Chapter 20

Throughout the morning, Ariel couldn't stop playing with the pendant of her new necklace. I should probably hide it again, but Jade will notice if I forget to pull it back out. She wandered the halls with her lunch bag, wondering where to go. The last spot didn't work out, so she didn't want to head back there.

As much as I hate crowds, I'm better off trying to blend into one than stand out and have them come for me again. Ugh, but the noise. If only I could eat in the library; I doubt they even know where it is.

She made her way outside, where a bunch of picnic tables with benches were set up. The tables filled up fast, but the one at the far end was empty, so she slid onto the bench and pulled her lunch out. Maybe I should check if my next class is free, then I could just spend lunch there and be early.

The bento box had a fruit salad, chicken vegetable pasta for the main, and a side of cheese chunks. Thank you, Jade, but this is too much. Not wanting to let any of it go to waste, she dug in.

"Geez, who makes your lunch? And can I get one of them?" a boy with black hair asked as he sat across from her with his sandwich. "Pasta at lunch." He shook his head and sighed. "And all I have is the sandwich I make myself."

Do I know him? Ariel glanced up at him and kept eating. I don't even have an answer to that. It'd be weird to say a friend made it, and weirder to say the man staying at my house made it.

"Don't tell me it's a butler? Are you secretly super rich?"

"Ha," Ariel scoffed.

"Guess not. And I'm Andy, by the way. We have second period together, in case you didn't notice."

"Sorry."

"Ouch." He bit into his cheese sandwich. "But I guess it's okay to not know everyone in the class, especially in high school. Not much of a talker?"

She shook her head and kept eating. I'm starting to get full...

"Can I have some of that?" He pulled at her bento box.

"Hey!" She yanked it back. "Don't grab at people's food like that."

"Oh, you finally looked up and started talking. Seriously, though, I'd love to try the food."

"It was made for me, sorry. And the first time..."

"First time? Yeah, I don't recall seeing that bag or more than a sandwich with you before."

Is this guy watching me or something? She sighed, feeling the pressure in her stomach, and picked at her fruit salad.

"I can always finish it for you, so you don't have to worry about waste or bringing it back with food still in it," Andy offered, growing hungrier from the scent of the nearly finished pasta.

"I'd still rather not share my food with a stranger, sorry."

"I'm not a stranger; I'm your classmate, Andy."

"Almost the same thing to me." She sighed again. I'm not sure I can make it through. She picked up a piece of cheese to eat, and her bento box pulled away.

"Just say someone stole it if you have to." Andy ate her food, stuffing his cheeks. "It's not good to push yourself to eat more than your stomach can handle; you'll end up with massive indigestion. Trust me, I know about it, and I'm still trying to learn the line." He gobbled up the rest and slid the box back. "There was only a little bit of the pasta for me to taste, but hats off to the chef." He kissed his fingers and flicked them into the air. "The chef's not you, is it?"

"No." She shoved everything back into her bag and stood. "Bye."

"Okay, bye. I'll see you in class tomorrow. And she's gone. I wonder if the necklace is new."

By the time her last period class came around, Ariel couldn't help but feel like more eyes were on her than normal. What is this about now? Last time I got this much attention, someone had started a rumour.

Mr. Lux squatted down beside her desk. "Are you okay, Ariel?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Uh, it's nothing, I guess. As long as you're okay, that's what matters." He continued on his way, helping those that asked.

That was weird.

"Did you hear about her and Andy? Wouldn't think someone like her would be a boyfriend stealer." Someone's voice caught her ear.

"I thought she already had Mr. Lux, but now she wants Andy, too? Leave some for the rest of us."

Andy? I've met him once! He sat near me, and if he has a girlfriend, and it's an issue to talk to other girls, that's on him!

"Didn't you hear? She's got another guy on the side, but that won't be for long." Janice's voice pierced her ears.

Another guy? Jade? Who else have I talked to?

"There's no way she can keep a hold on all of them, even if she is a slut."

Slut? Me? That's a new one. I've kissed one guy! Well, he kissed me. People suck, so they'll believe her. I wonder if Andy showing up was a coincidence, or if he was planted. Damn, these people make it hard to trust anyone.

She ignored the whispers and worried glance from the teacher as she focused on her work. I'd rather be invisible than have people notice me like this.

Once the bell rang, she sluggishly shoved her books into her bag and headed out of the classroom in the flood of students.

"Ah!" Ariel yelped as someone grabbed her backpack and tossed her down a mostly empty hallway. "What the hell?" she groaned and got to her feet to stand toe-to-toe with Janice and her friends. "You guys have too much time on your hands if you keep pestering me, of all people."

"Well, what do you expect when you don't stay in your place?"

"My place? What is that?"

"Under my foot, away from Mr. Lux, Andy, and Mr. Handsome."

Ariel cringed and backed away, wishing someone passing by would help her.

"We've seen you, you know? We thought we taught you a lesson last time, but apparently not. You're still Mr. Lux's favourite. I saw him talking to you all close like that."

"Close? He was on the other side of my desk for a few seconds; he didn't linger. All of this is in your head." And I'm crazy for pointing it out. She doesn't care what reality is, only her twisted version of the facts.

Janice's eye twitched, and she pulled out her phone. "And what about this?" She showed her a picture of Andy stealing her food. "You're hanging out with Cherry's boyfriend? Try to deny this evidence."

"Because he sat down and stole my food? There's nothing in that photo. Why don't you grow up and stop spreading rumours?"

"I'm spreading the truth." Janice shrugged. "You're a slut, right, Cherry?"

"Yeah!" Cherry stomped towards her and forced an awkward scowl.

Geez, don't laugh, don't laugh.

"Everyone needs to know that your innocent girl act is fake. Everyone will toss you aside when they find out the truth, especially him." Janice showed her a picture of Jade, zoomed in as she took it from across the street.

Been here a few days, and he's already got himself a creepy stalker. "What would people do if they found out who you really are? A nasty piece of work who— Ah!" Ariel yelped as Janice slammed her into the nearby lockers.

"Watch your mouth."

"Like to dish it out, but can't take it?" Really wish I'd stop talking now. What's going on with me today?

"You insolent brat," Janice snarled. "Why can't you just vanish?!"

Slap. She hit Ariel across the face, the pain piercing her.

"Janice, you're getting too loud," Pat warned her. "People are noticing. Wrap it up before someone butts in."

"As if anyone around here would bother," she scoffed.

"We're not far from Mr. Lux's classroom, and he will do something if he notices. Don't let him see you like this."

"Tch, you're right." Janice took a deep breath. "Stay away from the guys, you slut." Her eyes trailed down the Ariel's necklace, and she ripped it off her neck.

"Hey! That's mine." Ariel reached out and the other two girls grabbed onto her to hold her back. She struggled as hard as she could, slamming Cherry into the lockers beside her.

"What was that noise? What's going on down here?" Mr. Lux entered the hall, and the girls separated from her.

"Ariel went crazy and attacked us!" Janice lied.

"If she attacked you, why is she the one on the floor? And why do you have her necklace?"

"It's not hers; it's mine. She stole it from my locker earlier."

"Lies," Ariel groaned and sat up.

"I think we should take this to the principal's office."

"We don't have to go that far, do we?" Janice asked. "I've got my necklace back, and I've calmed down, so all is well."

"Yeah," both Cherry and Pat agreed.

Mr. Lux looked past them at Ariel and frowned. "I don't know..."

Janice glared at her.

If I don't go along with it, she'll make everything even worse. "Yeah, everything's fine," Ariel sighed.

"See! All good here. We have to go." Janice and her friends rushed away.

"Is this really okay?"