Ava's POV:
Winnie chews her gum as if it's the last piece of gum on Earth. Her eyes maneuver left and right before it met with someone. "What the fuck do you want?" She snapped towards the innocent fool.
He shook his head, "N-Nothing." He rushes down the hallway.
Winnie resumes her violent gum chewing. My eyes flicker towards Ben, who was chewing on his nails. He was staring at the bag of chips in Eli's hands. Steadily, Eli digs inside and grabs one, then with slow-motion, he moves it towards his mouth. When Eli opens his mouth, Ben did the same until Eli ate the chip. Ben whimpers whenever Eli consumes one.
"What's wrong with you two?" I ask.
They've been on edge for days. Even the smallest sound can cause them to flinch.
"What's wrong with us? What the fuck is wrong with you?" Generally, this attitude is not a problem until it becomes one.
Winnie has been making enemies left and right. Even her cheers had been off. Practice was so bad this morning; I had her doing laps so that everyone can have a peace of mind.
"We're going through some things." Ben rubs Winnie's back to calm her down. It would've looked better if he wasn't shaking on his own.
"What wrong? You're pregnant?" Eli asks. That's the dumbest question he could ever ask.
Winnie grabbed Eli's shirt and pinned him against the wall. "Did you just call me fat, you four eyes twig arms hippie hair mammoth."
Eli shook his head furiously, "No. No. It was just a joke!"
"Well, it's not!" Ben snapped. His eyes were glaring heavily at the chips on the ground. "You can't go around accusing people of something like that even as a joke! That's not right! You think it's a joke, but what if other people take it seriously, huh? Huh! Now, people are going to think a few months from now Winnie got an abortion or something, and now, you ruined my girlfriend's reputation! And you ruin good chips!" He gestures heavily at the crumbles on the ground. "I hope you're happy with yourself." He grabbed Winnie's hand, and they traveled down the hallway.
We watch as the couple grumbled complaints about Eli's joke while resuming their intense action of gum chewing and nail-biting.
"What's wrong with them?" Eli shook his body. "What got them so on edge lately."
"I don't know, but I suggest you not make another fat joke."
"That wasn't a fat joke."
"Then, what joke is it?"
"It was a joke joke."
I walk away.
"Have a sense of humor, baby!" Eli rushes after me, then swings his arm around my shoulders. "What do you wanna do this weekend? You know, after working." Eli puffed my chest, "I'm in a relationship with a responsible lady." He grinned widely. "Feels good."
"Too bad I'm not in a relationship with a responsible man."
"I am responsible."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. I take full responsibility for whatever that may happen in the future."
"A responsible man wouldn't have allowed that type of incident to happen to begin with."
Eli narrows his eyes, "I'll get a job."
"A responsible man would've gotten a job on his own, not when other people tell him to do it."
"There's no pleasing you, is there?"
I smile, "No. Not really."
Eli embraced me from behind then rested his chin on my shoulder. "I'll be a good man."
"Less talking, more action."
His grip tightens, "Don't leave me."
I stop and turn around, "I have to."
Eli gasps, "No!"
"I do. I have to go. I can't stay with you anymore."
Eli cup my cheeks, "Please, don't go." His lip pouted, "I'll be sad if you leav-"
"What the fuck are you two doing?" We turn our head to see Shelbie with a bag of chips. "I know you two are love birds right now but do you mind stepping aside so my fat ass can squeeze through?"
Eli and I separated so Shelbie can get into the class. Shelbie engulfs the last piece of her donut before throwing away the napkin. The Shelbie I know would've gone into the restroom and checked her face. This Shelbie didn't. Who is she?
"Everyone is in a bad mood lately," Eli grumbled. He looked at me and grinned, "So, you do have a sense of humor." He puckered his lips and kissed me. "I'll see you after class, pretty lady."
When I reach my desk, Shelbie pulls out a piece of the pie. There are more snacks inside her backpack than academic materials. She looks at me, "I'm not sharing."
I lay the backpack on the ground. "I didn't ask."
"Good. Because I'm not sharing."
"Hey, Av," Zoey said.
"What's up?" I ask.
Zoey's eyes went towards Shelbie, "Mind if we talk alone?"
Shelbie swallows, "Got something you can't say in front of me?"
Zoey exhales softly before her eyes drift towards the small group of girls behind her.
"Spill it," Shelbie demands.
"Shelbie. Don't force me. Not in front of everyone."
Shelbie stood up, "Go for it."
Zoey crosses her arms, "I was going to nicely ask Av to talk to you about your weight gain."
"My what?"
"Here's the fact. You're getting fat, and our backs are breaking from throwing your fatass into the air."
"You-"
"We all know," Zoey said. "Your little plumber guy got a girlfriend."
Shelbie's eyes widen, "How-"
"Sarah saw him kissing another girl the other day. We understand you're hurt but, we refuse to let your depression over a fucking guy bring us down. Like literally, down because our bodies hurt from lifting you."
Shelbie looks at me, "Do you also think that way?" I didn't respond. I couldn't. Her eyes went around the room, and then she spat out: "You all suck!" Shelbie grabbed her backpack and stomped outside.
I exhale softly before looking at Zoey.
She twiddles with her fingers, "I was going to ask you to talk to her in private since you're the captain, but she's been getting on my nerves with her negativity. Plus, my body sores really bad. I'm so sorry, Av."
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Instead, I grabbed my bag and went after Shelbie. I found her in the back of the school, behind one of the old classrooms. She had her face shoved inside a container of brownies. I sat down beside her.
"I'm not sharing," she said. She inhaled another piece.
I move the container down, "Shelbie."
Shelbie's chocolate-covered mouth trembled, "What am I doing, Av? I mean, really! Look at me. I gained almost ten pounds in like two weeks." She threw the container down, "No wonder why everyone thinks I'm a fatass." She buried her face into her hands. "And for what? For a fucking guy who can't choose between his damn girlfriend and me."
Gently, I pat her back.
"I wish I never met him." Shelbie threw herself at me. "It hurts, Av." She looks at me, "You know? Like it physically hurts knowing the person I really like, the person I know is my soulmate, is with someone else."
"Shelb-"
"I know what you're going to say. You're only in high school Shelbie Xiong. Soulmate? Ha!" Shelbie tucked her lips over her teeth, "But, have you ever felt it, Av?" She looks at me, "You know when you look at someone, and you have these overwhelming emotions. This feeling that tells you, you're made for each other. Do you get what I'm saying?"
I exhale softly, "I do."
"Yes! That! That feeling!"
"But, Shelbie. I'm not going to tell you to continue chasing someone so...unhealthy."
"Unhealthy?" She looks at the brownies, "I mean, I have eaten a lot of unhealthy food."
"No. I mean, an unhealthy relationship." I wrapped my arms around my legs, "I'm going to tell you something. Something that I don't feel comfortable to talk about."
"What is it?"
"You know about...Luke Parker?"
I know the reason. The reason why I'm bringing up such an unsettling topic. It's the guilt—the guilt of knowing how I indirectly cause Shelbie pain. If I didn't ask that damn question, things wouldn't be like this today. She would've met her husband in the far future and happily spiral through high school instead of tragically eating her way into another size.
"Yeah. I know about him."
"You know, about us?"
"Yeah. How you two were a great couple."
I shook my head, "Luke and I weren't together."
"But, you two-" Shelbie stops talking, but her mouth was still wide until a sound left: "Oh."
"When I first met Luke, there was this feeling inside of me. This feeling keeps telling me to go after him. How we're meant to be with each other." I ran my tongue across my cheek. "So, I went for it."
Shelbie stares at me. She's not someone who interrupts a story.
"But, I was ignorant - no - stupid. I was inconsiderate towards Luke. His feelings. His situation. And the more I push forward...the more he pushes away."
"I'm sorry." Those seem to be the most appropriate words, but also the most painful ones.
"And so, I realized that I should've stopped pushing. I should've stopped a long time ago."
It's still there - the discomfort. Dr.Cordova said it's normal to have it - how, one day, it will disappear. How, one day, I'll look back at this situation and laugh.
I hope it's the truth.
"Maybe," I said. "Colton does have feelings for you. You both feel it—this connection. But, you have to also consider his situation. Colton is an adult who has a girlfriend for however many-"
"16 months," Shelbie said. "They've been together for 16 months."
"16 months," I repeated. "So, don't you think there are some feelings there? If he is as good of a guy as you say. Do you think he would be inconsiderate enough to throw away a one year and four months relationship for a high school girl he recently talked to?"
Shelbie's lips thinned.
"And would you want someone who would throw away something like that so easily?"
She didn't respond.
"Shelbie. Suppose he can throw away a relationship that easily. What makes you think he won't do it with you when someone else comes by?"
She shook her head, "No." She swallowed, "I don't want that." Shelbie took a few blinks to wash away the tears, "Then, what should I do?"
"Live your life. Let him live his." I exhale heavily, "If things happen. It'll happen. Don't circle yourself around another person."
Shelbie smiles, "You sound like someone who experienced life."
You have no idea.
"Av. Can you do me a favor?"
"What is it?"
"Can you help me slim down again? You know, run with me before cheer practice or something?" She grabbed her stomach fat, "I'm not feeling or looking so good right now."
I smile, "Of course."
After the Shelbie incident was resolved, it was time to check out the aggressive duo.
"Seriously," I said. "What's up with you two?"
Winnie and Ben look at each other before their sight reverts to me. Ben exhaled, "We made an agreement."
"What agreement?" Eli asks.
"I'm helping Winnie stop smoking."
"You smoke?"
"Yeah. You got a problem with it?" Winnie snapped at Eli.
Eli shook his head and took a step behind me.
"So, she stops smoking, and I stop eating junk food." Ben clasps his hands together, "I'm begging you all not to eat junk food in front of me. Please. Please!"
Winnie chews on the gum excessively but stops when someone walks by. She sniffed the air, "Oh my lord. You smoked."
The guy took a step back, "No. I fucking didn't." He rushes away from Winnie.
Winnie waves her hands in front of her face. "He's a fucking liar. He smoked! Fuck! Why couldn't he stay a bit longer so I can have some damn second-hand smoke."
Ben cups Winnie's cheeks, "Winnie. Calm down."
"Shut up. You butt for face four eyes." She gasps and covers her mouth. "BennyBoo, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it." She embraces him, "I'm just so stressed."
Ben patted her head, "It's okay. Me too." His stomach growled, "I don't know how you always eat only those salads, honey. It's not fulfilling at all." Ben cried. Physically cried. "I miss chocolate."
"Aw. BennyBoo." Winnie wipes off his tears.
"Wuss." Someone coughs out. We turn our heads to see Landon.
Winnie growls slightly, "Why you-"
Ben held her back, "He's doing it on purpose to get your attention. Don't give it to him."
Winnie huffed a breath, "Fine."
"Why don't you two work out with Shelbie and me?" I suggested. "Working out is better than fully quitting junk food, and it's something to help you kill stress."
"Oh! I want in!" Eli raises his hand. He jumped on his toes and embraced me. "I want to work out too. Me too!" His cheek runs against mine.
And that's how the five of us started weekly workouts together.
But then, something happened.
"I heard you are all working out together. Can I join?" Mary asks.