Opening her Instagram, Lennox leaned back against her headboard. It had a message from Brandi, Isla's smart friend that hadn't been that bad. It had a number. Lennox furrowed her eyebrows, rolling her eyes as she contemplated ignoring the obvious request to call the girl. Then, she remembered that she couldn't run away from her past, that things were being to be different. So, emitting a sigh, she called the number.

It rang once. It rang twice.

"Hello?"

"Brandi?" Lennox muttered, staring up at her ceiling. "What was so important you gave me your number? Aren't you scared I'm going to track you to your house and murder you in your sleep?"

Brandi laughed half-heartedly on the other side of the line. "No. I'm smart, remember?" She heard Brandi gulp, letting out a breath as if to release a weight from her shoulders. "I don't despise you. I know why you don't like me. I know why you were so rude to me that day in class. I wasn't the nicest, either. But, I can see how Isla can be cold-hearted."

Lennox wondered where the conversation was headed. At least she'd called, right? The old her wouldn't have. She wasn't going to hang up, either. She was too intrigued either way. "Yes, I know this, Brandi. Please reiterate what I already know."

Her ex-friend heaved a sigh, then sniffed. "Isla and I aren't friends anymore."

Lennox's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. She found herself sitting up, an arm against the mattress to support her weight. Glancing out the window, listening to the howling wind and rain, she responded, "What do you mean?"

"Isla threw me under the bus. She copied off of me and made it so I got suspended a day. I know she's smart enough to do her own work. Now, she's made a fool out of me. She outed me for framing her and everything." Another sniff, and Lennox debated whether or not she should care. She decided to be angry at Isla for not learning her lesson. "People believe what they want to, I guess. I'm sorry I was ever rude to you."

Lennox shook her head back in forth as to clear it. "Wow, I never thought I'd see the day Isla betrayed one of you guys." She laughed bitterly. "I mean, it kind of serves you all right. I got out of the hierarchy before it could collapse on me."

"Where did that leave you, Lennox? It left you bitter and angry."

"If you want to insult me, get in line!" Lennox snapped, balling her free hand into a fist as she gulped in a deep breath. She needed to work on her quick temper. "Look, I don't know why you contacted me because there's nothing I can or will do for you. This is all petty high school drama, and I want nothing to do with it anymore." Deep in the back of her mind, Lennox knew she was lying to herself. She knew she wanted to see Isla fall. Yet, a part of her wanted to focus on Faith, on a possible friendship with Levi. On getting Faith and Trey together. Did she really have time for Isla and her antics? To help Brandi when she never really helped her? Sure, she tried to be nice, but brief kindness won't stop a wound from bleeding.

"I just wanted to tell you. That's all. I thought I knew so much, but I didn't know my best friend was a snake. I want to say I'm sorry. I want to say you're right. It pains me to be wrong, so you better appreciate that."

Lennox chuckled to herself. "Okay. Bye. Good luck."

She hung up before Brandi could respond.

It was the weekend, so she had nothing better to do than pay a visit to Starbucks. She was sure Levi wouldn't work weekends, but she felt like a coffee and didn't have his number. Whatever. She'd have to settle for the regular menu. She debated calling Faith, but decided against it. She'd been social enough that week, and she needed time alone to rejuvenate. 

As she went to exit the house, she heard voices in the livingroom. Peering around the corner, she glared at Nora and her boyfriend. They were wrapped in each other's arms, lips pressed together. She loudly cleared her through, arms crossed. For some reason, the couple ignited anger within her. Okay, most people did, but her sister and her boyfriend especially. 

Nora's boyfriend narrowed his eyes. "Excuse me, can we help you?"

She shrugged, heading towards the front door. "No. I just felt like disturbing you, mainly because you're annoying." She shut the door before he could respond.

She didn't feel the usual anger bubbling inside of her. Instead, it seems to dissipate, allowing her to relax as she slid behind the wheel. Buckling herself in, Lennox  reversed on out of driveway, her eyes flicking to the rearview mirror. For the first time in forever, she wondered how she would look to other people. Instantly, she scowled at her reflection, turning away as she backed onto the street. Putting the car in drive, she headed for the coffee shop.

The whole way there, her mind didn't wander much. It just stayed on the road, her tastebuds itching for Levi's special blend of coffee flavors. She let out a breath between pursed lips as she pulled into the first available parking space; the place was busier than it had been all week. Lennox couldn't quite wrap her head around depending on others for companionship and, yes, good coffee. As much as she wanted this huge change in her life, she knew a part of herself would keep fighting back. She knew a deep, partially buried part of herself cared about the Isla situation, cared about what Brandi had revealed to her. She didn't want it to matter, but it did. A lot.

Lennox pulled her phone out of her pocket. She noticed she had a message from her brother.

Hey, sis, how are things going? Guess who got himself a girl?

Her lips stretched into a wide grin. She was so happy for her older brother. To her, he deserved the world. You're lying. You? B.O Donovan?

His reply was swift. Stop bringing up that nickname! Besides, I asked about you. Don't avoid the subject.

She laughed to herself. Nora started calling him B.O Donovan when he first started needing deodorant.  She still found it hilarious, even if she no longer cared that much for her sister. I'm getting better. 2 friends. Coffee. 

2 friends? No. Lies.

Yes, 2.  If you can have a girlfriend, I can have friends.

Are you sure they're good friends?

Yes, from what I've seen so far. I'm getting to know them, but they give me no reason to fear for my sanity.

Good. I'm so proud of you little sis. :) How's Nora?

Still with that jerk.

Does dad still like Marcus? Talk about games? 

THAT'S HIS NAME!

You're hopeless.  Gotta go, professor is giving me the stink eye.

Lennox shook her head, smiling as she pocketed her phone. It was sunny that day, the sun peeking through the few clouds littering the sky. She felt comfortable in short sleeves, basking in the warmth of the sun on her skin. 

As she entered Starbucks, Lennox glanced at the cash register with dismay. No Levi. Not even Levi's coworker was behind the counter. Instead, three employees bustled about, trying to fulfill never-ending drink orders. The line was almost backed up to the door, and Lennox kept glancing behind her to make sure no one hit her with it. She glanced at her phone, hoping her brother had decided to text her more stealthily. It was college after all: the professors had better things to worry about. 

She let out a breath, shoving her phone back into her pocket.  The line shortened fairly quickly, and Lennox ordered whatever sounded chocolatey and cold enough. Then, she waited, tapping her foot against the floor. Her name was called, and she grabbed her drink. The place was too crowded for her liking, so Lennox stepped outside, finally able to breath properly. There were too many people in there, and she hadn't dared to check if she knew any of them.

Her phone buzzd; Faith. She answered with a slight smile on her face. Yes, Faith?

Did you hear what happened with Isla and her friend?

Lennox smacked herself in the forehead. It doesn't matter, Faith. I'm over her. Her heart dropped, and her anger rose. This time, she wasn't angry at another person; she was angry at herself. How could she be so selfish and forget she had to protect her friend from Isla's bullying. Why was life so complicated, she wondered.

As long as she isn't messing with you, I'm leaving it alone.

It's not right.

This world isn't right, Faith.

As she waited for her friend to respond, she posted a picture of her drink. She knew it was a stupid thing to do, but that didn't stop her. Plus, she didn't care what people thought. At least, that's what she told herself.

Did you get Starbucks without me?

Maybe.

With that, things returned to normal, and Isla was forgotten in that moment.

____

Thoughts? I'm going to be honest: in starting Programmed Ruins I almost forgot about this book. However, I got a bit of inspiration and ideas! I hope to continue writing both books. Please check out PR if you're a sci-fi fan! Also, working on two stories and with school, I hope to update when I can. Don't expect too much (until winter break. But I am lazy, so.)

-Sarah