Chapter 6

Why can't my bad decisions only affect me?

The cafeteria is like the Round Table, I swear. Where you sit is super important. Because I'm part of the popular group, we don't have an exact table. We pick and choose depending on the day and if we've decided to eat off campus or not. Everyone revolves around us.

Except for one table.

The Super Smash Bros. table.

Sonic's table.

If this was middle school, it would be my table too.

Lunch has begun. I usually sit with my best friend, but Mina isn't here right now. So I park my butt next to Shade for some girl talk before all the guys get here.

"Where were you on Friday?" Shade gives me that you-totally-hooked-up-and-ditched-your-friends stare. I take a deep breath and put on my false smile. It's like I have to try to act harder around her so she likes me. She's a jealous one. Not saying I'm hotter or anything, but the boys tend to go after me and Mina more than her, and she seems a little bitter about it.

"Got my butt grounded." Excuse number two is what I decide to go with.

"How'd you pull that one off?" Shade takes a drink of her diet soda and strokes the top of her cleavage with her fingertips. I think it's out of habit now. A guy from fifth period walks by not even pretending he doesn't notice her doing this.

"Being a bitch to my nosey parents." I roll my eyes to keep up with the act. My parents are anything but nosey, but according to Popular Amy, parents are evil creatures who want to take control of every aspect of their child's life.

"That sucks." Though she sounds like she doesn't care. Her eyes flick toward Scourge across the cafeteria and mine follow. He's got his arm around his next victim and when he catches me staring, he shoves his tongue in her mouth.

"Sexy." Shade laughs. "I take it you two aren't… you two anymore?"

I'm so not talking about the freaky attack with her. I mean, if I wouldn't even tell Mina…

"Well, it's been a month."

"Oh wow. I didn't realize you two had been together that long. You're right. Time for fresh meat."

She looks around the cafeteria, and I'm happy she's momentarily distracted so I don't have to talk about my ex.

Douchebag.

"Is there a guy here you haven't dated?"

I force a giggle. "There are lots, but I'd rather gouge my eyes out than kiss any of them."

She nods. "I know, right? But there must be someone."

She's still scoping out the room, her eyes thirsty for the next Mr. Rose.

"Well, there's Shadow," she says after a minute, pointing at him from across the cafeteria. He's got his guitar out—like always—and is playing a rockin' beat to himself. His bad boy attitude is pretty hot. But he's two years older, so I'm surprised Shade mentions him at all.

"He's a fifth year."

"Yeah, but look at him. He's got the muscles, the eyes, and the quills. He plays the guitar. And I mean look at his feet. If anything you've got something very satisfying to look forward to."

I burst out laughing, which isn't very attractive, but I can't help it. "Why don't you take a stab at him, then?"

"I already have three boyfriends. A fourth will complicate things."

And three isn't complicated. Yeah. Sounds like Shade. I shake my head. "I don't think Shadow is my type." Yeah, my type watches Werehog documentaries and wears warm sweaters.

"Fine. We'll find a shrimp for you." She straightens in her seat to scan the room again.

"There's a lot more pickin's for you in this department." She laughs. "I mean, have a go at anyone at the Super Loser Bros. table."

I get to my knees to get a better look at the scrawny freaks, all leaning over their video game. I don't let anyone know of course, but I could totally whoop their butts at S.M.B., and I kind of want to.

I give a fake shudder as I settle back down in the booth. "I think I threw up a bit." Total bull.

Shade giggles and takes another sip of her drink. "Well, let me know which one you want to deflower. I'll make a public announcement."

I throw my crumpled napkin at her.

"Shut up." I grimace at her before getting up and walking to the main cafeteria doors. The guys we hang with are grouped there, and I'd much rather talk to them than her right now.

I only make it about three steps before I hear my name being shouted across the room.

"You! Rose!" Shadow swags up, adjusting his guitar straps behind his back. "Hey, I heard you and Scourge broke up."

Subtle.

"What gave you that idea?" I ask, the sarcasm soaking my tone as I gesture to the tongue-dancing across the room.

He smirks. Wowza. He's pretty smoking hot actually. My stomach does a little flip, but it's a somersault compared to the backhandspring I get when Sonic smiles. Darn boy.

"You alright? Want to talk about it?"

I glance behind him at Shade, who winks at me. Word around here spreads faster than the return of the chosen one in the Black Night. I'm sure our conversation was heard by twenty people around us, catching up to Shadow within seconds. Hence, why he stands in front of me, waiting to be rebound boy.

I flick my gaze to Scourge, whose glaring at me. I get a sick satisfaction from his anger. It's like I can punish him by throwing myself at someone else.

"I don't really want to talk," I say, taking a step closer to Shadow, making my intentions clear. He raises his eyebrows, and his mouth pops open in audible shock.

"Oh, what do you want to do then?"

Get back at the dickwad who attacked me.

I roll my eyes and get on my tippy toes to reach him. I smack a hard kiss on his lips and pull him close.

The only thing going on in my head right now is the look I imagine on Scourge's face. I bet he's seething at my public display with some guy I've talked to maybe twice in my whole life.

I know I'm a total bitch for using Shadow like this. But that's who I am in school. A bitch. A bitch who gets asked out and ogled and fawned over. A complete act that's getting easier and easier the longer I'm in it.

I don't even notice Shadow frenching me until someone taps on my arm and I have to extract my tongue from his mouth.

"I'm a pretty tolerant teacher, but this isn't exactly appropriate during school hours."

Ms. Sue's interruption sort of brings me back to life. Why am I so stupid? This isn't going to fix anything.

I glance around the room. Scourge's mouth is turned down in disgust, but he's looking at Shadow like he feels sorry for him, not angry. But that isn't what throws me over the edge.

It's Sonic.

He's standing by the S.S.B. table, looking at me with such loathing I can't seem to concentrate on anything else. He crosses his arms over his chest, his muscles intensely frozen. His friends try to get his attention back to the game, but he ignores them, storming across the cafeteria and out onto the school grounds. He heads for the bleachers, with Sally following shortly after.

"Miss Rose." Ms. Sue is still waiting for me to untangle myself from Shadow.

I take a step away from him and mumble an apology, and before I permanently turn red from embarrassment, I bolt out the doors after Sonic.

x.X.x

Yay! New chapter for you all before the BIG storm hits over where I live and the lights go out so glad you enjoyed and be safe. Till next time!