My Best Friends Guy - (18+)

Chapter 6: Silent Treatment

The rest of my weekend had flown by without any other excitement. I spent my Sunday watching television, and helping my mother around the house. Rick had been busy in the backyard putting in more shrubs and laying new paving slabs, and I made sure to keep my phone on silent. I needed a day not to worry about the world outside my own, and it was peaceful. 

******  

Monday morning soon reared its ugly head, and I found myself in Mr Bateman's history class once again. The day was brighter, and the weather was warm and sunny. I sat with my tight dark blue jeans and slinky crop top with my jacket wrapped around my hips, and gazed out of the windows.

'Why can't classes be outside in this weather?' 

Cade was sat next to me, but it was awkward. He hadn't spoken more than two words to me since he came into class, and I couldn't understand what was up with him. Normally he was all smiles and laughter. His white V-neck t-shirt was pristine, and his denim shorts showed off his strong calf muscles. He looked so good, as usual.

"Right class. Take 5 minutes to discuss Egyptians beliefs and practices of medicine in your pairs, and tell me one surgical procedure they came up with." The room erupted in chatter and small laughs as I slowly turned to look at Cade. He stared down at his book in front of him, anger evident in his eyes.

"Have I done something to upset you?" The question rolled out of my mouth before I had a chance to stop it.

"No."

'That was a bit curt!'

"Ok... but you seem to be off with me. I can apologies if I know what I did wrong?" His deep huff of breath confirmed his desire to withdraw from my company. 

"I think that's probably best if I find someone else to work with." He got up from his chair, scratching the legs against the laminate wooden floor, and walked over to another table, without so much as an acknowledgement. My mouth just hung open like a huge wormhole on my face as I watched him leave. What the f**k had I done?

One minute he's eye-f*****g me in my best friend's kitchen, and then he doesn't want to be around me. This guy was giving me serious whiplash. I knew I could be the type of person to unknowingly insult others, but I would always apologise when they confronted me! Sometimes I was just too honest for my own good.

"Hey, Claire!" Daniel, who was one of Brent's goons sat at the desk in front mine. He was leaning over the back of his chair towards me, almost begging for my attention. "Wanna work together? Brad isn't here today, so I'm lonely."

Daniel wasn't a strain on the eyes, but there always seemed to be fluffy clouds and 'wide open spaces' between his ears, if you catch my meaning. Not that I cared at this moment in time.

"Sure, why not!" His smile grew as he swung his chair around to face me and he lent on the table. His blue and red team jacket fit snuggly over his arms, and I then took advantage of his attentiveness. I ran my hands over his biceps, talking about absolute crap, and making any excuse to make physical contact with him. I wasn't going to spend my time moping about some guy who suddenly had no interest in me, so I jumped straight onto the next empty life raft. Daniel, of course, lapped up my affections, tucking loose hairs behind my ears and flirtingly touching my hands, probably secretly hoping I would suck his d**k later on. 

I mean, I hadn't ruled anything out!

"So, are you coming to the party this Friday?" I smiled as he spoke softly to me.

"Shouldn't we be working on our classwork?" I fluttered my eyelashes at him and bit down on my lower lip.

"Probably, but I want to know!" I slowly slid my fingertips across the top of his outstretched hand, drawing little circles playfully.

"I was thinking about it. I assume you are?"

"Well. now I know you'll be there, I will. Did you wanna, maybe, hang out while we're there?" For some reason, I took an involuntary side glance towards Cade, and I swear he was looking at me just before he swung his head back to his work partner. My stomach flipped, and I hated myself for it. 

"Sure thing! I assume you'll be hanging around with Brent and stuff?" He nodded, "Cool! I'll come find you when I get there."

"So, anyway! Did you know the Egyptians invented the caesarean section!"

******  

I hate to think that guys in this school think I'm easy. I mean, yes, I do tend to play around a little now and then, but at least they know that I am never interested in getting to know them. I guess I've been lucky that these guys don't tend to kiss and tell, and I do have conditions. I don't get involved with anyone with a girlfriend, or love interest, and I make it clear that if they speak of it, I won't be up for doing it again. Believe it or not, this seemed to be enough to keep them quiet. I didn't really care if others saw me as some kind of slut. I didn't plan on staying in this boring old town anyway; once I graduated, I was out of here! But, I didn't want to hurt people, and that included myself. At my age, I was just focused on me.

******  

'What did I do? Did I upset him because I darted out of the kitchen when Bri came back? Did I say something? I was sure he knew what he was doing to me. Did I imagine it all?'

"C, are you ok?" Brianna's hand came to fall on my hand as I gripped my fork, while I stared down into my pasta salad in front of me, "you seem, distracted."

"Did Cade say anything to you? He seemed real off today. He barely spoke to me in class, and has avoided me all morning!"

"He seemed fine when I saw him earlier. Are you sure you're not overreacting?" Bri's sympathetic pout actually angered me!

"No! He literally moved and sat next to someone else!" I threw my fork down in a tantrum as she sat back and stared at me.

"Claire, I'm sure he is fine with you. Do you want me to talk with him later?"

Did I? I don't know! I don't even understand why I'm feeling this way! He is just one guy!

"No, it's fine. Maybe I just need to let him cool off and try again later this week." She nodded and thankfully changed the subject to something more exciting.

"So... what are you wearing to the party? I can do your hair and make-up!" She was so bouncy with anticipation.

"Umm, I hadn't really thought about it. I was thinking of jeans and a crop top?" Her nose scrunched into itself.

"Ew... no way! You and I are hitting the mall later this week. We can skive off!"

"I don't want to get in trouble Bri. We can just go after school."

"You. Are So Boring. Sometimes!" 

"No. I. Am. Not!" Well, I don't think so anyway.

"Wednesday?"

"Wednesday."