Then I heard it – the unmistakable thump of bass coming from the gym. Curious and frustrated, I snuck out of the auditorium and followed the sound.
The gym was packed, music blaring, lights flashing. And there, in the center of it all, was Cody Banks. He was on a makeshift stage with his new "band," if you could call it that. They were terrible, but the crowd was eating it up.
I spotted Maya in the crowd and pushed my way towards her. "What's going on?" I shouted over the noise.
Maya's eyes widened when she saw me. "Darcy! I thought you'd be at the talent show!"
"I'm supposed to be," I said, my anger rising. "What is this?"
Maya looked guilty. "Cody organized it. He said the talent show was lame and?—"
I didn't hear the rest. My vision went red as I stormed towards the stage. Cody had just finished a song, basking in the applause.
"Hey, asshole!" I yelled, climbing onto the stage.
Cody turned, surprise flickering across his face before he smirked. "Well, if it isn't little Darcy. Come to join the fun?"
"Fun?" I seethed. "You ruined the talent show! Do you have any idea how hard people worked for that?"
He shrugged, that infuriating smirk still in place. "Not my problem if people would rather be here."
Something in me snapped. Before I knew what I was doing, I grabbed the microphone from him and addressed the crowd.
"Hey everyone! You want to know why Cody really organized this? Because he was too chicken to perform at the real talent show. He knew he'd never win, so he had to sabotage everyone else!"
The crowd went silent. Cody's face darkened. "You don't know what you're talking about," he growled.
"Don't I?" I challenged. "I've heard you sing, Cody. A dying cat sounds better."
The crowd started to murmur. Some people laughed. Cody's cool façade cracked, and for a moment, I saw the hurt in his eyes.
But then it was gone, replaced by cold fury. He grabbed the mic back. "At least people showed up for me," he sneered. "Face it, Darcy. No one wants to hear you screech on stage. You're a joke."
The words cut deep, but I refused to let him see how much they hurt. Instead, I smiled sweetly. "Better a joke than a coward."
With that, I jumped off the stage and stormed out, ignoring Maya calling after me. As I left, I heard the principal's voice booming through the gym, shutting everything down.
From that day on, Cody and I were more than just former friends who'd grown apart. We were enemies, each determinedto make the other's life miserable. He'd ruined my chance to shine, and I'd humiliated him in front of the whole school.
It was war, and neither of us was backing down.
I shook my head, dispelling the memory. That was a long time ago. We were different people now. At least, I hoped we were.
“Let’s just make a truce,” I decide. “For as long as we’re with Maya, we won’t argue. As far as she’s concerned, we’re the verybest friends.” Her voice drips with fake enthusiasm. “If we want to bicker, it can wait until it’s just you and me. Deal?”
Cody nods and smiles sweetly. I had forgotten how truly handsome he is. Though, it shouldn’t be a surprise because Maya is the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. Plus, Mr. and Mrs. Banks are, like, the sexiest 60 year old couple out there. I haven’t seen them in years but from the photos Maya has shown me they both still look incredible.
Both of the siblings have enchanting turquoise eyes, the color of the ocean, and honey-tan skin with just the right amount of pink in their cheeks. They have heart-shaped faces with full lips. The only difference between them is their hair. Maya has blonde beach waves, while Cody has short, brown curls that sit on his head in a heaping mess. A cute mess, but a mess nonetheless. If you were to see the two of them sitting side by side, it would be no question whether they’re related. And they’re always the most attractive people in the room.
It was strange growing up with them. I eventually got used to girls batting their eyelashes at Cody and guys hitting on Maya all the time, but sometimes it stung. Sometimes, I felt completely invisible.
“I’m glad you and Maya decided to come on this trip, Darcy,” Cody tells me, eyes gazing intently into mine. “I know you didn’t want to, but I really am happy you’re here. Both of you.”
I consider his words for a moment. “Yeah... I am, too, I think. It got off to a bad start, but maybe this will actually be kind of fun.”
Saying it out loud, something clicks.
I have to stop moping around. Stop bitchingandmoaningandwhining. I don’t want to be the person I’m becoming. The bitter ex-fiancée who never got over it. I shudder at the thought. He may have stole my wedding from me, yes. But I can’t let him steal my future. That is mine to control.
