05

#####05

She yells a bunch of other questions, but I don’t hear them as I’ve pulled the phone away from my ears since I would prefer to keep my hearing. When I’m certain that the coast is clear, I bring the phone back to my ear, « I’m here because my mom and dad are going around Africa for 5 weeks and they don’t know many other, if not any, adults besides Marisa and Jay. So they called them up and bam ! Here I am. »

There’s a long pause, before Elle finally talks, « I’m going to be coming over a lot more than I normally do, okay ? »

I laugh at my friend and shake my head. Elle praises Blake and his heavenly looks ; claiming that he’s God’s gift to women. « Yeah ? Well too bad Blake doesn’t like me, » I sigh, falling back on my bed.

« Who cares ? » she queries, « That means he’ll like me. It eliminates the competition. Duh. »

« Aren’t you sweet ? » I reply sarcastically, « Elle, I mean that he doesn’t like me at all. Hate is a strong word, but I think it’s very accurate for the way Blake feels about me. »

« Ohh, » she drawls, realisation dawning upon her before she adds, « Oh God. You poor poor soul. »

I sigh and nod my head in agreement despite knowing she can’t see me, « But have no fear. I’m going to find a way to be his friend. »

« Aw, cute, » she coos in a sweet tone, « What type of flowers do you want at your funeral ? »

« White Tulips, » I tell her – just to take precautions, « The lack of concern in your voice kinda terrifies me. »

« Yeah, well I’m coming over in ten minutes, alright ? »

« How do you even know where he lives ? Are you some kind of stal- ? »

But she had already hung up.

▲ ▲ ▲

10 minutes later, I hear the doorbell and jump up from my bed.

« I’ll get it ! » I call to Blake, wherever he is. I still hadn’t seen him around just yet. I exit the room and halt in my footsteps when I see that it was his friend, Alec, at the door – not Elle. Alec is Blake’s right hand man. He’s a tall, muscular boy with short black hair and brown eyes.

At the sight of me, Blake sneers and glares at me with pure hatred. It is then that I realise he’s still angry at me from what I did this morning – Or maybe just angry at my existence, I add as an after thought.

He doesn’t say anything and just stares at me intently with his hazel eyes. His friend, Alec, just watches on awkwardly, his eyes darting between the two of us. Finally, Blake breaks the silence with quite a charming response, if I do say so myself.

« I told you to stay the fuck away from me. »

Ah man, I’m blushing.

« I know and I’m really sorry. It’s just that I’m expecting a friend here any minute, so I came out to answer the door. I didn’t expect you to be there, I swear. »

He steps towards me and I instinctively take a step back. « I really don’t like you. The sooner you leave this house, the better it is – for me and for you. Now stay away from me and stop being so bloody happy. It’s beginning to creep me out. »

That’s the nicest thing he’s ever said to me ! This is progress.

« Okay ! » I chirp giddily. Realising that I was sounding far too chirpy for Blake’s liking, I clear my throat and speak in a much more appropriate, monotone voice, « Okay. »

He rolls his eyes in annoyance at my response, whilst I just stand there with a goofy smile stretched on my face. I know that being this happy annoys him, and I’m sure it annoys a lot of other people, but I can’t help it. There’s just so much to be happy about.

« Uh, Blake ? Are you going to introduce me to your hot friend or what ? » Alec’s question drains away the intensity in the room and I exhale a breath of relief when Blake breaks his gaze to look at Alec.

« She’s not my friend. »

Alec steps forwards and turns back to me with a big grin on his face. « Helloo therreee freakishly hot girl who I have no chance with, » he sings, « I’m Alec, but you can call me Al. »

« Nobody calls you Al, Alec, » Blake responds with an annoyed sigh.

Alec frowns down at the floor skeptically, « Yeah, you’re right, » he then averts his gaze to me, « Just call me Alec. »

I nod my head, « Well, Alec, I’m Bronte. Nice to meet you. »

« You too, gorgeous. »

Blake whacks his friend across the head and shoots me a look, « Don’t take any of his compliments seriously. Alec compliments anything with a vagina. »

« Did you just assume my gender ? » I gasp in offence.

Blake gives me an icy once over without missing a beat, « You’re right. You look more like a bulky man than a girl. My mistake. »

Ouch.

« You could’ve just laughed, » I whisper.

« Hey ! » Alec protests, « Don’t believe a word that young man says, I swear that isn’t true ! » He cries dramatically. I laugh as Blake drags him away, muttering a series of profanities under his breath. « Ignore him, darling. One day we’ll be together ! » Alec’s voice grows quieter and quieter as he’s pulled away by Blake, until his voice is muffled by Blake’s closed bedroom door.

« Bronte ! » A voice calls. I turn to the doorway, where Elle is now standing ; a gigantic grin on her face.

« Hey Elle ! » I greet, « Come on in. » I usher her into the house and close the door behind her.

▲ ▲ ▲

« Oh ! And remember what I said about using push-ups ! Although, I doubt you need them. You have the full damn package, don’t you ? » Elle sighs wistfully as we walk over to the front door.

For the past few hours, Elle has been teaching me how to seduce Blake since she realised how cute of a couple we’d be. He was no longer her latest conquest, since she was now very much determined in making us a couple. Of course, I declined all her attempts in upgrading me, but she didn’t accept it.

« Oh hush, you, » I reply with a smile tugging onto my face, « If anyone has the full package, it’s you. »

« Are you hearing yourself ? »

I send her a flat look, « You don’t realise how amazing of a person you are, » I tell her as we reach the home’s porch. Elle being the modest person she is, rolls her eyes in disbelief. « Dude, you have the best personality and you’re so gorgeous. »

« Yeah, yeah. Don’t get so mushy on me now, » she mutters ; her cheeks flushed red, « Just remember what I said, okay ? »

« Yep, got it. »

I have no intention in seducing Blake whatsoever, but I agree with her nevertheless since I am not keen on having another conversation about how I should be making the most of the incredible opportunity I’ve been granted. Elle’s words, not mine.

I just want to be Blake’s friend.

« Good. Good. Okay, farewell ! » She declares in a posh voices, waving her hand and jogging down the steps with a triumphant grin on her face.

« Alright bye. Love you ! » I call, stepping back into the house and closing the door.

Slow clapping breaks the silence in the home and I jump frightfully at the noise. I turn around and find Blake leaning against a wall with a smug smirk on his face.

« Oh. Hi Blake. How are you ? I like your shoes – Very groovy. »

My mom always told me that a simple compliment can be enough to make someone’s day.