Chapter 5: I Hope When I Leave They Starve

Amelia's POV

I meet up with Lily in the cafeteria, and see the long line in front of Alex. I sigh and sit beside her. "There's no way I'm getting it back..." I say.

When she's done chewing, she says, "He literally posted on his story to stop talking about the bracelet in class. How does he expect to find the owner in the small amount of lunchtime we have?"

"Maybe it's best he doesn't... He thinks I'm this cool person to hang out with, when I'm definitely not." I say.

"Hey! I hang out with you." Lily says.

I laugh and ask, "And?"

She scoffs and mumbles something under her breath. "Why don't you tell me about the guy you've been texting." I ask.

Lily's face turns a bright shade of pink and she says, "Nothing! We're just friends, who don't know each others' identity."

"You want to come over after school? Cassy is inciting a bunch of people over. You could help me make the food." I say.

"Esmeralda is such a bitch. All she does is treat you like a maid in your own father's house." Lily says angrily.

I pat her shoulder and say, "The second August hits, I'm leaving."

"I'm going to miss you." Lily says sadly.

"If I get into the dance academy we'll still be together." I say.

"NYU's acceptance rate is 7.6%." She says.

I grab her shoulders and say, "Our transcripts shows how hard we worked our ass's off. You are the president of multiple clubs, and still have time to have a social life."

"You're right. We got this." She says, feeling determined.

The bell rings and we stand up. I glance at the line, and see all of them looking dejected. "I'm free to help you after school." Lily says.

"Thank you!" I say, happy I won't be alone.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

I step into Esmeralda's house, and see she's already drinking. I roll my eyes and Esmeralda says, "Cassy's group wants Nutella and apple slices. Make sure you actually cut them into even slices this time."

"They were fine last time." I mutter.

"Are you answering back?" She asks, daring me to define her. Bitch.

Lily follows me into the kitchen, and she grabs a large plate. "I can't believe they don't know how to make their own snacks. Have you ever seen them cook?" She asks.

"Nope. I hope when I leave, they starve." I say, grabbing apples.

I hear the front door open, and then a bunch of voices all at once. I wait for them to all settle in the living room, and bring them their snack. Spoiled rich kids don't know how to cut an apple and get Nutella?

I walk in and Tiffany and Cassy eye me with disgust. I place the plate down and Cassy makes a puking noise. "We didn't ask for that. I told you I wanted cookies." She says, shoving the plate back into my hands.

I clench my jaw and say, "You should have told Esmeralda the right thing then."

"Don't blame the victim. Just go make the cookies." Tiffany says, continuing her conversation.

"I mean Jase and I are fine with them." I hear someone say."

I spot Sylvester and look away. "It's fine, she was just leaving to make the cookies." Cassy says, shooing me away.

"You want me to make freshly baked cookies?" I deadpan. That's gonna take another 30 minutes...

Cassy glares at me and says, "Do I have to repeat myself?" You shove the cookies up her ass she vomits them.

I refrain from throwing the plate at her ugly face, and turn back around. I see Lily on her phone, and she sees the plate.

"They want freshly baked cookies." I say.

I slam the plate down, and go to the freezer to get the cookie dough. "We should poison the cookies." Lily says evilly.

"Trust me, it wouldn't work out in the end. If one of them tried to sue me, they'll get their fancy lawyers and win."

"I don't understand why they're all snotty. They would be nothing without their daddy's money." Lily says, helping me scoop the dough.

Soon we're done, and put the batch in the oven. I grab a sliced apple, and dip it into the Nutella. A few seconds later, I hear they're blasting one of Sylvester's songs.

Lily says sarcastically, "Ugh I love this song. These lyrics are so unique."

"My favorite part is the auto tune." I add, fanning my face.

"You're not wrong." Someone says behind us.

Our heads whip around, and I feel my face heat up. "I-" I start to say before he just shakes his head.

"I didn't like that song either... I came to ask if you guys needed help." He says sheepishly.

"I'm an asshole, I'm sorry." I say covering my face.

"I'm not, but it's not just you. There's just so many cliche songs about how a girl who's different and the guys knows it. Like in Bo Burnham's song, Repest Stuff." Lili says.

"I'll have to check that out." Sylvester says, unsure of what to say next.

I awkwardly laugh and subtly glare at Lily. Just because she likes witnessing drama, doesn't mean she has to start any.

Lily gets the message and says, "The cookies will be done soon. You can help move them to a plate."

"Great. I really don't want to go back there." He says, sitting on a stool.

"Can't handle the popularity?" I ask playfully.

He smiles and says, "Sort of, I don't exactly like hanging out with them... But it's either them, or become friends with people trying to take something from me. At least they're popular enough to know they can drop me, if they want to."

I frown and notice Lily isn't even paying attention to us. That random guy she met is probably the person distracting her.

"If it makes you feel better, you can always hang with us if all else fails." I say shrugging.

His eyes soften, but I pretend I didn't see it. "Thanks, I actually really appreciate it. I'm glad you guys don't treat me differently." He says.

"Actually... If we're friends, you think you could hook me up with any cute guys?" Lily chimes in. I glare at her and she laughs. "I was kidding! Unless you know someone...

"I'm a little offended you're not talking about me." Sylvester says, placing a hand over his heart.

"Don't worry, she has bad taste in guys, appearance wise." I say. Sylvester smirks, deciding if he should say something.

She gasps and says, "Bitch, you're not wrong but still."

We all laugh and the Oven's timer goes off. I grab a mitten, and Sylvester opens the door for me. "Thanks." I murmur, grabbing the tray.

"Looks like you guys have it covered, so I'm gonna go." Lily says, winking at me.

My eyes widen and I silently beg her to stay. She waves and leaves Sylvester and I. "You mind just bringing the plate to your friends?" I ask.

"You're gonna leave me alone with them?" He asks pouting."

"I just-" I get cut off with Tiffany walking in.

"There you are! We all thought you had diarrhea since you were in the bathroom for so long." Tiffany says, grabbing his arm.

She glances at me and rolls her eyes. "Next time the cookies are done, don't make him serve it." She says.

Sylvester moves to say something, but I just salute them and walk away. Behind me I hear Tiffany say, "Let's go Sylvester. I have something to show you."

Thanks for reading!