and I were so different from each other. Well, she was just like Joey. Their personalities were the same.

I was so confused right now and I was tongue tied.

"Accept the shopping date first," Samantha uttered.

I shook my head."I - "

"Please," She pleaded.

Her chestnut eyes were pleading with me that I found myself nodding my head.

"Okay," I finally muttered, even though I wasn't sure about what I was doing.