Tethered

Chapter 3:

*Elizabeth POV*

"Lizzy, it's okay! That guy is a fool if he chose Daisy over you," Janet stroked my back trying to calm me down.

"relax babe, Ben had asked you out! Ben Armstrong! Gosh, you do remember that he's the hottest guy around?" Diana consoled me making me feel a bit better.

"actually, second hottest now that Rome is in the picture." Lola casually chimed in making me insecure all over again.

"Lola! Did you have to open up your big mouth?" Diana scolded her with an incredulous expression.

"not my problem, I only speek the truth," Lola defended herself.

Lola must have been the magical mirror from the fairytale book called Snow White.

'Truth my foot!' I wanted to shout at her face.

"okay, now have your lunch, you don't wanna faint in the evening," Diana pushed my tray further towards me encouragingly.

"yup! You are the most delicate human alive!" Janet chuckled trying to lighten up my mood by changing the topic. My body could take anything until I didn't miss a balanced meal; else I was more delicate than a platinum rod in standard hydrogen electrode.

I started with my lunch listening to the mindless chattering of the girls.

"girls, you know what? I think Walter is so into me!" Lola shrieked jumping up and down like a jolly kid in an ice cream parlor.

"By Walter you mean Walter Milton?" Janet inquired with a raised eyebrow making Lola nod vigorously with excitement.

"you sure?" she confirmed skeptically.

"Yup, yup! Walter Milton! He offered to help me out in calculus! I didn't even bat an eye at him and he comes all the way offering his help!" Lola sighed dreamily.

"but that doesn't prove that he's into you. Maybe he's just being kind and gentleman," Diana pointed out before adding, "or Mr. Twain might have asked him to assist you for being consistently last in his subject."

"Diana Ferren Fresnel! I know when a guy likes me and you know exactly for how long I've been crushing on him?" Lola replied irately.

"Okay okay! Calm down, Lola. I want to live a longer life than this. We are in peace." Diana raised her hands above in mock surrender making us all laugh. I don't know what I would have done without these girls.

***************

I picked out my physics book and slammed the locker shut feeling my body stiffen due to the knowledge that the locker opposite to mine belonged to that creep and the fact that he may show up anytime without prior notice, wasn't helping much. I wasn't ready to face him yet after he put me through that situation. And today's dose that I've already got was very much enough for me.

I quickly gathered my belongings before I started walking towards my next class.

"Elizabeth! Lizzy!" someone kept calling my name making my heart skip a beat on the thought that he was the one calling my name. I froze on my spot as someone walked up to me. I couldn't believe it! What was I thinking? Disappointment and relief engulfed me as a ear to ear grinning Liam came into my view.

"you okay there?" his features projected worry taking me in a rigid form. I tried composing myself and forced a smile while nodding in reply because I did not trust my voice.

"did I come at a wrong time or something?" he inquired while that cute frown never left his face.

Clearing my throat, I before replying, "I'm good. Just wasn't expecting you."

"If you were expecting someone else, shall I go now?" disappointment laced his voice.

"no, Liam. I'm fine. It's fine. I wasn't expecting anybody. So, you wanted something?" I eyed him as we started to walk again.

"I don't know if it is a good time, you look so... not well," he carefully framed his sentence. I couldn't hide a smile at his caring gesture.

"trust me Liam, as long as it's you, I am all good. So, now shoot!" I stated.

He hesitated at first.

"I was... you know... it was just... arggg! Okay! I was just wondering if you'd help me with chemistry?" he blurted the last sentence out before frowning, "what? Wait! Yup. Can you help me with chemistry?" he repeated as his tanned skin slightly held red taint to it.

"chemistry?" I raised my eyebrow at him for as far as I knew Liam, he was way too good in chemistry than I was.

"y-yeah, chemistry this evening?" he gulped making his adam's apple bob a little causing me to laugh at him. I messed his perfectly styled hair as I replied, "okay. Meet me at the city library at six in the evening."

I walked into my class without giving him another glance because I knew he would have an amused face right now which would turn into a full blown smirk if I give him the satisfaction of turning back to look at him.

He could be so adorable at times. A guy like Liam would never hurt me unlike how Rome did. Why hadn't I told him yes when he proposed for the third time last month?

I landed on an empty seat as I absent mindedly looked out of the door. The crowd was slowly dispersing and a half bald, short man came into view. I suddenly jolted back to reality as realization flooded my mind, the vain guy who was in charge of maintaining discipline around the school, Mr. Toby bellowed at a junior, "no short skirts!" making her jump in panic. He stopped by our class as if searching for someone. As soon as his eyes landed on me, I knew it at once that I was dead meat today!

"Ms. Marshalls. Follow me, I have something to discuss with you," he ordered in a low grunt making me swallow hard before following him out. Today couldn't be more worse!

************

"Ms. Marshalls, this will not be tolerated. You are breaking so many rules! You have been warned before yet you repeat the same again," he was shouting non-stop.

"sir, at least let me know my mistake," I interjected.

"you, you think I don't remember the stunt you pulled last prom? You got wasted in the premises and let me remind you, you were underage. You then insulted a teacher and then switched the fire alarm off, chasing everyone out for no serious reason. And today, you parked your expensive car in the staff's parking area and don't think I didn't hear about you walking out on Mr. Nicholson and coming late in Mrs. Sherman's class. Your behavior is getting more and more disgraceful as the days pass on Ms. Marshalls," he paused there panting for air after continuously nagging. Boy, he nags more than any girl on the planet!

I remembered that incident only till I got drunk due to a stupid dare and the rest was a mystery to me till Diana filled me in. It wasn't my mistake. I wanted to defend myself but knowing Mr. Toby, his punishment would only worsen up if one argued with him.

"I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again. I promise to change," I monotonously repeated the same phrase that every student used on being tortured with Mr. Toby's loud voice, looking at the floor.

"this is the last time that I'm excusing you. The next time you repeat, you will be punished," he declared making me nod still staring at the floor.

"you may leave now," he said and I immediately ran out. I was more than glad that he didn't punish me. Hearing his voice for five minutes was pure torture and that was more than enough. With a sigh, I walked towards my class.

"you know, Rome asked me out!" I heard a whisper scream which made me halt all of a sudden. The voice was coming from the girl's restroom and there was this sudden urge to see the one who he had asked out.

"really? That's unbelievable! It's just like the movies, hot guys finding the princesses in the nerds!" it was another voice. I tiptoed to just peep inside.

"yeah! It resembles a fairytale," I could see a brunette haired girl with her back towards me talk. Another brunette haired girl with spectacles stood before her. I looked at former's reflection in the mirror who spoke again, "you know, he's so kind and sweet! Just like a prince charming." I recognized her to be Mandy. She was a girl who lived in her own world and god knows what all kind of superstitions she harboured... I remember one time she ran screaming out of the classroom when a couple of her classmates took out an Ouija board.

I sighed looking at her pale self. She was good to look, I couldn't disagree that but she didn't have the style nor did she have the personality to be frank with. She looked very thin and lacked a figure. I could compare her with a pole wearing a top and jeans. Frowning at her words, I couldn't help but think, 'did Rome really ask her out?'

Or maybe she was just bluffing? As long as Rome was in picture, anything could be possible. All of a sudden, I felt this heavy feeling. I couldn't point out why exactly but I felt as if getting out of here before I heard anything else.

I reached my classroom but my mind kept rewinding the words spoken by Mandy. I hadn't done anything to Rome, then why was he so rude to me?

"may I get in, ma'am?" I voiced out almost choking on my spit as tears threatened to fall out. Mrs. Dawn nodded letting me in.

"why are you so late to my class, Elizabeth?" she asked once I was inside.

"Mr. Toby had called for me, Mrs. Dawn," I replied pulling on my poker face.

"okay, go to your seat," she dismissed the matter. I sat in my place as my emotions threatened to resurface.

'He isn't your type Lizzy. Let this one pass... the grapes were too sour for your taste.' I mothered myself to prevent from breaking down.