19 | hazelnut and pecan

All the best people are crazy.

- Melanie Martinez

________________________

- L I L A -

Gloria walked passed me with a scowl on her face, her blue eyes eyes almost piercing through me with how much contempt she felt for me.

I scoffed, unaffected by her behaviour towards in me, and glanced around the cafeteria to look for Matthew. Isaac came up to me, providing me with a small smile.

"Matthew went to lunch with Greg."

I frowned slightly, beginning to walk to the line with Isaac. "Are you two on speaking terms?"

Isaac smoothed down the hair at the nape of his neck, his azure eyes glancing at me with a sad undertone. "He doesn't even acknowledge me anymore," he shrugged, taking a bottle of still water. "I guess he's staying true to his words."

It was only then I actually took the time to realise Isaac no longer had a bruise on his face, and I found myself wondering how Matthew managed to land such a precise hit.

"He'll either come around eventually," I sighed, grabbing a plate of food. "Or he won't. It's pretty hard to forgive what you did."

Isaac frowned and bit his bottom lip softly, sitting down at a random empty table. "It's what I deserve, so I don't pity myself." He admitted, breathing out a gentle breath. "I just miss him being my best friend."

I placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a sympathetic look. "On the bright side, we're friends, right?"

He grinned at me, covering my hand with his. "Right."

---

Matthew was sprawled out against the grass, the sun shining down on him and casting a warm glow to his face. Greg was leaning against the bark of the tree, glancing down at the girls that surrounded them.

Yasmine halted in her steps and released a sigh. "I'm going to go find Carter. Say hi to Matthew for me."

I watched her go, my attention soon going back to Matthew. He seemed uninterested in what the cheerleaders were saying and fumbled with the strings of his hoodie.

As I walked up to him, I noticed one of Gloria's friends, Hannah, looking at me with an annoyed look. "Your girlfriend's here, Matt."

Matt?

He stood up and brushed off his jeans. He reached out for my hand, pulling me into a hug. "I've missed you." He dug his nose into the crook of my neck, wrapping his arms around me.

I grinned against his collarbone, leaning back and kissing his lips. He smiled mid-kiss, threading a hand through my red hair.

Conscious of the fact that people were around us, I pulled back, caressing his cheekbone with my thumb. Hannah stared at me with a bored expression plastered on her face.

I didn't like that Gloria and her friends tried to come in between Matthew and me. Linking our hands together, he put his bag on his back, scooping his cane off the floor.

"Are you still going to the party tonight?" he asked, his lips parting into a boyish grin.

Thinking of Isaac, I nodded and ran my teeth over my bottom lip. "I haven't gone to one party this year, so it should be fun."

Matthew laughed blissfully, and I found myself falling in love with his laugh. "You already know alcohol and I don't get along well."

"You're an emotional drunk." I stated, leaning up to kiss his cheek.

Matthew couldn't stop the blush that graced his cheeks, his dark glasses shielding his eyes from view. "Hence the reason I refrain from drinking too much alcohol."

"But we'll have fun tonight," I grinned, my heart thumping against my chest as he leaned down and pecked my lips.

I glanced at my watch, realising I had to get my books before class. Matthew gave me a lingering kiss goodbye, grinning at me almost lovingly. As soon as I made it to my locker, Gloria was lazily leaning against it whilst examining her cuticles. I rolled my eyes and took out my key. "What the hell do you want?" I questioned, my voice curt and cold.

"Why are you with Matthew when you so obviously have feeling for Isaac?"

I froze in confusion, turning to her with furrowed eyebrows. "Why are you so concerned with our relationship?" I snapped, pushing her lightly out of the way. "Who are you?"

She rolled her eyes and stared at me with disgust. "You're with Matthew when you have feelings for his ex best friend, that's low."

I slammed my locker door shut, gaining the attention of the people around us. "First of all, you're brave accusing me of shit you're not even sure about," I began, narrowing my eyes.

"You're just salty because Matthew's still my boyfriend. Guess your pathetic plan at breaking us up failed. Matthew doesn't deserve someone so rude and self-centred. Just accept the fact that not every guy is head over heels for you, especially my boyfriend."

Gloria scoffed, crossing her arms. "I'm bitchy to you because I don't like you, Lila. It's so obvious that you and Isaac like each other, I wouldn't even be surprised if you've already slept with him."

"You know what's low?" I retorted angrily. "The fact that you're so desperate to find any excuse to try and convince yourself that you actually have a chance with Matthew. Try and accuse me of having a 'thing' for Isaac, but at the end of the day, I'm Matthew's girlfriend, and not you."

I barged passed her, surprised when she yanked me back. "I'm not done with you."

"Yes you are." I snapped, pushing her harshly. "Go find someone else to bother."

"You're a bitch." She hissed, her hand swiftly connecting with my cheek.

She bounded towards me and before I had the chance to land another hit to her face, arms wrapped around my body, pulling me away from her. "Let go of me!" I exclaimed, thrashing around in Isaac's arms as someone else that I couldn't see grabbed Gloria back. "She hit me for no reason!"

"Lila, calm down." Isaac growled, holding me tighter and placing me on my feet at a corner of the hall. "You're going to get yourself into more trouble."

"Of course Isaac would be the one to help you!" Gloria shouted down the hall, struggling against Greg. "How sure are you that you don't have feelings for him?"

"That's none of your business, Gloria." Isaac snapped, blocking my way to her. "No one likes a jealous bitch, so do us all a favour and get over Matthew."

"She broke your heart, how are you even friends with her?" Gloria continued, aggravating me further. "I don't understand how everyone likes her!"

The crowd that surrounded us seemed to widen, every fibre in me wishing that someone would tell Matthew and he would turn up.

"The difference between you and her, Gloria, is that she's genuinely nice. You're nothing but bitter when you don't get your way."

Gloria shrugged Greg's hands off her, snatching her bag and storming away. Isaac loosened his hold on me, turning to me with concerned eyes. His hand reached up to my face and it stung as his finger came into contact with my cheek.

"She scratched you," he winced, wiping the strands of hair that covered my face. My eyes watered and the moment I saw Matthew, I ran to him and brought him into a tight hug.

He held me close to him, his hand smoothing down my hair. "Are you okay?" he whispered in a concerned manner as the bell rang.

My face hurt, but it gave me satisfaction knowing that a deep purple bruise was beginning to blossom on her face. "Yes, I managed to get a few hits in." I responded, blinking rapidly so that the tears didn't sting my cut.

He hugged me protectively, mumbling sweet nothings into my hairline. "I'm just glad you're okay."

_____

"Lila!" Isaac shouted across the street.

Halting in my movements, I smiled in his direction, waiting for him to approach me. He crossed the road, his lips slightly chapped due to the cold air.

"You look nice," he complimented, and by the look in his eyes, I could tell he meant it platonically.

"You too," I grinned, shoving my hands into my jacket pockets. "Weren't you going to take your car?"

He nodded, but gave me a smile. "You said you were walking, so I parked my car a couple blocks from here so I could keep you company."

"How adorable," I responded. "That's good, though because I plan on getting very drunk."

"What about Matthew?" he asked, pushing his hair back. "Is he coming?"

"Yeah, he's with Greg." I jutted out my bottom lip and laughed. "Come to think of it, he's quite close to Greg."

"Greg's still hung up over Yasmine," Isaac sighed. "He's also planning to win her back tonight."

"Tonight?" I echoed, knowing something would go wrong. "She's moved on," I announced. "He broke her heart and she's set her attention on Carter."

"Oh yeah, he kissed Vanessa." Isaac shuddered and closed his eyes. "The past few days have been absolutely beautiful because I haven't seen her."

I scoffed and raised my eyebrows at him. "I haven't known her long, and I already know she's going to make an appearance some time soon."

Isaac agreed and grimaced slightly. "Can't go long without seeing the irksome Vanessa Mason."

As we walked up along the driveway, the music pounded against the walls, the party already in full swing since we were arriving an hour later.

Yasmine walked up to us, and out of the corner of my eye, I could see Greg approaching us with determined eyes. "Here we go," I mutter quietly to myself, pushing my hair from my face.

Yasmine's grin faded as Greg touched her shoulder, a deep frown wedged on his face. "J-just let me talk to you, Yasmine, please."

She shook his hand off her shoulder, clenching her jaw. "We're so not doing this, Greg." She wet her lips and glanced at me uncomfortably.

"I've missed you." He whimpered, his eyes beginning to water. "I've missed you so much that I don't even know what to do with myself. Just let me talk to you — alone."

Yasmine shook her head, resolute. "I never want to talk to you again, Greg."

We all walked to the door, leaving Greg in utter silence as Isaac shakily breathed out, closing his eyes. I stared up at him, linking our hands and giving one quick, strong squeeze. "I'm here," I consoled, moving my hand to his shoulder.

He smiled down at me, and shook. Almost as if he wanted to shake all the fear and memories that he was receiving. "I just have to get some alcohol in my system, then I'll be fine."

He lead us straight to where the drinks are, thrusting a beer bottle in my hand. I scrunched up my nose and placed it back on the counter and swiped up a vodka bottle, pouring it into a red solo cup. "I need something stronger!" I shouted over the music, seeing he was taking one long gulp.

The vodka burned down my throat, and I closed my eyes, shaking my head rapidly. "God, now I know why I don't get drunk often." I mumbled to myself, deciding to just down it.

I was surprised that, in the mass of bodies that were dancing, I was able to locate Matthew, his wide grin causing my heart to thump erratically against my chest.

I caught myself staring at him for a long moment, Isaac pouring me another drink. "Do me a favour and don't take drinks from anyone but me and Matthew." He spoke in my ear, grabbing my arm to get out of the kitchen.

Seeing Matthew clearer, I saw he was taking shots with some of Greg's jock friends, his dark glasses covering more than half of his face.

After a while of dancing, we sat down on a random couch, Isaac rubbing his hands on the harsh material of his jeans. "I can just imagine her running about with her favourite tiara on her head." He voiced his thoughts, holding his bottle tightly. "I never knew losing her would be this hard."

I rubbed his shoulder comfortingly, watching him take another swig. "You're probably one of the strongest people I know," I confessed, leaning my head on his shoulder.

I was such a lightweight and only five drinks in, I was slightly drunk.

"I'm honestly not," he sighed, dragging a tired hand down his face. "Some days I won't cry, but it feels like she just died yesterday, I'm so close to falling apart."

"I admire you, Isaac. I really do."

I leaned my head to kiss his cheek, but it seemed Isaac had the same idea, his lips gently pressing against mine. I was shocked, my eyes wide as I figured out what was happening.

Isaac quickly pulled away, his expression mirroring mine. "L-Lila, I didn't mean to—"

There was a commotion where Matthew was sitting, a heartbroken expression plastered on his face as one of the jocks shouted, announcing to him what had just occurred. He stood up abruptly, pushing his way blindly through the crowds of people.

I quickly jumped out of my seat, running after him. My heart smashed against my chest, but in a completely

different way. He was stumbling across the grass, his long legs extending far just to get away from me.

"Matthew!" I yelled, picking up the pace so I broke out into a run. "Matthew, please stop!"

He quickly turned around, his bottom lip trembling. "I hate you," he whimpered, shaking his head. "I hate you, Lila."

"Matthew, you've misunderstood—"

He spun on his heel, stepping out onto the road, and before I could realise anything, the car roughly collided with his body.