Prologue

The end of the day was always something that Alonah found peaceful and fulfilling. Not to mention that those moments are the ones that her and her friends look forward to. They rarely ever bump into each other when classes are still in session so it's really no wonder why she always seems to be happy when the ringing of the bell fills her ears. Walking along the hallway, she avoided bumping into the whole bunch of people staying in the said hall, no doubt waiting for their individual friends to arrive. As soon as she was a good meters away from the crowd, she heard an all too familiar voice call her name. A smile appeared on Alonah's face as she turned around. "Took you long enough to find me. Where have you been?" Lu Newman, Alonah's best friend for the longest time (since fourth grade to be specific), returned the jovial expression. With a grin, she gave her friend a hug, keeping her in arm's length right after as she said, "I just had to take care of a few things." One of the advantages of being friends with a person for so long is that you get used to their behavior and eventually know what the other is thinking without batting an eyelash. Hearing the words Lu uttered, Alonah let out a chuckle as she pushed her friends lightly and told her, "You were off breaking another guy's heart, weren't you?" "Aren't you cheeky?" Lu replied, a slow smirk making its way onto her face. Alonah shrugged. "I just know you well, that's all." Lu raised an eyebrow at her friend. "And...?" Alonah mimicked the smirk plastered on her friend's face. She knows what words her friend is waiting for her to say--heck Lu probably already knows what she's going to say--but there's never any harm in being the mysterious one for a change, right?  "Wouldn't you like to know?" "No," Lu replied without missing a beat. "I probably already know where you got that idea from anyway." Alonah's smirk was instantly replaced by a pout. "You're no fun." Laughing, Lu pulled the former in as she kept her arm around her shoulder. "Oh please, I am the epitome of fun." "Boo." "Boo indeed." Lu grinned. "Now, about where you got that idea from..." With a sigh, Alonah removed Lu's arm away from her as she stated, "Everyone was talking about it." This time, it was the latter's turn to let out a sigh. "Every time. Why can't they just mind their own business?" "Because you're the popular girl who every girl both envies and fears and who every guy wants. Sucks to be you, doesn't it?" "Shut up, normie." Lu muttered. "It's not like I asked for the attention." "Yet it's given to you anyway." Alonah grinned as she pulled her sulking friend to continue their walk through the insanely long hallway. "You really are a magnet for bad luck." "And bad guys." Alonah let out a laugh. "No, you just don't like any of them--despite there being decent ones among your endless list of rejected guys." "Not my fault they don't appeal to me in a romantic way." "And you wonder why people won't mind their own business. They basically live for the moment you reject yet another guy. High school students are scary, I tell you." "Hence the reason why I'm dubbed as 'The Heartbreaker' in this campus?" The title that Alonah's best friend became infamous for has always been the one thing that never really went away. She wondered how long it has been since Lu has been called that alias but it was such a long time ago, she can't even remember anymore. Not that it matters since they probably already saw that coming because of how frequent the latter rejects guys; almost like a habit. "Not really that surprising considering how it was happening almost everyday. Who are the only ones left?" "I don't know. It's not like I keep track." A scowl was instantly marred on Lu's lips. "And besides, it's not like it's important as to who are the guys I rejected." “Not important for you, maybe.” Alonah replied. “And Lu, come on. In front of the restroom? Seriously?” As Alonah watched her friend’s reaction closely, she saw how her annoyed expression morphed into one of embarrassment. She bit the inside of her cheeks as she tried her hardest not to laugh, especially when she heard a groan escape Lu’s lips. “He was standing right there!” “Oh, what I would give to have witnessed such sight.” “And you say high school students are scary.” “I didn’t really say that I’m not one of them though.” Alonah grinned when she received the glare Lu sent her way. “Well? Who was it this time?” A look of disbelief crossed Lu’s face but it was gone as quickly as it came. Alonah knew that it was probably because no matter what the former would tell her, she would still want to hear every single detail about what happened. She can’t really help it; the curiosity would only eat her up. “Jacob Meversky.”  The tone of resignation Alonah heard lacing through her friend’s words didn’t bother her in the slightest nor did she pay much attention to it. The only thing she heard was the name and how she could already picture it out in her mind what happened. The grin that appeared on her lips was something that Lu could only look at with the vaguest amusement. After a moment of merely looking at the girl in question, she finally let out a laugh and said, “Oh my gosh, seriously? The Jacob Meversky? The popular player who disregards girls like a bunch of tissues but wags his tail so happily when it comes to you? That Jacob Meversky?” “Must you be so specific?” Lu rolled her eyes. “And yes, that Jacob Meversky.” “The guy finally had the guts to get a move on. He was probably hoping it would end differently for him because of his looks and everything but unfortunately, it all ended just like the rest.” “Why would I even not reject him? I don’t know him well enough and the only time we’ve ever interacted was when he picked up the pencil I dropped and he just sat there gawking with my pencil still grasped in his hand.” That day was something that Alonah would never forget--nor would it be something that she’s going to let Lu live down. It just amused her so much how a guy that just so happened to be on top of the food chain would be that lovestruck when he came across her best friend. There really is just no good enough of a defense for her best friend’s charm. “It was almost like watching a movie.” Alonah laughed. “But admit it. You enjoyed rejecting the guy.” Lu looked at Alonah for the longest time before the former finally let out a laugh of her own. “It was the best.” Alonah knows that as much as the girl hates it when everyone gathers when she does her magic, she still enjoys the thrill of letting the guy play right into her hand. It’s like a game Lu plays: she leads them on, letting them think she’s got her wrapped around their fingers, then shatters their hearts into a million pieces. And all of that happens within just one interaction. What’s even more amusing is that right after Lu breaks their heart, they just can’t seem to accept it. They’ll come crawling right back, begging for a chance to prove to her that they could be someone she needs. Which, by the way, she thinks is absolutely absurd. “Should I assume you now enjoy your epithet?”  “Come on, Ally, we both know the truth.” Alonah gave Lu a grin. It’s true—the both of them do know the truth. Despite the latter’s complaints, she still considers it as something worth doing. “Now that you’re done harassing me about my recent misadventure,” A smirk appeared on Lu’s lips. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.” Curious, Alonah raised an eyebrow at her friend as she asked, “What’s it about?” One would think that by walking around that much, they would have already been out of this place but sadly, that's just not the case. With the school being as humongous as it is, it usually even takes most students thirty whole minutes just to try to get out of school.  Not exactly time-efficient but Alonah still finds it one of the best things about being enrolled at this certain school. Lu opened her mouth to speak, but then came one of their friends, Hayes Shordon, who came out of nowhere. Taken by surprise by how they suddenly felt a weight crash down on them, they stumbled on their places and landed on the floor with a thud. The few people who were still hanging out by their lockers immediately landed their eyes on the three friends but looked away as soon as they saw it was just friends messing around.  “Oh my gosh, you both have such weak legs.” Hayes stated, laughing as she heard her friends’ growls of annoyance. “Get off, you annoying cheerleader.” Alonah said as she tried to push off the additional weight she felt. Hayes acted like she didn’t hear anything as she told her friends. “I am anything but annoying.”  “No,” Lu started. “You’re nothing but annoying.” “And yet you guys still love me anyway.” Lu and Alonah simultaneously let out a scoff but said nothing to dissuade Hayes from her statement. After all, they know that what she said was true anyway. “Now,” Hayes said. “Get up. You both look ridiculous down there.” Both girls in question shared a look before standing up from their place and giving Hayes the coldest glare they could muster. Still, it did nothing to intimidate the head cheerleader. “Whose fault do you think that was?” Lu queried. Hayes waved her off. “Potato, potato.” “How did we even manage to tolerate you? You’re impossible!” Said a highly frustrated Alonah while throwing her hands up in the air to show her exasperation. “And you’re being dramatic.” Came Hayes’s immediate reply. “I am not impossible.” “Please, you don’t hang out with you.” Lu said as she hitched her bag higher on her shoulders and looped her arm with Hayes’s in order to drag her towards the exit. “Of course you won’t see it.” As Alonah followed her two friends, she heard Hayes let out a laugh, ignoring how Lu is still practically dragging her. “This is why I enjoy being with you girls more than the people on the squad.” “Well, we do know how appealing we are.” Alonah replied. “That’s true.” Hayes responded, a bright smile now taking over her face. “Now, what were you two ladies talking about?” For a cheerleading captain, you must think she's a total b***h and treats no one with respect--you know, the typical cheerleader personality. But in reality, she's the complete opposite. She's a real sweetheart (well, except when she’s with her friends; she can be a real mean thing), she welcomes everyone with a bright smile, and she's barely bitchy to anyone (unless she’s really mad, then you’ve got yourself a problem). She doesn't even lash out on her enemies.  Alonah once asked her why she does what she does and the girl in question merely gave her a smile and told her that the most effective way to beat your enemies is to kill them with kindness. Alonah had her doubts at first because never once in her life has she ever seen that strategy work, but surprisingly, it did. It left her wondering for days how Hayes was able to pull it off. She then came to the conclusion that it probably had something to do with how she just seems to naturally draw people in around her. "About something Lu was about to tell me." Alonah answered. In response, Hayes turned to Lu, only to see that the person who was teasing her to no end had now a thoughtful look on her face as she looked straight ahead with no heed to whatever. Judging by the far away look on her face, Alonah could only assume that Lu is probably thinking of how to best word the things she’s going to say. Hayes only stared at Lu for a while before she finally asked, "What did you want to tell her?"  Slowly dragging her gaze away from the scene she had her eyes locked on and to Hayes’s wondering eyes, she held her gaze for a minute before biting her lower lip, a habit she picked up when she was younger which she only does when she’s unsure about something. Alonah could only stare at them with curiosity as Lu bent over so she could reach Hayes's ear and whispered something to her that Alonah couldn't quite decipher. She raised an eyebrow at her two whispering friends and tried getting closer so she could hear what they were on about, but Hayes just ended up pushing her away in order to prevent her from hearing anything.  Releasing a huff, Alonah said, “What’s with all the whispering?” The only response she got was Hayes shushing her. At that moment, she decided to just merely let them be. It’s not like she wouldn't know what they’re talking about; what Lu is telling Hayes now is something that she was originally supposed to share with her anyway. What's a few minutes of waiting, right? Right after Lu pulled away, Hayes's eyes widened and she looked at Alonah with a grin etched on her face. That gesture alone was enough to make her skeptical about their hushed conversation.  "Seriously Ally, I have no words right now. None, nada." She said with a grin and the only thing Alonah could do was look at her confusedly. “Oh, I am so excited!” “Excited about what?” Alonah questioned. “Let’s just say that you are such a boy magnet.” Alonah laughed incredulously as soon as she heard the words that came out of Hayes’s mouth. "Me? A boy magnet? Oh, please! If anyone is a boy magnet between the three of us, it would surely be Lu. She's called a heartbreaker for a reason, you know."  Both girls rolled their eyes at Alonah’s words, prompting Hayes to say, "You’re supposed to be smart, stupid. Why do you not understand?"  Hearing those made her look at her friend in shock, ignoring the chuckle she heard come out from Lu’s lips. “Of course I don’t understand! I don’t even know what’s going on!” Finally breathing in the fresh air that rushed through their faces as they finally stepped out of the campus, Hayes told Alonah. “You’ll understand soon enough. I could even already picture in my mind what your reaction is going to be.” It honestly freaked Alonah out seeing Hayes be this giddy. She’s not used to seeing this side of her and she thinks she will never be able to. Seeing that now only doubled the anxiety she’s feeling. “Should I be worried?” “Worried is the last thing you’ll feel.” Came Lu’s dignified reply. “Hearing that from you doesn’t exactly sound reassuring. Knowing you, you’re probably plotting something.” Hayes laughed. “Oh you have no idea.” Lu gave Hayes a glare as soon as she said those words but the latter merely waved her off, as if telling her that it’s not a big deal. Alonah honestly doesn’t know what to feel. She thinks that the only thing that can ease her mind right now is hearing what Lu is supposed to tell her, which technically, isn’t too far fetched. “Lu,” Alonah started. “Don’t you think it’s about time you tell me about it too?” Hayes instantly faced Lu with a grin as she said, “Well? Tell her! She has a right to know, after all.” Lu let out a sigh. “You’re giving me a headache, H.” “Oh stop whining! Out with it! Come on!” Hayes exclaimed. “Oh whatever, you’re too slow! Alright, so Ally, here’s the--” Before Hayes could even finish her sentence, Lu interrupted her and said, “Shut up, cheerleader. I’m the storyteller here, not you.”  “Well you’re not doing a very good job of it.” Hayes crossed her arms, ignoring the glare she received from the former. Alonah could only watch there, confused and lost about the whole thing. “I’m getting on it!” Lu sighed, turning her attention to Alonah right after. “Remember when I told you about my nine childhood best friends?” Furrowing her eyebrows as she tried recalling all the things her best friend has told her, she replied, “I think so? You may have mentioned them, yeah.” “So you do remember them?” Lu questioned. “Yeah, a bit.” The thoughtful look plastered on Alonah’s face never left. If anything, it only seemed to have heightened. “Oh wait! I think I distinctly remember you telling me about one of them in particular. You couldn't shut up about him.” “Oh yeah, I couldn’t, could I?” Lu responded. Seemingly realizing something, Alonah let out a gasp and gave Lu an extremely jovial grin. “Oh my god, are the both of you a couple now? Is that one of the reasons why you keep rejecting those boys? Why am I only hearing about this now?” “Please stop being disgusting.” Lu told her, the disgust on her face as clear as day. “As if I would ever date that tosser. It’s only like dating my brother.” Alonah furrowed her eyebrows yet again as she registered Lu’s shudder and Hayes’s mirthful laughter. She wondered what it could possibly be if it’s not that? “Anyway,” Lu started, still looking positively horrified. “You know them, don’t you? Ian, Seth, Dylan, Drake, Shawn, Xavier, Xander, Tyler and Lauren?" She paused and looked at Alonah, waiting for her to confirm if she really did remember them. Getting the message, Alonah hastily nodded her head in confirmation. "Well, during the summer, they were here and it looks like Xavier saw what we talked about when we chatted on Facebook." Honestly, Alonah didn’t understand the meaningful look Lu is sending her. There were a lot of things they talked about that most of it were already on the back of her mind. When she only continued looking at Lu with a confused expression, the latter let out a sigh and said, “The one where I sent you a photo of them? Do you remember?”  At that moment, everything came back to her like a flood. She remembered every word they exchanged, not to mention all the things she said about them. It seemed like Lu caught on that she knew what she was talking about and merely continued looking at her with a passive expression.   Alonah’s mouth dropped open and her throat became dry. "W-what?" She stuttered, resulting in  Lu letting out a low chuckle, clearly enjoying the reaction she’s giving. "So anyway, he saw our chat history and started to question me about it. I did my best to make up some kind of excuse, honest, but there’s only so much I can do when the guy that’s questioning me knows me all too well. Here’s the worst part though: the one he saw was the one when I sent you a picture of him and Lauren." She said while shaking her head. "Poor bloke was shocked to death!" "What?" Alonah replied, having no words to say about what she just heard, while Lu just looked at her in amusement with Hayes now shaking Alonah in excitement. "Yeah. And guess what?" Lu asked. "What?" Alonah queried. She instantly felt dread when she saw Lu’s evil smirk. "After he read our conversation, he turned to me and said..." She paused. Alonah finally turned to her to give Lu her undivided attention because she knows that deep down, despite it being a very embarrassing moment, she’s still curious about what happened after. "Drum roll please!" Lu remarked and Alonah rolled my eyes at her childishness. "Just tell me already." Alonah whined and Lu gave her a smirk. The kind of smirk that said, 'You can't do anything about this, so might as well give in.' "Just tell her, Lu! Geez, you've kept the girl waiting for too long." Hayes said, earning a look of annoyance from Lu as a result while Alonah just silently agreed with the former's words. "Shut up, H. Seriously, you're talking too much today."  "That's because you take too long when you're telling a story. Do you want people to lose interest before they even hear the good part of your story?" Hayes questioned. Lu merely ignored the girl and gritted her teeth in annoyance before facing Alonah while saying the words, "Xavier told me that he wants to meet and talk to you." Right after Alonah heard those words escape Lu’s mouth, her mouth dropped open and her eyes looked like it was about to bulge out of her sockets. Her throat felt completely dry, not to mention that her heart is already thumping loudly and violently against her chest. "What? I haven't even met your childhood best friends! Why did you even agree to his request in the first place anyway? You know I'm not ready to meet them!" Alonah exclaimed with her voice coated in desperation but her friend just gave her a smirk again. "There's nothing you can do, Al. Might as well give in and give it a go." “Ally, I am so happy for you!” Hayes said. “You’ll finally get a boyfriend!” Alonah couldn’t even process Hayes’s words anymore because of how surprised she is. The only thing repeating in her mind are the words: Worried is the last thing I'll feel, my ass.