4
you're that nothing when people ask me what i'm thinking about
Springwood High looked the same as every other shitty high school in the United States. Thalia expected this, so it was no surprise to her when she walked into the sight as she had the last three years of her life.
People looked at her. She wasn't sure whether it was because despite being in Springwood for a few weeks, she was still technically 'new' to the high school, or maybe it was because she walked with confidence - but she didn't really care. She was here to 'learn', but that was it.
Thalia glanced around the halls, roaming mindlessly until she reached what looked to be a common area. Students were separated into cliques, it looked - with the cheerleaders in one section and the loners in another. There were also the other usual cliques you'd see in movies or TV shows, separated as if they'd catch a disease being near someone who wasn't exactly like them.
It almost made her roll her eyes. Almost, because she didn't care enough to actually do the physical movement.
She took a deep breath as she observed the students around her. If she were going to be stuck in Springwood until graduation, she might as well at least put herself around people she can stand. People who don't care to get too close to her, yet let her come around for the thrill of it.
Then, her eyes landed on a table toward the back. This table had three people occupying it, all of whom looked bored with being there.
My kind of people, Thalia thought as she made her way over with her head held high.
She gathered their attention fairly quickly, which was just what she expected. She stopped directly in front of the table, ignoring the slightly confused look one of the boys sent her way.
"Well, hello." The blond boy spoke, looking Thalia up and down.
"Hi," Thalia breathed out, faking a small smile.
"Can we help you?" The girl asked with a slight attitude, observing Thalia for herself.
"Yes, you can." Thalia bluntly spoke, "I'm new to this school, and you guys look like the best people to be around."
The girl laughed, causing Thalia to raise her eyebrows. "I don't believe there was anything funny about what I said."
"I think it was hilarious," The girl responded. "The guts you have is quite comical."
"How so?" Thalia challenged. Her eyes narrowed slightly, showing intimidation. She could tell she bothered the other girl but only slightly, a lot less compared to the usual teenage girl she encountered. "I came in, glanced around, and you're the most approachable it seems. Well, let me correct myself." She cleared her throat, putting a hand on her chest. "The most approachable and tolerable."
The girl leaned back in her seat, seeming bored of the conversation. She had no response to Thalia at first but quickly thought of one. "Well, we're not interested in fake newbies screwing with our group for their own gain. Find someone else."
"I mean I could," Thalia tilted her head to the side. "But I think you'd be missing out on the greatest opportunity of your life by attempting to reject me."
"Attempting? I don't think we're attempting." The girl scoffed.
"Okay," Thalia accepted. "Suit yourself. But I have connections and money. I'm that friend you'd want to join your little sad loner group."
It was a lie. Thalia had absolutely no connections or money, but it was something to make herself look cooler. That was the thing Thalia always did when it came to new schools - she lied her way to the top. She made herself look cool to any and all groups, despite not wanting anything to do with any of them. She was better off on her own, and she knew this, but faking a bit of friendship wouldn't harm her if it meant showing everyone who's boss.
So if this meant Thalia had to lie her way through everything, then so be it.
She began to walk away, knowing that although it wasn't the best lie she'd come up with - it was enough. She didn't need to say anything else, and her thoughts were only confirmed as the blond boy spoke up again.
"Hey, wait a minute."
Thalia stopped in her tracks, a smug smirk growing on her face. She let it drop as she turned to the table of three again, her brows raised as she waited for him to say what he needed.
He leaned forward, much like the girl had done moments prior. His arms were crossed as he studied the girl, and it was obvious to Thalia that he was doing more than just observing her body language. He was checking her out, and she didn't mind nor care if it meant getting what she wanted.
This only fueled her ego more.
"Nathan," Was all he said, nodding once at her. It was a form of introduction, and more than enough for Thalia to know she'd at least caught his attention.
"Thalia," Thalia responded.
The girl glanced between Nathan and Thalia, before finally scoffing and getting up. "Come on Lucas," She muttered.
Lucas awkwardly looked between the three before finally getting up and leaving with the girl. He hadn't even gotten a proper introduction in, but Thalia didn't quite care.
Thalia didn't mind that they left. She just needed to get through to one person, which was all that mattered. And by the way Nathan didn't even flinch as his two friends left, she knew she'd gotten through to him.
"Thalia," Nathan repeated. "Well, would you like to have a seat, Thalia? You'll have to ignore Callie, she's a little standoffish."
Thalia smiled sweetly, a smile full of venom as she sat in the empty seat across from the blond boy. "So, Nathan. Tell me about this little high school of yours." She completely ignored his remark about his friend, not really caring whether she wanted to be near her or not. She got what she wanted and whether or not this Callie girl was bothered didn't affect her.
Nathan put his head in the palm of his hand, looking at the girl almost as if he were admiring her. "Where do I start?" He smiled, causing a few dimples in his cheeks to deepen.
Although Thalia was a very observant and aware girl, she was unaware of the boy watching her from across the common room.
Sean watched with distaste as the girl conversed with Nathan Woods. "Seriously?" He muttered to himself, tapping his foot against the ground. He couldn't hide the grimace on his face, bitterness coursing through him as if he'd seen something absolutely vile.
But then again, maybe he had.
"What is it?" Amariah asked, looking in the direction Sean looked at. Her dark brows pushed together as she failed to see what Sean thought was so disgusting, looking back to her friend. "What are you on about now?"
Andy looked up from his breakfast sandwich and toward the direction that Sean stared, a knowing smirk crossing his features. "Ohhhh... it's the girl who rejected you."
"What?" Chance cut in, looking up from his phone. "Someone- someone rejected you?"
Sean rolled his eyes, finally looking away from the new girl. "It wasn't like Andy's saying."
"Well, from what I remember it was a lot like that." Andy couldn't help but laugh, "Quite funny, as well."
"So you're looking at her in straight disgust because she rejected you?" Preston asked with a confused look on his face.
Amariah crossed her arms over her chest, letting out a deep breath as she watched the scene unfold in front of her.
"Oh my god- no. She did not reject me and I'm not looking at her in disgust and it's not because she rejected me. Which as I said, she did not do." Sean face-palmed. He pinched the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut in frustration.
"Huh, I didn't hear that the first thirty times. Can you repeat to me again how she openly and loudly - might I add - rejected you?" Andy asked, cupping his hand behind his ear.
Sean groaned, slapping his friend on the back of the head. This caused a loud laugh to erupt from Chance and an eye roll from Amariah as Preston continued to look at Sean with a confused look on his face.
"What's so funny?" Another voice asked.
Sean sighed as he looked over to see Cornelia, Chance's girlfriend. "Literally nothing. They're just being a bunch of douches."
"Last I remember, my dear Sean, you were the biggest douche at Springwood High." Andy joked, pointing a finger at his friend.
"Sean's just butthurt because the newbie wanted nothing to do with him." Chance explained to Cornelia, finally answering her question.
"For the love of God, I am not mad she rejected me!" Sean exclaimed, his cheeks growing red. "I just think it's odd she's hanging out with Nathan Woods of all fucking people, okay?"
"You don't even know the girl. She's probably just like him." Cornelia looked over at the table in disgust. She looked at Thalia with a look of distaste, despite only seeing the girl's side profile.
Sean side-eyed Cornelia before shaking his head. "No. She's different."
"Oh, lord, here we go again." Amariah sighed, rubbing her forehead.
"She's different?" Andy asked, glancing at his friends in shock. "Are you guys hearing this or am I just delusional?"
"Yes-" Chance pointed a finger at Andy before at Sean. "And yes. She's different, Seanny? Well, if she's so different why is she flirting with Nathan Woods and rejecting you?"
"Maybe that's what makes her different." Cornelia thought out loud, "Either way. She doesn't look or sound like good news, Sean. I think you should leave her alone and let her hang out with those like her - trash."
"Why talk like that about a girl you don't even know?" Sean asked, grimacing.
"How come you've known Nathan for years and didn't bother to mention how she called him trash as well but managed to defend the girl you don't even know," Chance commented.
"Not to mention a girl he's never spoken to." Andy cut in.
"Wait, how did he get rejected if he's never spoken to her?" Preston asked, his nose scrunching up in confusion.
"Exactly." Andy pointed at Preston, "Didn't even get the chance to. Just waved at her and she flipped him off before walking away."
"That's fucking hilarious!" Chance laughed, earning a giggle from Cornelia. "Bro didn't even get friend-zoned, he got enemy-zoned."
"You guys are annoying," Sean sighed. "And she didn't reject me. Probably just wasn't in the mood or something."
"Well she looks to be in the mood now," Cornelia challenged. "So prove it."
"What do you mean?" Sean asked.
"Go talk to her. Prove she didn't reject you." She shrugged, picking at her nails.
"That's stupid," Sean grumbled.
"Well, she has a point." Andy said, "You go over there and talk to her and prove she just wasn't in the mood that day, we'll drop it. No more making fun of you for finally finding a girl that doesn't want to get into your pants the moment they meet you."
Sean glared at Andy, only earning a goofy smile from the boy. He took a big bite of his breakfast sandwich, nodding at his best friend.
"Oh, guess you won't have to go over there." Chance then commented, grabbing Sean's attention.
"I didn't have to in the first place-"
"Cause she's heading this way. Quick!" He shoved Sean forward, almost causing the boy to trip over his own feet.
Just as he gathered himself together, he found himself standing right in front of the girl. She looked him up and down, her brows pushed together in confusion. "Excuse you," She muttered. "It's rude to just cut in front of people like that."
"Well, it's rude to flip people off for saying hi, too." Sean couldn't help but say back. He knew he probably just blew any chances of redeeming himself to his friends as the comment came out, but he also had a bit of a bone to pick with her for acting the way she had when he was just trying to be nice.
Sean Abrams wasn't the type to care. He knew he could get any girl he wanted with a drop of a hat, and he didn't even need to try. Especially when it came to girls he didn't know, he hardly gave them a second thought. He was never one to chase, he was the one to be chased. He'd already given this girl much more attention than he'd ever given someone so quickly, and it was more than obvious to his friends as well.
"What?" The girl asked, looking at him in confusion.
"What?" Sean repeated, his brows pushing together. "You know, the other day in front of my house."
The girl standing in front of him glanced at his friends, taking notice of how everyone was watching intently as they waited for the outcome of the situation.
"I don't know what you're talking about," The girl denied, tilting her head. "Surely you must have me mixed up with another girl."
"I don't believe I do," Sean spoke, smiling a smug smile. "I waved at you and you flipped me off."
"I don't think that was me," The girl continued to deny. "Although I must say, sounds badass. Maybe you shouldn't be bothering girls that don't want to be bothered."
"And maybe you shouldn't be staring at boys who are doing nothing but minding their business." Sean snapped back.
"Again. Have me confused with another girl. Might wanna bring the arrogance down a bit, man. Not quite attractive." The girl shrugged.
"Thalia, you comin' or what?" Another voice cut in. Sean glanced over to see Nathan waiting by the common room doors, watching the conversation.
The girl - Thalia - nodded, a small smile appearing on her features. It looked fake, and that was when Sean could see right through her.
She was faking it. All of it. Acting as if she didn't care, putting on this bad-girl persona that she wanted everyone else to see. Everyone bought it, too, and he could tell by the way Nathan politely waited on her when Nathan was known to never really care for many people. She was doing what she could for her own gain, something Sean knew about all too well.
"Well, as much as I don't want to stay and chat, I need to get going. Sorry I'm not the girl you were looking for," Thalia told Sean.
Sean didn't say anything but just watched in shock as she waltzed right past him. She didn't bother to look back, holding her chin high in the air as she made her way around the other students in the common area and toward Nathan - who was still waiting.
He blinked a few times, almost forgetting his friends saw the entire exchange. It was only when Chance let out an obnoxious laugh that he remembered they were standing there and he looked over, rolling his eyes almost immediately.
"She didn't even remember you!" He exclaimed.
"She's such a bitch," Cornelia whined, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Huh. Maybe we did have the wrong girl," Andy commented, his mouth in a flat line. "Although she looks just like her. Odd."
"That's because it was the same girl, you moron." Sean rolled his eyes again. "She's faking it."
"Or maybe you're delusional," Cornelia said.
"Either way, she clearly wants nothing to do with us." Chance added, "Or more specifically, Sean."
"Well she deserves none of our time," Cornelia said with a sigh. "Speaking of time, we need to get to class. Don't want to be late on the first day, do we?"
"Right, right." Chance quickly agreed, "Well this was a fun and interesting morning, and I will see you guys at lunch."
The couple didn't bother waiting for a response before walking away. This left Andy, Preston, Sean, and Amariah, an odd silence growing between them as none of them cared to say anything at first.
"Why do you find yourself wrapped up in such bitchy girls?" Amariah asked, raising an eyebrow. "I mean we just - and I mean just got rid of Cindy. Now this Thalia girl? You need to step up your game with women, man."
"Hey, what was wrong with Cindy?" Andy asked, looking at Amariah with a confused expression.
"Dude, she cheated on me," Sean spoke with a confused look on his face. He held his hand outward, making a motion that said 'Seriously?'.
"Oh, yeah. But besides the whole cheating thing, she was pretty cool. Right?" Andy asked.
"Andy," Sean stated, blinking a few times.
"What?" The other boy asked.
"Go to class," Sean ordered with a sigh.
Andy nodded, pouting his lips out. "Yep. Deserved. Got it."
The other three watched as Andy stood from his spot. He waved one last goodbye before walking off in the direction of whichever class he had first, and it was only when he was out of sight that Sean turned to his friends.
"Must've mistaken her for another girl." He simply said, "You heard her yourself. Doesn't know who I am."
Amariah scoffed, "You know what? I think that Thalia girl was a gift from God to give you the karma you deserve."
"And I think she's just a random girl I got confused with my new neighbor." Sean shrugged, unaffected by his friend's words.
"She's going to fuck up your life, Sean, and I think you kind of deserve it. No offense." Amariah said with a raised eyebrow. "I think all that praying you did for the woman of your dreams might've been answered."
"I don't pray," Sean flatly said, his face emotionless as he stared at Amariah. "And I doubt that if I did pray for the girl of my dreams, it'd be someone like her."
"Like what? Exactly like you?" Amariah smirked, tilting her head to the side slightly.
Sean stayed silent, not having expected that question. Amariah took this as her win and her queue to leave, winking at him before walking away.
"Well, if we're all airing our personal opinions out, I think she wants you," Preston commented with a nod.
Sean looked at him for a second before rolling his eyes and walking away.
"What?" Preston asked. "What did I say?!"
++
I actually really like how this turned out, so I hope you guys enjoy it as well!
Please apply for my new applyfic, 'THE STRANGERS' !!!
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