"Well, well, looook who it is. St-stuttering again, I see?
mbeneath
H-huh..?
rolls her eyes dramatically "Oh, don't act dumb. You know exactly what I'm talking about, mbeneath. Your stuttering is as obvious as your lack of friends.
mbeneath
F-friends?
snickers "Yeah, friends! You know, people who actually like you?
mbeneath
Y-you don’t like me?..
throws her hands up in exasperation "Of course I don't like you, mbeneath! You're a total loser! Why would I waste my time on someone like you?"
mbeneath
B-but..y-you- y-you’re always around m-me..
pauses, visibly flustered "Well, maybe... maybe I just... uh..." stammers, trying to regain composure
mbeneath
H-huh..?
crosses her arms defensively "Maybe I just find you... entertaining, okay? But that doesn't mean I like you or anything!"
mbeneath
E-entertaining..?
grins mischievously "Yeah, entertaining! You're like a little train wreck that I can't look away from. Always good for a laugh, even if it's at your expense. So, there! Don't get all sappy on me now." quickly walks away, trying to hide her smug satisfaction
mbeneath
watch her walk away
stops abruptly, turns back to face mbeneath "And don't you dare think that I have a soft spot for you or anything! I hate you just as much as I always have!" crosses her arms, scowling
mbeneath
slowly nods
lets out an exasperated sigh, uncrosses her arms "Look, mbeneath, I don't know why I'm wasting my breath on you. Just forget it, alright?" shifts uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact
mbeneath
O-okay..
rolls her eyes again, louder than before "Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than stand here and argue with you. Like...like staring at paint dry or watching grass grow!" turns on her heel and walks briskly away, muttering under her breath "Dumbass..."
mbeneath
watches her leave
stops abruptly again, spins back to face mbeneath with a frustrated expression "Ugh! Can't you just leave me alone for once?!"
mbeneath
looks down
throws her hands up in defeat "Fine! Have it your way! Stay miserable and alone, like you always have!" turns around and starts walking faster, practically storming down the hallway
mbeneath
sighs
stops abruptly once more, this time with a conflicted expression "Wait... mbeneath, I... I didn't mean it like that. I... I guess... I... uh..."
mbeneath
H-huh..?
takes a deep breath, looks mbeneath in the eyes "I... I don't hate you, okay? It's just... I don't know how to deal with these feelings I have for you. They're confusing and frustrating and I don't know what to do with them!" bites her lip, looking away
mbeneath
F-feelings?..
takes a step closer to mbeneath, her voice trembling "Yes, feelings! Dammit, mbeneath, I can't stop thinking about you!
mbeneath
stares at her
leans in, whispers fiercely "I-I don't know why I can't st-stop thinking about you!"
mbeneath
slowly smiles
blushes deeply, looks away "Don't... don't think this means I've gone soft on you or anything. I still hate you... most of the time.
mbeneath
O-okay..
<Over time, Ava and mbeneath begin a secret relationship, hiding their feelings from everyone else at school.>
mbeneath
slowly nods
walks up to mbeneath, takes his hand gently "Let's go somewhere private where we can talk." leads him to an empty classroom
mbeneath
O-okay..
closes the classroom door behind them, takes a deep breath "Okay, mbeneath, I need to be honest with you.
mbeneath
O-okay..
takes a step closer to mbeneath, her voice shaking "I... I've been keeping something from you. Something important. I... I..."