Today felt like a fantasy come true. Ryan actually asked me to be his girlfriend, and I accepted! We walked to class together, sat together in class, and couldn’t keep our eyes off each other.

We even skipped the third period together and spent it making out on the bleachers. Of course, we talked also, and he made some funny jokes, but we also sat in silence, just enjoying the moment. We almost got caught by coach, but Ryan and I quickly hid under the bleachers.

Even though our relationship started hours ago, it felt incredible and was going great, until Jenny happened.

“I heard there’s a new couple in school.” Jenny had sung as she walked up to us with fake enthusiasm.

Ryan and I were seated in the middle row of the classroom, ignoring the whispers, which I was sure were about us. A look of surprise etched on my face with an eyebrow cocked as I watched Jenny saunter over to us.

“Hey, Jenny. What’s up?” Ryan waves to her while I furrowed my eyebrows at them.

Okay, what is going on? Didn’t they just break-up? So they’re supposed to hate each other, right? But they seemed okay as they smiled at each other.

“Oh, look at you. You’re just glowing.” She gushed at me. I just kept staring at her, dazed. “I’ll see you guys at lunch. Bye.” She wiggles her fingers at us before walking to the back of the class, where her posse was seated.

“Okay, what was that?” I asked, still trying to comprehend what just happened.

“She was just being nice.” He explained. I moved back a little to stare at him properly.

“Being nice?” I repeated, “The last time I checked, she hates me, and I hate her. Oh, and I’m dating her ex-boyfriend.” I pointed out. I didn’t feel comfortable with him being friends with her. It just didn’t feel right. That chick once threatened me to stay away from him.

“Calm down, will you.” He huffed before pulling me closer. “She apologized for being rude to you at your dinner.”

“She didn’t apologize to me,” I muttered.

“She feels bad and just wants to be friends. That’s all. I’m friends with her. So please be nice to her. She’s not that bad.” He pleaded with me. Obviously, he didn’t know she usually threatened me to stay away from him.

I don’t think I’m ever going to like Jenny or want to be friends with her. But since Ryan has no problem with her, then maybe it’s all good. Plus, I didn’t want to sound like a jealous girlfriend. So, I’ll be the bigger person and let it all slide down my back. It’s all in the past now, and I completely trust Ryan to not break my heart for her.

“Okay. But I am not sitting with her at lunch.” I declared, knowing they always sat at the same table.

“Okay. We’ll sit wherever you want.” He agreed before placing a peck on my lip.

I looked up one last time at Jenny and found her already staring at us. When her eyes caught mine, she smirked before turning back to her friends.

I hope I don’t regret any decisions I make.

At lunch, Josh sat with Alex at our usual table while Jane, Ryan, and I sat opposite them. It felt weird because Jane was the only single one while the rest of us were cuddling. But she didn’t seem to mind.

We received a lot of stares, and I caught some staring and whisper. But I didn’t mind. I already expected this.

I noticed someone waltzing our way and turned to find it was Jenny, making a scowl appear on my face. A confident smile on her lips and a sway to her hips.

She’s been acting all nice to us since this morning, but I wasn’t buying it. If she thought for one second that I would believe her fake act, then she’s mental.

“Hey, lovebirds.” She flashed her set of perfect white teeth as she stood by our table. But she got no response, as Alex cocked her eyebrow at her, Jane furrowed hers, and the two boys gave her blank stares. But I did notice Ryan flash a quick smile at her.

“Why don’t you all come to sit at our regular table.” She glanced at Josh and Ryan. “Don’t worry, your girls can come too.” She said in a fake cheery tone. At least I thought it was fake.

“Come on, cupcake. The guys are nice.” Ryan persuaded, but I wasn’t going to budge.

“Yes. And we could do some bonding.” Jenny added, still having a big smile on.

“Yeah, right.” Alex scoffed, rolling her eyes at her. “Honey, did you fall off the bed this morning and hit your head?” Jane and Josh snickered, and I could see the smile on Jenny’s face start to fade, but she quickly brought it back.

“We’re good, Jenny. Right?” I gave a stern look to Ryan. He reluctantly muttered ‘right’ back, but Jenny still didn’t leave.

“Come on, Sammy. Is this about that night when you and your boyfri...oh, sorry, I meant Trevor.” She gave an apologetic smile, but I had the feeling she did it intentionally as I felt Ryan go rigid beside me. His possessive arm around my waist, tightening. “I’m really sorry about all that. I didn’t mean to ruin your date.” She added.

I shot a glare at her for using that nickname for me and bringing up Trevor as my boyfriend. She was acting like we were friends or something close when she knows I basically hate her. And I was sure she hated me too but for some reason was putting up an act. I wondered why. Was it a tactic to get Ryan back?

“Like I said. We’re perfectly content with sitting here.” I sternly replied. She pouted and had a sad look on her face, before muttering bye and left, looking like a wounded puppy.

“She was just being nice. You guys didn’t have to be so abrupt.” Ryan defended her while we all gave him dumbfounded looks.

“Dude!” Josh cried, thankfully, not falling for Jenny’s act. “She’s faking it, man. Have you ever seen Jenny be nice to anyone else?” He asked.

“More reason why you guys should have been nice. She rarely is and decided to be to you guys. But you were rude.” His eyes fixed on me, accusingly.

“Wait, what?!” I kept staring at him stupified, still trying to comprehend what was happening. Was he picking her side? “She hates me, you know that!” I cried out loud and wide-eyed.

“She doesn’t hat...” Ryan started to say, but Alex quickly butted in.

“I think you guys should just chill. It’s just your first day.” She advised, her eyes moving between Ryan and me. Jane was quiet all through, not saying a single word.

We both kept quiet. Alex was right. It was just our first day, and we had already started to argue. All because of Jenny. The mention of her name alone irritates me.

Gritting my teeth as I seethed silently in my seat, I looked to her table, where she was already staring at me. She had that stupid smirk on her lips like she knew what was happening and was enjoying it.

Balling my fists under the table, I sent my deadliest glare her way before stomping out of the cafeteria, leaving everyone stunned.

“What the hell happened at lunch,” Jane asked as both she and Alex sat at the two seats by my sides.

“I’m not sure,” I mumbled while decorating Ryan’s name at the back of my notebook.

“It seemed to me like Jenny was trying to be nice.” Alex reached for my notebook and closed it so I could focus on her.

I sighed before leaning back on my chair and folded my arms across my chest. “Ryan thinks I can be friends with her since he’s friends with her. I don’t know, it just feels stupid.”

“Because it is stupid.” She declared. “Look, I know the kind of person Jenny is, and she isn’t the kind that makes friends with a girl her boyfriend broke up with her for.”

Letting her words sink in, I went back to my notebook and resumed my earlier work while pouting like a kid.

Jane and Alex peeked into what I was decorating before cocking their eyebrows at me.

“Wow. So many love designs on one name.” Jane mocked beside me.

But I still sat sulking in silence. I won’t get to see him again until the last period. That’s when we had a class together. Unless he decides to look for me before then. Which isn’t likely to happen since we just had a little fight.

“Look, kid.” Alex placed her hand on my shoulder like I was a little kid she was about to give advice to. “I normally would tell you to tell that bitch to go fuck herself, but it would be better if you act a little bit nice to her..” She sighed before she shook her head. Like she couldn’t believe she just said that.

“Yeah,” Jane butted in. “We all know she’s putting up an act, but Ryan doesn’t know that yet. And if you decide to act as her enemy, it would make you seem like a... bitch. While she would look like an angel in his eyes. And it might affect your relationship a lot. You guys just started. Now’s not the time to pick fights with him.” She continued to explain.

“Yeah,” Alex added. “So you beat her at her own game. By acting like you’re the better person and not letting her get too close to Ryan.”

I let all they’ve said sink in and realized they were right. Jenny wanted to make me look bad in front of Ryan while she would look good. So I just had to make sure she fails.

I trust Ryan not to go back to her, but I don’t trust her not to cause a rift between us.

“How did I end up with smart friends like you two?” I smiled at them.

“You are so lucky.” Alex flipped her hair dramatically while Jane and I giggled together.

As I suspected, I didn’t see Ryan till the last period. When I did, I quickly apologized for storming out of the cafeteria, and he apologized for calling me rude. I hated the little fight we just had. I kept thinking of what I would say when I meet him, and if he would even want to talk to me again. But turns out, I had just been overthinking it.

“Maybe I could show you how sorry I am when you drop me at home after school. Mum and dad will both be at work.” I sent a wink and seductive smile his way and watched a huge grin appear on his face.

“Well then, I hope this class ends soon, or we could just skip it.” He suggested. I laughed, but he had a serious look on his face.

We both walked to the parking lot with his arm around my shoulder and mine around his waist. Breathing in his cologne was messing with my mind but in a good way.

His black honda accord came into sight as I waved to Alex and Jane, who were pulling out of the parking lot. His passenger’s door opens suddenly, and I stopped in my steps, surprised.

“Hurry up, guys. It’s getting boring sitting here all by myself.” Jenny yells at us, over the car before sliding back in.

I stared at Ryan, confused as to why she was in his car. He had a guilty expression on his face as rubs the back of his neck, looking at anywhere but me.

“What is she doing in your car Ryan?” I tried to sound cool and collected, but on the inside, I wanted to rip someone’s hair off.

“Uh...I normally drop her off after school. She’s kinda used to it, and her car wouldn’t start today...” He started to say, but my annoyance was already showing through. “But she promised to bring hers tomorrow.” He quickly blurted out. “Please just be nice. It’s only for today. We’ll drop her off first then go over to yours.” He pleaded with me, but all I just wanted to do was pull out my own hair in frustration.

“Fine.” I gave in. “But just for today.” I reminded. He kisses me on the cheek before we continued to his car.

I wanted to go for the passenger’s side but found out she was already there. Smiling at me like the cunning bitch she was. But I remembered what Alex and Jane said, I just have to beat her at her own game.

So I exhaled out my anger and went for the back seat.

“So Ryan, after we drop off Sammy, we have to go to the grocery store first. I have to pick up some groceries for mum. Our butler is on leave right now.” Jenny, all of a sudden, said as I slammed the door shut. “Are you okay with that, Sammy?” She turned to stare at me with a stupid smile on her face.

I looked sharply at Ryan through the rearview mirror. I thought he was dropping her off first. He shrugged apologetically before starting up the car and pulling out of the parking lot.

I wanted to scream out loud in frustration, but instead, I did none of that.

“Yeah, sure.” I agreed with a small smile on my lips. She smirked before steering back front and chattering non-stop.

I wasn’t going to protest but be nice, just like what Alex and Jane said. Be nice, don’t let her make Ryan and I argue over her.

Be fucking nice.