Ferd don’t do it

The second we entered through the school doors heads began to turn in our direction.

I've always been one to draw attention to myself but never for a good reason. Before I could freak out about it though I remembered that Ari and Delilah were standing beside us, and people were probably staring at them. Not me.

There was something going on between Ari and her cousin that I didn't know about though. They kept glaring or smirking at each other for reasons that were unknown to me. But by the amused look on Victor's face, I was guessing that he knew something I didn't.

The bell rang seconds later giving me an excuse to escape. Jason and I went to our class which was on the opposite hall than Victor and the girls.

It took a total of fifteen minutes of the teacher droning on and on about God knows what for me to crack. I opened my textbook in my lap and set my phone inside the pages and messaged Victor.

Me: Okay just tell me!!

Victor: tell you what?

Me: Why Ari and Delilah were acting so weird this morning. Duh?

Victor: You wouldn't believe me even if I told you. Lol.

Lol?

Me: I'm your boss you have to do what I say and TELL ME!

Victor: Fine.

Victor: Delilah had a crush on you from back when you did summer classes for your SATs at Mt. Richards Academy last year.

Victor: she still does. But you're too in love with her cousin to notice.

Pfft! I am NOT in love.

I just strongly like Ariadne and also happen to think she's the sun, moon and stars in my universe... there's a difference.

Me: Delilah doesn't like me

Out of everything he said, that's all I chose to comment on.

She did tell me she likes me though. So, who am I kidding?

"Mr. Solace!", I looked up from my phone, closing it inside the textbook when I heard my name. Ms. Mc Donald my history teacher was looking at me expectantly. So was everyone else in the classroom.

I gulped. I had zero idea what was going on.

"Well,", she urged "are you going to answer the question?".

I didn't even hear the question.

I think I felt a cold sweat trickle down my back. I was screwed.

"It's Russia", a voice whispered from behind me.

Ah hell. "Russia", I said unsure, but she just nodded at me approvingly.

"That's correct", Ms. Mc Donald finally turned her gaze from me, and I sighed in relief, "why can't the rest of you be like Mr. Solace. It wouldn't kill you to read ahead for class".

I felt like such a hypocrite.

As soon as the teacher stopped looking at me, I quickly turned to see who was sitting behind me and had given me the answer earlier.

I was surprised to see that it was Nicole.

"Thanks for helping me out", I whispered offering her an awkward smile.

"It's cool", she nodded. But she didn't smile.

I turned back around in my seat.

**************

When I arrived at lunch Victor was already there at our table with our lunch trays already filled with food.

"Hey man", I plopped down on the seat across from him while Jason sat beside him.

"Sup?" Victor asked, "I've got both your food already".

"Thanks", we both muttered sliding our trays in front of us.

I'm about to start digging in when someone slides into the empty seat on my left.

"Hi Ferd", Delilah gives me a side hug and my entire body goes rigid at the unexpected contact.

Victor give me a knowing smirk and I roll my eyes at his childishness.

Delilah doesn't really like me for real. Right?

As if on cue Ari takes the seat on my right. This time I'm not the only one who's shocked.

Ari has never sat at our table before she's always at the 'popular table' as we call it, with her friends or her boyfriend. Come to think of it, I haven't seen Mario all day. Not that that's a problem or anything. Because it's not.

"Hi Delilah", I say first then I turned to Ari, "Hi", I say trying to not let my delight show on my face.

"Why are you sitting with us?", Jason shocked us all by asking the question on everyone's mind, especially mine.

I'm shocked at his bluntness, but I still turn to Ari and wait for her to answer.

"It's Delilah's first day so I'm not gonna just abandon her", she laughs a bit uneasily causing me to question the authenticity of her reason, "she's sitting here, so I'm here", Ari concludes.

"I'm fine by myself", Delilah says loud enough so only I can hear causing me to look at the other girl on my left.

I don't mind that she's here. Of course. But I can now begin to sense that the majority of the cafeteria is staring at our table wondering what is going on over here.

An awkward silence emerges over or table. I look at Jace, Jace looks at Vick and we both seem uncomfortable.

Even Delilah seems uncomfortable herself until a smile suddenly breaks unto her face and she looks over at her cousin with a triumphant gleam in her eyes.

"Oh look", she says next, "here comes your boyfriend Ariadne".

It all happens too fast and before I can even stop what is happening Mario is walking towards our table and sitting beside Ari then Luigi, I mean Lewis, comes in and the rest of the seats at our table are being filled by jocks and some of Ari's friends.

I'm so shocked I can already tell that my exact emotions are being displayed on my face for all to see.

"Why are we sitting with these losers?", Mario says maliciously, directing his gaze right at me.

For a second, I think I see a hint of anger pass Ari's face when her boyfriend referred to me as a loser, but it soon passes.

All she does is place her arm on his hand and mutter, "Don't".

His gaze doesn't falter but he doesn't pass any other rude comment my way either so I can't complain.

Apparently only my bodyguards, me, Ari, Delilah, and Mario are aware of the awkwardness at the table since everyone else immediately emerges into conversation.

I pray for lunch to be over and done with so I can get away but only after many awkward conversations and glares does the bell finally ring and I shoot up from my seat, empty my tray and head to my next class with Victor without muttering so much as a goodbye or glancing behind me at anyone.

*************

It's after school now. I've been standing at the backdoors to the parking lot with Vick and Jace for the past five minutes mostly because I've been over thinking why Ari asked me to help them in the first place and I've basically psyched myself out.

"I can't do it, I can't do it", I mutter the words over and over again causing Jason to get annoyed.

And that's saying something.

"I'm going out there", Vick informs us before looking at Jason, "get him out there in three minutes". Then he leaves.

Jason looks at me suspiciously, "I thought you wanted to hang out with Ariadne. What's wrong why are you freaking out?".

Like, seriously?

"What do you mean why am I freaking out?", I nearly shriek at him, "not only will Delilah and Ari be there but I'm sure Mario is gonna be there as well. He hates my guts. And Vick has managed to convince me that Delilah has a crush on me. I don't know what to do Jace. I can't go up out there".

"Take a deep breath Solace, Victor and I will be there so Mario won't get to you. That's a promise. Like I said, take a deep breath", Jace instructs, "you can do it".

"How?".

"Just… do it?", even he doesn't sound sure himself.

I on the other hand clung unto his words of advice like the holy gospel.

"Just do it", I nod to myself, using his words as a boost, "just do it".

"Yes", he mutters again pleased that he's managed to convince me somehow.

"Just do it", I say again. Before looking at him with furrowed brows as realization dawns on me.

"Just do it?", I asked with a snort, "where did you get that one from? A Nike commercial?".

He doesn't reply he just grabs my upper arm and drags me outside.

I see the girls the very second, I get outside but manage to avoid any conversation with them other than Ari explaining to me what I have to do.

I spent approximately six minutes out there before a bucket of soapy water is emptied right over my head.

When I notice the culprit, I immediately turn to the other side of the parking lot to glare at Jason who hasn't even realized what's happened yet.

'He won't get to you', Jace had said.

Some bodyguards I have.