"No no no, I am not going to school," I wailed.

Cal stared at me, raising an eyebrow.

"If you refuse to get out of your house, I will have to force you." He said matter-of-factly and I groaned in response.

"But I don't know what is going to happen in school! What if everyone starts talking to me?!" I said it as though it were my worst nightmare ever.

As a matter of fact, it is my worst nightmare.

I can just imagine myself engulfed in a sea of people, mercilessly taunting me, trapping me, looking at me...

No, can't breathe.

I think I am more than just claustrophobic.

"You know, Michelle, I have come to your house for the second day in a row, so you have to be grateful for my good deeds."

"Yeah. Thanks Cal."

"So you must return me a favour!" He declared.

When I looked at him with curiosity, he replied, "Come with me to school."

"Go away." I shouted in annoyance.

He doubled up in laughter, flashing his prominent dimple.

"You know at this rate, I am going to call Nicole to come here. You don't want to ruin Nicole and Brand's morning date do you?"

He said it, he knows I wouldn't do that.

"Fine. I am going. Just keep your mouth shut." I frowned at him and he gave me a thumbs up sign.

His thumbs up brings me back to yesterday, when I have finally settled with my current predicament, and when I decided to call Cal back.

"Hey Cal," I said tiredly.

On the other line, I heard his voice, full of concern.

"Woah, you okay? I heard about it and I'm guessing you are kind of the most trending topic right now."

"Cal help me, what should I do? I don't want to go to school tomorrow, I just want to mope around all day at home."

"No, Michelle you aren't going to skip school. He's not worth it." He said it with a tinge of annoyance. I perked up at his change of tone, but dismissed it. Guess I must be imagining it.

"Anyway, you are coming to school tomorrow and if I have to, I will force you." He ended the phone conversation.

And that was how he ended up here in my house for the second time this week.

"Hurry Michelle, you know we will be late if you continue at this rate!" He knocked at the door. I snapped out of my daze.

When I came out, I was still in pajamas.

He lifted his eyebrow, before smirking. I grinned back cheekily.

"You look too cute for your own good." He remarked.

I brushed the comment aside. I remember asking him once if he were serious, and he just shrugged. So I just shrugged it off too.

Changing into my attire reluctantly, I hesitantly grabbed my books. I was seriously contemplating on locking the doors and hiding in some part of the house where Cal would never find me.

However, Mum arrived.

Before I knew it, I was in Cal's car, outside the red school gates.

Red represented danger, and a grave fate awaits the brave soul who ventures into the depths of red.

"Help me."

I could feel my heart racing inside from the adrenaline. The cold clammy hands did not mask my anxiety and nervousness. I pictured myself running away. Sounds pleasing.

Cal shot me a sideways glance, as he gave a little smile.

"Remember, he is not worth all this anxiety. Go Michelle, you can do it!" He encouraged.

What is with the whole 'he is not worth it' speech?

When he realized that I had no mood in replying, he continued, "I will walk in with you, does that sound good?"

I nodded.

The hallway was streaming with students, as usual. I tucked a strand of my loose brown hair behind my ear nervously. Cal's eyes crinkled into a smile, his hands in his pockets, ensuring me that he was with me every step of the way.

Thank goodness there is Cal.

I could see that more heads were turning to look at me. More whispering. More pointing.

I gritted my teeth and walked some more.

Gossip. They were all gossiping about me. Talking behind my backs. At least this is better than physical or verbal abuse.

I looked up to see where I was heading.

To think I would lock eyes with the one and only Benjamin. The one whom partly caused all this. Yet, his navy cardigan and black skinny jeans won over my heart. He gave me a wave and walked over.

"Michelle, here you are," he grinned, as I saw Brand behind him. I gave a friendly wave to Brand and a slight wave to Benjamin. I didn't dare make eye contact with him.

Benjamin looked almost surprised.

"Michelle, do you know Brand too?"

"Well yeah, she is my best friend's boyfriend..." I replied hesitantly, as I saw both boys exchange an all-knowing look.

I gulped, feeling myself shrink under their presence although they have not even placed a finger on me. I tried my best to ignore the whispering behind me.

"Oh. Guess I don't need to introduce the both of you to each other anymore." He replied, looking up, as if thinking.

Then, he suddenly leant it, and whispered, "The whispering is really bothering you, isn't it?"

He stood straight back up again, giving me a knowing look. I nodded.

"Can you please stop it?" I asked meekly.

He winked, before looking at the girls whispering behind me whom I didn't dare look at. He put his hand on his lips, a motion which meant 'shut-the-hell-up-otherwise' coupled with a glare of his own.

As soon as the whispering came, it stopped. I looked up at him, and I felt a rush of gratitude. He just helped me...

A weird feeling rose in my chest. Suddenly, my 15 year old self resurfaced.

Just imagine how much I can write in my diary today! She would think.

I felt protected somehow, but this person in front of me. I felt myself trusting him more and more.

My doubts of him just using me vanished. If her were just using me, would he even care about me?

"Well, Michelle. I would like to ask you one more thing."

I looked back at him this time. Somehow, I didn't falter under the intensity of his gaze.

I felt my heart well up with something incomprehensible...

"Michelle, do you want to attend a party together next week?" He paused.

"Together?"

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WOW I can't believe this what is happening Overly-Awkward is #777 in fiction!! :O wowowow still shocked hmm
oh yes how do you feel about this chapter? :)