Beautiful Mess(34)

Anger and mortification flushed Bri’s cheeks, and she prayed for the line to move faster.

“Pity,” Serena smiled. “Well, what my note said was that I was hoping that we could spend some more time together, just you and me. You know, maybe give us another try?” She ran her finger down Cole’s chest. “We were really good together. Remember?”

“Serena,” Cole replied in a warning tone, as he stopped her hand’s downward progression. “This really isn’t the best place to be having this conversation. Besides, nothing’s changed. I can’t give you what you want. Not now, not ever.”

Bri felt like she’d been physically struck as she finally put two and two together. Serena was Cole’s ex. She realized now just how hopeless a situation she’d been in with Cole. If the perfect, gorgeous, goddess hadn’t been able to keep him, how in the world would Bri have been able to?

“Well,” Serena continued, “maybe I’ve changed. Maybe I decided that if I couldn’t have all of you, I’d take whatever I could get.” She eyed Cole meaningfully.

“We both decided it’d be best if we were just friends.”

“Yes, and I’m just looking for a... broadening of the terms of our friendship,” she smiled brilliantly at him.

Great. Serena wanted Cole back, and was willing to give him all the benefits of a relationship with none of the commitment or responsibility. It was a good thing Bri was done with Cole, because there was no way she’d be able to compete with that.

“Think about it.” Serena gave Cole a kiss on the cheek before sauntering off.

Cole turned and looked at Bri.

He caught her eye for a moment, but Bri quickly turned her head before he could see the tears forming in her eyes. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him drop his head and walk away.

Taking deep breaths, Bri willed the tears away. She couldn’t break down now. Later, after she was home, but not now. She got her lunch, which she now had no appetite to eat, and sat down next to Layla.

“Hey, Bri! How’s your first day going?” Layla asked as soon as Bri sat down.

“Oh, pretty good, I guess,” she forced a smile.

“Everyone, this is Bri Donnelly. She moved here from Dallas, and she’s on the Dance Team with me. Bri, these are my friends, Maddie Pembrook,” a small girl with sandy blond curls and brown eyes smiled. “And Jessica Kobayashi,” the pretty oriental girl with short spiky hair waved a hand. “And that,” Layla indicated a tall boy with brown hair and a kind smile, “is Jess’ boyfriend, Ethan Reynolds.”

“Hey,” Jess pointed at Bri with a carrot stick. “You’re in my English class. I’ll save you a seat tomorrow, if you want.”

“That’d be great, thanks” Bri smiled at her.

The rest of the table fell into conversation, but Bri was too preoccupied to join in. She was still preoccupied all throughout her sixth period AP Biology class, too. As the bell rang to end class, Bri groaned. The moment she’d been dreading since lunch was here. Cole was in her seventh period Ceramics class.

Sure enough, as she approached the classroom, a familiar dark head was waiting outside the door.

“Bri!” Cole cast a quick look around the practically empty hall before running over to her. “Bri, please! I know you’re upset, but you have to let me explain.” He touched her arm, and a powder keg of anger exploded inside her. And since anger felt better than the numbing pain she’d been feeling all day, Bri decided to go with it.

“No, I don’t,” she said icily, staring daggers at Cole.

“Look,” he ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “I know you are confused, and hurt, and angry, but I promise I can explain everything.”

“Oh, really? You can explain what, Cole?” Bri was fuming. “How you lied to me and manipulated me? How you pretended to be someone you’re obviously not to try to get close to me?”

“No, Bri, I swear you’ve got it all wrong,” he pleaded.

“No, Cole, I had it all wrong. Now I’m finally seeing you for the arrogant jerk you are. Leave me alone. I have nothing to say to you.” She pushed past him and into the classroom.

She sat down between two other students to make sure he couldn’t sneak in next to her. Class started, and the Ceramics teacher began the usual first day drill. Bri felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She discreetly pulled it out and saw Cole had sent her a text. She rolled her eyes, putting the phone away. She ignored her phone as it continued to vibrate throughout the rest of class. She ignored Cole, too, who, when not texting her, was trying desperately to catch her eye. When class ended, Bri dashed out the door. She quickly grabbed her stuff out of her locker and raced out of the building.