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Chapter Thirty-Four: Maggie

If things with Evan were weird a couple of days ago, things with Beth are weirder now. But not in the same way it was with Evan, you know, the good kind of weird?

This is the type of weird that just needs to stop before it makes you insane.

At first, I didn't wanna fret too much about it, thinking I was just imagining things, overthinking like how I always do, but the more it continues, the harder it is to ignore.

It all started in the cafeteria.

After our brief conversation in the hallways, I decided to just disregard her odd choice of words regarding Evan and his incapability to be in a relationship.

Despite being extremely curious about what she meant, I was also quite wary of the idea of her elaborating on it, that's why I just decided to leave it at that.

That was just one of the fewest things that set me off that gave me the assumption that there was something wrong that I clearly wasn't aware of.

Sure, I'm not one to stick my nose into other people's business unless it's a life or death situation, but this obviously meant business.

The kind that traveled back and forth between her, Evan, and his friends.

It began during lunch later that day and Beth and Emily invited me to eat with them. "How about Levi?" I asked anxiously which caused Beth to roll her eyes.

"We talked about it and he said as long as he doesn't see you, it's all good. It took a lot of convincing but right now he's just taking some time off to practice for the playoffs." Beth explained "Meaning he's not here. So come on, join us."

I bit my lip in hesitation "I don't know..."

But before Beth could even protest, I felt a hand suddenly land on my waist.

"Hey there,"

The gentle whisper of his greeting didn't fail to cause goosebumps to arise on my skin as I turned my head to look at him "Hey," I whispered back as Evan beamed in response.

"Ready for lunch?" he asked, looking at me expectantly.

I was about to say yes when the realization that I was still reconsidering Beth's invitation came back to mind, making me close my mouth as I blinked at him.

He noticed my expression and raised a brow "Is something wrong?"

"There is, actually." this time it was Beth who answered for me "The thing is we already invited Maggie to sit with us," she explained.

Evan arched an unimpressed eyebrow at Beth's way of playing nice, already sensing that for some reason, his presence was a disturbance to her.

"Oh," he muttered.

"Oh, indeed. So if you don't mind-" with that, she grabbed my hand but before I could even let her drag me away did I stop her by vigorously staying on my spot.

"Can't we all just sit together?" I suggested, making Evan shift on his feet uncomfortably as Beth had an irked look in her eyes "Evan's friends are super friendly and I feel like you guys-"

"It's already enough that we're drawing attention to ourselves by reuniting after so long, I think it'd be too much if we sit on the same table of the people Levi has a feud with," she argued.

For some reason, Evan grinned sardonically at that, as if he was finding this whole conversation ridiculous "No one in that table has a feud with Levi. Even I don't because I've long ago decided he isn't worth my time. Tell him to grow the fuck up for once." he affronted.

My eyes widened at Evan's remark, not knowing where this sudden bitterness is coming from. "Plus," he added "Why should Maggie go by Levi's orders and what's appropriate for him? They're not together anymore, I don't see why Maggie has to abide by his wishes."

Beth clenched her jaw "It's not that he's telling her what to do-"

"But he is when you refuse to sit with me and my friends due to this influence." Evan continued "Are you honestly gonna let that fuckwit tell you what you should or shouldn't do?"

"Evan," I scolded as Beth lifted a hand.

"No, it's not because we're going by his demands and letting him tell us what to do, it's because we don't want him to get the wrong idea." Beth shot back "Because unlike most people, we're good friends, and don't wanna go behind his back."

Something about Beth's statement caused Evan to stare at her with this provoked look in his eyes. It was evident he was caught off guard.

But as soon as he was able to compose himself, his gaze narrowed, chuckling lowly "I don't know about that, wasn't it that long ago you ditched Maggie for Levi?"

"Evan!"

"No, no. He's right, we're no saints either." Beth said as Evan smiled back, forced.

"So how about we just let Maggie decide what she wants, to sit with you guys, or to sit with us?" he said as he and Beth glared at one another before looking at me.

"U-uh I-" I cleared my throat "I-I'm sorry but I guess... I'll have to sit with Beth and Emily."

I shot an apologetic stare towards Evan as he nodded in understanding "It's okay, it has been a long time since you guys caught up. I'll just see you later, then?"

"Yeah, of course-"

But I wasn't even able to finish what I was supposed to say when he planted a brief kiss on the side of my head, catching me off guard as I stared at him, flustered and shellshock.

He pulled away, acting nonchalantly as if what he just did wasn't the biggest step either one of us has taken in public for everyone to see ever since we came into school side by side together with his arm around my shoulder.

"Don't miss me too much," he whispered in my ear, and in any given circumstance, I would've found his teasing somewhat amusing...

If it were not for the fact something about his actions just seemed off.

Considering as he said that, he turns around to briskly leave the scene:

But not before shooting Beth a jeering grin before he walked away.

Almost as if that kiss was more for her, than it was for me.

* * *

That's where it all started.

Of course, after witnessing that kiss Beth had a lot to say about it, and again, that was just one of the fewest things that set me off as to why this whole vendetta she has towards Evan seemed unsettling. Because first of all, why should it matter?

"What the fuck was that kiss all about?" she asked me as soon classes were over because for some reason throughout lunch she was awfully quiet.

As if she was still processing what had happened, whether it was real or not.

As if it shouldn't have happened at all.

And I get it, you know? Earlier this day I did tell her that Evan and I weren't romantically involved and that I confirmed everything was purely business. Nothing else.

So to see Evan kiss me like that, which by the way, shocked even me because, from what I knew, we still weren't in that stage yet.

"I thought you two weren't dating?" she asked and I couldn't help but sigh.

"We're not, it's just that we're not technically... platonic either."

She gazed at me quite skeptically "Are you telling me you two have some hidden agenda?"

"No, no, it's just-" I babbled "Look, why should it matter? Yes, I know all of this is just business but Evan and I have grown incredibly close ever since the contract was made."

"Do you have feelings for him?" Again, red flag, because why the fuck should it matter?

"Beth, it seems like even Maggie still doesn't know where she and Evan stand as a pair, so I don't think it's appropriate for you to pry answers out of her when she's clearly not in the right state to answer you." Emily interjected and Beth stared back at her with this expression that basically signaled the words "Did I ask?"

"I'm just saying, we all know how Evan is when it comes to relationships. Do you really wanna set yourself up for that sort of disappointment and spend the next 3 years miserable?"

"Even if it does turn out that way, so what? Why does it matter so much, Beth?" I bellowed as she looked away "Back then you were so keen to defend Evan all the time-"

"No, I didn't-"

"Yes, you did. Even when he was in the wrong, you defended him. So what's with this sudden attitude now? This cynical attitude that is coming out of nowhere?" I pressed on, aggravated.

She was silent at first before she stirred her gaze to meet mine, evidently exasperated but there was something about the way she was staring at me, almost as if she was pleading.

Pleading for me to understand. For me not to force her to explain any further.

"I just don't want to see you get hurt, Maggie."

"... Is everything okay?"

Startled, I swiveled around to see Jasper making his way towards us "Maggie," he greeted before setting his eyes on my friends, acknowledging them "Emily, nice to see you."

Emily nodded back, before Jasper then turned to look at Beth this time, and for some strange reason, his eyes weren't as kind as they were seconds ago.

He looked almost uncomfortable.

"Elizabeth." he greeted whilst Beth chuckled, quite dryly at that.

"Please, just Beth. You of all people should know that by now, Jasper."

It's true, Beth doesn't necessarily like people addressing her by her full name. But why would Jasper know that out of all people?

"Maggs!" I feel a pair of arms suddenly circle my shoulders as I'm pulled into a playful hug.

I turned my head and couldn't help but smile as a pair of green eyes stared at me "Jess."

She grinned back as Ashley popped up from behind her, laughing at her friend's behavior "We were just about to go out and have a couple of burgers, mind joining us?" she asked.

I beamed at the suggestion and was about to agree but not before a thought struck inside my head "Um, I'm not sure," I trailed off as Jess looked at me with her eyebrows furrowed.

I turned my attention back to Beth and Emily, with Jess's arms still hanging loosely around my neck "Do you guys wanna join for burgers? No one from the school will be around."

Beth was quick to shake her head "No, thank you." her eyes anxiously darting towards Jess for a brief second "I'd rather not take my chances."

"Oh come on, Elizabeth." Jess chided, a taunting grin on her face "Don't be like that."

Beth tightened her jaw at Jess's words "It's Beth, just Beth," she said through gritted teeth.

The atmosphere was thick with awkward tension that you could practically slice through it "Okay then," Jess replied, a vexatious look on her face "Come on, Maggs. Let's go."

"Are you guys sure?" I asked as Jess started pulling me forward, doubtful.

Beth nodded as she took hold of Emily's arm "Of course, we'll just see you around."

With that, we went our separate ways but I still couldn't drag my eyes away from their retreating figures, specifically Beth's, as her movements remained rigid and jerky.

"So as we were saying..." Jess trailed off, trying to catch my attention "We thought maybe tomorrow we'd go to my place and have a little pool party, you and Evan can come-"

But again, I couldn't focus. I couldn't seem to focus on the people around me, my surroundings, what Jess was saying and neither was I forcing myself to do otherwise.

Because it was already enough that she and Evan couldn't seem to stand being around one another, now she and Evan's friends as well?

I honestly tried to ignore this noticeable tension around them, thinking it was probably nothing and that I shouldn't tarnish what's becoming of Evan and me, because for once, I'm happy.

I'm happy with him, and I'm happy with how my life is turning out.

I got my old friends back, and I have my new ones to tag along with.

... But I don't wanna force myself to be ignorant just to stay happy.

I ignored her vague actions then, I'm sure not gonna ignore them now.

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