Chapter 10

Looking up, I saw the girl that’s well known for the saying, “Beauty on the outside and rotten on the inside”.

I tried to remember to reign in my anger and annoyance when she flashed me a mixed look of outrage and disgust. I clenched my fist and hid them behind me so that she won’t see them and cast a look on the floor to avoid eye contact with her so that the urge to bash her head onto the nearest wall will be tamed quicker.

When I decide to take a peek in her direction after noticing that she fell into an unusual silence, I saw her staring at Adam’s hand which was still joined with mine although mine was limp and his was gripping it tight. She then realized Adam was there, having physical contact with me. I don’t think the latter settled well with her that much. Her expression flashed through outrage again but this time with a flirtatious edge to it.

“Oh. Hey, Adam,” she purred lightly.

I tried not to gag. Seriously, I tried. The keyword being ‘tried’ there.

“Hey, Sonia,” Adam replied flatly.

They must have had an encounter in school, I mused. I wouldn’t be surprised though, a new boy that’s as hot as Adam? News spread like wildfire at school and Sonia’s all about gossip.

Hold up, did I just call Adam hot? Hell no. The dude is an ogre. He is a hairy, hideous, smelly ogre who eats his own booger. Yep. That did the trick. I’m pretty sure I just lost my appetite.

She didn’t seem to catch the hint because she proceeded to step closer and rub on him, literally. This time, I can’t push it down and really did gag. I glanced behind me and outstretched my hand to cover Monic’s eyes from the horrible sight.

Her boyfriend seemed to be trying to hold in his laugh however, he ended up guffawing on the floor while Monic looked disturbed and horrified. I’m pretty sure she’s scarred for life and that my expression must be 10x worse than hers.

In the midst of it all, a voice called out. “Sandy, is that you?”

Only one person calls me Sandy, was all I thought as dread settled in and my whole body tensed up.

What the hell is the dude doing in here?

I whipped my head so fast it’s a surprise I didn’t get whiplash. Hold on-mhm, definitely a whiplash. Ouch.

I turned to meet the familiar blue eyes; the shade of blue that reminded you of the ocean itself. The thick dark brown mob of hair that could pass as black was cut short and was gelled up on the top of his head and even though it’s been months, I could’ve recognized that face anywhere.

But it didn’t help diminish the dread that settled in. “Dominic?” I didn’t realize I said it until Adam spoke up, “You know the guy?”

I nodded my head, moving my head slightly but my eyes were trained towards the guy I once called best friend and brother.

“Yeah, Sand, it’s me,” he spoke so softly as if I’d break any second, which might as well be true. My knees went weak and tears threatened to fall as I unconsciously stepped closer hesitantly towards him. From the end of my vision, I could see Adam move forward to catch me in case I fall any minute then but Monic shot a hand shot out to stop him and she shook her head.

My hands shot out and wrapped themselves around his waist, the gesture was so familiar that I did it mindlessly. I clutched the back of his shirt with my fingers ever so tightly, the fabric felt like it would tear if I clutched it any tighter.

He chuckled softly, “I miss you too, little squirrel.” I laughed soundlessly at the old nickname.

He came to the conclusion that since I ate like a squirrel, used to adore, and still do, Sandy the Squirrel from Spongebob Squarepants and that my nickname which came originally from Cas’sand’ra was pure fate; he came up with a very childish nickname.

“I miss you so much, Big Donkey.” I felt his chest vibrate under my head and I smiled. Payback’s a bitch. We came up with these nicknames when we were just kids and when we came to realize how embarrassing it sounded, it became an internal joke between us to humiliate the other with so called nickname.

Bryant would always watch us in amusement like we were some circus entertainment and let us bicker until it gets heated and only when I raise my fist to hit him, will he stop us.

A cough interrupted us and a blush crept up my neck as we broke apart from the embrace and face our companions.

Sonia looked shocked but regained her composure before strutting over to Dominic and started flirting with him. Oh sweet baby Jesus, my eyes! My poor virgin eyes!
I averted my eyes from them to see Adam’s eyes widening and it honestly looked as if it could pop out of their sockets and he started stuttering. “Y-you just b-blushed!” He stuttered and yelled out the last word like he just saw the tooth fairy appear before him.

I scoffed, trying to hide my burning cheeks with my hair. There’s no way I can deny that fact when the blush is still visible and sitting proudly on my cheeks.

Monic was as shocked as I am with the appearance of our old friend. Being family, we were a tight group of people and we all knew who Dominic was, hell, we grew up together.

Her boyfriend, which I seriously need to know the name of, was standing there frowning at Dominic for some reason.

I can’t be bothered right now though because Maddison strutted over in her killer heels, joining us.

Cue internal groan. Aren’t there enough bitches in this cursed world already?!

She nodded at Dom, acknowledging his existence and moved on to Adam. I have no idea how Dom is going to react when he found out how Maddison has changed after dealing with Bryant’s death but I have no means to find out.

“Hi Adam,” she greeted him sweetly, batting her lashes and twirling her hair while biting her lip ‘seductively’. Ew.

She glared at me and moved on to Monic. “And why are you here?” She said in distaste. I inched closer to Monic, trying to cover her from Maddy’s view as much as possible, all nerdy personality long forgotten as I tilted my chin up slightly to meet her gaze.