Chapter 8: Too Many People
"You were out quite late, mon chou." Theo stated once his daughter sat down with him and his wife at the breakfast table. Ali had her cup of tea in-between her hands while her mother continued to eat the scrambled eggs that she had made.
"Maman told me to give you two some space last night." Ali said as she took a sip from her mug.
"I still didn't expect you to come home so late. Who were you with?" Theo questioned his daughter. Back home, Ali arriving home at 11PM would be early for her, but this was a new town and they had only been here shy of a month, so this was late for her.
"Theo, let's not put her under investigation." Cecile warned her husband as she placed her hand on his thigh. She was worried that if he did then Ali would not want to continue going out with whoever her new friend was.
"Wow, it's usually maman that is always pressing me for information." Ali smirked as she took another sip from her mug.
"I just want to make sure you're safe." Theo said as he flicked his newspaper, so his daughter would not see his face. Ali laughed as she stood up and grabbed her backpack.
"D'accord. I'm going to school, so I shall see you two when you've finished work." Ali walked around the table and placed a small peck atop both parents' head before walking out the door.
It was a quick walk to school for Ali. She listened to her music as she walked in through the front doors of the school. Ali had become accustomed to the layout of the school now. She made her way to her locker and began to place her stuff inside when she felt someone tap her shoulder. Ali turned around and was met with the pearl necklace-wearing girl, Veronica Lodge.
"Good morning Ali!" Veronica smiled at the curly haired girl in front of her.
"Good morning?" Ali was slightly confused as to why Veronica was speaking with her. However, Ali did know that Veronica did want to be friend her.
"How're you dealing with the homework in English? It's brutal, right?" Veronica began to make small chit chat with the English girl in front of her.
"It's nothing special. English was one of my best subjects, to be fair." Ali said as she pulled out her chemistry book and placed it in her bag before closing her locker.
"Well lucky you! I've always enjoyed English, but Betty's boyfriend, Jughead, he's amazing. He wants to be a writer!" Veronica explained to Ali. Ali gave Veronica a small smile as she placed her backpack onto her back.
"That's great. I'm sure that he'll be amazing. Anyways, I need to head off to chemistry-" Ali pointed with her thumb over her shoulder, trying to show Veronica that she was going the opposite way.
"I'll walk you there! It's always nice to have a friend join you." Ali mentally face palmed herself when Veronica spoke. She figured that Veronica didn't take the hint that Ali didn't want the conversation to continue. Ali turned around and began to walk away while Veronica walked beside her.
"So what's this all about, Veronica?" Ali asked.
"What do you mean?" Veronica didn't understand what Ali was asking.
"I mean…you're friendly and all, but you've never offered to walk me to class, so what's the deal?" Ali looked at Veronica through the corner of her eye.
"I can usually spot when someone wants something, so what is it?"
"Oh Ali-kins, you're too smart for me. Well since you want me to be honest, and I like that you're honest…I saw you last night. With Reggie." Veronica smirked as she looked over at the girl who was walking beside her.
"And your point is?" Ali didn't seem to catch on to why this was such important information.
"Look," Veronica stopped in her tracks and turned to face Ali. "I'll disregard the fact that you'd rather go out with Reggie instead of my friends and myself in order to give you this advice. Reggie is kind of known as a 'player' and I just don't want you to get hurt." Ali sighed since she remembered that she had already had a previous conversation like this one with Veronica.
"I know and we're just friends, so there's no need for you to worry." Ali explained to Veronica.
"Reggie isn't 'just friends' with any girl." Veronica stated.
"Well he's about to be. Thank you for your concern, but I think I can look after myself." Ali said.
"If you say so! I do think you should make it up to me for not going out with me and my friends though, so you should come over to my place and we can all watch a movie together." Veronica smiled at her new friend.
"I don't think that's necessary-"
"Nope, it's happening. I will make the plans with our friends and you can come! If you really want…maybe I'll let you bring Reggie." Veronica winked.
"Veronica, this really isn't-"
"Enjoy your chemistry class! I'm so excited for this movie night now!" Veronica clapped her hands and turned around before walking off to her class. Ali stood in the middle of the busy corridor, stunned. Ali let out a large sigh before turning around and entering her chemistry class.
"You look…annoyed." Reggie pointed out the obvious when Ali sat down at her seat beside him.
"I'm slightly annoyed, stunned, bothered and angry." Ali explained as she took out her book and placed it on the table in front of her.
"Someone's upset you this much?" Reggie took this as an opportunity to wrap his arm around her shoulders – welcoming the glares from all the other girls in the classroom and all the stares from the boys in the classroom.
"Tell me who it is, so I can take care of them." Reggie smirked since his arm was around Ali's and he was in such close proximity to her.
"Oh yes, I just need a strong manly testosterone filled man in my life in order to fix all my problems, right?" Ali looked at Reggie and also noticed how close they were.
"Isn't that why you have me?" Reggie smirked as he looked into her eyes. Ali never really noticed how perfectly shaped his jawline was or how plump his lips were. His hair also looked so smooth and touchable.
"I have you, huh?" Reggie began to feel the pace of his heart quicken as he realized that Ali was actually flirting with him. It had only taken him a few weeks to finally have a conversation like this with her, but this was the first time his heart had ever pounded this hard in his chest.
"D-Do you want to hangout tonight?"
"I can't. I have cheerleading practice."
"Then after?" Reggie pushed with another question – hoping to get the answer that he wanted.
"Nope. Try again another day." Ali answered.
"Good morning class." With the sound of the teachers voice, Reggie quickly pulled his arm off of Ali's shoulders and turned to face the board.
Here you go! The second chapter! See you all next week!