Chapter 21: Haunting Thoughts

Melissa's POV.

I was sitting by our window, where I had my small wooden table and stick properly arranged for studying at home, but despite how much I tried to focus, I could not help but recall the conversation I had with London.

I still could not understand why he was acting that way with me and why he would even want to talk to me.

He may not be as wealthy as Lex, but he was still way out of my league, and I could never imagine being friends with such a person, yet he acted concerned, and it scared me.

"A penny for your thoughts..." Susan's voice interrupted, and I quickly turned in her direction.

" and I think I would need more than a penny Susan, i really have got a lot going on in my head"

My outburst was obvious as she quickly rushed over to my side, leaning on the table. "You know how much I love to be told things; please don't make me beg."

I chuckled at first but slowly closed up the book I was reading as I turned my gaze to her completely.

"So there's this guy in school who approached me today. I mean, he was polite, and he was just different from every other student."

I began to say, but I suddenly paused and was staring at nothing; all I could think of was us in that library.

"Okay, you've not said anything bad. I mean, this is supposed to be good news, but the look on your face says otherwise. If he approached you and talked to you nicely, then he wants to be friends. Why do you look sad about that?"

It was a good question. I mean, it was the perfect question. Why should I be sad when someone approached me and tried to talk to me?

Except that he didn't just approach me to talk; he was showing concern about my troubles with Lex, and it was almost as if he cared, which scared me.

"I don't think I am, Susan. I think I'm scared. I mean, I shouldn't be talking to him; he's one of the most popular and wealthy kids in school, and I'm afraid it will not end well."

For a few seconds Susan was silent while I stared at her too in the silence, waiting for what she would say.

"Ermm, so I think I understand what you mean, but it doesn't really matter. I've seen people of different calibres come together and form good and breakable friendships. You don't have to think too low of yourself because they seem so high. I mean, you go to the same school, don't you?"

"That's not the point Susan.…"

"Then what is it?"

She came closer this time, moving the strands of my hair from my face and acting all caring, which often makes me giggle.

"Okay, okay, that's it," I remarked, standing up from the chair. "I just don't think I can be friends with this guy. He's only acting cool right now. You need to know that he might not be as cool as he seems, and the kind of people he moves with, they aren't cool. I don't think he's any different from them."

"Oh, now you're judging him by the characters of his friends?" She questioned almost as if she was on his side.

"No, that's not what I'm saying, but they are his friends, and you are one of those people who say so much about how much friendship could influence a person."

"You don't even know this guy yet, Lisa; why not give him a chance?"

"You do not know him either, Susan, and I think I'd like to focus more on my scholarship than waste my time with friendships that may never work."

We were both staring at each other in silence for a few seconds.

"Well, it's your call, Lisa, and you should do what you think is right, but believe me, if you think you can be a lone wolf in a school like that, it's not always going to work. Sometimes you may need someone you can talk to. Trying to build friendship now is going to help you."

"Oh, my loving sister, I really do appreciate your advice, but these kids are not my type."

Susan seemed to find that funny, as she laughed so hard that tears began rolling down her cheek.

"Okay, that wasn't funny."

"No, Lisa, it was, and I know exactly what your type is," she remarked, making me even more attentive as I stared at her, trying to hold back the smile that was forcing its way to my face.

"Yeah, tell me, what's my type?"

"Your type are those guys who wake up by 4 AM, are helping their parents open up the store at 6 AM, have their headphones on while reading a book under..."

At this point I truly had to interrupt because we both knew who she was trying to describe, and I had never told her that Noah, our neighbour's son, was ever my type; I only admired his dutiful nature and the fact that he was also doing well academically.

"Susan, that's not fair."

"Oh no, it is; you see, I know exactly what your type is."

At this moment it was just so funny as we laughed and laughed.

It was like the perfect evening; the sun was just setting, and my life felt easy that day despite everything that happened in school.

I helped Susan fix dinner, and when we were set to eat, I picked up my phone and realised I had been added to our school social media group.

At first I wondered how they got my contact, but then I realised that it must have been gotten from my student profile.

I opened the group only to find my name everywhere. They were all talking about me.

'She's a whore, that Lisa girl.'

'She stinks.'

'I can't believe she tried to lay her hand on Lex.'

'I knew on that very first day that she only wanted Lex's attention.'

'I hate her.'

My heart began to beat faster as my eyes searched through all their chats like a machine scanning some items.

I was still reading when a new message came in.

"How about we teach her some lessons?"