FIFTY SHADES OF G'DAY

Chapter 5

I tapped my Gucci sneaker impatiently on the linoleum floor of the cafeteria as I waited for the girl in front of me to choose what she wanted from the vending machine. She was taking her sweet time, and I huffed loudly in annoyance, hoping she would hear me. She didn't.

"Can you move faster than a snails pace?" I snapped loudly, causing the girl to jump in surprise at my presence, "Some people have places to be."

"I — uh, I'm so sorry. You can go ahead of me!" she stammered, fear evident in her eyes, before moving to the side.

I was just about to take her up on her offer and move ahead of her when I heard a loud scoff from behind me. I turned around, ready to snap at whoever was being so ridiculously judgemental, but held my tongue when I saw those all too familiar light blue eyes staring straight at me. I quickly turned back to face the trembling girl at the vending machine, who was anxiously watching the silent exchange between the Australian and I.

"No, it's okay. Take your time. I'm sorry for being impatient," I forced myself to say, planting a fake smile on my face to re-enforce my equally fake words.

The girl nodded uncertainly, still shaking slightly. She turned back to the vending machine and quickly made her choice, paying for it, collecting it, and scurrying off in record time. I couldn't help but think 'see, that wasn't hard, was it?'

Whilst choosing what drink I wanted from the vending machine, I heard the unmistakable sound of Ava's Doc Marten's scuff against the floor, the noise getting quieter with each step. The amount of audacity that girl had to simply scoff at me and then leave! I abandoned the vending machine and chose to follow the Australian girl, catching up with her as she was rounding the corner towards the outdoor seating area.

"See, I'm not rude!" I called out, taking extra long strides to keep up with her as she walked. "I told her to take her time!"

Ava scoffed once again, rolling her eyes as she continued walking, not even turning her head to face me. "Yeah, it seems really genuine now."

"You know, you're being really rude," I snapped at her. "That girl basically jumped at the chance to give me her spot in the line. I was just taking her up on her offer!" I finished with a triumphant smile on my face, having schooled her with nothing but pure facts.

Ava stopped in her tracks suddenly and turned to face me, her icy blue eyes staring straight into mine. I almost faltered, but I stood my ground, staring straight back at her. She took a step forward as she spoke, her body mere centimetres from mine. She angled her head down to continue staring straight at me and when she spoke, her voice came out in a low growl.

"You think having everyone grovel at your feet in fear of a repercussion is funny?" she snarled. "You're pathetic."

Before I could retaliate at her audacious and disrespectful comment, she turned on the heel of her boots and marched off, not even turning to look back as she disappeared into the throng of students moving around the school grounds.

I couldn't believe the way she had just spoken to me. This girl had a habit of not knowing how to stay in her lane — someone really should have warned her that out of everyone not to cross in this school, I am at the top of the list. I knew I didn't deserve to be treated that way, so why did her words hurt so much?

I couldn't help but let her words sink in as I walked through the cafeteria and sat down at my usual lunch table with the girls.

"That girl was taking forever," Jodi exasperated as I took my seat. "Like, seriously, it's common courtesy to know what you want before going to the machine!"