Chapter Forty-Four: Is This How Girls Talk Happens?
Okay, calm down.
Of course that wasn't helpful at all.
I've never been this so nervous in entire my life---except at elementary where I acted in front of a crowd, or when I was five, I broke the plate that my mother really liked.
Two days remained before the festival would start and it didn't seem that far away. One blink was all it'd take and before I could even catch my breath, I'd probably be in my own booth, doing the one thing I despised.
The Witch's Consult. Does that even make sense? Will anything I'll ever say make sense? I sighed, feeling dread succumb me a whole.
"Water?" a hand reached out in front of me and I looked up to find Emily smiling at me in concern and guilt.
"Thanks," I murmured and took the cold water from her grasp and onto mine. I twisted the cap open and drank with all I could muster. I realized that I was really that thirsty. That would probably explain why I felt like crap.
She took a seat beside me, patting down her skirt slightly. "You alright? You looked like Earth came crashing down."
I sourly cackled, eyeing her. "What do you think? You put me into this spot, just so you know."
She raised her hand mid-air in defense. "Hey, I am trying to help you."
"Help me?" I sardonically repeated.
"Making acquaintances, Avery," she replied, eyeing me intently, flinging her hands to her lap. "---I want you to at least open up to other people."
"What's with you guys and treating me like a child?" I raised a brow, feeling the coldness of the water emit on my skin. "---I've told you so many times; I don't need unnecessary people."
"That's not enough, Avery," she crossed her arms, looking at me defiantly. "---people don't hate you, Avery. It's just that you don't let other people see who you really are."
"I am who I am," I say this with stress. "---a foul mouthed person."
Emily shook her head, a small smile etched on her lips. "Avery, stop looking down on yourself. Me, Tom, Lance, and Oskar know who you really are."
"So, stop playing the bad guy," she patted my shoulder. "---because there's nothing but pain there."
I huffed, opening my mouth to retort when a shrill, feminine voice interrupts. "Avery! Can you come here?"
Emily grinned. "Well that's my cue to leave. Anyway, just open up a little, okay?"
And she stood up from her seat, heading to where the group of people were discussing about the plans for the festival. I sighed, springing up from my seat and headed to where Rhea, the class president, was waving her hands with enthusiasm.
It still feels weird like having someone like her act like we talk on a daily basis. If this witch booth never happened, she'd probably never come up to someone like me anyway.
My eyes caught the attention of two girls who stood beside Rhea, but looked at me in hesitation. I mentally sighed, then tucked my hands under my skirt's pocket (yes, I do have one.)
"This is Leila and May," Rhea introduces the two girls who shifted in their stance. "—they're the ones who'd sewn your costume for the booth."
"Pleasure to meet you," Leila, the girl who had long curly brunette hair murmured, shyly outstretching her hand.
Does she think I bite? I nod, reluctantly accepting her hand and shook it once before retracting my own.
"You don't bite, do you?" May, who seems more outspoken, blurted out and flashed a small, unsure smile.
"Excuse me?" I raised a brow. "---I don't bite, just bark."
She snorted, seemingly amused with my response, and points a finger at me. "I like you. That was good, Avery."
"So since pleasantries are out of the way," Rhea clasped both of her hands. "—let's go to the restroom and check if our costumes fit."
Is this the moment where Rhea and these two girls will corner me and threaten me that they are obsessed with Tom and that I should leave him alone? I silently chuckled to myself, walking behind the trio with a slight nagging feeling.
'Stop judging people, Avery'. But being cautious isn't exactly that bad. I groaned, feeling the halls start to become narrow and the amount of people lessen as we neared closer to the restroom.
As far as I've known, the girls' bathroom is like every girls' gossip station. Maybe I'm exaggerating. Maybe I've been watching too much cliché tropes and crap.
Before I knew it, the restroom door was right in front of us and Rhea opened the door wide enough for us to enter. I take a deep breath, mentally preparing myself before getting in last.
"So Avery ..." Rhea trailed off.
I knew it. I swear I might have futuristic abilities. I could just about imagine what happens next. They'll try to push me to the toilet and shove my head into it and laugh as they flee.
I closed my eyes, somewhat accepting that fate. It sounds horrid, but I'm used to this treatment.
"How does it feel to date someone like Tom?"
"What?"
I flickered my eyes open, startled by her question.
"Yeah. Is he a good kisser?" May piped up without hesitation, eyeing me in interest.
"May and Rhea, stop saying embarrassing things," Leila murmured under her breath. "—you're making her feel weirded out. I swear I'm having a second embarrassment right now."
"But I'm curious," May pouted. "---so?"
The three of them looked at me expectantly, as if I was going to say something revolutionary. I felt this sudden pressure to somehow reach their expectations. Geez, peer pressure is horrible.
I sighed, unclenching my tensed fists. "We're not dating."
"Really?" Rhea looked surprised. "---but you two look like lovers."
"We're just friends," I explained to them and May sighs, heaving.
"If you don't want Tom, then can I have him?"
"I don't mind-----"
"I was joking!" May cut me off, waving a hand off. "---besides, that guy only has eyes for you anyway. I'm certain about that."
I shift at my stance, a bit uneasy with my eyes darting to the cold, marbled tiles and to my shoes. I know that. Too well it's right in front of me.
"Geez May. You made Avery feel uncomfortable," Leila piped up, looking at me awkwardly. "---sorry about that Avery. Uhm, May tends to be a blabber mouth."
"Am not!"
"Anyway, how about you try on the costume, Avery?" Rhea smiled at me apologetic, handing me the paper bag and I took it, placing it near to my chest.
"Okay, let's try on the outfit," Rhea added and heads to the farthest cubicle. May and Leila went on their separate ways and I head to the front cubicle near the door.
I head inside and closed the door, making sure to lock it. I placed the toilet seat down and rested my paper bag, then grabbed my 'supposed' costume.
It was a black dress with crisscross designs on the front and long sleeves with frills on the tips of the dress. A belt was also included in the bag.
It took me a minute, but I finally got it on me and I hesitantly opened the door. Three pairs of eyes stared immediately upon my opening and they smiled, surprisingly genuine.
"You look nice, Avery," May raised a thumbs up.
"It suits your jet-black hair and eyes," Rhea added, eyeing me from head to toe.
Leila nods. "You just need the hat and some black boots to complete your look."
I awkwardly rub my shoulders. "Thanks."
It's kinda weird to have a group of people compliment me. They don't look sarcastic or prude about it, and it feels too much for me.
"Well, since the clothes fit on you," May trailed off, putting a hand on her hip. "---how about we get back on topic?"
I stared at them in confusion and May cheekily grinned, enlightening me. "Oh Avery. Ever heard of something about perhaps---a girls talk?"
And that was the first time I had a 'girls' talk with people I just met. Weird. But somehow Emily's words echoed on my mind.
Everything's going so smoothly it's scary.