Strings Attached

~Chapter 6~

"Now, where were we?" "You were asking us about the Great Depression, sir," a girl at the front reminds him. "Ah, yes. Thank you, Lavender. We'll take the period of the 'Great Depression' as the starting point to compare how far these countries have come since then." At this point, I zone out, and before I can spell 'Eco-no-mics', I'm fast asleep.

At the end of the school day, we're all lounging in the hallways when I see 'Richie Rich' snogging my previous muse in full public view. A nerve twitches inside my brain. This is bad for my reputation. Really bad! Especially because people don't know we've broken up. I'm about to smash my hand in the bloke's face when Seth stops me.

"It's no use, bro. You know she's a b*tch. They're better off together." "You don't understand man; coz your reputation isn't at stake here!" I snap at him. "No, you're wrong. I do understand. And that's why I'm telling you there's another way to go about it." "Really! What is it, genius?! Let's hear it out." "Get Lisa, his ex. Snog her right in front of him. I heard he's still not over her."

"Make him jealous!" Seth advises me, his eyes burning with revenge. Now that's an idea! I see Lisa in the corner, near the lockers, and I make my way towards her. I tap her shoulder and she jumps up. The moment the girl notices me; her lips break into a smile. She has a really red lipstick on which instantly attracts me and wakes up all of my male hormones.

And in less than a second, my hands are securely wrapped around her waist and my lips are on her cherry colored ones. In that one kiss, I channel all the anger I've been feeling since morning, towards my dad, my life and everything else I find hateful.

Lisa doesn't resist. Seems like she's enjoying it as much as I am. I bring her over to the front, and the moment my friends see me, they begin to cheer loudly. There's a huge crowd in the corridor and all of them start clapping for our 'fake' love. Finally, 'Richie Rich' notices the commotion. The minute he sees his ex in my arms, his face turns the color of tomato. Not losing this golden opportunity, I throw a sneer at him.

When I've made sure that the bloke's listening, I ask Lisa out, and she says yes. I know no one can resist my charm. And that's the only leverage I have over my blasted enemies.

"You didn't just ask her out, did you?" Seth asks me, as we get to the parking lot to grab our bikes. I'm still smiling over the way things turned out. "I did. You got a problem with it? Did you want her for yourself?" I ask him, tauntingly. "Don't be stupid, man. I'd never want to date someone who applies the whole tube of foundation on her face in one go." "Seriously then, what's your problem?" I ask him, getting impatient. "Do you realize that you're asking a girl out on an almost empty pocket?!"

"What are you here for? You'll give me the money, for it was your idea," I remind the idiot. "My idea ended up at the kiss, alright!" His uncalled for anger is irritating me, big time. He stands there, his nostrils flaring, for a minute. "I could give you the money, but you'll have to promise me something," he says. Finally, the boy is talking sense! "Anything, your highness." "You won't have more than 5 glasses." "Okay, that's absurd--," I begin, but he cuts me off. "I'm not finished yet. The manager from the PoG called. He wants you to sing this weekend, and you will."

"What?! That's ridiculous! As much as I love to sing, I hate that place. Besides, I have an exam the next day," I shout disbelievingly. "I don't care. You need to earn, man. And that's your only way to do it. You can't be choosy in this. You owe so many people. It's better that you start paying off your debts before they buy you out!"