Girl In Red (Lerrie)

romantic regret

It's now Wednesday, and everyone is buzzing about the football match later as well as homecoming. You'd think that Henderson was actually their rivals, especially since "Duncan" is on the opposing team.

At lunch, those were the focal points in conversation.

"There's a homecoming king and queen?" Andre asked while taking a bite of his sandwich. "Or king and king, queen and queen," Camila responds. Jesy nudges her girlfriend excitedly, who had her head on the table.

"What if we win?" Jade lifts her head and looks at her with either unimpressed or tired eyes. At this point, it could be either.

She just stares at her and Jesy fans her off.

"Who do you think would be nominated?" Hayley asks generally. "Everyone at this table," Alex says. "I mean, we're pretty well known."

"Even me?" I ask and he, as well as few more of our friends, nods. "The Gorgy New Girl," Camila teases. "People call me that?" Hayley rolls her eyes. "No, but you are pretty popular."

"You're actually known as the girl that rejected the 'most desirable' boy at John Hampden," Jesy says. I blink a few times, "Wait, what? Has no one done that?"

"Mm-mm," Jade hums while propping her head up with her hand. "He's a smooth talker and knows exactly what to say."

"I mean, I actually dated the fucker," Jesy says in distaste, putting her head on Jade's shoulder, to which she kisses her hairline. "Same here," calls a familiar voice. I turn to see Elijah joining us, sitting between me and Andre.

On my side it went me, Elijah, Andre, Chris (who is currently absent), then Melanie's seat and on the opposite side, it's Hayley, Camila, Jesy, Jade, and Alex.

Everyone greets him and he returns.

"Why are we talking about that dickhead?" He asks while removing his backpack. "Originally, we were talking about homecoming royalty then the fact Perrie's known as the girl that shot Harlock down," Alex answers.

"Oh, yeah," Elijah nods.

"How am I not aware of this?" Jade chuckles lightly, "Probably 'cos ya got a special someone on your mind." I gasp and throw a chip at her. Impressively, she catches it in her mouth and thanks me.

I pout and cross my arms over my chest. "Wait, you're crushing on someone and didn't tell me?" Jesy feigned offense.

In actuality, we FaceTimed and I told her about it. She was displeased at first, understandably so, but hearing how she's been with me these last few days changed her mind.

Well, she's giving her a chance and said if she hurts me, they're all going after her. Which I wholeheartedly appreciate. I don't have time for games, so I really hope she isn't playing with my heart.

"I'm sorry! I got caught up," I move hair behind my ear in a shy manner. "Who are they? Are they cute? Spill the damn tea, sis," he says like he did back at my house.

"I was actually gonna have her over tonight," I say carefully while watching the expression on Jade and Jesy's faces. "Ewww," Camila cringes playfully and Hayley sucks her teeth.

"Don't be a hypocrite, Mils. We were literally almost caught du-," the Cuban puts her hand over her mouth and shushes her harshly. "L.O.L.," Andre says plainly while finishing his lunch.

Jade then nudges her brother, who has been rather quiet. She says something in a different language and he nods before replying. They go back and forth for a little and he sighs deeply.

He stands up and simply walks out of the cafeteria, leaving his tray behind.

"Whoa, what's wrong with Alex?" Andre asks. Jade looks at me with an uncomfortable look and scratches behind her ear, making her glasses move.

"What?" I ask her.

"Alex likes you," Elijah says and my eyes widen slightly. "He does?" The boy nods.

"He's disappointed that you like someone else, but don't worry too much. He's a good sport," his sister reassures. I look back at where he exited, but instead, I'm met with the one person I do not wanna see.

Elijah scoffs and looks away.

The look on Tom's face was determined as he made his way over. Before he got too close, Andre stands up and blocks his path. "Can you move? I need to talk to my boyf-," the younger boy abruptly stands and moves Andre out of the way.

"I am not your boyfriend. I regret being your boyfriend. You're a dick and it's about time someone tells you about yourself," he says while getting in his face. Tom had his head turned with an unreadable expression on his face.

That's when I realized almost everyone in the cafeteria was watching the commotion.

"Danny, can we-,"

"Don't call me that. You've lost your right," Elijah puts his hands on his hips as he glares at the taller boy. "Can we talk in private, please?" I get up and throw an arm over his shoulder.

"He's with me now," I kiss his cheek for emphasis. A chorus of oohs scatter around the spacious room as well as a few hushed conversations.

Tom's eyes expand as he looks between us. "Wha-?"

"And her dick's bigger than yours," Elijah adds then kisses my cheek, making a humming noise. The cafe practically goes crazy after he said that.

Infuriated, Tom curses and storms off, pushing the door open angrily, making it hit the wall behind it.

"Holy shit, that was epic," Andre breathes with his hand on his chest. "Goated," Hayley says as we take our seats, ignoring the noise around us. "'And her dick's bigger than yours'," Jade repeats then laughs.

"To be fair, it can be. Girls can actually choose their dick size. Sorry, boys," Jesy half jokes. "Please, I only use it to wee," Elijah says and we all die laughing.

"But honestly, I dunno why I'm attracted to dicks- shut up Jade. Like my ex was just like him, but dickier."

"You and I both," Jesy raises her hand and he high fives her. "I'm not a dick or a dick," the Egyptian says, making the entire table crack up. I nearly spat out my apple juice. "It's true, though," Andre laughs.

"No, but Jimmy was the dictionary definition of a major dick. Tom was-is a dickhead, but that lad was Dickhead 2.0," Elijah says. "Ugh, I should've stayed strai- nah, that's a sin to say," he cuts himself off while looking off thoughtfully.

"A deadly sin," Hayley agrees, and we all laugh again.

One of the many inside jokes they've shared with me, is that Hayley's "Lesbian Jesus". She said that at her old school, a Catholic school, she was outed by some mean girls. But she didn't let it affect her.

Her best friend told her, I quote, "Fuck those bitches. I bet if Jesus was a girl, we'd all be gay. Because she'd be drop dead gorgeous."

Funniest shite I've ever heard by far.

Elijah didn't get it, but the sheer fact that she said that made him laugh.

It's nice having a good laugh with good friends.

Thank you, Miss Jessica Nelson.

———
*A bit of a filler