Tory’s POV
I am so excited about school today. Rex and I have been hanging out in the arcade and I’ve fallen so damn hard, though he hasn’t tried to kiss me again, I know he will.
He did lick an ice cream cone at the same time as me, that’s close at least.
Today is the second time this week that we are practicing for Nate’s dumb sports event. Mr. Jenkins had told him to pick people he knew would be athletic enough and the fool put my name on the list.
On Wednesday he was voted captain of his team while Rex was voted captain of our team. I loved that we are in the same team but hate that Isabella’s in it too.
God that girl annoys me, to think she used to be my best friend! It’s like she and I never knew each other, she’s so annoying and always challenges me for literally everything!
” Hey Tory” Zach said, he was on our team too and always kinda hovered around me.
” Hi ” I replied dryly.
” Any idea where Troas is ?”
” On the bench as usual”
” Thanks,” he said before he raced to where Troas was.
” Someone’s in a bad mood” I heard Rex whisper in my ears from behind me and my anger immediately disappeared.
” Not my fault, your girlfriend keeps torturing me” I said with a scowl on my face and he laughed nervously as he asked, ” How ?”
” Seriously? She won’t let me do shit on the pitch!”
” That’s umm… Because she’s better than you at football.” He said with a smirk as I turned around to glare at him. But he was right, I do suck at the game.
” If I’m so horrible, bench me for heaven’s sake!” I whined and he smirked as he said, ” Then what can I use as an excuse to talk to you?”
” Whatever, I’m not playing” I said, blushing as I went to sit down while he grinned at me.
That little exchange didn’t go unnoticed by Isabella, she went to Rex and pulled him to a corner, yelling something I couldn’t hear and they seemed to be arguing. Rex was glaring at her and then suddenly he passed his hands through his hair and I’m sure I heard him say the word ” fine!”
What was that about?
I guess I’ll get my answer since Isabella is headed in my direction. Her face seething with anger as she advances towards me.
” What the hell is wrong with you?” She said and I folded my arms as I crossed my legs.
” Excuse you?”
” Stay away from my boyfriend okay?” She said, her eyes seething with jealousy and angst.
” If you had any eyes you’d have seen that it was he who came to me.” I said as I folded my arms around my chest.
” I saw that and I’ve already made sure that that doesn’t happen again. You and Rex’s friendship is over!” She said, making a quotation sign in the air with her fingers.
” You could never keep him away from me, I wonder why you try so hard” I taunted and she glared at me before she raised her hand to slap me but Rex stopped her.
” That’s okay now Bella”
She glared at Rex and then placed one arm on her waist before she said to him ” leave us alone” and he looked at her as though pleading with her not to do anything irrational before he walked away.
” Did you see that? Rex is mine. I control him, so when I say go, he goes.”
” That’s sad, I feel bad for him because we both know who he’ll be happier with,” I said getting up, her gaze moved from down to up as I got up, I was a little taller than her so she had to look up at me.
” Also, don’t ever raise your voice at me or imagine to slap me. I might not be athletic on the field but I will break you in two and you know it” I said before I walked out of the field, ignoring Mr. Pierce’s calls for me to return to the pitch.
I knew Nate, who was on the other side of the pitch was watching me and I could already picture the look on his face.
It’s obvious that he derives pleasure in seeing me sad but I don’t know why.
***********
” Bye Tory” Janelle and Joanne said before they entered their car and drove off.
I saw Rex walking towards me and waited patiently for him to reach where I was so we could talk about the saga in the pitch earlier but he just walked past me without saying a word.
” Wow, so we’re back to that?” I said unable to control my emotions.
” Just stop,” he said and I lost my shit.
” Fine, don’t ever for any reason speak to me, Rex. I don’t wanna have anything to do with a guy who’s so chicken to deal with his psychopath girlfriend” I retorted before I got in a cab, not wanting to ride home with my sisters.
When I got home, I didn’t take a shower, I just fell face-first on my bed and yelled in my pillow.
After what happened today it is clear that Rex cares for Isabella way more than he does for me and it hurt that he would like a girl he clearly knows is a selfish little liar!
I am the better half for Rex, why won’t he see it? Why won’t Rex love me the way I love him? I sobbed for hours before I fell asleep, tired of crying.
******
The sound of my phone ringing got me wide awake, I was tired, and as funny as it sounds, I really wanted to go back to sleep.
” Hello,” I said without checking out the caller.
” Tory, thank God! Where are you?”
” At Mecca” I responded dryly as I rubbed my eyes and yawned.
” Be serious! ” It sounded like Rachel – yeah it was definitely her.
” I should be asking where you are, its loud”
” So you’re home”
” Duh”
” I need your help, Jake threw a party and I decided to show up but now I’m having a bad day”
” Of course you are, come to my house so we can hang out together. Tomorrow’s Saturday right? so you can go home tomorrow”
” You’re joking. I said I’m having a bad day I need your help” she yelled, laying so much emphasis on the words ” bad day”.
” What am I supposed to do? I can’t go to a place like that when I know that masquerade is gonna be there as well Rex and his stupid girl-” I paused when I realized what she meant and hit my forehead at my mistake.
” Oh my God, I’m sorry Rachel, I’m gonna get you some tampons and what else?”
” Took you long enough, get me new clothes, preferably Toni’s. I’m so stained”
” Alright I’ll be there soon”
I guess I have to go to the party then.