Whispering and chattering continued endlessly as I anxiously walked down the hallway.
I couldn't help but feel worried.
I kept my head down, hands shoved into my hoodie, heart racing for no good reason—or maybe too many.
What if they were talking about me?
What if someone figured it out?
That Cinderella last night was a guy—Me!
Shit!
"Fuck! Did you guys see that video of Blake and Cinderella?"
I froze
My heart pumped so hard against my chest that I swear it actually hurt.
I turned to see two boys leaning against the lockers and their faces glued to the screen of a phone.
"THERE WAS A VIDEO?!" I muttered under my breath.
How did I not notice?!!
Of course I didn't. I was kissing Blake.
His lips were intoxicating, it felt like I was drunk. My face burned at the memory, It still felt so unreal… like I wasn't even in control of my own body.
I was in the arms of the boy I have secretly been in love with for way too long. It was a moment I needed to be in and block out all aspects of reality.
I quickly pulled my hood up and walked past them, trying to disappear.
Stay out of sight.
"Damn! This is so hot" one of them said.
My stomach twisted and I swallowed a gulp, pulling on my hood.
I picked up the pace. Trying to get as far away and out of sight as possible.
The forces were against me as I slammed into someone and lost my balance.
My hoodie slipped off and my entire cover was blown.
Could this get any worse ?
A strong hand caught me mid fall and pulled me up before I plastered my face against the tiled floor.
I steadied myself, bent slightly, catching my breath. "God… I almost died."
"Careful."
The voice made me look up.
"Jonah?" I blinked, caught off guard.
Of course life with it's twisted sense of humor would pull a prank like this—but seriously? Him?!!
Something in me felt disappointed... like I was expecting someone else.
Jonah squinted his eyes a bit as if trying trying to place my face.
OR!
He somehow noticed the resemblance and figured out I was the one with the glass slipper.
"You know who I am ?" He asked cocking a brow.
"I—uhhh" I tried to come up with a response.
Smack !
A hand hit the back of his head from behind.
"Of course he knows who you are. You're the fucking Captain dumbass", Stein again. Resting his arm on Jonah's shoulder.
The living irony in the football team.
Einstein Jacobbs. His parents probably had high expectations when they named him but sadly he's not very bright and majorly more of an asshole.
It could be that or his parents have a sense of humor.
"Okay first off , Fuck you" Jonah flipped Stein the bird then he turned to me, "It was nice meeting you, you don't need to feel embarrassed about the fall. It happens to everyone just be more careful next time"
Stein scoffed and rolled his eyes.
I nodded, a little too quickly. "Yeah—thanks." Unsure of what else to say.
And then…
We just stared at each other.
Why was he still looking at me?
Why was I still looking at him?!
"Are you two having a staring contest? What the fuck?" Stein snorted.
I blinked snapping out of it, "Oh no, um, i.. Thanks " I said again, already backing away and eager to get the hell out of there!
"There you are"
My body went stiff and a shiver ran down my spine.
I knew that voice.
Slowly… I turned.
Blake.
Blake Parker.
He stood there like he owned the hallway—backpack slung over one shoulder, the other hand tucked casually into his pocket.
My breath got caught as I stood jaw dropped.
His eyes went down to meet mine and for a second—too long of a second. I have forgotten how to move.
Then panic kicked in and
I turned away immediately to avoid any conversation between us and freaking hoped he wouldn't recognise me.
Don't look at him. Don't talk to him. Don't STARE!!!
My brain was mush.
"Friend of yours ?" Blake asked completely unaffected by my presence.
I felt Jonah's gaze flicker between Blake and I.
"Hmmmm", He folded his arms like he was trying to decide. Friend or Foe.
"Oh he totally is not a friend of Jonah", Stein cut in.
Jonah shot a glare at Stein.
"Chill sis", Stein patted Him on the shoulder then he came towards me and held my chin up slightly.
He leaned in close and I blinked staring confused at him. I had no feelings for this jerk face but this definitely caught me by surprise.
"These two were literally eye-fucking moments before you got here"
My heart nearly stopped.
Jonah smacked him, "Shut the fuck up you moron!"
Blake scoffed, "Ugh, Can you not with the gay jokes? It's really weird and makes me uncomfortable".
WHAT?
The words hit harder than I expected.
Something in my chest tightened.
I've always known Blake was straight at least he appears to be. He has only ever been with girls.
I've always wondered how he'd take it if he ever figured out about my feelings for him.
Ugh! If Blake ever found out about Cinderella's true identity ..... I probably be dead meat.
Stein laughed, "Chill bruh and by the way not all gays are gross. Lesbians are fucking amazing" he threw his arms over Blake as they both turned to walk away.
I watched them walk away then a hand on my shoulder.
"Sorry about all that", Jonah pattered me on the shoulder. "Also forget Stein. He's an idiot. Trust me"
He squeezed on my shoulder before finally letting go. "See you later dude". He added then he jogged off to catch up with Blake and Stein.
And just like that, they were gone.
A sigh of relief left me as they got out of sight.
Not exactly how I imagined my Monday morning.
I slipped my hands into my pocket and shot Amy a text.
Emergency I need you
DELIVERED. READ. NO REPLY.
"Huh?", I frowned as I shot her another text.
Where are you ?!
Still no reply.
This was not like her. Amy usually spent her entire life in front of a screen, It was unthinkable that she wouldn't reply to a text within seconds—unless it was someone she wanted absolutely nothing to do with.
I called.
Straight to voicemail.
"What the hell…?"
I shoved my phone back into my pocket, then without warning Blake's face flashed across my mind again.
Ugh those eyes
When they looked at me last night, they felt warm and intoxicating filled with desire and want.
Like he actually wanted me.
But now ?
They looked cold, like I didn't exist.
"Snap out of it, Lucas," I muttered, shaking my head. "It's Blake. Of course he doesn't care."
I paused for a while with the realisation, "Blake will never love me"
My heart ached for a while.
I reached for my phone again and opened the location app.
Amy's idea—in case you ever get lost, she'd said.
Funny.
Now I was the one tracking her.
The signal pointed to the cafeteria… more specifically—
The storage room.
I slowed down as I approached, hearing muffled sounds from inside.
"…Amy?"
I pushed the door open slightly—
—and froze.
"Oh my God."
Amy.
And another Cheerleader?!!
What the fuck?!
"I created a monster", I whispered under my breath
They had frosting all over their bodies and their uniforms peeled half way off.
I should have backed out. I should have closed the door .... Heck, I should have left!
Instead I just watched because I have the survival instincts of a fucking tree.
I stood there enjoying the show.
Amy touching her and her—the Cheerleader giving off loud moans on the table top.
The universe was against me once again as I knocked over a conveniently placed mop stick right in front of me.
Oh crap.
They startled and turned to see me. I got caught.
Well this was definitely awkward
"Hi", I smiled sheepishly trying to force out a laugh.
How the hell am I goanna get out of this?