Chapter 3

If I could remember, Ciara hated the popular crowd. So, why was she hanging out with them? Oh yeah. Bryson.

Just my freaking luck.

I grudgingly trudged my way to the popular table with a slight scowl on my face. As I neared the table, Ciara looked up and saw me approaching. As promised, she saved me a seat to her left and Bryson was to her right, which might I add, did on purpose.

"Ciara, Ciara, Ciara... You are showing signs of an insecure and intimidated girlfriend." I thought.

I sat on the chair and smiled at her, "Thanks for saving me a seat." I said. I saw Bryson glance at me, then went back talking to his friend.

She shook her head, "No problem." She said and looked at my tray, "You still haven't changed, Reagan. You still like pudding." She giggled.

I chuckled, "Pudding will forever rock my world, CeeCee. You know that."

She nodded her head, "Yeah, I know. You said and I quote, 'I want to marry this son of a bitch when I'm old enough'."

I gasped, "You still remember that? Geez, I was like 10 years old and 'son of a bitch' was my first cuss."

"Of course I do. We were best friends since we were 4." She said.

Best friends. I am not so sure about those words anymore.

We became silent all of a sudden. I debated if I should bring up this question that had been nagging at the back of my mind, but I'm not sure. What the hell!

So before I could stop myself, I shook that awkward feeling and asked.

"So you and Bryson, huh?" I asked coolly. I scooped a portion of my pudding with my spoon and shoved it on my mouth, waiting for her answer.

She fidgeted in her seat and answered rather nervously, "Um, yeah. It sort of happened a month after you left."

So, Bryson moved on that quickly huh? I'll be damned.

"Wow. That was quick." I blurted.

Bryson all of a sudden snapped his head and furrowed his eyebrows.

Ciara became flustered, "Well, after you left, Bryson and I sort of hanged out since we were looking for you. We talked and got closer, then after a couple of months, he asked me out."

I grinned, "Must have been romantic. I mean Bryson is after all charming and irresistible. Who in their right mind would deny him?"

She smiled hesitantly, "Yeah. He is quite the charmer."

Bryson stood up, "Excuse me. I need to go to the bathroom." He said.

Ciara meekly nodded and he walked off without saying a word.

I abruptly stood up, "Where are you going?" Ciara asked me, furrowing her eyebrows.

I looked down at her, "I need to go to the bathroom." I lied. I need to get out of here before I explode.

"Oh. Okay, well, come back when you're done."

I nodded, "I'll be right back."

With that, I left the room.

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

The sound of my footsteps echoed throughout the empty hallways. I needed to get out of there or Ciara's gushing would do my head in. Sure, knowing they were together didn't bother me but it felt like she was doing it on purpose like rubbing salt on open wounds.

Lost in my own world, I bumped into something - or someone - hard. I fell down to the floor with a loud thud. That was going to leave a bruise on my butt cheeks.

"Watch where you're going, stupid."

I looked up and saw Rebecca standing there in all her bitchy glory. She had her arms folded in front of her chest with a scowl etched into her gunked-up face.

And why was I the one who only fell to the floor? That, I had no idea.

"Well soo-rrry, your royal bitchiness." I hissed, rubbing my sore butt. I slowly stood up to her level and brushed myself off.

"What did you say?" she snarled.

I rolled my eyes, "God, not only are you dumb, but also deaf."

In a flash, I was roughly pushed to the locker with great force. The bang resounded throughout the empty hallway.

"What the hell?!" I growled.

"The only bitch here is you. Got it?" she snarled.

I scoffed, "Please, Rebecca. You are being a hyprocrite if I am the only bitch here."

She grabbed my arm and shoved me again hard on the locker. Her fingernails were digging into my skin. I'm sure that was going to leave a mark, "No one back-talks me. I rule this school, and if you ever try to mess with me, I'll make sure to make your life a living hell." She sneered. She was now grazing her fingernails on my arm making, me hiss from the slight prick. Damn woman, did you sharpen your nails or something?

"Rebecca. Let her go."

I snapped my head to that voice and saw Bryson. He stood a few feet away with his arms crossed over his chest, glaring at Rebecca.

He repeated again, "Rebecca. I said let Reagan go." He ground out through gritted teeth.

Rebecca glared at me for a while. With one last shove, she let me go and whispered, "This ain't over yet," and left.

I heaved a relieved sigh. What the hell just happened?

I looked over my arms where Rebecca scratched me. There were three scratch marks with a tinged of blood seeping out. Damn her sharp fingernails. Remind me to bring a nail clipper when I come to school tomorrow, just in case.

Bryson went over to me, "You okay?" he asked. He looked over my arm and his face hardened, "She hurt you." He said it more like a statement than a question.

I waved it off, "It's alright. It's just a scratch."

"Reagan..."

I held my hand up to stop him, "Bryson, it's cool. I'm okay."

He nodded hesitantly, "If you say so." He said then continued, "Reagan, about what Ciara said--"

"It's okay!" I cut him off, " I'm actually happy for you guys." I said then gave him a small smile.

"Reagan, I'm sorry if I had hurt you. You know you really mean very much to me." He said in a defeated tone.

"Bryson, it's alright. You've moved on. I've moved on. Be happy, okay?"

He raked his hair with his hands then dropped it to the sides, "This is all too screwed up."

"Tell me about it." I muttered then started backing away, "Listen, I have to get back to Ciara."

He sighed, "Okay."

I spun around and started walking back to the cafeteria. I paused for a bit and glanced over my shoulders, "Hey, Bryson?" I called.

"Yeah?" he asked. My heart ached when I saw his crestfallen face, which held so much sadness and regret, but I fought that thought away.

"Be happy." I snapped my head back and walked off with a heavy heart.