Chapter 10: Whatever Floats Your Boat

After figuring out the big and shocking news, I texted Zoe.

Me: we need to talk.

Zoe: you figured it out, didn't you?

Me: yes but let me explain. please.

Zoe: fine. usual hang out.

It had been so long when I had actually talked to Zoe. God it's been that long. I miss her so much. I miss my best friend.

"Hey..." I said awkwardly.

It was weird. I was never awkward around my best friend. Never ever ever ever.

"So, you finally realised?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"Yeah.. But please, just let me say something. Britney isn't like the popular kids or the cool kids we have had in our minds, trust me. She's different than those normal classic ones. She's not bitchy, and the time she came over, I think she was putting up a reputation. And Taylor, he isn't your usual bad boy. He's a real sweetheart. He bothered talking or cheering me up when I was so damn ignorant and upset. I honestly don't know how I didn't realise. I promise you, once you get to know them, you'll find them really nice. So please, when we go back to school - if you forgive me - at least talk to them and you'll see. And I'm really really sorry... I just.. I just miss my best friend," I found my voice cracking and I felt hot tears on my cheeks.

Zoe looked stunned. But I don't know why.

"Summer... I'm not angry at you. Okay maybe I was. But that's because I didn't want you to turn bitchy or snobby like how I used to be when I was one of them. I guess I perceived every kind of cool kid to be bitchy, mean, arrogant and snobby..." Zoe explained, hugging me, "I've miss you too! You have no idea how much I've missed you..."

"Are we cool now?" I asked.

"Duh," she rolled her eyes playfully.

"Good," I said wiping my tears and breaking away from the hug, "because there's a masquerade ball coming soon, and I know that you and I have always wanted to go, so do you? Want to go I mean..."

"Yes!" she squealed.

"Just one thing, we're going with Britney..." I said softly.

"Okay, tomorrow I'll sit with you guys and I'll decide whether I want to go or not yeah? If I am, we'll go dress shopping after school."

"I already have a dress," I stated.

"Then follow me please?"

"Of course," I smiled.

It's good to have Zoe back.

~~~~~

"Hey, can Zoe sit with us today?" I asked, gesturing to Zoe.

"Of course!" Taylor said.

They weren't mean to Zoe. They made her laugh at some points here and there and I could definitely tell that Zoe didn't mind hanging out with Taylor or Britney. The table was now just 6 of us; me, Britney, Britney's boyfriend Trent, Taylor, Zoe and Taylor's friend Jake. I guess we were a clique. People did look at our table, but honestly I didn't care, it was good to have Zoe back and the others were also great friends. Somehow, after hanging out with them, their posse sort of 'went away'. It didn't look like they minded though.

"Britney, today Summer and I are going to get my masquerade dress, wanna come? Oh wait shit! Am I even allowed to go?" Zoe asked concerned at the fact that she might not be able to go.

"Of course! To both your questions," Britney smiled.

I was glad that they were getting along. Zoe almost called Britney 'Brit' which I guess is a good step forward. Britney also didn't mind Zoe.

Thank god.

~~~~~

"So what are you planning to get?" Britney asked Zo.

"Well, I want something simple, as in the dress, but as for the mask, something that makes it stand out... I guess," she shrugged.

"Got it!" I exclaimed, handing out an outfit.

It was a black dress, with ruffles under the chest area all the way to mid thigh. In fact, all our dresses were mid thigh.

"Do you... uh think.. you could ask what the boys.. are gonna wear?" Zoe asked shyly.

"why do you ask?" I smirked.

"Because I want to know what Taylor's wearing," she rolled her eyes.

I knew she was kidding, but something just rushed through me, making me hate the idea of her wanting to know what Taylor was gonna wear.

"I want to know what... uh Jake is gonna wear," she stated, cheeks turning pink.

I sighed and giggled at Zoe's little crush on Jake. They would honestly look so cute together.

"Jealous much?" Britney smirked at me.

"What? Me jealous? Of what?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows.

"When Zoe joked about wanting to know what Taylor was going to wear," she stated.

"You think I like Taylor? God no..." I said, my cheeks unknowingly turning pink, but why?

"I never said that you liked him."

I'm pretty sure my cheeks went red. Taylor was nice and all, but I don't think I'll like him, I think.

"You do like him! Since when?" Zoe asked, squealing beforehand.

"I do not like him!" I huffed.

"Whatever floats your boat, lover-girl" Britney giggled, as well as Zoe, while I shot glares at them.

~~~~~

Taylor: wanna hang out?

Me: sure, I'm bored anyways.

Taylor: park? or?

Me: park, just cause I won't need to walk too far HAHA

Taylor: lazy arse.

Me: do you even know me? oh well, meet you soon.

Taylor: bye

Currently I was walking to the park, going to meet Taylor. Something about hanging out with Taylor made me excited, but the thing is, I always hang out with Taylor. Why a change now? Dear god, why am I so ignorant. I can't be crushing on him cause that'll never ever ever happen, so what's that weird feeling in my stomach?

Probably something I ate, that's all.

"So what are you gonna wear to the masquerade ball?" he asked.

"You're going to have to find me cause I'm not tell you, why do you even want to know?" I smirked.

"So that I can sneak up from behind you and pour a drink on you," he said, rolling his eyes.

"You wouldn't dare, you love me too much," I joked.

"Got that right..." he smirked.

That made my cheeks go warm. What are these hormones or reactions or whatever you want to call it?!

"Are you blushing?" he smirked.

I honestly do not know how he saw that. And that smirk! He has to stop it! It's just so cute! Wait what? Did I just call Taylor cute? HAHA nice one brain.

"No, it's just getting a little chilly that's all," that was partly true, it was getting windy as it was nighttime.

"Don't expect me to give you my jacket," he laughed, echoing into the silent night.

"I wouldn't doubt that," I said, shrugging.

Next thing I know, his jacket was draped over my shoulder. He did give it to me. My stomach tingled, my heart raced, and my cheeks turned warm. He actually gave me his jacket.

"Aww the bad boy's a sweet heart," I teased.

"No... uh it's just uh getting a little warm for me," he said, stuttering.

"Warm?! It's freaking cold," I shivered.

"C'mere" he said, reaching his hand out.

He pulled me towards him, my whole body heating up immediately at his touch. He pushed my head onto his shoulder as we watched the stars twinkle in the night sky.

There's something wrong with me.

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