Janet took a deep breath, her frustration boiling over as she gritted her teeth. She shot Fiona a furious glare before spinning on her heel and storming off.
After they left, Tyler picked up a crumpled note from the ground. He unfolded it to see a few hastily scribbled words: "Meet me at the alley after school."
With a sigh, Tyler crumpled the note in his fist, glancing over at the peacefully sleeping Fiona. He hesitated for a moment, then tore the note to shreds and tossed it into the trash. Why did girls always play these games? Surely, no one was gullible enough to believe such things just because they were told?
Still, he couldn't shake the concern. If Fiona really got cornered by those girls, she could be in serious trouble.
The next day, Tyler was constantly distracted, his attention glued to Fiona.
"Jules, what's got you so spaced out? Gym class is starting, and the teacher's calling us," a classmate nudged him, pulling him along.
Meanwhile, Nash gently nudged Fiona awake. "Not like I'm waking you up just for gym class or anything," he teased.
Fiona rolled her eyes and stretched lazily before following Nash out.
"Janet, do you think Fiona did it on purpose?" On the sports field, Janet's posse of eager-to-please friends gathered around her.
Especially Patricia, who seemed more invested than anyone else. She'd had her run-ins with Fiona, so if Janet could knock her down a peg, all the better.
"From now on, keep a close eye on her. I'm calling my brother to make sure Fiona gets what's coming to her," Janet announced with determination.
"No problem, Janet," Patricia quickly chimed in, her smile fading as she nodded toward Fiona and Nash. "Look, there she is with Nash again."
Soon, the teacher instructed everyone to run three laps around the track, prompting groans from the students. Yet they fell into line, jogging together.
"Teacher, I can't run today. It's that time of the month," one girl claimed.
"Teacher, I've got a stomach ache," another chimed in.
And on it went, as Janet's group made their excuses to skip the run. Thanks to her father's influence, the gym teacher didn't push them.
Their antics drew the ire of some of the boys. "Three times in a month? How much blood do they think they have?" one muttered, shaking his head.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life