Chapter 29
Mira's POV
Last night was blissful as Darren and I kept talking and laughing. He eventually drove me home late in the night and gave me a good-night kiss. The second I entered the house, my mom gave me a knowing smile. I blushed and rushed to my room. Today Darren and I planned to arrive at school at the same time, to surprise Celine, of course.
The second we both walked in with our arms linked, everyone's eyes were on us. Of course, Natalie had not yet arrived so she couldn't see us, but the Trio were all present. Bella was the first to notice us then, and she gawped and nudged at Celine, who in turn stared at us in disbelief. Yeah... Serves her right. Rumors and murmurs erupted in the air.
“Are they dating? They seem close!”
“Darren's got himself a girlfriend? And it's... Mira??”
"Oh, I wish I was the one standing beside him!”
“That girl Mira is so lucky. Darren sure has got eyes!”
Celine came sprinting towards us, her eyes spilling with anger and shock.
“Are you guys kidding me right now??” she shrieked. We glanced at each other and smirked.
“No.” We replied simply.
“And you...” she said, pointing at me. “I thought you said you've given up on Darren?”
“I may have changed my mind,” I replied churlishly. Celine flared up.
“You pipsqueak!” She made to charge towards me, but Darren held her down.
“Oh, now you defend her? Just perfect!” She yelled.
“You will not lay a finger on her while I'm here. Understood?”
“As if....” She trailed off, scoffing.
“I'm not done with you. I'll pay you back and I promise.” She said, staring menacingly at me. Stomping her feet on the ground, she turned and left the hallway.
I released the breath I didn't know I was holding. That girl is something else..... I didn't get time to think about it as Darren tilted my face towards his.
“Don't worry about it, okay? She'll eventually cool off.”
“I hope so. She can be pretty extreme, you know?”
“That won't happen,” Darren promised. “I have to go now, catch you later.” He said before planting a quick kiss on my forehead. I smiled shyly. Soon he was out of sight, and I heaved a sigh. Time to go to my locker.
I was locking it up when Natalie arrived. As usual, she seemed pretty disoriented. I wonder why she always looks like that in the morning.
“Good morning.” I greeted brightly. She glanced at me, puzzled.
“So now you greet me? Anyway good morning to you too. I saw some people gathering earlier. What happened?”
“Oh, nothing. Darren and I just got back together, although I can't say if we are officially dating..”
“You and Darren... Are you a thing?” She asked, gesturing with her fingers. I fiddled with mine.
“Kind of...” I muttered, ducking shyly.
Her face was at first blank, then it shone with excitement.
“Oh my gosh! I'm so happy for you! Even though my life isn't exactly great but still..... I'm really happy for you!” She said as has hugged me. Then suddenly pulled back.
“Wait... What about Celine?” She asked.
"Let's not worry about that in the meantime,” I said.
“Either way, I'm sure that with Darren by your side, you can handle anything.” She added.
“Aww, thanks. That means a lot.”
“Yeah... I have to go now. I need to fix my life. Catch you later.” Natalie said before leaving the hallway herself. I shook my head before smiling to myself. I sure have got one crazy friend.
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Celine's POV
“Did you guys see that? Darren made a fool out of me!” I said as I walked around, furious. Tricia and Bella were seated, staring at me.
“I saw that. And I'm kind of sorry for you. Why would you even believe Darren in the first place?” Tricia asked.
I glared at her.
“I don't know, but what I do know is that Mira is going to pay for that. Immediately as well.”
"So....” Bella began..” what do you have in mind?”
“I'm still thinking, but Mira is going to feel sorry for ever crossing paths with me,” I muttered underneath my breath.
“Do you want to make her pay... Like right now?” Tricia asked.
“Of course, yes!”
“Then I guess I have the perfect plan for that.” Tricia chipped in. Bella and I both stared at her. She smirked.
“Bring it on...” I muttered.
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Xavier's POV
I was making a turn when I bumped into someone.
“Ouch....” The person groaned, and I instantly knew who it was.
“Sorry, I wasn't looking at where I was... Xavier?” Natalie stopped mid-way? I smiled wryly.
“Good morning.” I greeted.
“Good morning.” She answered, and we were quiet for a while not knowing what to say.
“Um, where's Xander?” She asked.
“He's... Not here yet.” I answered a bit stiffly. Natalie glanced at me questioningly before shrugging.
“I guess I'll just leave now.” She said as she made to leave, but I stopped her. Honestly, I have no idea why I did that.
“You're in my way, Xavier.” She reminded, but I didn't move an inch.
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Natalie's POV
Okay, but I have to admit, I'm kind of in a bad mood this morning and Xavier, in my way, isn't helping matters. I tried to put all my bad vibes down and put out of a cool face look.
“So you ask for Xander...” He said, and I looked up at him.
“And so? What can't I ask of him? He's my friend too.” I stated.
“Nothing, it's just... “He trailed off. Please don't tell me he's jealous...
“Look, Xander is my friend as much as you are and just because I asked of him doesn't mean I have romantic feelings for him. It's just what friends do.” I explained.
“Really?”
“Yeah, and besides, the reason I'm still talking to the both of you is because of the bet I made and the mess I got myself into s a result not. And I'm trying to find my way out of it.”
It was until I saw the color drain out of Xavier's face before I knew I committed a bad blunder and I immediately felt guilty.
“I shouldn't have said that,” I muttered. "I'm sorry, but I have to go now,” I added, hurriedly leaving the place.
God, why the hell did I make such a blunder???
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(Lunchtime.)
Mira's POV
While in the cafeteria, I felt a bit pressed, so I decided to go to the girls' restroom to ease myself. While washing my hands, I stared at the mirror. I was the only one there, and I liked it. It allowed me to think. All too soon, someone else walked in and it was who I dreaded the most. Celine.
“Well, well, well. Someone sure is feeling lucky to be Darren's.” She cackled as she came towards me. I scoffed and frowned.
“what are you doing here?” I asked.
“Why, this is the girls' restroom. Am I not supposed to be here?” She replied and sniggered. I cleaned my hands and made to leave, but she stopped me.
“And where do you think you're going to?”
“Out? To my class.”
“I'm sorry, but that's not happening. "
“And why wouldn't it?”
“Cause... I'm locking you up here.”
And in a flash, pushed me so I staggered backward, and Celine made to leave the restroom. I rushed towards the door but realized she has already locked me in.
“What the fuck! Open the door!' I screamed.
“Scream all you want, but there's no one who will hear you. Oh, and I'm not done yet. Did I forget to mention there's a bucket of paint hovering on top of you?”
That explains why the girls' restroom was empty!! I kept banging the door repeatedly but only Celine's laughter replied to me. Before I knew it, a bucket of paint poured all over me and I was soaked in it.
“Enjoy your stay there.” I heard her say and then retreating footsteps. I reached for my phone, but it was covered in paint. Dammit! The paint had gotten into my eyes and we're beginning to sting me.
“Somebody help me! please!” I screamed endlessly as the paint continued to sting my eyes.
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Celine's POV
I smiled to myself as I walked away from the girls' restroom. That'll teach Mira never to mess with me. Now, for the next phase, apologize to Darren. It's fake of course.
I soon found Darren and rushed over to see him.
“Darren... Wait. I want to talk to you.” I said as I got towards him. He saw me and frowned. He made to leave, but I stopped him.
“Can you just listen to me?”
“What exactly do you want to talk about?” He shot back. I widened my eyes and sobered up. Then pulling up the most apologetic face I had, sighed.
“I wanted to apologize... About my erratic behavior this morning. I wasn't in a good mood.” I muttered, bending my head.
“Really?” Darren raised his brows. “And how am I so sure you are sincere?”
“I just said I'm sorry. Is there any way we can patch things up?”
Darren stared at me, then sighed.
“Darren, I know I've been a total klutz but there's still a chance, isn't it.”
He opened his mouth to say something, but then Natalie walked in. Just perfect!
“Hey, have you seen Mira?”
“Mira? I thought she was with you.” He said back.
“No... I thought she was WITH you. Also, I've been trying to call her for some time now but it's unreachable. And I've searched everywhere she could be. She's not there.” He said.
“That's strange....” He trailed off and turned towards me, his eyes darkening.
“Have you seen Mira?” I pulled up an innocent face.
“No... I haven't seen her all morning. “I replied. It was Natalie's turn to glare at me.
“Why do I feel like you're lying?” And then walked towards me, sniffing my clothes, I stepped back. “And why do you smell of paint?”
“I don't know.”
"Where is Mira?” Natalie glowered. I was going to deny it until I saw the look on Darren's face. I stopped and broke out in a smile instead.
“She's in the girls' restroom... Covered in paint.” I blurted out.
"WHAT!”
“Oh.. and if I were you, I'd hurry. She might suffocate in there,” I muttered lazily.
Natalie looked at me in disbelief, and the next thing I felt was a hand colliding with my face. Natalie slapped me! My cheeks burned and I felt like someone was humming in my ear. How dare she?!
“You're insane!”
“Maybe a little,” I said, trying to laugh but winced instead.
“Come on, let's hurry. We don't have much time.” Natalie said and dragged Darren with her. I sniggered.
“Yeah, you should hurry. But aren't you forgetting something?” I said and brought out the keys. They both stared at me. I threw it out the window, and it fell into the fountain. Darren and Natalie gasped. “Oops, dropped it. How are we going to save dear Mira?” I said, focusing on my nails.
“Remind me to kill you when I get back. In the meantime, I've got a friend to save.”
They rushed out, and I chuckled. Then stopped. Okay... Time to get out of here. There's no way I'm waiting for them to come back.
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Natalie's POV
Since we didn't find the keys, we had to break the door to get in.
“I swear when I lay my hands on Celine, I have to make sure I kill her,” I muttered underneath my breath.
“For now, let's focus on getting Mira out of here. Since she's here for a long time.” Darren said worriedly. I nodded subconsciously. We found Mira in a mess. She was covered in paint from head to toe. It was horrible.
“I can't believe Celine would do such a thing.”
“Well, now you do. Come on, help me help her up.” I said as I raised Mira
“Natty,” Mira called weakly. “I thought you'd never find me.”
“You know that's not happening,” I replied, cleaning the paint off her face.
“Darren. You're here too.”
“Yes, I'm here. And I'm really sorry.”
“No, it's okay. Celine did this.”
“We know,” I replied. She turned to me. “How did you know?”
“I guessed, and she told us herself.”
“That wench. So much for wanting to change.” Darren cursed underneath his breath. “Thanks but I'll take it from here,” Darren said to me.
“Sure. I'll leave you two alone and go look for that bitch.”
“Sure thing.”
I smiled and nodded, leaving the girls' restroom covered in paint. The students couldn't stop staring. I ignored them and kept looking for Celine.
“Where's Celine?” I called out after a while.
“She left.” Someone replied.
“Seriously? she leaves after almost killing someone?” I said aloud. I scoff and leave the place, bumping into Xavier, again!
“Hey... And why are you covered in paint?”
“I had a bit of accident... Not my accident anyway.” I added.
“Oh....”
“Hey... Can we talk later? About what I said earlier, I guess I was out of my mind. I'm forgiven, right?”
“Yeah... Sure. We can talk later.”
“Good. You're free on the weekend? We can hang out then. You in?” I asked.
He chuckled. “Of course I'm in.”
“9: 00 clock sharp. Don't be late.”
“Yeah sure....”
“I'd love to shake you right now, but my hands are covered in paint. “I said, and we both laughed.
“See you later....” But he cut me off.
“On Saturday.”
“Saturday. Yes. I have to go now. Bye.” I said and left the place.
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Mira's POV
“Thanks for helping me out,” I said after I had got most of the paint out of my clothes, although they were still sticky.
“It's no big deal. I'll have to help out, anyway.”
“Yeah... I chuckled. You'd have to help out.” I said.
"Hey... Why don't you come over to my place to clean up? You can't go home looking like this. The school might get closed down.”
“You mean...your house??” I squeaked.
“Yes..”
“But what about your parents?”
“Ahh.... they'll be fine. A few nasty words, but that just it. Besides, Tina will love to have you around. She's been kicking me to seeing you again.” He said, and I glanced at him. This is crazy... We only held hands yesterday?!
“Do I take your silence as a yes?” He said.
“Huh? I guess it's a yes then. You're right, I can't go home like this. It looks terrible.”
“Great, I'll ask for a leave from school...we can head out now, it's almost noon, anyway.”
“Wait... You mean like right now?”
". You didn't think it was later, did you? We can't let this paint dry on you. It might be lethal.” He asked, raising his brows.
“Yeah sure. We can go now.” I and Darren, all alone in the house. What could go wrong?
“Awesome. Stay here, I'll be right back.” He said as he left the place.
Eek!!! This is just wonderful. Thanks, Celine, you are such a blessing in disguise! I just hope I don't go crazy with all of this excitement!!