chapter four Arlie's Pov

This is not supposed to happen.

He is not supposed to like me!

What the hell? What am I supposed to do?

For a moment, time seemed to come to a partial halt as several thoughts kept running in my head. What follows is a perpetual silence that spreads through the hallway, as all eyes remain fixated on me.

I feel so small. I am not used to this sort of attention, especially on the subject matter. The more I keep mute, the more the silence intensifies and the more the stares lock in my direction. Gosh…

On the other hand is Hurley, still standing before me. A little pang of guilt attacks my heart when I realize that I have kept him all mute for some time now, even though I don't know how long. Time seems to have stopped or so. I really need to say something but what can I say? That I love him too?

Oh, heck, just say I love you Hurley… But it doesn't work that way, does it? At least, not with me.

I can't bring myself to look him in the face. I looked around at the guys and noticed that they still have that shocked expression on their faces.

Almost immediately, I turned back and cleared my throat. "Uhm…. Hurley" I begin to say but he cuts me off.

"I'm not expecting you to say anything now I just want to let you know how I feel, that's all, take your time, Arlie." He said.

"Alright people, let's get to class we are late already "Ark said.

I adjusted my bag pack and started walking to the class not without mouthing thank you to Ark, eager to leave the scene as fast as i could. I mean, what could possibly go wrong now? Hurley has got almost everyone staring at me. Just great!

Except that I was wrong. A lot of other things would just as much go wrong. Only that I was not aware. I mean, I am pretty much getting used to things being screwed up around me but not at this gravity. The next moment, what I feel against my shoulder is a sudden pull.

In reaction and out of annoyance, I yank my shoulder free from whoever that would be. My first guess goes to Ark. That she wants to tease me and find out what does not concern her about me and aghhhh. Except that once again, I was wrong.

"What is it, Ark?"

THWAAAACKKKK!

A fast, blinding slap rockets against the flat of my cheek, sending hot sensations all through my skin. For a moment, I am frozen, unable to think clearly about what just happened. My vision blurred out, the only thing being I can feel and see, is the sharp burning itch in my cheek and the dancing twinkling light spots of red in my vision.

Anger surges through me now as I try to get a hold of myself. How dare Ark do this? Like what gave her the guts to ever think she could try something like that with me? Or, have been all too playful with her that she thinks she can just randomly come up on me and…

"You bitch!" A voice yells out in my face and I cringe back, involuntarily stepping back lest another slap lands on me again.

Wait.. That cannot be right. Ark would not use that tone and that word on me. What is happening? I open my eyes now, forcing myself to ignore the still stinging left cheek now as the people around us begin to 'ooh' out as they watch the scene.

For standing right in front of me is the infamous Beatrice.

"Hey bitch" I heard Beatrice say, emphasizing on the last word. And then, I almost lose it, pushing my way to clutch at her throat until the familiar hands of Ark hold me back now.

"Shouldn't I be calling you that, huh?" I fired back at her, trying so desperately to hold myself back now.

I heard the crowd that was forming ooh-ed..

Upon hearing that, I sighed, a bit of relief coming from within. If for anything, the last thing i want in my life is any more drama but the fact that she has started this, instead of going all out there and stuff, i would rather put her to it, intellectually.

Trust me, I am good at that. Besides, I don't think I want to end up in the Principal's office over a matter like this. Totally not worth it.

"Beatrice what do you want?" I asked.

"I hear Hurley likes you "she said..

"Yeah so "I replied, crossing my arms as I coldly stared at her.

"Stay away from him, he is mine" She said through gritted teeth.

"Please, do you mind telling me how he is yours?" I said with a roll of my eyes, which earned me some more 'Oohs' and a frustrated look on Beatrice.

Oh No, bitch!

And I know I'm pushing it but really, I'm enjoying it. And I am going to enjoy it as much as I can. No one tries this shit with me and does like he pleases. I mean, the heck?

Beatrice, seeing that I have a smile on my face, raises her hand to slap me. Already prepared, for that, I try to step back only to realise that there is really no need for that. Hurley has already grabbed her hand in mid air. And the fierce look on his face… Oh My, Beatrice totally did not expect that.

She literally shivers now, her body revealing that she is a bit scared. I don't know, most likely because no one has really seen Hurley get real mad before. And now that she is witnessing it, I can imagine how shocked she is right now.

"Come on, now, don't go all soft!' I snicker from my side. Damn, that is fucking painful, not gettign the support you needed from the one person you re fighting for. Cold!

"Don't you ever try this, ever, Beatrice!" Hurley emphasizes, his voice twice as magnified as before.

Still, being the bitch that she is, Beatrice yanks her wrist from Hurley who stands in between me and her now. She cokcs her head and then speaks. "Watch your back bitch, cause you never know" she said and began to turn around.

Then it dawns on me. Did that bitch just fucking threaten me? "What the actual hell?" I cried out furiously. And before I know what it is, I am already running towards Beatrice, ready to take my own pound of flesh right there and then.