Alexandrea's P.O.V

"Show him what he's missing, dress confidently. Chin up, shoulders broad, eyes glaring straight into his soul" Stephanie explained through the phone as I ransacked my wardrobe. "You know...like me" she added and I snorted.

"I don't own slutty clothes" I said as I threw a purple gown on the floor after examining it. I heard her scoff and I rolled my eyes. I'm starting to regret agreeing to this because I have absolutely no idea how to get her and Nick together, besides, this is so unlike me but I admit that I'm desperate. I want Eli to notice me to even if it's only for today.

"Switch it to video call" she said over the phone a few I sighed rubbing my hand over my head. I switched it to video call and I could see the walls of her room sparkle from here. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and moved closer to the camera. "Jeez, your room is a mess" she commented and I rolled my eyes.

"Oh? I didn't notice" I muttered as she scrutinized my room with her gaze. She hummed and put her manicured index finger into her mouth before squealing and pointing at a cloth.

"Take that! The one under the orange top" she pointed and my eyes scanned the place before settling on the grey cloth. I took it and she nodded. I was in sweats and a big shirt so she can't see my scars. "And the black tights!" She pointed again.

I took the tights and headed to the bathroom to change. I glanced at the time before entering the bathroom and I was getting late for school. What was I thinking when I agreed to this yesterday?

l looked at the mirror and paired the clothe with blacked with a white stripe sneakers. My hair was in a messy pony tail and I pouted as I stood in front of the mirror. This is not my usual dressing which means it should surely catch attention. I hope.

I came out of the bathroom and saw Stephanie cringe through the phone. "Lose the tights, it'll look better without the tights" she said as she gave me a judging look. I rolled my eyes and glanced at my outfit. If I removed the tights, my thighs will be bare and open to the world as well as everything under.

"No, I like it this way" I shrugged as I straightened the edge of the short gown. I was not comfortable at all. The tights were the only thing between my thighs and everyone's eyes. I bet Bex and Zoey will be surprised to see me this way.

"You look sexier without the tights! And loose your hair, apply some makeup!" She rolled her eyes as she gestured to my outfit.

"No! I don't want to look like you" I glared at her and cut off the video call. I released my hair and decided to leave them flowing around my today. I took my bag and shoved all the things I needed inside.

I put on a red lipstick and rubbed my lips together to even the amount. I applied a mascara and skipped down the stairs to find my mom eating already and in her business wear. Her hear was in a neat bun and her face was flushed as she ate.

"Morning Mom!" I sang as I took my food and out it in a brown bag. I was too late to eat at home.

"Morning baby-" she stopped midair as her eyes scanned my dressing from up to down. She gave me a disapproving look "What's with the new dressing? And makeup? I hope you're not keeping bad company already" She frowned and I pouted.

"I just wanted to try something new and mom you know the only company of people I keep are Bex and Zoey so don't worry about me, I'm off to school!" I said hurriedly and dashed out the door. I unlocked my car and got inside. I put the brown bag in my school bag and tossed it in the front seat.

I started to drive and in few minutes, I was in school. I got down from my car and my bag on back. I felt some people's gaze on me and I looked back to see a group of boys from the basketball team. As I looked back, they all averted their taxes except one of them. I think his name was Henry, with short brown hair, brown eyes and light freckles scattered on his cheeks. His gaze met mine and he smirked. No! I'm attracting the wrong attention.

I looked away nervously and couldn't help but feel uneasy with the way people were staring at me. I got to my locker and I looked around to search for my two knuckle heads best friends. I saw them both coming and as they saw me, they halted in their step to getting be me a very obvious once over.

"Whoa!!" Bex exclaimed and she sped walked to my place while Zoey still stood at a distance, mouth- open as she stared at me.

"Babe!!" Zoey squealed as she rushed over to me. Bex and Zoey rounded me, making me twirling again and again for them.

"You look hot!!" Bex said as she brought out her phone to take pictures. I rolled my eyes as my cheeks began to warm up.

"What's with the new look?" Zoey raised an eyebrow then narrowed her eyes on my face " And make up?? Wow!! Who are you??" She gasped and I chuckled.

"Just wanted a little change, that's all " I smiled and prayed they didn't see through my lie. I couldn't bring myself to tell them the reason. You know what, I feel as if they'll be disappointed in me. As they gushed about how hot I looked, I saw Stephanie pass by and acted as if she never knew me. I rolled my eyes because I was kind of expecting it. Then Henry came to me.

"Hey" He smirked as he shamelessly checked me out. I gulped because I was not used to this much attention and because Henry is talking to me. Bex and Zoey looked at each other and wiggled their eyebrows at me excessively as the backed away.

"Hi" I said nervously as I tried to calm myself down inside. I'm never dressing like this again. Ever.

"I don't think I've noticed you around, what's your name?" He asked as he ruffled his shirt brown hair. That action was not cute. At all.

"I'm Alex" I said. Of course, he didn't notice me, we have been in the same geography class for three years. And he didn't.

"You should know who I am, considering how popular I am around here" he smirked arrogantly. Jeez, could he be more arrogant.

"I don't" I shot back at him and the smirk fell off his face. "Are you Tim? Carter?" I faked a thoughtful face.

"I'm Henry" he huffed out as his gaze went back to my legs. I gave him a sweet fake smile. Somebody save me from this pervert.

"Nice to meet you Henry but I have to go to class now. I'll see you around" I said and rummaged my locker for my note for the first class.

"Right. After school?" He asked desperately and raised his eyebrow. Oh God,.....No...

"Shorty!" I heard someone say from behind me. I turned around immediately to meet the gaze of the only person that calls me that. I mouthed 'save me' and he smirked.

"Nick" Henry said bitterly as his tone changed at the sight of Nick. Nick threw his right arm over my shoulder and pressed me to his side as I tried to wiggle out. I caught a whiff of his cologne, woody and minty smell.

"Henry, long time no see" Nick smiled. Not a nice smile. A smile that made Henry take a step back with his mouth curved into a snarl.

"Is there a problem? With Alex?" Nick raised an eyebrow. What in hell's name is going on here?

"No, no. I didn't know she was your girl, man." Henry raised his hands in surrender stepping back. I furrowed my eyebrows. His girl? No way!!

"What? I'm not-" I started but Nick cut me off.

"Now that you know, I advice you to head for the hills. We don't want to repeat history now do we?" Nick said as Henry's eyes widened before clenching his jaw and walking away. I removed Nick's hand from my shoulders as he tucked his hand into the front of his jeans, his face turning passive.

"You're welcome and next time, maybe you should dress more decent to avoid unnecessary attention" He said emotionlessly and turned around to leave. I blushed in embarrassment as he left and I felt stupid as ever. I've not even seen the person I dressed up for and I've been embarrassed and hit on. You know what, I'm not doing this anymore!

I went to the bathroom and wiped off the makeup. I wasn't with any hairband so I left my hair the way it was. I brushed my hand over my hair and walked out of the bathroom only to jump into Eli.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry. I-" Eli apologized and stopped abruptly as his eyes scanned my outfit before meeting my eyes again. I fiddled with my thumb nervously " Whoa, hi" he said as he scratched the back of his neck cutely.

"Hey..." I said and met his gaze with a small smile. I noticed that he was still surprised by the way I was dressed today because he couldn't stop glancing.

"You look..... different" He said and he shoved one of his hand into the back pocket of his jeans. Oh God! Different? As in good different or bad different?

"Do you like it?" I blurted looking at him before mentally smacking myself. "I mean...is it a good type of different? Or...."  I trailed off.

"It's not bad....I mean...you do look... nice" he said rocking back and forth on his foot. The constant trailing off, oh gawd, now I feel stupid. Nice? What the hell was I thinking? I can't believe I agreed to doing this with Stephanie. I don't want him to like me because of just looks, I want him to like my personality too!

"Oh" I said and felt the need to leave the place "well....I'm gonna head to class so I'll catch you later" I said.

"Okay, bye" he waved as we both left, separate ways down the hall. God, that was so awkward. I walked back to my locker and saw Bex and Zoey. I observed their dressing and felt like I had betrayed Bex by asking Steph the kind of clothes I should wear.

"C'mon! Let's head to class" Zoey yelled as she saw me, waving her hand at me. I smiled and jogged over to them, I couldn't even do that comfortably because the dress kept shifting up. I caught up with them and Bex narrowed her eyes at me.

"What?" I quizzed, wondering why she was looking at me with narrowed eyes.

"Something tells me you didn't pick this cloth yourself, you had help. You can't pick a cloth this good" she folded her arms over the other as she kept her eyes narrowed. Shit! She found out?

"Her mom probably chose it for her" Zoey said as she inspected me. "But her mom can't choose this, type of outfit" she said giving me a confused look. It's too late....I'm already caught.

"Stephanie chose it for me" I said in one breath as I glanced at them to see their reactions. They both held surprised looks but Bex's held surprise and disappointment.

"So you're friends with Stephanie now?" Zoey asked curiously, oblivious to the way Bex was quiet.

"No. Not really. Well....she said she was going to help me get Eli. She chose the dress and in return I have to help her get Nick" I rushed out to as I released a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"You asked Stephanie for help?" Zoey said in disbelief, shaking her head.

"I'm sorry, I was desperate. I didn't know what came over me. I just-" I started to apologise.

"And you decided to keep it from us. Because you don't trust us" Bex cut me off in a passive tone. She let out a scoff.

"I was going to tell you-"

"Sure! Like you were going to tell us of the threats you've been getting recently from your dad?" She cut me off again. My shoulders slumped and it felt like my heart was about to ripped from my chest. "You didn't expect me to find out about that did you?" She smiled sadly, hurt crowded her features.

"I-" I don't even know what to say. She was right, I wasn't planning on telling them.

"Alex, is that true?" Zoey asked as she glanced at me. My gaze was focused in the floor. I had nothing to say because everything she said was right.

"I'm sorry" I muttered in a small voice "I didn't mean to keep it from you. I just didn't want you to be worried about me because that's what everyone has been doing recently"I explained.

"Try another excuse, that doesn't make any sense" Bex scoffed and shook her head before making her way down the hall. I watched as her body disappeared into the crowd of students.

"I've got to go" Zoey said, and left hurriedly too. I was left with my thoughts as I tried not to cry. Bex and I have never fought. I hung ny head low, Makin hair serve as a curtain covering my face as I made my way to class.

Way to go Alex.

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Writer: Hello sweethearts,
How have you all been? I'm so sorry it took so long to update, I had problems publishing it.

*Eli, Nick and Eddy are seen tied to a pole with tapes on their mouths*

Stephanie: *rolls eyes* that's your problem.

Writer: Stephanie dear, take a glance at the boys.

Stephanie: *glances at the boys and widens eyes, then gulps* Oh, I think I'll go now. Bye *disappears*

Writer: *grins at audience* Anyways, don't forget to vote, comment, share and follow. Enjoy!

28/09/2020