Bubble Gum Kisses
CHAPTER 65

**Kapittel 65**

***Vanessa***

**"This bi-"** Oh fuck. Don't tell me a fight's about to ensue!

"I brought drinks!" another familiar voice suddenly went past our ears. I turned my head and saw Toshiro coming into the scene, bringing a pitcher of God knows what. "Woah, Van. You're here!" he exclaimed happily. I didn't know why but his expression reminded me of a puppy.

"Y... Yeah," I managed to reply, although taken aback. "It's good to see you here."

"Likewise," he replied, chuckling before turning to the others. My mouth curled as I watched him look at the brawl that was supposed to occur. Confusion was evident on his face as he asked: "What's going on?"

It was the Bailey girl who quickly turned away and grudgingly sat back on her spot, seemingly sulking. "Nothing."

"Sophie?" he looked over the girl who was defending her boyfriend's honor. She, as well, turned her head the other way and sat on the opposite side of the sofa where most guys who cheered for me were.

Silence took over the lounge, what remained among us was the music and the clueless crowd's chatter. I was thankful that the scene was stopped right on time, since one: I didn't want to deal with it; and two: I didn't want to be mistaken as one of the insinuators.

Toshiro looked at the group that had now parted like the Red Sea, divided between those who weren't in favor of Friso and those who were. I followed his gaze. Bailey remained perplexed and her girlfriends were huddling over to her side, Sophie meanwhile, was holding a large scowl on her face. He then looked at me, who remained in the middle, along with Madison who had been quiet the entire time while drinking. I wasn't very much acquainted on one side and the other had bad blood with me.

"Dude, is that strawberry lemonade vodka?" someone from Sophie's side asked, his eyes shining at the sight of the pitcher Toshiro was holding. It was a translucent drink that was red in color, it had a good amount of lemons in the middle part along with a bunch of ice shaped like a crescent, and there were also sliced strawberries floating on the surface.

"You bet it is. Took me a long time to replace the right amount of triple sec!" the abrupt question eroded the awkward silence as Toshiro replied, changing the heavy atmosphere.

I admired how it looked appetizing when Toshiro poured them over on the glasses each had salt on the rim and a slice of either strawberry or lemon on one side. It glistened against the flashing lights, making it stand out in my sight. It didn't take long for the others to catch up with the attempt of segueing to ease the towering tension by taking their glasses for a drink.

"What'd you like, Van?" the new main man asked, probably noticing that I didn't ask for the drink, unlike the others. "Beer? Cocktail? Juice? I'll get you whatever you like," he offered, making me think that he was probably an aspiring server. "I don't think now's the right time for that," I respectfully declined, shaking my head. Everyone went back to being festive as if nothing had happened, especially when a pretty waitress in a bunny suit showed up with a stack of hotdogs. The boys hollered, and we didn't hesitate to show our disgust.

"Oh come on, girl. Every time's always a good time for a liquor," Lazarus suddenly came to my side. I jolted in my seat when he wrapped his arm around my shoulder. Seriously, this guy still had the knack to show up and disappear then show up again.

"Mhm mhm." Still, I remained true to my prerogative, shaking my head in refusal. I was no stranger to peer pressure.

"Well, that's expected." Bailey suddenly spoke. We all looked at her in unison, the suffocating tension returning. It looked like she was still sour over things.

"Here she goes again." Sophie rolled her eyes, sipping on her drink.

"What are you getting at?" I knew she had a problem with me, but she was unexpectedly displaying it blatantly. Especially that she wasn't friends with everyone in this lounge.

"Yeah, what are you on again, Bailey?"

"Ooh, they're about to throw hands!"

"She almost caused a fight earlier and now this..."

"Who cares, Kevin? It's fun to see a fight anyway."

"I mean, you guys see how she treats Drew so..." one of the girls from her side spoke, attempting to defend her. I assume they were friends. "It's also expected that she's no fun at all." "Ignore her, chica. Don't let their words affect you," Lazarus said in a small voice, seemingly trying to comfort me.

"What are you doing, Lazarus? Why are you putting up with that girl? Oh!" Bailey paused, feigning that she had a sudden realization. "You're Drew's best friend, yet you always pick up after his crumbs. Maybe... you don't want his sloppy seconds anymore?" she continued, her eyes brushing at me, then to Laz, and raised her brow at him smugly. "Looks like your plan working though. Look at you two sitting together, and she hasn't punched you... yet."

"Hey, you're taking it too far," one of her friends held her by the shoulder.

"Shut it, Laura. I'm speaking the truth!" she lashed out, glaring and yanking her shoulder away.

"Seriously? That was the criteria for judging for being 'not fun'?" I had wanted to remain passive until I could replace a leeway and get away no matter how much they taunted me or whatnot. But it's way out of the line if they're including the people who were close to me.

The "oohs" came right after, but it didn't faze me. I stared at the lot of them, looking surprised by my outburst I ran my mouth, "I didn't know that Friso's the model of fun when all he does is terrorize the school and fucks around like a rabbit in perpetual heat. Not to mention invade my personal space when my actions make it clear I didn't like him near me."

"Damn, she called him Friso-"

"Shut up, Kevin!

"Also, Lazarus is accommodating me since we haven't seen each other and had direct contact for years and we're trying to catch up with each other. But let me make this clear: that doesn't mean that something is happening between us. Lazarus isn't the type who is envious that he steals away or picks up after his best friend's things. He's a sincere person who worries for the people he cares about.

"I don't know and care who you are to Friso, but it's obvious that you're trying to curry his favor by bullying me. But I've got bad news for you, as someone who has been with that bastard since we were four years old, I doubt he'd appreciate it if you talk shit about his best friend of 8 years just to undermine me," I said through gritted teeth. "Who knows, he might make you a case worse than I am." "Damn!"

"That was cold!"

I was sitting firmly on my spot, however, my legs were shaking. It wasn't because I was angry, but because of the realization that I'd gained unwanted attention. Through my peripheral vision, I could feel Lazarus staring at me with a marveling gaze. Urgh, now I was getting conscious.

Bailey's friends looked stunned at how her mouth was slightly agape as well as her eyes, they probably weren't expecting that I'd clap back. The dark-haired brat was flaring at me, fuming that the dominance she asserted was starting to topple down.

"Bailey." I heard Lazarus speak in a low voice. I turned to look at him and saw that his face darkened. "I didn't invite you to this table so that you could fuck around with everybody's fun. Get out."

"Hah! You don't own this house. Don't tell me what t-"

"Stop it, Bailey." It was Madison who finally spoke, cutting her off while rubbing her forehead. "You're being embarrassing. You only got into the party because Laura practically begged Laz to invite you guys," she revealed, causing another round of "oohs" to emerge.

"What?" Bailey froze and her face flushed red, bewildered. Laura and the other girl looked mortified too.

"And you ruined it for her. It's a pity being friends with you," Madison added, striking the final blow.

"C-C'mon... Bae. Let's go get some fresh air," her other friend went beside her, putting an arm around hers, probably to console her. Instead of leaning onto her friend's solace, she also yanked her arm away like what she'd done to Laura. "Hmph! I don't need your help!" she disgruntled, walking out with her friend going after her.

"Bailey, wait!" she hollered.

"Sorry for ruining the fun. We'll be on our way," Laura said before walking out as well, her eyes watering. The remaining girls who were on their side, not without the source of their confidence, also scurried away quietly.

Once again, silence invaded the lounge. "Don't worry about Bailey, she's being a bitch because Drew hasn't been calling her lately," Madison broke the unwavering silence while drinking from her half-empty glass. I sighed, it was as if she was asking me to tolerate or excuse Bailey's rude behavior.

** **

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