Chapter 4 Causing A Scene

Thea 

One week had passed since Katie confronted me, and I avoided her and Evan altogether. My life went back to normal, and I was happy not having to deal with both of them. The gossip and stares reduced on the third day, and I’m pretty sure everyone forgot about it. Now, I’m in the cafeteria with my friends, and I’m glad I can eat and laugh freely without anyone threatening my peace. 

“I’m never doing that again; my life flashed before my eyes,” Bridget says as we all laughed. 

“I warned you, didn’t I? You never listen,” Landon told her, shaking his head. We’ve all been friends since freshman year, along with David and Sam. Last weekend, we went to an amusement park, and it was chaotic. I took a bite of my apple, smiling at them. 

“You should have been spe…..” Bridget trailed off as she looked behind me. I raised my brows, wondering why everywhere was quiet. I slowly turned to look at what she was staring at, and my eyes widened as Evan walked towards our table. 

“He’s going to her!” I heard squeals as they brought out their phones. I looked away. He can’t possibly be coming to our table, right? What does he want? I was wrong. He came to our table, staring down at me. I looked away, chewing my apple. 

“I need to talk to you,” he says flatly. I cleared my throat. 

“I don’t wish to talk to you. Please leave, you are causing a scene,” I replied, not looking at him.

“Come with me willingly, or I'll drag you out,” he threatened. I looked up at him, seeing the stubborn look on his face. 

“She doesn’t want to talk to you. Why are you forcing her?” Landon snapped. Landon and Evan hated each other for some weird reasons known to them. Evan sighed. 

“Fine,” he muttered, grabbing my hand. 

“What are you doing?” I snapped, trying to remove my hand forcefully from his, but he was holding on tight. He pulled me out of my seat forcefully, dragging me with him outside the cafeteria. I tried to remove myself from his hold, but it was impossible. As we left the cafeteria, I gave up. Evan dragged me all the way to the library, and when we got there, he let go of my hand. I hissed, rubbing my wrist. 

“What is your problem?" I snapped angrily, but my words got stuck in my throat as he looked back at me angrily. What’s his problem? Why is he looking so angry? I wondered. 

“Did Katie threaten you?” He asked. Oh, this is what this is all about. I rolled my eyes. 

“What a weird question to ask. I am sure you know your girlfriend more than me,” I snapped, looking away. 

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He asked. I turned back to him, hoping he was joking. But he looked back at me with the same angry expression. 

“Are you really asking me that question?” I asked. In silence, we both stared at each other. I scoffed. 

“We are not exactly friends, Evan,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Oh Evan, your girlfriend came to me and threatened me not to tutor you; she literally threatened my peace, please talk to her,” I said sarcastically with a high pitched voice. 

“That doesn’t sound weird to you?” I asked. 

“That’s why you’ve been ignoring my calls and texts?” He asked. I raised my brows. 

“Oh, it was you,” I replied nonchalantly. I was receiving a few calls and texts, but I never called back or opened the message because I couldn’t recognize the number. Evan sucked in a breath. 

“You and I have business together; Katie shouldn’t get involved,” he says. I laughed. 

“And you are telling me this because?" I asked, raising my brows. More silence. I sighed, running my hand through my hair. They are driving me crazy. Why did I ever agree with Ms. Debby? This is the consequence of my own actions. Katie and Evan are a thorn in my side. 

“Look. I don’t care what is going on between you two or why Katie thinks in her wild delusional mind that I would want to snatch you from her. You are not worth my time, and I would rather chew a rock than chase you. All I want is to graduate peacefully,” I said. 

“I will break my deal with Ms. Debby officially. I am no longer interested in being your tutor. You can find someone else to do it, Bridget would be thrilled to tutor you. Please don’t talk to me or come to my table and cause a scene. Stay away from me,” I snapped, meaning every word. I didn’t wait for a reply or to see his expression. I walked away angrily. I already lost my appetite so I decided to head for my next class. My day was going so well, and he ruined it. 

I stayed by myself for the rest of the school hours. I was getting lots of stares, and Katie kept giving me stink eyes. I didn’t see Evan for the rest of the day. The last class was finally over, and I had never been more excited to go home. 

“Thea, wait behind,” Ms. Debby says. I sighed, slumping in my seat. The bell rang, and everyone left. I walked to Ms. Debby's desk, and she sighed looking at my face. 

“I heard what happened,” she says. 

“I can’t tutor him. I can’t deal with Katie,” I said flatly. I couldn’t pay attention today. Anytime I think about them, I get so angry, and I am still angry. Who are they to order me around? She sighed. 

“I’m sorry, Thea. I blame myself for putting you in this situation,” she says. My shoulders slowly relaxed and I sighed. 

“Don’t apologize, Ms. Debby. They are the ones who should apologize,” I said calmly. She smiled. 

“I am apologizing on their behalf,” she said with a disappointed smile. I waved it off. 

“You don’t need to tutor him anymore. I will speak to the principal. I believe we can find another alternative for him,” she says. I smiled, nodding my head. 

“Yes, that would be better,” I replied. Ms Debby held my hand, rubbing it softly. 

“I’m really sorry, Thea. I should have known it was a bad idea. Katie is….” She trailed off. I laughed. 

“I understand,” I replied. She smiled. 

“You can skip school tomorrow, I will cover for you. I won’t want Katie bullying you,” she said. I smiled.

“I can’t skip school. Don't worry about me, Ms. Debby,” I replied. She smiled softly. Ms. Debby is my favorite teacher, and she’s my guardian. 

“You really are a nerd,” she said, and we both laughed. 

“You can go home now. Say hi to your mom for me,” she added. I nodded, smiling. I turned around and picked up my bag, giving her a last wave as I left. I breathed out, feeling more relieved than I was, but my joy was cut short as I spotted an angry Katie from afar. My shoulders went down in fear, and I couldn’t move from my spot. 

“Hey,” I heard. I turned, and it was Landon, and I felt instant relief. He looked at Katie and her friends, and he sighed. 

“I will drop you off,” he says, holding my hand. We both walked down the hallway with me holding his hand tightly. Katie said no words as we walked away. We got to the parking lot, and I entered his car. I let out a deep breath, wondering if I should consider skipping tomorrow. I can’t deal with bullies again; it would break me. Besides, I don’t want to worry my parents; they’ve been through so much. I sighed, slumping in the car seat. I just want a perfect senior year. Is that too much to ask for?