POV: Dillion Smiley 

Why did I do that? Why did I forfeit the match? Fuck I am so stupid, she even said she would do it for me! Ugh. But no, I had to be all chivalric and take the fall. Damn it, why do I keep letting Rebel get to me? Ugh, if she wasn’t so fucking cute. Focus!

Yesterday was brutal, surely everyone is over it by now, right? No one cares that Dillion Smiley isn’t perfect. It’s a new day and a new me. I can do this. Just keep my chin up and don’t let them bother me. How hard can it be?

I stride over to my usual table and sit next to Clover. Once again everyone is eyeing me. Whispering just out of earshot. Wondering why it is I lost this matchup. Clover brushes some of her almond brown hair out of her face and looks into my eyes.

“What.” I snap at her because everyone at the table has been quiet for too long.

“So are you going to tell us why you forfeited or leave everyone guessing?” she says.

“Who cares, no one is perfect. Grow up already.” I roll my eyes.

She narrows her eyes at me.

“Alaska and I talked to Rebel yesterday.” She says.

I can feel the hairs on my arm stand up.

“What did she say?” I raise an eyebrow.

“What do you think she said?” she smirks.

“I don’t know some type of fuck you.” I shrug.

She frowns.

“Just drop it, if you want to know the truth I just did it as a social experiment. I wanted to see how much everyone would freak out if I lost one. Besides, I think I’ve done all the damage I can to Rebel Reid. Can’t really destroy her any more than she is.” I poke at my bagel.

“I don’t believe that for a second. You never give up, ever.” Clover says.

“Obsessed much?” I roll my eyes.

“Ah, just the girl I was thinking of.” Flynn walks over to the table.

Gross. I forgot that I still haven’t dumped him. Might as well make a spectacle of it, and I have just the plan. Hehe.

“Hey, Smiley.” He sits next to me and wraps his arm around my waist.

I have to resist the urge to roll my eyes.

“Hey.” I force a smile.

“So you’re the talk of the town today.”

“What else is new?” I smirk.

“Touché” he smirks back.

Clover clears her throat and I turn to look at her.

“So you two dating or what?” she asks.

“Well duh,” Flynn says and at the same time I say,

“No, not really.”

Clover raises an eyebrow.

“What, yeah we are, we’ve been on two dates already,” Flynn says.

“Two dates does not a relationship make.” I point out.

“But—”

I pull out of his grasp and stand up.

“Where are you going?” Clover asks.

“Anywhere but here,” I say as I walk off.

“Hey, you can’t just walk away.” He chases after me.

Perfect.

“Why’s that?” I continue to walk.

“Well, I--I like you.” he stammers.

“Really? Because if you really liked me you wouldn’t have gang banged that girl.” I say extra loudly so everyone can hear.

“What? But you said—”

“You are sick Flynn, a player, a man whore. I would never be caught dead dating you. Why don’t you go get your pickle sucked by pickle sucker.”

I turn to leave.

“But you know that isn’t true. I didn’t really gang bang her.”

And into the trap he falls.

“You didn’t?” I turn back to him.

“You know—”

“So you lied to me? You didn’t actually gang bang Rebel?” I announce to the whole cafeteria.

Everyone looks at him.

“Why would you lie about something like that? You’re sick. I bet you’re still a virgin.” I snort.

His face goes red with embarrassment.

“Shut up!” He shouts.

“You shouldn’t lie about those type of things, you never know when it might come back on you. Sorry, Flynn, I don’t date liars.” I turn and walk off.

“You Bitch!” he shouts after me.

Ahh, sweet sweet victory. Nothing feels quite as good as getting what I want. I saunter over to the library, and sure enough, Rebel is sitting in her usual spot. She keeps glancing around every few seconds, maybe she’s looking for me. When I walk in her eyes meet mine and I swear they light up in delight. Just seeing her smile makes my stomach flip.

“Hey.” I sit next to her.

“So are we going to make a habit of this?” she flirts.

“Maybe.” I feel my cheeks flush.

“I don’t mind.” She smirks.

“So uh, I took Flynn down and cleared your name. Just like I said I would.”

“I told you not to.” She sighs.

“But I wanted to. I got you into this mess, only fair I clean it up.” I shrug.

“Fine but no more takedowns.” She eyes me.

“I never promised that,” I smirk.

She sighs.

Crap. She isn’t smiling. Okay, don’t panic. Just make her laugh. Fuck, I can’t think of any decent jokes. Argh! Focus! She’s staring at you!

“Nice day isn’t it?” I force out.

She laughs.

Well okay, I guess.

“It’s raining outside and I am pretty sure the power just flickered.” She points out.

“Oh. Hehe.” Stupid! No duh, it’s fucking raining. Get it together.

“Are you trying to flirt with me?” she teases.

“What! No! god, get over yourself.” I look away.

“It’s okay, I think it’s cute.” She playfully nudges me.

Did she just say I’m cute? Don’t panic. Of course, I’m cute, hello. Think of something to say, don’t just stare at her! God, why am I so lame!?

“So, wanna hang out some time?” she asks again.

She knows I can’t, but… I want to. I look into her eyes. Those silver eyes. She looks like she is testing me, seeing if something changed between today and yesterday. God, she’s so cute, wait, focus! I am at school, no one can know.

“Maybe another time.” I avert my eyes.

She sighs.

“Sorry,” I mutter under my breath.

I feel her hand over mine. Instantly all the blood in my body rushes to my cheeks and my heart starts to race. Is it hot in here or is it just me?

“Well if you change your mind, tonight my parents are doing taco Tuesdays. Yes, they are cheesy like that, for dessert my mom is making chocolate cookie cream pie. We always have a lot left over. So you could always stop by if you want a slice.”

I turn to look at her and raise an eyebrow.

She pulls her hand back and writes her address down on a ripped up piece of paper before handing it to me. I look down at the stream of numbers and street name.

“It doesn’t have to mean anything, we can just be friends.” She adds.

“I think I’m busy.” I lie.

She sighs.

“But… thank you for the offer.” I add.

She smiles. God, that smile. Fuck. I can’t think at all when she looks at me like that. My insides feel all warm and tingly. I just want to… Focus! We stare at each other in awkward silence. God, I’m so fucking lame, can’t even talk to her.

“So uh, nice day isn’t it?” she smiles.

Just then the power flickers.

We both laugh.

“Oh, it’s real nice.” I roll my eyes.

“It is now that you are here.” She must realize what she said right after because she cringes and looks away. I can see her cheeks flush. God, she’s so cute.

“Are you trying to flirt with me?” I tease.

“What? God get over yourself.” She teases back.

“Well, I think it’s cute.” I playfully nudge her.

Then my whole face goes red after what I realized I said. She laughs.

“Shut up.” I playfully push her.

She giggles. Her sweet beautiful giggle. She looks at me and I look at her before I can stop myself I lean in. She does too. Our lips barely graze each other before the bell rings and I flinch away.

Oh my god! I almost kissed her, again! Shit! Fuck! Focus! If anyone saw that, I am so dead. Oh god, I’m going to be sick. Pull it together, stop letting her get to you.

“Um, see you around I guess. If you change your mind, you have my address.” She gets up.

“R-right.” quickly stand up.

She giggles as I nearly fall forward from how fast I stood up. I glare at her. She smiles at me before walking off. God, she’s so cute. Damn it! Straight thoughts! I quickly walk out of the library and right into Clover.

“Hey, watch it,” I complain.

She eyes me.

Wait, why is she by the library?

Shit!

Did she see?

Say something, don’t let her think she has the upper hand.

“Are you following me, stalker much?” I smirk.

“I know your secret.” She smirks.

I narrow my eyes at her.

“And? Who cares. Oh big deal, go sing it off the mountain tops for all I care. How mature.” I roll my eyes.

Fuck!

“Flynn and I are dating.” She says.

What? Yeah fucking right considering he just chased after me. Desperate much?

“We’ve been dating, secretly. I asked him to pretend to date you.”

Okay, I am pretty sure that’s a lie but might as well go with it. Let her think she has something. Like I actually care about Flynn. Yeah, fucking right.

“Why?” I make a face of disgust.

“So I could get something on you.” she shrugs.

“Well congratulations, you’re a freak.” I step around her.

“I’d be careful if I were you. You never know who is watching.”

That is it. Okay, bitch, you want to go there, then let’s go there. Like I didn’t figure out how to take you day since day one. Yeah right.

“Whatever you say, Clover, nice skirt by the way, I remember when you tried it on, but I don’t quite remember when you bought it. Hmm, interesting.”

She narrows her eyes at me.

“Maybe you bought it with your step moms stolen credit card, you know just like how you bought those earrings. I wonder if she’s noticed her bank statement yet?”

She averts her eyes.

“That’s right. I own you. Mess with the best and I’ll be sure you end up just like the rest. Don’t fuck with me bitch.” I say low enough so only she can hear.

That should put her in her place. Remind her where she stands on the food chain. I am above her, I am more powerful than she is, and she better remember that or else I am one phone call away from ending her, and she’ll be in handcuffs so fast her head will spin.

“Oh and this pretend friendship, is over. Step out of line and we’ll see who has the last laugh. I know I have proof, but do you?” I don’t even look at her as I walk away.

I’m the Queen here, bitch better realize who she’s messing with. No one threatens me and gets away with it. Like I am scared of Clover Baker, give me a goddamn break. The only reason why’s she has gotten this far is because of me. How many takedowns did I have to help her with? How often did she use my smiley alliance without asking? Without me, she would be nothing.

When I get into class I move to pull out my phone to rant to my one and only real friend that is when I realize I was clenching my hand shut. I open my palm and the piece of paper with the address falls out.

I grab it and eye the elegant handwriting.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, I do like pie.

I unlock my phone and start a new text message.

‘Do you like pie? That same cute girl asked me to come over for pie, I lied and said I was busy. Is that dumb?’

I stare at the three dots and wait for the response.

‘Yeah, who doesn’t like pie? You can’t pass up an opportunity for free pie. What’s wrong with you!?’

I smirk at the screen.

They always know just what to say to cheer me up.

I shove the address into my backpack and type a new message.

‘You’re right. free pie is free pie.’

I could go for some tacos.