I can’t believe how fast it went, in such a brief time. I hadn’t expected to see Dylan again, and his presence was already troubling me. The girls had doubted my innocence within a few seconds since Ann-Marie's proof was realistic enough to make them believe in numerous lies that never could’ve been true. The fact that they couldn’t question it was hurting me somehow- I thought they knew that I could never do such things. Naturally, I do know they had to because of that photo, but I wished they stood alongside me more. They didn’t look at the bigger picture, and because of that, I had to make myself vulnerable in front of them. Which I hate- though I would never hate them, and I don’t. 

This is finally over. Those rumors were meant to tear me apart, yet it didn’t happen now that everyone seems to now despise Ann-Marie for the mess she made. I just know she’ll find a way to come back eventually, but I believe I have a break for now. I hope it’ll be long enough to let me have time to predict it. However, the respect in the gazes won’t stick for too long- I just know it. I have gained the respect and the trust of Jules as well as the girls, and that I know won’t go away. Unless she finds a way, whatever it ends up being. Ann-Marie's anger has not faded, naturally, but I am certain that she’ll come back to her old self one day and tell herself “Hey, what have I done? Nora isn’t a hundred percent implied in that. I seek the possibility of another issue there, and it may be my very own fault, although I cannot seem to admit it to myself...”. 

Anyone’s dream. My ambitions are for it to happen, one way or the other- I'll have to make this happen though. It can’t remain this way, Ann-Marie destroying herself and my reputation by the selfishness of her actions. Perhaps she sees it herself, avoiding it to keep doing whatever makes her feel powerful. Though there must be some logic brought back to her, one day. I seem insistent, dreamy about a cause that may or may not be caused in a way to happen. It doesn’t bother me- it's all in my head, and I won’t give myself fake hopes in something I genuinely believe in. I can’t be all wrong. 

I should be less wistful. I should be thinking less. Though I can’t make something that’s part of me fade completely. Must’ve been hereditary. I can’t exactly picture my entire childhood, yet I believe that somehow, someone-whether it was my father or my mother-, gave me this trait that caused me to judge situations cautiously. The thing is I do not know if it should be considered positive or negative. I don’t want to keep myself hanging with a question that sticks along, though it does bother me every single day. Whatever. The girls are all looking at me, as if I am in a trance, surely like every other day after what happened. I’m way too sensitive lately, even though I always was. 

“Nora? What were you saying about October? You paused and you just...randomly started staring the floor like it broke your heart or something...” Avery says, waving a hand in front of my eyes. 

I don’t recall saying anything. Perhaps I was. 

“Oops, my bad. I-I don’t know...Uh, I thought it was very cold outside, by the start of October, right?” I recall sheepishly, feeling guilty as they scrutinize me cautiously 

“You’re not wrong.” Scarlett implies, patting my back friendly, making me flinch, “You were talking about that. It’s funny how it went super quickly. We were already mentioning Halloween. Some adults are already planning an event as they install orange-colored garlands as well as carved pumpkins all over the place. 

“Right.” 

My gaze flickers to the hallway, watching as other greets our group with a huge smile, seemingly not caring about the rumors either, which leaves me puzzled. They haven’t forgotten, have they? Supposedly they do believe in me now, as the lie guides the judgement to Ann-Marie who has dared to create such an awful idea about me. Even though I wasn’t there for the past five years, they have learned to know me, in a small manner, by the events that have happened in secondary four. 

As my thoughts wander, as always, I seek Jules walking over with a wistful expression that I cannot quite read, exactly. My boyfriend does seem happy to see me, but he looks like something is bothering him. I can’t put the finger on it- but I know there’s something wrong. Though with everything that has happened, I won’t insist on problems. Yet. 

“Hey Jules! You look tired...” I greet him as I ruffle his hair 

“Hi. You’re right, I didn’t sleep much tonight. I’ll be fine. Mondays are hell *, you know that.” He replies as he kisses my cheek. 

*Reference to The Truth About Nora Jones (1), Chapter One 

“Yeah...” I giggle, looking at my schedule, “Okay, I have mathematics, chemistry, dance...Such a shitty schedule, as always. Plus, it’s Monday so it only makes it worse.” 

Jules shrugs off his jacket and wraps it around his waist. He waves at me again before he walks off, leaving me with the girls. As much as I hate school, I know we need it. I won’t become a dancer, an actor neither a scientist, though I suppose it must be learned so we don’t remain idiots our entire life. 

*** 

I could’ve mentioned what has happened at the Subway with Dylan. Yet I didn’t. I know Nora’s already freaking out every time something happens, so I won’t insist on the case. It’s like there was a voice in my head screaming at me to say something, to share about her freaky-ass ex that wanted her back for no reason. Perhaps for one reason, yet I do not know what it is. With what I have seen, it seems this guy is weird, in all ways. I don’t like this. At all. I should relax. Take it easy; yet I can't. I have his grey eyes, his hair, his smirk, at the back of my mind- I can’t forget him, and I won’t. I have the feeling this one’s going to be trouble. Evan knows as well, but the other boys don’t seem to notice it neither care. Naturally, Nora isn’t Evan’s boyfriend, so he doesn’t care much, yet he cares about me, which is the reason why he is being this reasonable. I’m used to him being this good.

*** 

Somewhere a few miles away, Toronto 

If my parents knew, they’d kick me out, considering how I’m on the verge of not being in the house. They’re busy cheating on each other, and they’ve done that for ages. The only reason why they haven’t broken up yet is that I exist. What a dysfunctional family. I always told myself I was the reason since they love their child, but I realize that they’d be lazy if they were to spend money on another house separately. I don’t care about that; I’m sixteen and I can take care of myself on my own. If they’d send me away, I’d go in an apartment. It doesn’t bother me. At least I think I don’t. Whatever, it doesn’t matter. 

My name is Dylan Wilson, and I’m hopeless. More than you think, uh-huh. My mother smokes, my father’s an alcoholic, a drug and sex addict. Which means they barely gave me attention. Ever. If I said I wanted money for lunch, they’d lend me a few dollars and keep working. Well, keep doing nothing, I’d say. I don’t even know how they get the money here. I’d say I look like my parents, so I’m sure I wasn’t adopted. I’m a perfect likeness to my father, while I don’t look like my mother at all. If we stood next to each other-which will never happen- in a public place, people may believe I’m getting kidnapped by some lady. When she wouldn’t dare throwing me a glance, or if she would, she’d ask me a cigarette, for the first time ever showing me kindness. 

It shouldn’t even be considered as some. Now, you must be wondering why they’d kick me out if they knew what. It isn’t about me being a player- my father used to, is, and always will be. My mother knows and doesn’t care, like, at all. No. I always skip school. I know, I shouldn’t, it’ll help me in the future. That’s what they say, and I believe. It’s in my style to be like this. I don’t care about the consequences either. Helpless, careless, and selfish. I’ve played with the hearts of girls as if they were dolls, though I don’t remember each one of them. 

But one I do remember is Nora Jones. Gosh, she was the clingiest of them all. She looked so happy, so...in love. It was mesmerizing, for some reason, and it made me feel dizzy. This girl looked like she had never been in a relationship in her life ever before. And she was- she even told me that before we started this. Sadly, for her, I never felt the same way. Now that I started my driving courses a bit farther in the region, I see Nora again, and she doesn’t bother giving me an inch of her attention. So, at the first course, I made her notice me, and it worked. 

Let’s say I have contacts. Since Avery-Nora's foolish best friend- dated Mike-Ann-Marie's brother-, the girl saw the connection and began talking with me. God knows she had all sorts of plans. Ann-Marie is an angry desperate brat, chances are she has it difficult at home. It doesn’t have anything to do with me, does it? Oh well. She suggested me to plan so that she’d get Jules back, and that I’d get Nora back. I must admit I was quite interested at first, then I slammed my hand against my forehead and reminded myself I didn’t care about Nora at all. Well, do I? I don’t have a clue. I’m an only child, which means I do not get any type of drama with siblings. 

Now. Now. I know, I’m a playboy, in a dysfunctional family, who is selfish and doesn’t have feelings. That’s how we describe me. Am I weird, writing a diary? I don’t know, I guess I was bored. But I just want to say one thing: Do not judge a book by its cover. I’m talking about Ann-Marie now. She seems like a bad girl, barbie-like and wearing makeup, but she isn’t what she looks like. I won’t say either it’s positive or negative, though I’ve seen a different side to her. That Nora would like to see, too. 

She is good.