THE DOWNFALL OF SYDNEY GILMORE !
( chapter two )

                    SYDNEY BEING SUSPENDED ON THE FIRST WEEK of school was the beginning of her downfall. Or, at least Devi Vishwakumar hoped so. Which is why it caught her by surprise when the Gilmore girl walked through the double doors on Monday morning. 

It shocked everyone, really. Given the suspension--everyone assumed it'd be for at least two weeks. But here she was, with a different color Valentino bag in hand. Teresa Evans at her side. 

The duo strode to their lockers to see the word BITCH removed from the locker. She smiled to herself, punching in her combination. 

However, the feeling of peaceful bliss truly didn't last long because within a matter of seconds, she smelled Ben Gross' overexaggerated cologne followed by the sound of his annoying voice. "Hey cuz." 

Sydney huffed, honestly hoping he'd disappear at the sight of her distaste. "We are hardly cousins, Ben." 

He flashed a sheepish smile. "Sure, but, we are." 

Sydney rolled her eyes, plastering on a bitter smile. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

       "How's your hand?" He questioned, brows furrowing as he glanced over the wrap on her hand. 

       "Broken. Thanks for asking." 

He nodded, still examining her, then his eyes followed to someplace behind her. And his brown-rimmed pupils widened. "Looks like you're not the only person with something broken." 

Sydney didn't need to turn her head to know that he was referencing Ethan--who was no doubt behind her. 

         "I can't believe you dated that douche." He scoffed, tightening his grip on his backpack straps. 

The brunette girl didn't say anything, just continued grabbing the correct items from her locker. Then, Tess joined them once more. 

Ben's cheeks flushed. "Hi Tess." 

Sydney wanted to laugh at the attempted interaction. Teresa's brows knitted together slightly. "Why are you talking to me?" 

His eyes widened once more. This time, of pure fear. He shook his head. "I-I was just saying hi..." 

Ring. 

For possibly the first time, Sydney was glad the bell rang. The two friends turned around and began walking down the hall, but Ben followed behind them. 

Given the confused glare the girls spared him, he swallowed. "We have the same first period. Mr. Shapiro's." 

                       WHEN THE TRIO WALKED IN, BEN AND Tess went to their respective seats, however, Mr. Shapiro stopped Sydney at the door. 

He beamed. "Sydney! Since you weren't here, I've assigned you next to Ethan! I know you two have a past and... I'm all for clearing the air." 

She followed his gaze to see the empty desk behind Devi, and next to Ethan. 

       "He's your partner for the rest of the year!"  

Sydney's initial instinct was to scream. However, she contained it by flashing an ear-to-ear grin. "Great." 

She truly could not hate this idea any more than she already had. She turned from her teacher and began walking down the aisle of desks, avoiding Ethan's stare. 

When she'd make it to her desk in the third row, she stepped her heel into Ethan's foot, resulting in a groan from the boy, bringing a smile to her face. "I wish it was your foot that broke." 

Sydney's smile grew as she scooted her chair in, sitting up straight. "And I should have given you a concussion." 

Mr. Shapiro clapped his hands together, disrupting any prior conversation. "Okay, class! Who can tell me about World War II?" 

                       TO SYDNEY'S SURPRISE, THE FIRST person to approach her in the cafeteria was Devi Vishwakumar, someone she'd never spoken to before. "Hey Syd!" 

Sydney's brows furrowed instinctively. "Don't call me that." She demanded, walking away. 

       "Noted." The girl pursed her lips in response, nodding. "Hey, I just wanted to say it was really badass of you to you know, stand up for yourself and break Ethan's nose." 

Sydney managed an awkward smile, but before she could say anything else, the girl was right next to her at the lunch table. 

She leaned forward. "But... you know, there can only be one crazy bitch around here." 

       "I'm sorry, who are you?" 

Devi's face reddened and her lips parted in horror. "You don't... know who I am?" 

The brunette shook her head, taking a sip of her drink. 

       "I'm Devi." She said blankly, watching Sydney's expression for any type of realization that never came. "I sit in front of you in like every class, dude." 

Sydney shook her head again, clueless and careless to her hints.   

       "I dated Paxton last year." 

Oh. Sydney chuckled at the thought. "The one that ran him over?"

       "Yes." She huffed. "You know, I'm a total feminist. Which is why I think it's respectable to honour girl code and ask you if you're still interested in Ethan before I make a move." 

The brunette laughed. "You want to date Ethan?" 

Devi held a finger up, motioning for her to wait. "Hypothetically. I need to make a move soon before someone else does, but I am at least asking you first!" 

Sydney was utterly confused now. She had never heard news of anyone even trying to make a move on Ethan. "Is this a joke?" 

The girl's eyes widened in fear. "No! Not at all! I-I would never--everyone just thinks Ethan is a total smoke show now, and..." 

        "Ethan?" She repeated, the crease in between her brows deepening. "Ethan Morales?" 

         "What about me?" Ethan was now sitting right next to Sydney and across from Devi. He wrapped his arm over Sydney's shoulder--in which, she immediately removed with a look of distaste on her features. 

Devi's lips parted once more and a soft blush crept on her cheeks. Gross. "Oh--nothing. Uh... I guess I should leave you two alone." 

Sydney sat up almost immediately after Devi did, she didn't want to hear anything Ethan had to say, she truly had just wanted to sit in peace with her friends. 

When she arrived, Teresa was the first to greet her, scooting further down the bench. "What were you talking to crazy Devi about?" 

From the brief conversation, the girls had, Sydney wasn't at all surprised by the nickname Devi had. "Is that what you call her?"

Tess nodded. "Oh, everyone does. Everyone's also saying her and Ethan are hooking up." 

Sydney muffled her incoming laugh with her water bottle. "If she and Ethan are already hooking up, why is she asking me for my blessing?" 

The group of girls broke into a unified giggle. "Who knows? She's crazy Devi."

Crazy Devi.