I followed a stone faced Luke outside the classroom rather stoically. The fact that we completely ignored Benjamin's existence in the process of doing so didn't escape his notice and we were rewarded by his infamous scowl. Which we also ignored.

Luke lead me through the hallways to the staircase and started climbing upstairs . . . beyond the fourth floor?

"Umm, Luke, I think you're going the wrong way," I bit my lip, glancing around at the students going about, who were not noticing us. Which is kind of surprising because I kind of expected Tarter to have tried sinking her claws into Lucian at least once by now.

He turned his upper body around, his legs on different steps, and gestured me to follow anyways. I sighed, following him upstairs to . . . wherever he was taking me.

After a flight of stairs, we were faced with a rusting old door.

I opened my mouth to say something but shut it when I saw Luke produce a key from somewhere in his pockets. He twisted the key into the keyhole and a second later the locked clicked open. I closed my eyes, recoiling within myself, expecting to hear the iron gates screech open but was met with silence.

I opened my eyes to see Luke looking at me amusedly. Of course. He had a key, the door was apparently used often. I am so stupid. I mentally facepalmed myself.

I gave him a sheepish smile before following him. I was a little pre occupied before to notice that he was standing under the sun.

Eastwood High had a terrace. Nothing fancy, I'll admit, but a terrace none the less. It had white, gray and blue painted floors and a few recliner beach seats strewn across.

"Why are we here, Lucian?" I questioned, walking up and leaning against the parapet beside him. I dropped my bag on the floor.

"We need to talk," he stated.

"Oh, really?" I said sarcastically, "I never would have guessed!"

His lips threatened to tug upwards but he held it in.

"So, you and Benji, hun?" he asked, still not looking at me.

"There's no me and Benji anything," I told him, facing the school grounds.

"That kiss Saturday night said otherwise," he said pointedly. My stomach flipped. I fought a blush.

"It was a drunken mistake," I defended myself, willing myself to not avoid eye contact.

Lies are best believable when you make eye contact and sound confident.

I saw his face morph into a frown.

"A mistake?" he echoed for confirmation.

"A mistake," I confirmed, nodding as an excuse to not look at him continuously, ignoring my stomach which clenched uncomfortably.

That's right, my period is due! That'll explain all this I'm feeling . . . the black spots, the hormones, the feelings . . . everything! It was all PMS. 

I breathed out a sigh of relief.

It'll pass.

The bell for the next period rang. I had a class, but I decided to ditch it.

I snapped out of thoughts and turned my attention back to Luke. His frown seemed to have deepened. He looked deep in thought.

"Luke?" I startled him.

"Hmm, yeah?" he blinked, "Isabelle," he asked, shaking his head, "Do you like him?"

Had I been drinking something, I'm sure I would've spit it all out. I was startled by his forwardness.

"No!" I sputtered.

"Izzy." he deadpanned, almost smiling.

"Lucian," I glared warningly.

He shook his head, "Don't kiss him or lead him on if you do not," he said sternly, frowning again.

"I didn't plan to," I muttered, embarrassed, "And for the record, we kissed each other, it wasn't just me!" I defended myself, "Not to mention we were drunk!"

He smiled again.

"Your mood swings are giving me a whiplash, Luke," I snapped at him, "Decide how you are feeling already! Frowning or smiling, what's it gonna be?"

He looked amused.

"I'll take that as 'smiling'," I narrowed my eyes.

"I hope this doesn't ruin my image in your eyes," he grinned cheekily.

I snorted.

"What image?" 

"Oh, the 'idgaf, carefree' image I have around here," he drawled lazily.

"Sorry to disappoint, but I never fully thought that," I smiled at him, "and even still, that's more Ben than you."

"Oh, darn," he faked disappointment, making me chuckle.

"Can we go now?" I asked.

"Nah, stay," he shrugged carelessly, "Benji will come here in a few, too."

My eyes widened, my stomach doing that weird flip again. I panicked.

"Umm, I think I'll go," I cleared my throat.

"Why?" he asked, entertained.

I bit back a profanity and faked a smile.

"I have class," I lied. Not really, I did have my Humanities lecture then, but I just wouldn't be going there.

"Okay," he relented, making sure to convey his disappointment. I rolled my eyes.

"You're just like Alexander," I laughed, picking up my bag.

"Or, Alexander is just like me," he winked.

"Bye, Lucian," I chuckled, bringing my right hand up pushing my index and middle fingers away from my forehead as a salute.

"See you later," he grinned, repeating the action.

****************

I looked at him across the room, watching him interact with Janice, the most beautiful girl in the school. She was in a grade above ours, and possessed otherworldly beauty. I felt like I would puke any second if I looked at them any longer.

But I couldn't look away from that enchanting face I was growing more and more fond of everyday.

As if he felt my gaze on him, he turned around and our eyes met. Embarrassed at being caught, my cheeks flushed and I quickly looked away.

Shit.

That would be the fourth time he caught me staring this morning. I stuffed my face with my lunch to busy myself. I wish Lola was here today, she'd help me. But she was sick so I was alone. My distraction didn't last long and my eyes found their way back to where he was standing a few minutes ago.

Except he wasn't there anymore. Only Janice. I frowned, looking around and hoping to find him nearby.

"Looking for someone?" a voice whispered too close to my ear. I jumped, spilling my soda can over the table in the process.

"N-no!" I stuttered, trying in vile to clean up the spill. He laughed in his melodic voice. I blushed beet red, embarrassed. I didn't meet his eyes.

"Look at me, Isa," he urged.

"I am," I said weakly, staring at his forehead. He sat down beside me and slung his hand around my shoulders. I shivered.

"Cold?" he asked.

"No," I murmured.

"Look at me, Isabelle," he said again, more gently yet somehow more commandingly. My body obeyed his commands and then green met blue-gray.

I lost my ability to think as I lost myself in those unique eyes.

"Isa," he whispered, leaning in. My body tingled under his touch.

"Noe," I whispered back.

"I like you," he kissed my forehead. Another shiver passed through my body and he chuckled.

"Really?" I asked in wonder.

"Yeah," he replied without hesitation.

"I-I like you too!" I exclaimed, ecstatic that my crush liked me back.

"Awesome," he kissed my forehead again and I giggled, "Will you go out with me?" he asked.

I grinned shyly, "I'd love to."

I woke up in cold sweat, gasping. Tears welled in my eyes, and I swallowed hard. I haven't had one of these in a while. I scrambled out of my bed and plodded down the stairs to get some water. I drank a whole glass rather thirstily.

I sat down on the barstool and lay my head down on the counter, trying to calm my heart. 

My thoughts drifted back to my dream and I fought tears again.

He was so sweet, so caring. I was so gullible. I was an idiot.

I will not let it happen again. Ever.

I can't let my crush on Benjamin grow. I really can't. Not after how it ended last time.

I avoided Benjamin as best I could without seeming fishy about it yesterday. Which was difficult because since I and Logan haven't been particularly close, Ben and I were warming up to each other quite a lot.

Yeah, I know, I'm incredibly stupid sometimes. I should never have gotten close to him in the first place.

But the problem was, ever since the goddammed kiss, there had been a shift in energy. Meaning, whenever we'd come too close, I swear my skin all my bursts into sparks.

Like, what the fuck? We're not werewolves.

But it happened. Every. Effing. Time.

Not to mention, in his presence my stomach takes up gymnastics and my heart suddenly decides to cardio.

As if my workouts weren't enough to keep me in shape.

I don't know how long I sat there on that stool in the middle of the night, thinking like crazy, but I was surprised to hear Logan coming downstairs.

"Mornin'" he mumbled, grabbing a water bottle from the fridge.

"Mornin'" I replied in a hoarse voice. His eyes snapped to me.

"Are you okay?" he questioned worriedly.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I waved off, clearing my throat and drinking more water.

"Belle," he deadpanned.

"I had a bad dream, Logan, happy?" I groaned.

"Oh," his eyes softened.

"I don't want your sympathy," I scowled. We still weren't on good terms. He immediately straightened his expression.

"Sorry," he mumbled, his feet tapping on the floor restlessly.

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever," I sighed, "What time is it?"

"Quarter to six," he informed me. I nodded in thanks and got up to go upstairs. I needed to go on that run.

"Hey, Bells," he stopped me. I faced him.

"What?" I all but snapped.

"I'm sorry," he muttered.

"Excuse me?" I said, despite hearing him alright. He glared playfully. I raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry," he sighed more loudly.

"For what?" I asked, playing dumb.

"You never make it easy, do you?" he grumbled. I hummed in response.

"Fine," he said, "I'm sorry for acting weird all week. I was rude and it was out of line."

"Hmm," I examined my nails haughtily.

"Isabelle," he whined.

"Yeah?"

He glared more forcefully this time.

"Okay okay, I forgive you," I caved, hugging him, happy to make up. Speaking of, "What took you so long, you idiot?" I demanded.

"I have no idea," he mumbled with a throaty chuckle.

"I missed you," I confessed.

"Me too, Bells, me too."

***************

"Scoot," Ben commanded. I resisted the urge to slap him.

"Go sit somewhere else," I grumbled, "There are a lot of empty spaces here."

"I always sit here," he stated.

"No, you don't," I narrowed my eyes at him. It's true, in the week we've hung out as a group, he's been sitting opposite to me whenever we came to the Café.

"Well, I used to until you showed up," he rolled his eyes.

Why did I agree to race to get to this place? And where's the I-am-a-professional-racer Logan when you need him?

"Well then, go sit there again," I huffed.

"No," he flat out refused. The bell jingled as the rest of the gang filed in. Making my displeasure clear, I shot an extra intense glare at Ben and scooted over to the window seat in defeat. He slipped in next to me with a smirk. There were total seven of us, so always occupied the biggest booth there. Everyone rushed over to get the other vacant window seat. Everyone except Lauren who siddled up next to Benjamin. I rolled my eyes.

"Took you all long enough," I commented drily, shooting Logan a pointed look. He was frowning.

"Yeah, we got stuck in traffic," he mumbled.

"Right," I scoffed under my breath.

"What happened to you?" Alex laughed from the window seat, "You were fine a few minutes ago."

"Ask that genius," I bobbed my head towards Ben, not sparing him a glance.

"Benji?" Alex asked, his amusement evident.

"Eh, it was nothing," he smirked, his eyes telling an entirely different story.

"Benji . . ." Nick trailed of suggestively.

Did he have a bad track record? He certainly looked like it . . .

Oh, my God.

"It better not be what I'm thinking," Logan clenched his hands on the table.

"And what if it is?" Benji taunted.

I thought they were friends?

"Okay," I dragged out my words, "Nothing happened, I just wanted to sit where he is sitting right now but he wouldn't let me. That's all. Logan, calm down."

"You can always sit on my lap," Ben smirked. My stomach flipped but I kept a straight face.

"Hard pass," I replied in a monotone, staring blankly.

"Seriously?" Lauren exclaimed at the same time, clinging to his bicep. Alex guffawed and Luke chuckled. Logan stared at the table and Nick shook his head with an amused smile.

A brown haired boy came to get our orders.

We all placed our orders and the conversations started flowing.

"So, you guys are all coming to the game this Friday, right?" Alex asked.

"Football game, right?" I confirmed, "The one where we play Hudson High, our supposed arch rivals?"

"Yes," he nodded his head enthusiastically, "You'll come, right?"

"Umm sure," I shrugged. Its not like I have anything else to do.

"It's the first game of the season!" he exclaimed jovially and I smiled. His happiness was contagious.

"So, you all play?" I asked, despite seeing their letterman jackets multiple times.

"Of course," Lauren deadpanned. I rolled my eyes.

"And you cheer," I stated the obvious.

"I'm the captain, like Benji," she bragged, looking at me in the eyes smugly.

So insecure.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alex mimic a gag. I held in my laugh.

"Good for you," I grinned, thoroughly entertained.

"There you go," the server, a cute very cute guy passed us our drinks. We checked our labels that made sure they didn't get mixed up.

I sipped my iced tea and sighed happily.

"What's that?" Nick asked, pointing at my cup.

"Hun? Oh, its iced tea?" I replied, taking another sip.

"No, on the cup," he clarified.

"What?" I looked at my cup, turning it around. Everybody glanced at it, trying to figure out what Nick meant.

"Oh," I chuckled, seeing the ink smudges on the paper cup from all the condensing, "Its a number." I shook my head, amused. Lauren scowled at the server and she wasn't the only one. Logan and Ben did too.

Well, to be fair, Logan never likes boys hitting on me, the protective instinct is too strong. And Ben, well he's never happy with strangers.

The server - Dallas, according to the scribble underneath the number - winked at me, unfazed by my table mates' hostility. I smiled at him and he smirked.

The boy had guts.

"So, what're you gonna do?" Luke asked, a twinkle in his eye.

"I don't know," I shrugged, drinking my tea. It was tasty.

"He looks nice, he's on the lacrosse team in our school, not a douche bag . . . you can go for him if you want," Nick nodded.

"No," I shook my head, tracing the rom of my cup, "I don't date. I can't lead him on."

"Oh," they sighed collectively. I did not miss how Lauren had trouble hiding her smile. I couldn't even be exasperated, she was too transparent and predictable.

"Well, so there's a party after the game, and we're all going," Lucian declared, looking straight at me.

"I can't," I protested, not liking that look in his eye, earning surprised looks from around the table.

"Nun," Lauren scoffed.

Oh, hon, if only you knew.

But she didn't, and she couldn't.

"I don't remember asking for you input, Lauren," I smiled a fake sweet smile at her and she turned red.

"Why not?" Luke demanded, disregarding our friendly exchange.

"I . . . have curfew," I lied.

"No, you don't," Luke, Alex, Nick and Logan said simultaneously.  I internally face-palmed. Of course they knew I didn't! I went to a party last week and arrived at nine. I momentarily forgot. Well, fuck.

Luke grinned triumphantly.

"I have homework," I tried again. I cannot go to another party and do something stupid in my drunken state again. Like kissing a certain someone. Which, given my raging hormones, I'll be very prone to do.

No. Absolutely not.

"You can do catch up in the weekend," Alex brushed off.

"Come," Ben said in a low voice, turning to me. I don't think the others heard it, it was too low.

I faced him and my breath hitched in my throat at the proximity. I quickly composed myself, remembering our audience.

"Hey, Lauren," Luke strategically called for her attention. She begrudgingly took her glare off me to answer him. I ignored them.

"I can't," I cleared my throat. It was harder to refuse him.

Damn the bloody teenage hormones.

"Why's that?" he asked. I sucked in a deep breath.

"Because . . . I don't want to get drunk." I settled for the half truth.

"That can be arranged," he whispered hoarsely. 

Daayyuuumm.

Snap out of it, Isabelle.

I don't remember eating caterpillars, but my stomach seemed to have become a breeding ground for butterflies.

"Okay," I whispered back. I jumped when Lauren exclaimed rather too loudly. I swear I saw him suppress a groan as her entertained her whiny self.

I sipped my tea, which by the way wasn't as cold as before, and tried to shrug of the daze.

This party should be interesting.

*********************

I shifted in my bed, trying to go back to sleep, but my stomach wouldn't let me. I'd say that the butterflies crippled me, but I'd be lying. It was Friday, the day of the game, and I was half dead because the period fairy paid me a visit.

Tween girls out there wishing for their period? One advice, do not. You have no idea what you're asking for. Trust me.

I decided to skip school, since the way that day started, I'd be lucky to survive past noon. And that's if I stayed home. 

When I didn't show up downstairs for breakfast, Logan knocked on my door. I swallowed a groan and mumbled an inaudible 'come in.'

"Ooo, you don't look so good," he frowned, settling down on the empty space next to me.

"Well, I don't fucking feel good," I snapped with a burst of energy.

I squirmed under the sheets, sweating despite the AC. The pain was unbearable. It was like a bunch of farmers were digging my insides with pitchforks. Not fun in any way.

Logan pushed my hair back from my face, not bothered that it was sweaty, and set the AC temperature to twenty four degree Celsius.

"Do you want me to stay back?" he asked after a brief silence. I shook my head a no. I was already tired.

"I just want to sleep," I muttered lowly. 

"Log?" I begged, after a thought, "Please get me my pain meds."

He nodded, getting up.

"They're in the shelves in my bathroom, in the medicine bag." I groaned as another wave of pain hit me, coiling more and more into myself.

He was back with a glass of water and ibuprofen pills rather quickly. I got up with a lot of effort and support from Logan. I swallowed my pills and was relieved to be able to lay down again.

"I have to go, I'll see you after school" he sighed after a while.

"Thank you," I mumbled.

"Text me if you need me," he said and went off.

Alone at home for the day would've been a great thing. But that day I was not in the mood. I just hoped that I'd survive the day.

*******************

I had a pounding headache by mid afternoon. I took the medicines mindlessly on an empty stomach and paid the price when my body rebelled. I still hadn't eaten. Logan told me he'll be straight home from school.

Yet here we are.

I'd been drifting in and out of consciousness in this ridiculous state of exhaustion, starvation and the sedatives definitely didn't help that particular situation. 

To say I was relieved when I heard noise downstairs was an understatement. Finally, someone could feed me and I could go back to sleep. Not to mention, some company would be really nice.

Noisy footsteps clambered up the stairs before the door to my room was thrown open. Logan shivered.

"It's like a mini Antarctica here," he complained. I didn't have the energy to glare.

"How are you?" he asked, shutting the door halfway.

"Alive," I mumbled.

"Hmm, good," he mused, "Did you eat something?"

Seriously? Do I look like I could make it downstairs and back in one piece?

I closed my eyes in annoyance.

"I'll take that as a no," he sighed, "I'll get you something in a minute," he promised and went away again.

I checked the time.

4:08pm.

Doesn't school end at three? That bastard. Be here after school, my ass.

He brought me a few pancakes but I could only push down about two. He happily scarfed down the rest like a pig.

Boys.

It was obvious that I couldn't make it to the game, and the after part was out of question too. I lay in the bed a while after I'd eaten and felt significantly better.

I checked my phone to see a few texts from Freya and a few in the group chat I and Logan were added to recently.

Freya was asking about where I was and the group chat was all about today's game and after party. I left the group chat on read and sent Freya a quick text to update her of my situation and she promptly replied, telling me that she's om her way with chocolates, popcorn and DVDs.

God bless her.

That night was spent watching Titanic. Tears were shed. We rejuvenated our souls.

I couldn't remember the last time I had girl time. Definitely not with my brothers . . . it'd been a while. I was grateful. Amongst the internal storm of emotions I was trying to escape, this was the perfect peace I needed. I loved every moment of it.

I guess at the end of the day, however much I might love the company of my boys, my inner girl craves a companion too.

That bitch.

But I love her.

_______________________
{11th May 2021}
_______________________

A/N:-

Well, I took my sweet time, didn't I? This is still a filler of sorts, I think. Not much progress in the story, but it was important nonetheless.

As for my male readers, I hope you're still here, lol😂😂 Stop cringing now, you idiots. It's over . .  . for now.

That's all for today.

Until next time, all my love,
xoxo.

Enjoy the read!