I sighed and rubbed a hand over my eyes as I sat in English Class. By now I knew that rumours were flying about Clare and I, just because we had stopped with the hating and actually started communicating. I groaned inwardly- first time in the hall I had to tell her I didn't love her or like her in that way anymore- she got pretty upset. Second time was much better, and lighter. We actually laughed a bit, like the old days. Things were less awkward and pressured between us and Adam was obviously relieved that us, 'misfits' might just be okay. I sighed and stifled a yawn as Anya entered the class, doing her usual icy, ignoring routine. I tried to act like it didn't bother me. Ms. Dawes hadn't arrived yet and for once I was actually praying that class would just begin early. I looked down at my desk fixedly as students around me laughed and talked, I heard heels snapping on the ground then stopping in front of my desk. I pretended not to notice till Anya cleared her throat at me quite pointedly, I then took my time to look up, as soon as I saw her I couldn't help it, I felt myself start to smile despite myself. I quickly turned it into a smirk which seemed to annoy her even more.
"Eli, after school today Wesley's coming over to help with the uh, assignment," Anya told me breezily. I opened my mouth then closed it slightly angrily. The way she talked, she made it sound like her and Wesley was planning on making out on her couch or something. I felt sick at the thought and swallowed, "Can you make it?" she asked me, sounding hopeful, as if she was hoping I wouldn't come so I wouldn't interrupt her and Wesley making out. I thought for a moment, two can play at this game Anya.
"No, uh, sorry Anya, can't got plans with Clare," I said quite pointedly, I set my jaw as I looked into her eyes and watched as she mimicked me,
"What a shame" she said coldly in a voice that told me it wasn't a shame at all. As soon as she walked back to her seat I let out a long sigh, looks like English class just got a whole lot harder.
I was actually mean to be meeting up with Adam and Clare after school, so it wasn't as if I was completely lying...really. I thought about Anya as I started to walk over to the Dot to meet up with Adam and Clare. I sighed and rubbed my eyes again, I really didn't feel like hanging out with them...not today. Today I wanted to stop Anya from making out with Wesley which is what they were most definitely doing right now. Helping with English assignment, I scoffed to myself. How dumb did they think I was? I froze, about to push open the door of the Dot, I could see Adam and Clare sitting there joking around. Suddenly I had an epiphany just as Adam's eyes locked onto mine, I gave him a look, which he returned with a sigh, before turning to Clare and starting to talk to her. I grinned to myself; good thing about having a best friend like Adam was he could always read you. Turning around I flipped open my phone. I could still probably make it to Anya's on time if I walked pretty damn fast.
I pounded on Anya's door and she opened it with a huge grin on her face and holding up the thumbs up to presumably, Wesley. As she saw me her entire faced dropped, she froze where she was,
"Eli," she said in a tight voice. I walked straight in without invitation and lounged on her couch as she turned with a sigh, shutting the door behind me with a bang. I smirked at her as she raised her eyebrows at me wordlessly wanting an explanation,
"Don't we have an assignment to do?" I asked her coolly. She let out a small groan and rolled her eyes at me, turning to face Wesley now. Whom I couldn't help but notice looked nervous and..almost scared. He kept glancing at me every now and then and then looking away terrified. I raised one of my eyebrows and looked over at Anya who looked back over at me, looking just as confused. Then remembering she hated me she quickly looked away, crossing her arms over her chest again tightly,
"Wesley...you okay there?" She asked him. Wesley nodded far too quickly and I felt myself frown now. I stood up and walked closer to him. He actually pushed himself up against the wall trying to get away from me,
"Please don't hurt me!" He burst out looking straight at me. Anya threw me a surprised look and I felt my jaw drop slightly,
"Uh..what? Wesley, man, calm down" I said, holding up my hands at him cautiously. Wesley winced looking from Anya to me then back again, I turned to look at Anya who was still staring at Wesley confusedly, I looked back at him, pressed up against the wall,
"What is going on?" Anya asked us both slowly, looking at each of us in turn. I opened my mouth up wordlessly as Wesley had another outburst,
"I'm sorry about that one time Clare and I made out and then she gave me like a hickey or bit me or something or whatever they're called and- and I'm sorry the I touched her boobs, but it's almost a funny story!" Wesley cried out, his eyes squeezed shut; he opened one of his eyes to look at me, looking frightened as I stood there, beyond shocked now. "Or maybe it's not that funny," Wesley rushed on, mistaking my look for anger. I opened my mouth to talk but he cut across me,
"And I'm happy you guys are dating again, really, I am. I uh...Always thought you guys were cute. I always cheered on EClare!" Wesley was practically shouting out,
"EClare?" I mouthed to Anya who shrugged looking amused and still confused, finally Wesley finished his little outburst. Silence enveloped the room except for Wesley's scared, shot intake's of air, I stepped toward him cautiously and he winced,
"Wesley," I said slowly, "I'm not gonna hit you. Also...i'm not even dating Clare" I replied to him. Wesley opened both his eyes looking slightly more relieved and pulled himself away from the wall.
"...Really?" he asked me. I nodded once and he stepped towards me, his chin in the air, "Uh, right. Just so you know, I wasn't even that scared" Wesley added. I smirked,
"Right" I replied, turning to Anya now who was staring at me,
"You're not dating Clare?" she asked me softly. I shook my head and she looked from me to Wesley then back again repeatedly, a hand over her mouth, she looked shocked. Then slowly, she started to laugh.
