News travel fast. Especially shocking ones.
I never knew how many people could spread news that quick. If only they were this excited about clubs and extracurricular activities.
At least five people came up to me and asked me what was going on between Luke and I. I simply told them that we started talking.
The responses I received in return included a wide range of shocked, the people that expected it, and the people that said that he was no good. There were more people that told me the latter. It pained me to see people saying these things about someone I cared about, especially someone like Luke.
Lunch was the weirdest time of day. I suppose everyone expected me to sit with Luke and sink down to his level-wearing black clothes and listening to rock music (not that theres anything wrong with that). But it was a shock to everyone when I sat in my usual spot, with Jonah on one side and Alex across from me.
Once that occurred, it seemed like people began their conversations once again. As if they had been holding their breaths and praying that I don't sit with Luke. Which I didn't, much to their pleasure. I sat in silence, quietly eating my food and attempting to stay out of conversation so that Alex wouldn't have the chance to call me out. But he did it anyway.
"So, Ali," Alex spoke in a nonchalant voice, "I've heard people talking about you and Luke Hemmings; is that true?"
"Why do you need to know?" I asked inquisitively, making everyone around me stop their conversations. Apparently my question was rude.
"Woah, calm down," he raised his hands up in defeat, but continued to attack, "I just want to know why my prom date has a boyfriend."
"I'm not going to prom with you, Alex," my eyes rolled almost instinctively. Everyone was baffled by my sudden outburst of sass, especially Alex. However, he wasn't just surprised, he was mad.
Alex remained quiet, as the rest of our table did. Then, with his jaw clenched, he got up, and left the lunchroom. Everyone was startled by his sudden conniption. Almost everyone was quiet, except for the scattered giggles of the Freshman class that clearly didn't catch on to what was happening. The slammed door was the last thing everyone heard, and then, worried murmurs took over the cafeteria.
Everyone that knew better, the people that actually knew what was happening in the Prep world, they all looked at me in curiosity, as if my face would tell them. One of these people was Luke, and his confused stare was one of the most intimidating ones.
Ideally, I followed Alex out of the cafeteria to see what he was up to. After all, we couldn't have him running around and destroying the school because I rejected him. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Luke about to get up and follow me out, but Calum, bless his soul, stopped him.
I sprinted past the doors and guessed my way around the school. Eventually, after a few minutes of searching, I found Alex literally about to punch a locker. That was until I sprinted to him and stopped him from damaging public property.
Raising my voice, I pushed him as hard as I possible could away from the wall. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"You just ridiculed me in front of everyone, Ali," his tone matched mine, and that was until the last sentence left his lips, " you should have said yes."
"I'm with Luke now, get over it. I don't know what has gotten in you lately, but you need to get your shit together," my voice remained relatively loud. He seemed hurt by what I had said. So hurt that he was forced to look away from my gaze to keep his composure.
Slowly, he inched his way closer to me, and I backed up as much as I could until I hit a wall, and as soon as I collided with the hard surface, the poster that was once taped, was now laying on the floor. Alex placed his hands over my head and looked down at me with a gaze that could kill a man.
"You're gonna come back, and I'm not gonna be here to patch up shit. And neither will Jonah," he warned me.
"You can't decide what Jonah will or will not do," I sneered, gathering my courage and attempting to hold it tight.
Alex chuckled and looked away for a brief second, then continued to hold my gaze, "You are underestimating me."
"Jonah is practically my brother. He won't leave me," I told him, but on the inside I was skeptical.
"Don't sit with us. Don't talk to us. Until you get your shit together, you're not our friend," Alex sternly told me.
The bell rung loudly and people began to swarm the halls. He pushed off and gave me some space before he said, "Let's see what Jonah does."
I was left all alone pushed up against a wall. Trying to gather my thoughts, I moved from the wall and tried to make my way back to the cafeteria.
Halfway there, Luke stopped me and gave me my bag, not saying one word. Then, I hugged his waist, dropping the bag he had just given me onto the floor. His arms snaked around me and I felt a sense of serenity, even though people were talking and looking at us.
Luke muttered loud enough for only me to hear, "You okay?"
"No."
"Come on, Ali. We gotta get to math," he let go of me, but kept one arm around my shoulder as we walked to the same classroom, people oddly astounded by what was right in front of them.
