When Perfect Meets Crazy novel Chapter 41

News about Claire spread faster than I anticipated. By the next block, the whole school seemed to be in the know. Claire Anne’s rumor mill at its finest. Even I couldn’t have predicted it. Turns out I wasn’t the only one who wanted Claire in the mud. Realistically, I knew I couldn’t be the only one but I hadn’t expected any form of help from anyone else. Claire could be quite terrifying even when she was playing nice so I figured everyone else would be cowards about it. I underestimated how much resentment could fester behind faked smiles.

People were whispering things behind her back before the end of day and not in the concealed way. In the obvious I-want-you-to-know-I’m-talking-about-you-what-the-hell-are-you-going-to-do-about-it way.

As expected, she was in the foulest of moods and out for blood. My blood. So it’s wasn’t a surprise when she cornered me on my way out after school let out. Unfortunately for her, I had company.

I was with Mae, Tony and Zach. It had been a while since Zach and I really kicked back and talked. He was one of my closest friends and in a little while, we’d all be shipping off to various colleges. Though we’d never admit it, we both wanted to get in all the hangout time we could even if it meant walking together to the parking lot which we normally never did.

Mae, on the other hand, was still nursing a crush on Zach. She dragged Tony along to make herself less obvious.

Zach was telling us -mostly me- about a new play he worked out for the team. A part of me knew we would probably never get to do it again. A tradition we had upheld since ninth grade was coming to an end.

I would never admit it out loud but the nostalgia of graduation was starting to get to me. A lot more than I had expected. It wasn’t saying a lot since I hadn’t expected it at all but still, it was something.

My phone buzzed in my hand, drawing me from my thoughts. I hurriedly checked the message and shot back a reply before Claire descended on us. It was a new text from Trevor.

I’m sure you thought I wouldn’t get that one. Unfortunately for you, I once dated a girl who was a huge fan.

I bit my lip to keep from smiling and shot back a text just as Claire finally reached us.

Talking about your exes now... Bold.

“Do you know what you’ve done?” She hissed.

“You’re going to have to be more specific,” I replied offhandedly.

Her lips curled back, revealing perfect little white teeth. Zach started to step forward, to diffuse the hostile atmosphere but I waved him away.

“It’s fine,” I informed him.

“You made everyone think I broke them up,” she snapped.

Mae sighed wearily, a put out expression that had me suppressing laughter took hold of her features as students started loitering, blatantly watching the showdown.

“Didn’t you?” I arched a brow. “You seem to forget. I didn’t accuse you. I was talking to Mae and you chipped in with details you couldn’t have known unless...”

I shrugged nonchalantly, my expression daring her to try to weasel her way out of it.

“Oh please. Don’t act like you’re sorry their relationship ended. You’ve been texting and smiling at your phone all day.”

Tony eyed both of us warily. It was clear she and the rest of our audience were shocked by this discovery and didn’t quite know who to believe anymore.

I smirked inwardly.

Claire might as well just have shot herself in the foot. Having that whispered in the rumor mill would have been better than confronting me with it.

“Yeah, I’ve been texting all day,” I agreed.

I could feel everyone’s rounded gaze focus on me. Their shock was palpable.

Claire didn’t know it yet but she had hammered in the last nail in her coffin by herself. After this, no one would have any reason to doubt me since, thanks to her, they would now know I had nothing to gain from the breakup and unlike her, I had a guy I was talking to.

“I just haven’t been texting Ian.” I expanded. “I don’t even have his number.”

“Sure, you don’t.” She scoffed.

“See for yourself.” I opened my messages and passed the phone to her.

For the benefit of Zach, Mae, Tony and all the not so subtly eavesdropping ears around, I added, “I’ve been texting Trevor. You should know him Zach. He went here two years ago. He was on the team.”

“Trevor Montgomery?” Tony was the one to immediately place him.

“He won Best Eyes in his year,” Mae chipped in, never one to be lacking in knowledge about a cute male. “Really, him?”

I nodded.

Claire’s eyes drifted shut, disappointment playing over her features. I snickered inwardly.

“How did you meet?” She was grasping at straws now.

“Car trouble. He helped me fix it.” I shrugged.

I was well aware I was leaving out quite a bit but that was pretty much my style.

“How do you keep meeting all these hot guys!” Mae threw her hands up in exasperation.

“I don’t know. I’m just as baffled as you.” I couldn’t help my smirk as I shrugged.

“No, you’re not.” She rolled her eyes, only to smile a second later.

Mae was my closest female friend. She wasn’t the type to hold grudges. She forgave almost everything. It wasn’t a policy I’d ever adopt but I liked it about her. She was straightforward. She either liked you or didn’t. No hidden agendas.

My phone buzzed again, drawing our attention back to the fuming Claire. I snatched it from her hand and read the new message, letting Mae and Tony who immediately crowded around me read it too.

Black magic, little mix. My turn.

I scrolled up so the girls could see the last lyric I sent him so they’d understand.

It’s a spell that can’t be broken. It’ll keep you up all night. Boy, you belong to me.

Then I scrolled down to his latest message.

I can’t sleep. Girl, you’re keeping me up. I just can’t get enough.

I froze. I no idea where those lyrics were from. They were too vague, indistinctive. I shot the girls a look of wide eyed helplessness.

Since we started, he’d lost four times. I hadn’t been stumped even once and true to form, I had gloated so much. If I lost, I’d never hear the end of it. But for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what song those lyrics where from. They were unbelievably generic. Shit.

Mae cocked her head to the side, pursing her lips. “I hate you.”

Her tone carried about as much malice as a teddy bear.

“Come on, this is too cute,” Tony seconded. “You both deserve to be shot for this.”

“I have no idea what song that is,” I announced, imploring both of them to help with my eyes.

“It’s too cute. I literally just want to hug him,” Mae cooed, ignoring my supplication.

“I don’t. I don’t know this song.” I reiterated. “I don’t want to lose, you guys.”

My gaze swung from one girl to the other in silent supplication.

“I feel like I know it,” Tony said. “It sounds familiar.”

I stared at her, my eyes imploring her to remember.

“I know it. Just give me a sec.”

She gritted her teeth, silently humming what I assumed was the tune. I waited.

“I know it,” she repeated, shaking her head lightly. “Something... I can’t sleep. Girl, you’re keeping me up... arghh! Sheesh!”

She stomped her foot in annoyance. I heaved a sigh, rubbing the bridge of my nose. It was over. I was going to have to bear losing my winning streak and all the taunting that would follow.

“Got it!” she exclaimed suddenly. “It’s called Insomnia.”

“Sure?” I asked.

She nodded.

I sighed in relief, thanking her with my eyes as I shot back a text.

Thought you had me, huh?

It’s Insomnia.

His reply was instantaneous.

How did you figure it out?

I really thought I had you.

I allowed myself a small triumphant smile. Mae was right, he really was too cute.

I caught my lower lip between my teeth, contemplating my next move. Then, I typed and hit send.

I got a warning for you. Don’t play me at this. I’ll never lose.

I smiled inwardly, then shot him a new text in case he got confused.

That was both my reply and song.

“I want one,” Mae whined, sneaking a glance at Zach who, confronted with girl drama, was left with nothing to do but stare at the ceiling.

“I’m going to die single.” She sighed.

Tony and I who caught the exchange burst into gales of laughter, leaving a confused Zach and sulking Mae.

“You’ll have us,” I teased between laughs.

“I’d much rather join a convent,” she deadpanned, sending Tony and I into a fresh bout of laughter.

Zach unknowingly added to it by asking, “Did I miss something?”