Ugh!

[Mandy's Diary At Senior Grade]

I waited for mom to buy vegetables at her regular grocery store while listening to the music on my phone. My hands and feet compromised each other, tapping along with the loud thump of the headphones plugged in my ears. My gaze suddenly landed in one direction. I needed to blink my eyes and squint them just to get a clear view of the two figures not far from me. It was Justin! Wait, why was I smiling? Let me did it once more, lowering my voice, being sarcastic.

Oh, that was Justin.

That's better.

I tried not to care, but the angel on my shoulder forced my head to turn to where Justin was seen chatting seriously with an auburn-haired girl next to the guardrail that separated the road from the beach. I tilted my head to one side. Two assumptions happened to nudge me; Justin was talking to his girlfriend—whose name was Daisy if I was not mistaken—and they seemed to be arguing. The devil on my shoulder clapped her hands happily at the fight, while the angel rolled her eyes.

My eyes widened when Daisy slapped Justin hard, spontaneously making me gape in surprise. I moved away from the wall, moving closer to get a clearer view. Sneaking around, I hid behind a mailbox by the side of the road. Justin raised his hand, rubbed his cheek which I believe was hot from getting a hard slap from his girlfriend. The devil on my shoulder laughed quite loudly and said that she deserved it after insulting me that time.

This time, I agreed with the devil. But… I'm so sorry Justin. I bit my lower lip and touched it with my index finger. My hair in a ponytail swayed as I shook my head pitifully.

"Come out, Mandy. What a stalker."

Suddenly I looked left and right with wide eyes in shock, making sure that Justin wasn't referring to me. There were many girls named Mandy in this world. I was sure he did not just call my name.

Don't be silly, he's calling your name, Stupid, my mind roared quietly.

Justin's gaze was fixed on me. For a few seconds, we stared at each other, and I quickly hid behind the mailbox, hitting myself on the head. Stupid! He must think I was a stalker!

"Amanda Gilbert."

I moved my lower lip. Damn, he called me. Slowly, I made small my way out of the post box—yes, I was behind it—walking awkwardly while occasionally brushing away the strands of my hair that stuck to my temples. I tripped over my loose shoelaces sending me tumbling forward with my face landed on the pavement. In an instant, I groaned in pain.

Justin grabbed my arm and helped me up. His warm hand touched my jacket. I looked up. The sight that filled my eyes at this moment was a pair of clear honey-colored irises staring straight into my eyes. My mouth is like being entered by laundry soap. I swallowed hard and quickly looked away.

With his help, I limped to my feet. I patted my dirty ass, brushing the dust off the shorts up to my thighs. "Thanks," I said in a half-whisper.

"Did you follow me?" Justin asked skeptically.

What? Followed him? Haha. "What? No! I was accompanying my mother shopping there and saw you fighting with the redhead earlier." I pursed my lips sideways. The annoyance that had previously been slightly buried in my heart resurfaced. I'd known him since I was a kid. But the magic effect it gave me was so strong, it made me fall in love with him even more.

Ugh, this sounded so cheesy.