heh, I know what I said probably won't increase your willingness to read the story, but I'm just making sure you know it's not good before you read it. That way, if you don't like it - it's your fault.
"I'm not jealous," she told herself sternly. Her green eyes flicked to them again, and sighing, she turned to face away from them. "I'm not jealous," she repeated. "Nope. Not me."
She glared at the wall in front of her, attempting to focus on something else. 'Oh, look!' she thought, 'Ants! Three of 'em.' With rather forced curiosity, she watched them climb slowly up the wall. And then she noticed that the three ants were walking in an odd formation - two walking quickly in the front, the other walking behind slowly.
She sympathised for the last ant. She knew how it felt. Almost subconciously, she glanced at Phil and annoying-what's-her-face talking a few feet away.
Keely was irritated at herself. What on earth was making her feel so...urghed? She knew she was being too dramatic.
She knew it was stupid.
She thought she knew it's stupid.
She closed her eyes and opened them again before the person in the back of her mind came into full focus - she knew who it would be, and it would do nothing to help her mood.
She sighed again. Maybe it's not really so stupid after all.
She let out another sigh, softer this time, leaning against the wall in front of her.
She knew that it was jealously. It was just the fact that she didn't want to admit it. Because admitting that would mean she liked him. Which wasn't true.
Right?
She growled. Confusing thoughts.
Irritating thoughts.
Irritating Phil.
"Argh!" she yelled suddenly, pushing herself off the wall - and colliding with someone. She felt strong arms around her, pulling her upright, and involuntarily, she turned red as she realised whose familiar grip it was.
"You okay, Keel?" he asked.
She turned around and smiled at him. "Uhm, yeah - yeah," she stammered, watching as his eyebrows furrowed with concern.
Irritating, but oh, so very cute Phil.
He smiled in reply. "If you're sure..."
She nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine." She grinned back at him. They stared at each other for a while, and she allowed herself to study his dimples and chocolate eyes. He finally cleared his throat and let go of her, his cheeks tinging a light pink. She fell back slightly at the sudden loss of support and leant against the locker, and she noticed fleetingly that he almost stepped in front to catch her again.
Her grin widened.
"So - uhm - what did she want?" she asked, nodding towards the girl who was walking away down the opposite side of the hall.
"Oh. Ah, she wanted to know about Seth. Y'know, his status and all." His flushed face held a quirky smile as he continued, "Can you believe she likes him?"
Her immense relief was hidden by a frown. "Don't be mean," she berated, nudging him as she stood up straight.
"Ouch. Fine, fine," he said. He began again, after flipping his imaginary long hair. "Oh my God! Like, just, oh my God! That's just, like, someone else to add to the list of girls who chase around Seth! The total must be like, a hundred and twenty!"
She couldn't contain a laugh. "You are very mean," she commented, giggling, walking down the hallway. "Come on, we should be going home by now. We still have loads to do."
He jogged to catch up with her. "You were laughing," he accused, his smile teasing, challenging.
"So I was. But you were the one being mean first," she argued.
He was quick in his reply. "Ah, yet you encouraged my being mean by laughing."
"Yes, but I immediately told you you were wrong to be doing such things," she began, and continued to ramble.
It was during this friendly debate, this simple activity, that she noticed how his cheery smile could make her heart race, and how a simple brush of fingers made her shiver slightly.
Their studies at home were carried out normally, as well. But more than once, she found herself watching him keenly as he concentrated fully on the task at hand. And more than once, she found herself thinking things that should not be thought by a friend.
She had hugged him when he had to leave - far longer than she usually would, and for much more different reasons compared to why she would usually hug him.
It was all this that brought her to the conclusion - she was falling for her best friend.
Slowly, yes.
But very surely.
Tia would love to hear about this, she thought wryly as she waved goodbye to Phil later that evening.
A ginormous thank-you to all who reviewed. The reviews were most of my encouragement - especially since after reading so many other - and better - stories around here, I felt rather...stupid about my story.
But knowing that there are people who like my story makes me feel loads better.
Thank you so, so much!
And I know this wasn't one of my best chapters, but please review! Because judging by the reviews for this chapter, I might put up something like this again, except this time in Phil's point of view. If the response is mostly in the negative I'll probably give y'all a chapter more in line with the plot.
Of course, I'm not ruling out the Phil's POV thing. So I might still put it up. But the point is that the next chapter is in your hands. ;)
Sorry that the author's notes seem longer than the chapter itself. I can garauntee you all a longer chapter next time.
Sorry again.