t w o
The rest of the school week wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I got super super close with Devin, well it makes sense since he's one of the only people i know / talk to in my classes. I've also gotten pretty close with Kevin too. I'm thinking, a little too close for me to stay calm and relaxed. Close enough to know that he has some sort of affect on me that I can't get from anyone else. I have it under control though, I can play it cool. Have been since that unintentionally sexy comment from my first day in vocal class.
Today's friday and word is that we're getting some huge assignment in vocals. Apperantly our class is competing in some national competition, I guess you could say it's similar to Pitch Perfect but it's not acapella. It focuses more on the best original performances from each school.
I made it to school okay but I had this wierd feeling. My stomach was in a knot and my head was pounding. Something's gonna go down today and I know i'm not going to like it. I shook away my thoughts and made it to my locker where I was met by a smiling Kevin.
"Hey Tori! Did ya hear about the vocal assignment?" He asked eagerly.
"Yeah I heard" I said rather quiet and blunt.
Like I said, I'm not in it at all today. My heads pounding and I swear if I eat anything today I'll yack all over the place.
Kevin looked at me oddly and then put a hand on my shoulder, stopping me from grabbing whatever books I needed for first and second period.
"Hey, you okay? You seem off" He asked worriedly.
"I'm fine, just feeling a little sick that's all.." I sighed, my eyes watering a bit thinking about how bad I really felt.
Thing about me is, I kind of suffer from anxiety. I have this strange fear of being sick so whenever I feel any slight offness in my head or stomach I feel like crying. I hate feeling sick and the thought of me actually being sick scares me.
I guess Kevin noticed because next thing I knew he had me in a tight comforting hug. To be honest I felt better in his arms, like the pain I was feeling just dissappeared for a moment.
Stop. What the hell..
"Don't worry baby girl imma take care of you." He smirked as he pulled away from the hug.
I laughed weakly and we walked our seperate ways to class.
"Hey Tori" Devin whispered.
"DGord whats good" We did our handshake across the space between our desks.
I'm feeling much better. Well, the pain's gone. I still have an odd feeling that something bad is gonna happen today.
"Can I talk to you about something quick? Before the lesson starts?" He asked, looking serious.
"Sure what's up"
"So I notice you been getting comfortable with Kevin. Before you get all defensive on me, I don't care if you got feelings for him or not. I just want to warn you Tori. The way he's treating you, calling you his babygirl and stuff like that, it ain't no different than how he treats any other girl. I mean, he doesn't do it intentionally, he's just a super sweet nice guy and well, he doesn't really know how to control his flirting. I just want to try and save you the pain and heartbreak. If ya already falling, try to control yourself." He lectured carefully.
I ain't even mad. I know it's just Dev being caring and protective, as he should be. Ima take his advice.
"Hm. Thanks Dev. I'll come to you if i've fallen too deep" I joke and we both laugh.
After our little talk the lesson started and I payed full attention to what the teacher was seeing. I couldn't wait till lunch, Daniel's not in any of my classes and I really want to tell him about the talk I had with Devin to keep him updated.
* * *
It was finally lunch and I decided to stop by my locker to meet up with Chantelle and Camila before going to the caf. They weren't at my locker though, it was three girls i'd never seen before.
One of them was lightskin latina looking with dark hair and big lips, and the other two were your basic white girl followers.
"Excuse me" I said politely, asking them to move from my locker so I could open it.
"Oh, sorry is this your locker?" The latina one spoke.
"Yeah, I'll just be a sec"
"Oh no don't worry we'll move. Hey, aren't you the new girl? The one hangin' around Kevin like a lost puppy?" She pauses as her followers laugh. "How rude of me, I'm so sorry I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Jazmin, you can call me Jaz. We good with no problems as long as you know your place. Kevin is not available. Y'all gonna be strictly friends and be happy staying that way. We clear? Good. Bye boo boo child!" She smiled, blowing me a kiss as she walked away.
Man, my blood was boiling. I thought I'd get through a clean week without having to deal with people like this. I'm not the type to just let people walk over me like that but I also don't like to start drama where there isn't any. Or in this case, ignite the fire of the forest she about to burn down.
As I walked to lunch alone, no sight of Chantelle or Mila yet I thought about what Devin said. Maybe I should distance myself from Kevin a little. I know it's stupid since we just met but after an experience like what I just had with Jazmin, I don't want to let myself get caught up in a mess. I know that as soon as I let my guard down and fall for him Jazmin will make sure my love life with him is a living hell. No thanks.
At lunch I caught up with the girls & guys. Everyone was hear except Kevin. Of course, his clueless ass was sitting with Jazmin. Who made sure to glare or smirk at me everytime she got the chance. I rolled my eyes and once everyone could tell something was bothering me I spilled.
"Don't worry about her Tori. She thinks she has power over everyone because she makes them feel bad to make herself feel better. Just cut her before you let her get to you." Daniel said as he patted me on the shoulder.
Everyone else agreed and we finished up our lunches. I think my wall is building up and i'm definitely not about to knock it down to fall for someone who doesn't even know how to control his emotions around pretty girls. Honestly, I don't even see the need to be around Kevin unless I have to be. No beef or anything, just self protection.
English was boring. I was rushing over to vocals without even realizing I bumped into Kevin in the stairwell.
"Woah slow down there. You're gonna miss a step and get yourself hurt missy!" He mocked playfully, laughing at his joke.
"Haha." I mocked back and continued walking.
Once I got to class, the teacher started explaining our big assignment. Everyone was there, lookin' terrified as hell for this project, why? How bad could it possibly be.
"Alright class. This assignment is an interesting one." She paused as the class groaned. "Oh hush! Playing cupid here, I've paired you up boy girl based on how I see you and your partner connecting in class. The purpose of this assignment is to really get to know your partner and right a song together about how you feel about them right now, and tell a story through your lyrics about how your feelings towards this person grows. By the end of the semester I will be picking the best written song and the winning duet will be performing their song for the first time in the final of the big competition at the end of the year. You guys will thank me for this later. Writing about emotional connections will really improve your skills. No time for fooling around. As I call out you and your partners names, get together and start getting to know each other." Mrs. Lyon finished. (a/n HIGHKEY OBSESSED WITH EMPIRE AND COOKIE LYON SO THE TEACHER IS PLAYED BY HER. YALL KNOW SHE KNOWS HER MUSIC STUFF WELL)
I tuned her out until I heard my name. My heart dropped at the sound of her voice calling out my name and my partner.
"Tori and Kevin."