The doctor discharged me from the hospital the following day, but I didn't return to school until the following week. Having spoken things out with both Alex and Gigi, and had my operation, I felt good, fresh, and ready to get back to school.
With a new found peace of mind, I entered the school building earlier than usual to go collect my results for the exams that I did manage to sit. I was pleasantly surprised at how I did considering how much I struggled to concentrate on my revision. Shoving my result sheet in my bag, I pulled out my phone texted the girls to find out where they were.
"Hey."
I looked up at the person speaking and smiled, "Hey Gi."
"How are you feeling?" she asked falling into step beside me.
"Really good, actually," I replied, sliding my phone back into my pocket.
"You're in earlier than usual," she commented.
"Came in for my results," I patted my bag. "Not too shabby, considering everything."
"It's alright for some," she rolled her eyes, a smirk playing on her face.
"Didn't do so well?" I asked and she shook her head expressing he concern about not being able to improve in time for the real exams.
"Ignore the teacher when they tell you, it's not likely to improve. You can do anything you put your mind to."
"I hope so," she sighed, "I've wasted too much time on stupid things."
"There's time to turn it around as long as you concentrate," I assured her and she nodded.
Pausing for a second, she looked past me and then back at me as we walked through the dining hall. Raising my eyebrow at her questioningly, I shifted my gaze to where she was looking catching a glimpse of Mesut walking into the boy's toilets. Looking back at her in confusion, she face palmed and then pointed towards the side of the toilets where the cash machines were.
"Alex?" I said looking back at her.
"I think he was trying to get your attention," she replied quietly. I looked back over at him, catching him looking at me with a smile. Smiling back at him, I carried on walking to the stairs,
"I'll catch up with him later."
Turns out the girls did pretty well on their tests too, which made me happy. Nothing better than seeing your friends succeed.
As I walked home from school, I reflected on what had happened that day.
Gigi told me about how Felicity was no longer on speaking terms with Harmony and Soreya. Apparently, she had a huge argument with Harmony, resulting in some words being exchanged that couldn't be taken back. Soreya took Harmony's side, as expected, and so the two of them were no longer friends with her. She also told me that although Felicity was upset about it, she knew it was for the better.
Back when I was friends with them, I was the closest to Felicity. She was the one out of the three I had the most in common with. Even Soreya and Harmony knew this, and they were more than happy to come in between us. They made a big deal about how I was 'taking her away' from them and that I should stop being 'up her ass'. Yeah, I know. Stupid.
I mean if anyone was up anyone else's ass, it was Soreya up Harmony's ass, but I didn't say anything.
Felicity had approached me at break time and apologised for everything that had happened between us over the years. In all honesty, Felicity herself had never done anything to me, she had always just been the bystander, which didn't mean she was innocent but still. When I said this to her, she said she felt guilty for not speaking up and that she regretted letting them come between us. Smiling at her, I told her I was also sorry if I had ever done anything to hurt her.
Before she walked away, she told me what the cause of the argument was. Something to do with Soreya's ex. Not that it was surprising. She also said that Soreya was arguing with someone who was sticking up for me. She was calling me an attention seeker and when someone present stuck up for me, she spat back a slew of profanities. Felicity recalled standing up for her, making Soreya livid in the process.
We hugged it out and then she left to hang out with Gigi and Taylor. I smiled at her retreating figure and caught Soreya standing not so far away, watching me coldly. In that moment I prayed that one day she would find whatever it was that she thought she was lacking in herself. Being so hateful all the time must have been an outlet for an emotion she was holding back.
Then I realised that all the issues I had over the years was now sorted. Alex and I were starting fresh and Gigi and I were friends again. Only one problem remained, and I decided that it was a good time as any to say my piece and end it.
Turning to where Soreya was staring, with Harmony standing near her on her phone, I walked towards them. She raised her eyebrow when she realised I was heading right for her as if she was the big man and I daren't approach her.
"Hey," I said politely.
"What do you want?" she replied seemingly disinterested, as Harmony put her phone away and looked at me.
"I just wanted to say a few things," I clarified keeping my tone kind.
"You think I'll just stand here and listen to you chat shit?" she snorted, "come on, H."
Both girls started to walk away so I called out and apology from behind them. This caught their attention. "What did you say?"
"I said: I'm sorry," I repeated, getting a very confused look from her.
"Why are you apologising?" Harmony asked, voicing their thoughts.
"Everything that has happened and everything that you've done to me," I answered, "It's either because I hurt you a lot and you wanted to make me hurt just as bad, hence why I am apologising. Either that, or because you're taking out a lot of hidden shit on me, to which I'd like to say I'm sorry and I hope you find what you're looking for."
Their faces were priceless. If I wasn't being so serious, I would have burst out laughing.
"Oh," is all they can both say, before I smiled once more and walked away.
It felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders, I thought to myself as I unlocked my front door and head up to get changed. I had convinced Aaron to take me out for ice cream. It was April, and not that warm but I really craved some ice cream. And who better to take me than Aaron.
Alex?
Shut up.
As I left the house he rang me.
"Hey, are you on your way?" he asked.
"Yeah, just leaving my house now," I replied, "See you at Pearls."
"No, I'll meet you at the park near my house," he interjected before I put the phone down.
"I thought we were getting ice cream," I replied.
"We will," he laughed, "see you in a bit."
When I got to the park, I texted him to find out where he was. He replied telling me he was right behind me, so I turned around in confusion and was taken back when my eyes landed on a very smiley looking Alex. Not being able to stop my smile from forming, I approached him and Aaron.
"What are you doing here?" I asked Alex.
"Aaron invited me," he grinned gorgeously. Grabbing the football from Aaron, he winked at me and went ahead to the field.
"Explain," I stated, narrowing my eyes at Aaron.
"What?" he asked playing innocent, so I gave him the 'boy-are-you-for-real' look. "I just want to hang out and play a little football with two of my mates."
"Whatever," I rolled my eyes not bothering to hide my smile.
"You know you want him," he smirked. I shook my head shyly in denial. "Sure," he sang putting an arm around my shoulder and squeezing me tightly, "you keep telling yourself that."
Aaron, Alex and I kicked the ball around the field, laughing and messing around. Both of them seemed quite surprised t how good I was, which I thought was quite bizarre because they had both seen me play before.
"Who knew you were so good at football?" Alex complimented when Aaron ran after the ball that Alex kicked to the far end of the field.
"Erm, you did," I laughed, "you're the humble teacher that taught me everything I know."
"Yeah, I just thought we were doing that whole starting fresh thing," he replied.
"Yeah, we're starting fresh, not pretending we don't know each other," I shook my head, smiling.
"Right," he drawled, "in that case, you're footing is a little sloppy and you need to actually watch where you're aiming when you kick."
"Hey!" I defended before we both began to laugh.
"You know I think I could play any sport I want to professionally," Alex pondered aloud, as we watched Aaron walking back towards us, taking his time, "I'm so naturally good at everything."
I raised my eyebrow to that, "you might want to take that arrogance down a few notches."
"What you don't think I'm good?"
"Well, I wouldn't say you're good at everything," I replied smirking, "Everything is a lot of things."
"Okay, then I'll prove it," he said puffing his chest out and held his hand up for a thumb war.
"Best two out of three," I said and grabbed his hand.
Of course he won, which just irritated me more so we played the game again and again six times. He won every time. I abandoned my hope of beating him on thumb wars and we started playing rock-paper-scissors. Just like the last time, he won every single time. Aaron was definitely walking slow on purpose.
"I swear you're cheating somehow," I huffed.
"Nah, I'm just..."
"...naturally good at everything, yeah I get it," I said folding my arms trying to hide my smile. He smiled beautifully at me, which made me break and so I smiled back.
"I've really missed spending time with you," he added.
"Me too," I replied honestly. He pulled me in for hug and I didn't object.
"Is the wedding back on?"
"What?" I squeaked, my eyes wide. Aaron looked at Alex for clarification and Alex shook his head. "What?!" I repeated.
"Nothing," they both chorused in unison.
"What is going on?" I demanded.
"Relax Perrie, it's nothing," Aaron brushed me off, lightly pulling me into a headlock. Letting it slide, I complained about wanting my ice cream, so we headed out of the park.
After a few minutes Aaron got a phone call. Stopping in his tracks he spoke to the person on the other end, told us he had to go and then practically ran off. As I complained that they both cheated me out of my ice cream, Alex shook me to silence and said he'd take me instead.
"Friends go out for ice cream right," he smirked annoyingly.
He was testing me. Purposely pushing my buttons.
Idiot.
As much as I didn't want to admit it, I had a really good time. Alex was such a gentleman the whole time. He insisted on taking me out to get food first and then ice cream after, and I didn't object because I was starving. It was fun, fresh and it felt very calm. I would be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about hugging or kissing him, because I was. I also knew he was going to ask me questions about it.
"So, I wanted to ask you something," he started gazing at me unsurely so I smiled in response, prompting him to continue, "do you think there's a chance we will ever get back together?"
I didn't even have to think about the answer. I already knew it was a big fat yes. Not wanting to sound so forward and give in so easily, I chose not to reply right away. Remaining silent for a while, I sighed and then spoke,
"Not right now no." I saw devastation fill up his eyes and then I continued, "but yes, I think there is a chance of that."
"So this isn't a completely lost cause?" he asked smiling slightly.
"No it isn't," I giggled. "We just need to focus on the other important things first."
"Exams?" he questioned, and I nodded. "So, after exams..." he trailed off.
"After exams what?"
"Never mind for now," he smiled and then pushed me towards the door.