First informal date

“Hold onto her hair tight, Plain Jane… because pretty soon, you're going to be screaming a lot louder than she is.”

The high-pitched, mocking voice startled the entire room into absolute silence. Every pair of eyes in the class shifted over to Nova.

“I hope she isn't talking to us, Sarah.”

Sarah turned her glare back to Bunny. “Yes, she is. And again, it's all because of you.”

“Stop fucking blaming me!” Bunny snapped, her forehead furrowed in annoyance.

“I'm talking to both of you pathetic losers,” Nova's voice cut through the air again.

Bunny looked at Sarah and immediately burst into loud, unfiltered laughter. Sarah just kept staring—first at Bunny, then at Nova, and finally back across the silent room.

Bunny gradually stopped laughing and turned to face Sarah again.

“What the fuck is she even ranting about?”

“I may or may not have…… entirely because of you…… accepted a fake relationship.”

Bunny raised her eyebrows in shock.

“I agreed to fake-date Blake so he could finally get rid of Nova.”

Bunny stared blankly at Sarah, her eyes locked onto her face without moving an inch.

“Sooooo…. Technically speaking, you are currently fighting with Nova over a man?”

“Not really, I—”

Her sentence was cut short as Nova slammed her hand heavily onto their desk, demanding their full attention just as she desired.

“Sarah… do you honestly think I bought that absolute trash? That *you*…… plain, boring *you*…… is actually dating Blake??”

Her voice sounded utterly vile, dripping with deep condescension and disgust. Sarah's expression shifted instantly from quiet endurance to a lethal mixture of rage and anger. But just as she opened her mouth to speak, Bunny beat her to it.

“Move your pitiful self out of here and go face Blake man-to-man.”

The entire classroom went dead silent once again as everyone turned to watch the show.

“You……” Nova's face tightened in extreme fury, her refined features twisting into something ugly. “What the hell do you mean by *man-to-man*?”

“Well… you certainly look like a man with those flat breasts and that pancake ass. I honestly don't blame Blake for choosing Sarah over you.”

The entire class gasped in unison, and within seconds, loud laughter erupted across the room.

“You should probably leave now and stop embarrassing yourself, Nova,” Sarah added, her voice coming out much harsher and colder than she had originally intended.

Nova stomped her foot hard against the floor and turned on her heel, but not before pointing a rigid finger directly at Sarah's face.

“This isn't over.”

She turned around and stormed straight out of the classroom.

“She is definitely mad. It's been confirmed.”

“You know,” Sarah turned to Bunny, “maybe, just maybe, if you hadn’t pushed me toward Blake, I wouldn’t be in this massive problem right now.”

She grabbed a fistful of her own hair, pulling with what looked like absolute desperation, though she was barely applying any pressure at all.

“You know I hate trouble and drama, Bunny!” she whined softly.

“Calm down, do the calms. I suggest at this exact moment, you had better start looking for actual outfits to wear. You are dating our basketball team captain and the hockey team leader, baby. You can’t be seen walking around in your regular oversized rags,” Bunny said all in one breathless rush.

“How on earth did I end up becoming friends with you, Bunny?” Sarah squinted her eyes, tilting her head as she scrutinized her.

“That is entirely irrelevant right now. What’s actually important is surviving Mr. Brown’s lecture in two minutes and going shopping. Don't worry, I’ll pay!” Bunny beamed, displaying every single one of her teeth in a brilliant smile.

*Ping.*

Sarah glared at her before turning her attention down to her phone screen.

**Hi.. girlfriend. Meet me after school by the library. We will be stepping out for a bit.**

“Uhhhhhhh! The dates have officially begun already! I love this so much for you, Sarah!” Bunny squealed, jumping in place.

“Stop being a complete pest, Bunny. Get off me.”

Mr. Brown stepping into the classroom instantly brought the chaotic room to a grinding halt as every student snapped to attention.

“I gave you all an essay to write, and bless me Jesus, if I see a single paper starting with *'Diamonds are hard stones found in…'* you are guaranteed to repeat this entire course.”

The whole class burst into collective laughter at his threat.

“Yours started so right,” Bunny whispered, nudging Sarah's arm.

“Nope.”

“I could have sworn it did! I literally read it.”

“Did you copy my entire essay, Bunny?” Sarah turned to face her with a sharp glare.

“Mrs. Jones, do you have something you’d like to share with the entire class? Perhaps whatever it is you’re whispering to your friend?” Mr. Brown’s booming voice startled her, making her stand up slowly from her seat.

“Not really, sir.”

“Keep quiet then.”

“Thank you, sir.”

She sat back down, immediately kicking Bunny hard under the desk.

The lecture dragged on as Mr. Brown continued going on and on about gold ore and its chemical properties.

“There will be a mandatory practical session in a few days. I will update the class group once I fix the exact date. I also expect everyone to have an intended design prepared before the session begins. Have a nice day.”

He gathered his books and swept out of the room. The loud clang of the school bell followed right on cue.

“Out of school! Finally. You should get going, Sarah. I’m sure he’s already waiting for you,” Bunny prodded.

“Why don’t *you* date him, Bunny? You sure do like him a lot.”

“Anyone hearing you speak right now would think you haven’t been hopelessly in love with this guy for over three years without ever being noticed.”

Sarah rolled her eyes, though a small, helpless smile tugged at the corner of her lips anyway.

“Let's just get going, Bunny. You know I still need to get to work at the cafe.”

They both headed out of the lecture hall, making their way down the crowded corridor toward the library.

“I heard she’s actually dating Blake now. She must have forced herself on him. I wonder what’s going to happen to Nova now?”