Notes 1: So, on the prev chapter, I'm not saying an ace person can't be in a relationship with someone who is sexually active, my housemates are proof, I ship them so hard, but it's a little difficult in understanding. Especially if you don't know you're ace. I know someone who's ace, she didn't believe in bisexuality (because she didn't know she was ace so she thought everyone thought of sex and sexuality the same way as her). She legit had the mindset that bisexuality was for attention because she didn't think anything special of genitals and sex, kinda like, "I don't like ice-cream so I don't get how others would like both vanilla and chocolate ice-cream." So, yeah ...
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trembling stars are shining
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chapter seven
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Because the punishment for getting grounded is being forced away from my room, I, unfortunately, don't have any access to either my phone or my laptop. And because Dare and Dex are at Apple's party, the situation forces me to stay up and wait for my brothers in order to get a hold of either of their phones.
When my brothers do get back, Dex looks absolutely livid while Dare looks like he's in big brother mode – which is basically Dare being protective and clucking over us little siblings. I've heard of the phrase 'party hard' but I didn't think Dex could party this hard; with a wild look in his blue eyes, tossed hair and wrinkled clothes.
"Can I borrow your phone?" I say to Dex as soon as I scramble off the living room couch. I'm already dressed in my pyjamas and Chase's jacket is locked in my room.
"What? My phone?" Dexter asks, blue eyes wide and frantic.
"Yeah."
"Why?" Dexter's voice dips. "What have you heard?"
I have to raise my eyebrows at this. Heard? Why does my twin sound so suspicious? "Um, nothing. You covered for me before, remember? I got caught and now I'm grounded so, you know, I'm locked out of my room and can't touch my phone or laptop."
"O – Oh."
"What do you need a phone for?" Daring asks, looking not even drunk. Which is rare.
But I don't question it and, soon, Dare gestures for Dex to get himself a glass of water from the kitchen, leaving us blonde's alone.
"I need to text Apple, she invited me out on a girls' day at the mall and I need to tell her I can't make it. You have her number, don't you?" I say and thought – duh, I should have asked Dare since he obviously has Apple's number and Dex doesn't.
Dare pulls out his phone but gives me this look before handing it over. "You can use my phone but don't read through my texts. No snooping."
I only wrinkle my nose at this. I tell him nonchalantly, "I've seen the things you send Apple, they're just memes about Disney and bunny rabbits."
I've looked over Dare's shoulder plenty of times. Especially since he's always laughing when he's texting Apple (or other girls who like him), and I can tell you, Dare doesn't keep secrets, ever.
"Hey, I take pride over those memes. They're hilarious!" Dare defends himself then gives me his phone. I unlock it without a moment of hesitation – yeah, I know his passcode. "Anyway, just send one text then go get ready for bed."
"Okay, Mister Bossy Pants." I reply as Daring rolls his eyes and goes to check up on Dex.
I sit back down on the couch, now completely alone, I begin typing my message. It takes some trial and error because I don't know how to address Apple, but once I've written a text that's a cross between being formal and me trying too hard to be casual, I pass Dare's phone back to him.
"If you're bored tomorrow, don't bug Dex, come to me." Dare warns me once his phone is back in his pocket.
"Hangover?" I ask.
Dare only shakes his head then shoos the issue away and says, "I'll knock on the guest room if Apple texts you back."
"Okay." I answer then I make my way to said guest room. When I say I'm locked out of my room, I'm not kidding. The only exception is when I need a change of clothes or the need to grab my homework. Everything else is off limits.
This weekend will be slow.
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"Where's Cupid?" I ask once I slam the door to Raven's car on Monday.
Raven flinches when I turn to her. And for a moment, I think I've shut the door a little too hard until I notice Raven avoiding my gaze.
"Raven?" I ask, voice soft.
"She won't be riding with us for a while." Is all Raven says before she turns up the volume of the radio, Lorde's singingdrowns out any chance of conversation.
I can do nothing but stare at her in confusion. "You can tell me." I say to Raven. "If something's bothering you, you can tell me now."
Raven doesn't answer.
So I prod further, "Are you and Cupid fighting?"
Raven shifts uncomfortably in her seat. I bet if she wanted to, she could just not head to school. She could just stop the car and tell me to get the bus or something. But, she doesn't.
"Please tell me, Rae." I plead. I'm not saying she owes me since she practically forced me to admit I have two crushes, but I want some clarity. "I'm grounded so I don't have my phone with me." I add just so she knows I'm unfortunately limited and sadly can't be there for her always. "Please tell me what's wrong."
The expression on Raven's face is unreadable. She grabs her steering wheel harder, so much so that her knuckles turn white. "Maybe later." Is all she says and silence falls once again.
What happened when I wasn't around?
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When we arrive at school, there seems to be this weird tension in the air; people are whispering and acting all defensively. At first, I think it's me. But then I notice my mistake. It's not me everyone's staring at. It's Raven who's walking beside me.
"What's wrong?" I whisper to her, feeling overwhelmed by all the attention.
"Nothing." Raven hisses. "It's nothing,"
"Rae." I open my mouth to ask more, maybe be a more reassuring friend, but then Raven excuses herself.
"I'll see you later, Darling, I have to do something." She tells me and swerves away.
I don't even get to reply, I only watch the back of her wrinkled shirt disappear around the corner. Maybe she's doing in out of politeness. Maybe Raven doesn't want me in the same spotlight as her, but I can't help but feel that same hopelessness I felt when Chase told me about his problems. It's so bad that I don't know what to do. I don't know if I should stay by Raven's side or go find Cupid or ask somebody who knows what's up.
I end up doing none of those things. I end up giving myself space and hiding in the girls' bathroom. I think it'll be all quiet and serene. Just me and my thoughts until it isn't.
Just as in fixing my hair in the mirror, I hear a sniffle. It's faint like someone's trying to hide it. For a moment, I hope it's neither of my friends. Then I hope that it is one of them, because maybe I can finally get the bottom of things. But, after a beat, I realise it's not a voice I recognise all too well. It's not Raven or Cupid. I think it's probably someone crying over a break-up or a failed pop quiz until I see red shoes peeking from under a stall.
I know those shoes.
Oh shit.
Moving slowly, I walk closer and hover my ear over the stall. I'm not going to press my ear against it because bathroom stalls are gross, nobody gets paid enough to clean the place thoroughly, and because that's sort of an invasion of privacy.
"Ahem," I clear my throat and the sniffling stops altogether.
The person on the other side must be frozen in fear at getting caught crying and as stiff as a board but I push on.
"Apple?" I say. Yup, I just caught the most popular girl in school crying in a bathroom stall. "Are you there?"
And as soon as those words leave my mouth, the stall door swings open. Apple's stormy grey eyes regard me for a moment. Her mascara is running down her pale face and she looks like she's seen hell.
But Apple only answers me with more crying and a wet shoulder.
"What's wrong?"
"A – Apple, are you okay?" I stutter because I don't know what else to say.
"Darling!" She exclaims. Then Apple flings her arms around her, burying my face in her curly blonde hair and clouds me in her expensive perfume.
Oh.
Oh.
This is bad.
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Notes 2: Close to the end, my dudes, because I have no idea what the hell's happening. One more update.
– 4 January 20biteen
