As we walk down the hallway, I can feel eyes on me. I see Brad and his friends watching me from across the hall. Brad's eyes meet mine, and he gives me a small smile before looking away. I feel a small flutter in my stomach, and I can't help but smile back.
Brad is tall and has an athletic build, probably from all the time he spends on the basketball court and at the gym. He has adorable features, including a chiselled jawline, dimples on either side and cropped sandy blonde hair. However, it's his eyes that truly stand out - they are a piercing shade of blue that always draws me in. I've always had a little crush on Brad, but then I see how all the girls swoon over him daily. I just don't want my heart broken. So, I'd rather not invest my time in a guy that's only going to break my heart. Plus, I couldn't imagine giving up any of the time that I spend with Janie. Yup, I will not trade pizza, movie nights, or facials for any guy.
The morning lessons fly by in a blur as Janie and I take diligent notes and absorb every bit of knowledge our teachers impart to us. But just before the bell rings for recess, Tori, one of the mean girls, tosses a crumpled ball of paper at the back of Janie's head. 'Hey, Janie, predict this,' she sneers, with Martha and the rest of her posse snickering behind her.
I shoot them a fierce look, but Janie bows her head and stays quiet. 'Hey Tori, I heard your flatulence was so potent yesterday that they had to evacuate the whole classroom,' I retort, unable to resist.
Tori's face turns beet red, and she slams her hand down on her desk. 'My mum made me eat bean burritos for lunch, okay? It wasn't my fault!' she yells, before storming out of the room in an embarrassed huff, just as the bell chimes.
'Thanks for sticking up for me, Rose,' Janie says, her green eyes sparkly with appreciation.
'We've always got each other's backs,' I assure her.
As Janie and I walk through the door, Martha and the rest of her squad purposely barge into me, causing me to fall over. My books scatter across the ground.
'Oh look, the poor petal fell down,' Martha says.
Martha's friends snigger and laugh at me as Janie helps me up.
'What the heck, Martha? You did that on purpose,' I tell her as I rub my sore arm.
'Even the finest rose can blemish,' Martha says, tilting her chin up before walking away with her goonies.
Martha is the ringleader of the venomous group of girls. She has angular features that give her a sharp, intimidating appearance. Her prominent cheekbones only add to her striking look, making it clear that she takes pride in her appearance. Her long black hair is always styled in a high ponytail, sleek and shiny as if it were made of silk. Her designer clothes are always form-fitting and exhibit her slim figure as if she wants the world to know how confident she is in her own skin.
Her makeup is always perfectly applied, with dark eyeliner and bright red lipstick that only accentuates her already striking features. But her beauty is only skin deep, for she is a cruel and manipulative person who thrives on the suffering of others. She finds pleasure in putting others down to make herself feel superior, always looking for ways to hurt those around her.
On the other hand, Tori has short light brown hair that falls level with her chin, but her jewelled cherry clip is always perfectly placed on the right side. She is just as self-centred as Martha but lacks her friend's talent for manipulation. Together, the two make a formidable pair.
'Are you okay?' Janie asks me, worried.
I'm annoyed and frustrated, 'You're always saying you can predict things, but you can never predict the things that matter,' I say to Janie.
Janie takes a step back and hugs herself, 'I'm sorry. I can't choose what I see. My ability only lets me see what it wants me to,' she says.
I sigh heavily, 'Janie, I'm sorry, but the point I'm making is magic doesn't exist, and this proves it. Everything you predict is predictable. We all know Brad will ask me out, just like every other boy in the academy has. Ruby is naturally clumsy and always tripping over, and I wasn't the first person she'd spilt a drink on. My English test, yes, I was stressing over it, but English is also one of the subjects I always score highly on. You tell everyone little things that will happen to them, which Martha and her cronies love to bully you about.
I love you, Janie, for you. I love your weird and quirky ways, but the whole academy treats you as a laughingstock. Everyone is always laughing and gossiping about what you've predicted and told them. I know you care about everyone, but they don't care about you, Janie, not like I do. I think you should reconsider telling everyone when something will happen to them. At the end of the day, a spilt drink, a small fall, or a little bump on the head isn't a big deal to them anyway, but it's a big deal to me when they all constantly bully you.'
Janie's shoulders drop, 'You're right, Rose. I'm sorry. I just can't help myself, which you already know,' she says.
'I know Janie. You're the sweetest, kindest person I've ever known, and I couldn't ask for a better friend. I just wish people saw what I see and would treat you better,' I tell her.
'I'll stop telling everyone what I see, only if I can keep telling you each day what I predict,' Janie smiles.
I laugh. 'All right, it's a deal,' I tell Janie, and we hug.