October sixth. Halloween is in twenty-five days, and the girls and I can’t figure out how we’d be dressing ourselves. I know, I know, we’re at the end of middle school, and dressing up for such a holiday at sixteen or seventeen is considered weird, as if we were stuck in the past. As for me, I don’t think it’s childish, or that we’re doing something odd. I believe that we must make the last year special, worth the years that we spent here. Naturally, I was barely in this school, mostly at the other one, though it doesn’t quite bother me. That’s not the thing; secondary is a big step, so we must make memories. 

Sadly, we do not know how we would do this, since right after, we’d start planning stuff for the theater club and the Christmas show. We’re not the main people of our year either, but if we don’t do anything, nobody will, right? Anyway, I’m not the president of the club and I still feel bad about the debate, but now that they have thought about it, they’re not that furious towards me. Self-defence, of course. That doesn’t matter anyway, does it? The point is I have a lot in mind right now. It doesn’t stress me out very much, although it could, as it mainly always does. Though I’m not anxious; I know the girls are going to do great with this. I trust the process, as it was last year with the revamped Home Alone version. 

 I’ve had many driving courses recently, and I’ll have one next week. Dylan will be there-again, of course, making me stress out for an obvious reason, which would be his presence. Although I am not dating him and that he technically can’t cheat on someone in a relationship, the idea of seeing him here makes me uncomfortable. Even though we’ve seen each other there a few times before, I can’t shake off that nervousness. Anyway, I’m starting to get along with that new girl these days. Good thing Ann-Marie isn’t on her case, though I’m sure she will very soon. I already appreciate Amelia much, and I know I’d try to defend her if my nemesis tried something. She surely will, considering how much she is willing to do only for her own popularity. I don’t know what her plan is, but I’m dead worried. 

Today is Jules’ birthday! He won’t organize a birthday party since he doesn’t feel like it, which is actually kind of sad. I don’t mind, though, it’s his decision and I admit it’s great to be wished happy birthday in the halls-the people who do acknowledge it, naturally. I liked this feeling at my very own birthday this year. And as a boy, of course celebrating isn’t much tempting. I hugged him and gave my best wishes, and I think I made his day. He’s happy, and so am I. I’m walking with Amelia and Addison as I hear a voice, quite high-pitched, along with perfectly curled blonde hair. Ouch. Ann-Marie. What does she want to do with us? 

“Ah, I was looking for you, Amelia. I wanted to have a talk to you, I wondered how you were doing, fitting in back to school! It looks like everyone is happy to see you-at least this idiot and her friends!” She says excitedly, looking over at me in amusement, “It’s funny how you two became friends so easily. Never knew you’d be compatible. Can I talk to you in private, german girl?” 

The girl with the cherry dyed hair consults me, and I hesitate for a moment before nodding my head. The two of them leave together, and I can’t help but wonder what Ann-Marie could be telling her. They knew each other before, of course. I’m not sure whether my nemesis will be on her case or not. I hope not, though I won’t like it either if she goes to blame me or worse than that, although the chances aren’t always the same. Whatever. I shift back to Addison, and she’s not here anymore-I watch around to see if I can see her somewhere, but she isn’t here. That’s too bad. I know she doesn’t have bad intentions, so this doesn’t stress me out. 

*** 

It's exactly how I thought she’d be acting towards me. With pure hate, despising everything about me, from the bottom to the top. She always watched me weirdly, with those mocking blue eyes of hers, filled with frustration, along with something else, more desperate. Although I’m six foot two, towering over her short figure, and that she doesn’t look intimidating because of that idea, her gaze and her confidence made her worse than she is. While I was away, I haven’t thought about her, maybe just a little bit but not with that worry that ate me up and left no crumbs, making me feel empty and useless. That’s what she’s good at anyway, and when I left, that fear of falling apart and that everyone would laugh at me was away too. 

Though I was quite appreciated around the school, considering I’m quite bubbly and friendly to everyone. I may be outgoing, but I’m not as naive as everyone thinks I am. The worst thing is exactly it; people seeing you weaker than you are, feeling pity towards you. I hate when others can’t understand that you’re just living your life and that nobody’s weak. Some people have different versions of life, and that’s fine, but enough to judge and to believe someone is the synonym of an idiot-I don’t agree with this. But then when she started going on my case and spreading rumors for absolutely nothing, my ego went flat, and my sensitivity took over. I had a crush on her boyfriend, that’s all, and she thought I was going to plan to steal him. 

I’m not as foolish, frankly! Ann-Marie made me hate myself. I don’t do now, and I managed to stay myself, keeping my hair dyed and everything else. But now here she is, her ego making her look like a giant as she eyes me as if I was her prey. Not the dirty way, though-as if she held daggers in her eyes and said she was worth more. 

“Be honest, Amelia. You wanted Jules back and you came back for this, am I right?” She questions rhetorically, folding her arms over her chest as she glares at me in pure disgust, “He’s mine, and you better know it.” 

I scrunch my nose, scoffing as I sigh and roll my eyes, “Of course not. The trip is over, that’s all. I haven’t asked my parents to go back just because of that one boy. And he’s clearly not yours, he’s dating Nora, are you blind?” 

The fake blondie tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and presses her lips together, shaking her head vigorously as the corner of her lips twitch, betraying her flinch. She seems to think about what to say for an instant, and I let my dimples show as I hold back a small smile, scrutinizing her oddly. 

“Nora’s blind, not me.” She hums, her voice a low purr as she twirls a blonde bang with her index, “Jules is clearly mine, I just know it, while Nora is being played. We’re secretly in this together, and Nora’s a pawn in this game. Fuck, I hate this girl.” 

I tilt my head, my expression growing to a frown as I clench this jaw. I should’ve known she was going to mention her, of course. I have noticed the jealousy and the hatred in her eyes, then again, the desperate wince that she hid by a feeling of superiority. Clearly, Ann-Marie is furious because Nora got out with her boyfriend. Now that I think about it, she never really looked like she cared about Jules. At all. Which is surely the reason why I tried my luck and gave my heart to Jules hesitantly. She remains silent, staring at the floor, leaving me puzzled. 

Some things happened while I wasn’t there, and it’s obvious. I don’t know what this Nora did, but it’s probably not good for my nemesis either. For some reason, barbie-Ann-Marie- was never good at making others like her, but I went along with Nora very well. I think Nora’s the victim of the story, and I can’t understand. I wish I knew, so I’d get why she reacted this weirdly, with the pain in her eyes that seem to beg for help. 

“Aw, you’re mad. How funny. Though it mostly looks like you’re the bad guy here, Ann-Marie.” I retort roughly, with a hint of amusement in my voice, “You can’t bully people for just existing-you can’t always have what you want, and if you don't have it, stop hurting others.” 

“You’re just like Nora. No wonder the both of you are already besties. She stole him, even though he was already mine. And that’s exactly why I have the best plan to tear the two of you apart. And to get Jules back.” 

I snicker, “Someone’s got an obvious obsession.” 

Ann-Marie arches a brow, her glossy lips curling into a smirk, her eyes shining with an unhealthy light, newfound hope that she had just found. She hums again, taking a look at her fake nails for a moment, certainly admiring herself. She bats her eyelashes slightly and whistles, playing with her hair. 

“So what? I’m ready to do anything for it to happen. I know I’m close, and I’ll get Jules so easily that the two of you are going to lose it. Ah, such weaklings! It’s time I show my parents what I’m capable of....” 

Ann-Marie punches me in the gut, and a fight starts, while I’m on the losing side.