Me, Myself & I (Catnipz)

Bit for Bitter

 "Here you go," I said as I handed it to her, and she turned when she heard me. I placed the enormous guide on her chest, forcing her to take it. I turned around and started walking again.

"Hey, hey, hey," I smiled as I heard her calling out to me, but my name isn't 'Hey' so I didn't turn around. "I'm talking to you," she said, grabbing my arm.

"Sorry, I don't recall my name being 'Hey'."

"Well, yes, you... Garam's clone." If she kept this up, she'd really anger me. "Who do you think you are?" she asked, frowning.

"Huh?" I couldn't grasp her question.

"I'm not doing all the work, so..." She abruptly grabbed my arm to return the guide. "...you take it."

"I never said you had to do the work," I said, annoyed. "It doesn't fit in my bag or locker," I informed her. "So keep it." I returned it to her with more force, although it probably didn't faze her.

"I'm not keeping it." Both of us were beyond irritated.

"Fine, don't keep it." I took it from her hands and walked towards one of the trash cans, stepping on the lever to open the lid and letting it drop in. "There, problem solved." I turned back to her. "Problem solved." Her jaw was practically glued shut; otherwise, it would've hit the floor.

"It seems someone has met their match," Danielle teased.

"I'm not in the mood for jokes," I said, annoyed.

"What happened?" she asked, amused.

"I gave her the huge Physics guide, she didn't want to keep it, so I threw it in the trash," I recounted.

"Did you hear that it's worth as much as a final exam?" she reminded me.

"Yes, but I'd rather fail the subject than..."

"...than swallow your pride," she finished my sentence. It wasn't the exact wording I had in mind, but she was right. "See you tomorrow," she kissed my forehead before leaving.

I continued emptying out my locker, leaving only the books. It was a mess, with clothes, shoes, makeup—practically everything. I managed to carry all my belongings, closed the locker, and almost everything fell to the ground when I found Minji behind the door.

"What do you want?" I said grumpily.

"Look... I think you have an idea of how much it bothers me to have you around..." Her words entered one ear and left the other.

I was completely lost in her. Her brown leather jacket was open, revealing her physique only covered by a white t-shirt, which, to my misfortune, outlined her well-defined chest and abdomen.

"Focus!" my inner voice scolded me.

"...I won't fail that subject because of your stupid whims, so you'll do half and I'll do half." That's what I managed to hear when I "focused," as she handed me half of the sheets.

"No, no, no," I immediately refused. "I'm not risking you getting answers wrong and both of us getting a bad grade."

"Didn't you hear me?" she said, annoyed. "I just explained it's not possible!" she spoke in desperation. "Can't you stop thinking about yourself for five minutes?" She ran her hand quickly through her hair in frustration. "If you knew what I was thinking about..." I stupidly chuckled inside.

"Then I'm sorry," I said hypocritically. "We'll have to work together, even if you don't like it." I smiled harshly. "I won't fail because of your whims either." It didn't matter if I failed because of my own fault, but if it was just because the "little girl" didn't like being around me, that's different.

Making a great effort not to collapse under the mountain of things I was carrying, I handed her the sheets. "Tomorrow... your place or mine?" I asked as I walked away, leaving her behind. She grunted, and there was a loud thud against one of the lockers. I smiled victoriously.

"I can't, I have work," I heard her footsteps behind me.

"Your place, my place, or we fail?" I repeated.

"W-O-R-K," she repeated, splitting the syllables.

"F-A-I-L," I mimicked her.

"I am responsible," she said as we exited the building.

"How old are you? Sixty?" I looked at her; I could swear she hated me even more than Garam did.

I returned my gaze forward, but not in time as I collided with someone, causing all my things to fall to the ground.

"Why don't you watch where you're going?" Eunchae said grumpily.

"Why don't you get out of my way?" I replied in the same tone as I bent down to pick up my things. "The good thing is that I'm surrounded by 'gentlemen,'" I said sarcastically, referring to Eunchae and Minji who were just looking at my scattered things on the floor.

Suddenly, a couple of guys rushed over to help me.

"Thanks," I gathered everything back in my arms.

"If you want, I can help you to your car and maybe..."

"Get lost," Eunchae and Minji said in unison.

"I have to talk to you right now," Eunchae ordered, and I just laughed.

"I'd love to, but..." I said, smiling. "No, you know what?" I put on a thoughtful look. "I wouldn't love to, and I have much more important things to do than listen to you." I smiled broadly. "...Tell me what you decide tomorrow," I told Minji and resumed walking towards my car.

I walked to my car without looking back. I have to admit, I was dying to know what Eunchae wanted to talk to me about, although it was pretty obvious what she wanted to "talk" about. But it'll be worth it to stay in suspense. The day will come when she'll come back begging me to return to her, and for that, Minji will be of great help.

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I woke up feeling more energetic, the pain in my legs wasn't as intense as yesterday, so now it's time for "Glamour, come to me!" I pulled out a pink dress from my closet with off-the-shoulder sleeves that falls just above my knees along with a jacket and my cherished heels. I left my hair as usual, loose with its typical waves.

With great confidence, I walked through the halls, attracting numerous glances. I loved this so much. I spotted Minji, getting books from her locker. "It should be illegal for her to wear those kinds of pants," I thought, considering the hormone riot it caused inside me. Coupled with the red flannel shirt she was wearing, it was a revolution for me.

"What have you decided, Bit?" I whispered in her ear from behind, making her turn abruptly.

"First... back off," she pushed me aside, "And second, why are you calling me Bit?" she asked, puzzled.

"Bit for Bitter," I burst into laughter.

"Look..." she said with annoyance, "It's already hard enough to put up with you, so try to keep your stupid jokes to yourself," she slammed her locker shut.

"I'll try," I said with a smile, "So, then?" I asked, walking behind her with light steps, "Your place or mine?"

"It'll have to be mine," she replied begrudgingly without looking at me.

"Perfect," I sang and went into my next class.

Classes went by quickly, as always Danielle helped me stay distracted and made the hours a bit more fun.

"Is she really going to take you to her house?" Danielle asked.

"Yes, just to work on the useless physics guide," I explained, "The girl keeps resisting my charms," we both laughed.

"I told you," she smiled victoriously, "It's better if you give up, Haerinnie."

"Look, Danielle Marsh... before you know it," I pointed at her, "I'll have her following me," I smiled.

I was one of the last ones to leave. I patiently gathered all my things. Truth be told, I wasn't in a hurry at all, and hopefully, I'd manage to annoy Minji along the way.