Viral

Thirteen

I'm a hazard to myself.
Don't let me get me.
I'm my own worst enemy.

-P!nk

"Seriously?" I massaged my temples with my fingertips after noticing not just Marcus, but August and Jordan sitting on my couch.

Marcus shrugged before picking up the remote to turn off the television. "When you texted me saying you weren't going to school I took it as we weren't going."

"We thought you'd want company." August smiled showing his teeth and I was mad that my heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. He may be an idiot, but he was still a hot idiot.

Speaking of idiots Finn entered from my kitchen snacking on a pop tart. Our eyes met for a millisecond before he took a seat next to Marcus. My mind instantly went back to the night before and I had the image of Carly laughing while playfully touching his chest pop up in my head.

Despite my body having a physical reaction to August, it was nothing compared to the reaction I was having to Finn being in the same room ignoring me. I could feel my pulse accelerate but before I could determine if it was out of anger, fear, or longing Jordan interrupted my thoughts.

"We wanted to talk to you about what you said yesterday..." Jordan's cheeks were painted pink as if he was trying to find the last offensive way to say something he deemed offensive. "Are you really going to be a cam girl?" My jaw went slack at his comment.

I ran my fingers through my hair trying to decipher how he would come up with something so preposterous. Then my previous comment dawned over me and I covered my face in embarrassment.

"What he means is we support you and we want to help." August stood and slide is hands in his front pockets.

Finn popped another piece of the pop tart in his mouth after smacking his teeth in defiance. While the rest of the room was banded together in moral support, he was ready to rain on our parade. "Please, there's no way Ryland is going to be a cam girl." It wasn't what he said, because the thought of being a cam model had never crossed my mind, it was his tone that pissed me off.

Everything in me wanted to punch his stupid face. "Why not Finn? Is it my attire you find unappealing?" I pointed to the oversized white t shirt I was wearing. "The way I wear my hair? I know you watched the video." I took a few steps closer as Marchs shifted to move out of my way. I bent at the knees to be eye level with Finn and met his gaze long enough to steady my accelerated heartbeat. My next words were only meant for him to hear so in a low voice I whispered in his ear, "did you not enjoy it?" The tips of his ears were crimson, and I knew I had proven a point I didn't know I needed to make.

The room was blanketed in silence. There was a wave of unease as everyone fought to not make eye contact with me. Well everyone but Marcus, he was still giving me an encouraging smile. I crossed the room and took a seat in an empty armchair. "Well, what do I have to do?" The room erupted in different suggestions all at the same time.

(.&.)

The guys were arguing over what my screen name would be and I needed a break. Marcus followed me into the kitchen and helped me pull glasses from the cupboard.

"This is the last thing you want to hear but I'm going to say it in the little time we have alone." Marcus' words were so rushed I was barely catching on to what he was saying. 

I was about to ask him why he was whispering but then he continued. "Finn and Carly broke up last night—"

I burst in a fit of laughter; Marcus clearly didn't know what he was talking about. "I saw them last night and the last thing they were doing was breaking up."