It Comes Naturally

5.

"Terribilmente dispiaciuto per lo spavento, piccolo," Alec said to her, flashing his signature charming smile her way. Her brows furrowed in confusion by his language, that's when Trey translated and he, in return had a sheepish look on his face. 

"I tend to go back and forth with my friends in which they understand immediately. Italian was my first language before I came to America, my family speaks it at home so the transition is still crazy," he explained.

"Oh. That's nice of yuh friends. Learning ah new language an' all," Erica said with a smile. Her face heated at the thought of them thinking her island accent was deplorable. Trey smiled her way, his clear eyes trained on her, making her squirm a bit. "Is Grenada close to your home island?" he asked. Erica's eyes widen at the blunt question and expressionless face.

"Uh, yes, actually. Tobago is practically close to plenty of the other islands. Small but great in many ways," she answered. She felt at ease talking to these two about home. 

"You're smart girl," Trey continued with his straightforwardness. Alec groaned beside him before nudging his best friend on the side. He ignored the Italian and pressed on. "I say this because the islands are under the British schooling system which is undeniably advanced. You're in majority of the advanced classes here as I've learned, you have book smarts but not social smarts, I must say."

Erica wrapped her arms around her body and lifted her chin in defense. She knew what he was pertaining to. It hurt her pride to say she let Bree and Natalie take a bit of advantage of her but they were the only ones who befriended her. These two guys and Selby, she hadn't quite yet figured out their motive in talking to her. "I've yet to learn. It was easier back home, we weren't so..." she began trying to find a word.

"Segregated. As my great aunts told me, no cliques or positions in society were made at your schools. Though they were groups, everyone got along. They are from Grenada, the reason why I asked earlier."

"Yeah, segregated," Erica confirmed with him. Trey kept his cold gaze on her, Alec stepped forward blocking his friend from her.

"It's different here, piccolo. I've had years to understand it. As my amico here said, you're a smart girl. We think you should figure out why a girl like Bree always paints a bad light on her ex and his friends, to people. Also, take a good look at your surroundings. Choose your friends wisely, piccolo. In this scenario, rethink your choices. Have a great day," Alec said. He gave her a smile before pulling his friend along down the hall. 

"There you are. Come on, we're a tad bit late."

Up came Selby, running towards her with two textbooks and her iPad clutched to her chest. Erica smiled her way before joining her in the rush towards the class. During the entire block, Alec's statements resonated in her head. She did take a look around her class, yes, they were students who belonged to certain cliques but she saw how they all welcomed Selby back to school sincerely, and asked about her vacation, even joking around. The girl though came from money was genuinely warm and down to earth, not the bitchy poser, Bree described her as. Was it all an act? No one can act that good and have so many people in cohorts in such a farce.

After class, Selby was telling her of past history projects she did, in order to give her an idea of what their teacher expected. Turns out the two were partners in a project for their final grade. Total coincidence, Erica said to herself. "Hey, babe." "Selby." Two male voices called out to the girl, cutting off her explanation of World War 2 convalescent homes. Erica spotted one of Elijah's cousins and an unfamiliar guy in a black letterman jacket. Selby turned to the stranger first, receiving a very dramatic kiss from the guy before greeting Harem. Erica's heart weirdly ached for the guy when she saw his true emotions flash across his face before he schooled them.