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A/N: 

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Chapter 30: If you were Looking for a Plaything, you Should've Headed to Toys-R-Us

Don't play with the feelings of someone who can beat you at your own game.

~Starlight24

"Seriously!" I said, feeling annoyed. "Why does Natalie Spencer insist on making my life miserable and why is no one doing anything about this?"

"Because," Cady said simply, shrugging a bit. "People like her don't deserve any more attention than they're already getting."

Cady had been attached to me like a particularly sticky piece of gum at the bottom of your shoe that you couldn't peel off.

Apparently, when she was in the kitchen with Nat, she had to pee and left her alone after several death threats. By the time she came back, Nat had just been grumbling and pouring in spoilt milk into my drink. She was so petty that she put in bitter berries and spoilt milk.

She'd been way too apologetic and said sorry whenever she could. If there was a gap in the conversation, never fear! A profuse explanation of what happened in the kitchen would ensure a punctuation.

"Yeah, but still. First she tries to kill me. Then, she tries to slip horrid messages into my locker. Then, as if that wasn't good enough, she knows I'm Starlight and sends me hate via a dumb account called freaking Miss. X. All for what? What is she receiving?"

Cady shrugged. "Don't listen to her. She's just trying to get to you," she then turned to me and flicked my cheek from her more imposing height. "And she's obviously succeeding. Don't give her that satisfaction."

I grinned and flicked her in the cheek back. "Since when did Cady Hunt get so smart?" I teased, and she rolled her eyes.

She gasped dramatically. "You say it like you don't know it," she said, and I smiled.

"Know what?" I asked innocently, and she grinned.

"Hardy har har, smarty pants," she said with a cute pout.

"Love you too!" I said, flicking her cheek again for good measure.

"Who said I loved you?" she asked, and I crossed my arms across my chest.

"Take that back!" I said, laughing.

"Nope!" she said, and I punched her lightly in the arm.

"Do you think Nat is doing all this for Dylan? Like, does she hate me because of Dylan?" I asked, and suddenly Cady's playful mood evaporated.

"Why would she hate you because of Dylan?" she asked, and she sounded abnormally stiff.

"Because Dylan's my neighbor and the two of us are pretty close..." I said, not understanding her mood shift.

"How close is close?" Cady asked, still sounding like she'd swallowed a frog.

I blinked. "Pretty close?"

"Well," Cady said, sounding stiff. "People like Nat are crazy. They'd do whatever they had in their power to get their crush's attention."

"You still like Dylan, don't you?" I whispered, and she paused, and then nodded slightly.

"Yeah, I do," she admitted finally.

I squeezed my eyes shut. No, I didn't like Dylan what-so-ever. He was just another attractive guy in my life. There were just too many of those.

I shall start making ugly guy friends.

"Oh," was all I could think of.

Well this complicated things.

Stupid feelings. Maybe I'll take Deeds up on that offer to get together with her, if she wasn't with someone right now.

I wonder who the flavor of the month was this time.

*****

I like the rain. I like the way it pitter patters across the dull pavement and little kids in yellow raincoats and galoshes jump into puddles and spray water across the area. I like the way the clouds loom overhead and form a gray blanket.

What I don't like is mud, which seems to be found in abundance when it rains.

Oh, did I say don't like? I'm sorry, I meant hate.

If there was a mudophobia or something, I'd have it. I just hated that brown substance with everything in me and I hated the way it caught onto your ankles and dried up there, leaving the crusty sheet of earth like a weird impersonation of a log.

I walked slowly towards my house, relishing the feeling of the cold water dripping down and leaking into the back of my shirt and trickling down my spine.

Yes, I was a weird person. I liked what other people would have avoided.

I was carrying my rainbow umbrella and walking home despite everyone else's protests that I'd fall ill. I liked the rain, and my house wasn't that far from school. A ten minute walk would be the maximum I needed to waste on my way.

I took out my phone (under the umbrella of course) and grinned.

Popcorned: Hey!

Starlight24: Hi there =D

Popcorned: 'Sup?

Starlight24: Just for the record, 'sup is a terrible conversation starter.

Popcorned: Why's that?

Starlight24: I believe if you're true friends, 'sup isn't required because you jump to the topic already and immediately.

Popcorned: Okay, that's not true. 'Sup is a way of finding out about what people are doing in their lives so you can comment on it.

Starlight24: Well, if the other person actually wanted you to comment on their lives, they'd tell you about it!

Popcorned: Alright, what is going on in your oh-so-interesting life that I can comment on?

Starlight24: Now that's the thing. Because I don't like you, I'm going to say 'nothing much' and end our conversation right now because it will die.

Popcorned: Um... well then.

Starlight24: Just kidding. If you mean what's up figuratively, then I just found out I kinda-sorta have a very close relationship to one of my best friend's crushes and another best friend's ex.

Popcorned: Whoa, bitch move much?

Starlight24: If you mean literally, then it's raining and I LOVE IT.

Popcorned: You are a weird person.

Starlight24: I mean, I love it because I just love the rain! It portrays my mood. When I'm gloomy, it's all gray and when I'm happy there's a rainbow.

Popcorned: I love the way you're completely ignoring everything I'm writing right now.

Starlight24: Because the clouds just open up above you and pour down, and the rain is like the world's tears. They quench the thirst of the world.

Popcorned: That was lovely.

Starlight24: And the colors of umbrellas and happy children contrast against the dull setting!

Popcorned: Still ignoring me. Great.

Starlight24: And the world is just SO PRETTY WHEN IT RAINS!

Popcorned: I could say anything right now and it wouldn't matter.

Starlight24: I mean, I love the wind and everything, but sometimes it blusters too much and it's borderline unpleasant. The rain is just so... wet.

Popcorned: Homer Simpson is yellow! Little girls like the color pink!

Starlight24: And spring and summer are just way too full of joy and sunshine for my liking. I mean, it's almost unnatural.

Popcorned: Tiaras are for princesses and crowns are for queens.

Starlight24: And winter is just... too cold.

Popcorned: Weird confession: I think Rapunzel is hot.

Starlight24: But the rain! That's like proving to the world that even after a thunderstorm, there's always a rainbow.

Popcorned: I cannot believe you're still blabbering about the goddamn rain.

Starlight24: Anyway, 'sup?

Popcorned: SMH you're such a hypocrite

Starlight24: Oops? Anyway, let's play that game I was talking about.

Popcorned: What game?

Starlight24: We tell each other three totally random things.

Popcorned: Okay... You start.

Starlight24: Okay. 1) I've heard I look like Rapunzel 2) I'm an only child 3) My cooking skills are epic.

Popcorned: You look like Rapunzel?

Starlight24: I've heard I do. IDK though.

Popcorned: Scroll up.

I furrowed my brows in confusion. What was he talking about?

Then, I read through the chat and burst out laughing. He was such a dork.

Starlight24: Aw, someone thinks I'm hot.

Popcorned: I think RAPUNZEL is hot. Not you.

Starlight24: Minor casualties.

Popcorned: Oh I bet I can beat you at cooking any day.

Starlight24: Pfffft, in your dreams perhaps.

Popcorned: Bring. It. On.

Starlight24: Anyway, your turn.

Popcorned: Okay... 1) I've heard I look like Flynn Rider 2) I'm an only child as well 3) I'm popular as hell.

Starlight24: Flynn Rider? Really?

Popcorned: Lol I actually kinda sorta do at a distorted angle.

Starlight24: Popular as hell -.- what would we have done if you were proud?

Popcorned: *Shrugs innocently and raises hands in surrender* the truth's the truth, babes.

Starlight24: Hey, sorry but I GTG. Just got home.

Popcorned: Aw, NP. I'll TTYL?

Starlight24: Definitely. Bye!

I began humming the rain song from Pooh Bear because it seemed apt. I was weird, don't judge me.

I shoved my phone into my pocket and realized that it had stopped raining. I drew back my umbrella and removed my hair tie, shaking my blonde, wet hair out of its mess and wincing as it hit my face painfully.

Wet hair was painful torture. Wet thick hair just plain sucked.

I hadn't anticipated the rain today, and today was one of the rare days I'd decided to dress up. I was pretty much an outcast right now. An outcast with popular friends. I was shot by dirty looks and notes in my locker, and I was 'accidently' shoved around in the lunch line.

At first, it had hit me hard. Getting the death glare from random strangers wouldn't be bookmarked in my 'list of fun things to have happen to you'.

Now, I'd just gotten used to it. The glares, the rotten looks, the snide comments and remarks all just slid off my body like snow on a sloped roof.

Today, I was wearing a shortish mauve dress with magenta flowers that flared around my thighs. I'd worn high dark brown boots and let my hair loose across my shoulders. Although I usually wore no makeup, I'd decided to now.

Everyone wore makeup but me. If they were going to judge me anyway, I might as well give them something to judge about.

I wore an ear cuff and a metal chain bracelet and a choker.

Yeah, I hadn't kept it simple today.

I knew my makeup was probably a mess, but I couldn't care less. I put my umbrella down and jumped in a puddle, just because I wanted to.

Hey, I never said I wasn't immature.

Today had been weird. I genuinely thought I'd looked nice today, and a lot of people thought so too evidently. I got bitched about more than I'd ever been before.

Apparently I was dressing up because I was starved for attention after everyone realized that I was a hypocritical fraud.

Well screw them.

For some weird reason, it was oddly satisfying when I clomped down the lunch hall loudly with my shoes clattering across the floor while everyone turned. I'd smirked and not maintained eye contact with anything or anyone but the wall ahead of me. I'd heard the whispers alright. The hushed voices of disapproval that traveled like a tidal wave across the area.

I was just about to climb onto the stairs with the keys dangling across my index finger when all of a sudden the klutz in me decided to show up.

All I'm going to say is that I hate mud.

My boot slipped on a particularly slimy patch of mud on the stone pavement that lead up to my house and I screamed. My arms flailed in the air and I saw my life flash before my eyes.

No, not really. I was too panicked to have a dramatic end.

I was just about to fall down when a pair of arms wrapped around my waist and steadied me, only allowing me to crash into this person's hard chest.

I gasped and he hoisted me around (I'm guessing it's a he) and I was about to thank him profusely when I came face-to-face with Satan's baby himself.

How annoyingly cliché this situation was.

"Were you stalking me!?" I blurted.

Dylan raised his eyebrow. "I happen to live right next door, you know," he said, looking amused.

"Yeah, I know," I said slowly, rolling my eyes. "I mean, you were so silent. Were you planning on abducting me and then throwing me in the middle of a forest so you could butcher me and sell me to a cannibalistic organization?"

"Your imagination scares me, it really does," Dylan supplied, and I placed my hands on my waist indignantly.

"Yeah, how come you didn't say anything? How long have you been following me?" I asked, annoyed.

"Just long enough to hear you sing ridiculous Pooh Bear songs. Seriously, Day! First Ariana Grande, then Pooh Bear. I'm really starting to question your mental health."

I blushed profusely at this but tried to keep my composure. "Please, you're just jealous of my amazing voice," I said, rolling my eyes.

"I am, actually," he said, and I raised my eyebrow at this.

"I think I just saw a pig fly. Dylan Daniels just complimented me!" I said, placing a hand on my heart dramatically. "I knew this day would come," I said, acting like I was getting all emotional.

"Anyway, a simple thank you would have done perfectly fine, by the way. I just saved you from a head injury." Dylan was still smirking at me like I was some really dumb kid and he was all superior.

I hated how hot that look was.

Dammit!

"Oops," I said, blushing a bit at my thoughts. "Um, thanks?"

He grinned. "I want a thank you kiss," he said, jokingly.

I stuck out my tongue playfully. "I ain't doin' nothing if you don't say please!" I said in a sing-song voice.

"Please, we all know you want to kiss me," he said, and I frowned.

"Well, you did just say please," I pointed out, and his eyes widened in response like he hadn't realized that.

"Well, I hadn't meant it that way," he said, and I grinned and leaned forward.

His breath hitched, and visibly so. I felt a rush of female satisfaction because I knew that I was the reason he'd suddenly gone so taut.

He closed his eyes and leaned in too, his lips parting a little.

I grinned. Someone was going to be disappointed.

Just as our lips were about to meet, I dodged him and moved my lips to his ears. "I'm not going to randomly kiss you, Daniels. If you were looking for a plaything, you should have headed to Toys-R-Us."

He groaned and I smiled, and he looked extremely irritated. "I hate you so freaking much," he grunted out, and I gave him a saccharine smile.

"I love you too!" I said, grinning widely. "Aw, did someone want to kiss Day June Winters?" I asked, teasingly. I was enjoying him cringe.

I was enjoying this situation a little too much to even be considered healthy, really.

"Remind me to never save your life again," Dylan said, and I burst out laughing.

"Don't expect kisses from me. I'm not that kind of girl," I said, and he shook his head, clearing whatever he was thinking about.

He nodded slightly and then the sides of his lips turned up ever so slightly at the corners. "Hey, I'd been meaning to tell you this," he began.

"Yeah?" I asked, cocking my head to the left in confusion.

"I take back what I said about you not being hot. You look really amazing right now," he said, and my cheeks flared a bright pink.

"Uh, yeah, thanks," I mumbled, feeling my face turning as red as a tomato.

"I mean, if amazing meant looking like a roadside hobo," he clarified, and my eyes widened at this.

"You big, fat meanie!" I said, knowing he'd just done this to get back at me for teasing him.

"Love you too!" he exclaimed, before jogging towards his house. "Catch you later, Snowflake," he said, and I frowned at him.

"Next time I meet you, I'll be there with a sledgehammer that will have a very close encounter with your face," I warned, and he grinned.

"Yep, definitely never saving your life again," he said, before winking at me and then closing the door.

Oh Dylan Daniels, you don't know who you're messing with.

A/N:

Hey guys! How's that for a quick update?

I made another cover coz I was bored. Ehhhhh xD

Anyway, thoughts on this chapter? Was it long enough?

I actually wanted to say something. I know a lot of you (well, practically all of you) are pretty disappointed because Jay sunk.

All I want to say is: have a little faith in me xD I have a whole intricate plot that's yet to come up so don't give up on me yet.

Jase and Day will remain to be friends. Although I promise Jase has a cool twist of his own ;)

Okay, who all like Popcorned? I think he's personally one of my faves.

Also, what about Dylan? 
Natalie?
Miss X?
Cady?

And also: anyone missing Deirdre? I am. I'm gonna incorporate her in the next chapter.

Teaser: Revenge doesn't always have to just be sweet... It can be smelly too.

Song of the Day: Sit Still, Look Pretty by Daya

I love that song!

Also, I'd like to thank everyone. The response I'm getting for my book is MIND BLOWING. Not once had I imagined it would get this far. I've got readers from all over and all of you have been so supportive.

HUGE THANK YOU!

Love you all,

~Lexi