Laughs.
Laughs everywhere, surrounding me. Mocking me. I sunk deeper in humiliation, unable to hold the cold glare of the blond standing above me but somehow I found it in me to do it. Big mistake.
She'd never liked me, that for sure. Isn't hard to figure out why: she's always hanging by Brett's arm so if he hates me she does it double. But the dark hatred I saw in her big blue eyes when our gazes met...I'd never thought she could loathed me that bad. I never did anything to her!
She smiled and before I could acknowledged the chill her malicious grin sent me she moved quickly. His smoothie was thrown from her paperglass and landed on my unprepared body. I gasped and shut my eyes closed, more startled than I should, as the cold liquid soaked my hair and clothes and glue them to my skin. I halted there in shock, speechless.
What-? Laughs echoed the whole cafeteria and the humiliation hit me like a tone of bricks.
I felt cold inside, and shame and hurt. My breath trembled when I dared to open my eyes and saw her huge smile, enjoying what she'd just done. I was almost fully covered in his pink smoothie. A scream of impotence rolled inside my chest and all they do was laugh. This couldn't be happening.
Tears came to my eyes and I blinked to prevent them from falling.
"Why?" I asked in a shaky voice I immediately hate. I was so weak and I hated it.
She smuged at me while I kept hearing the laughs surrounding us and I bit my cheek struggling not to cry. My knees were shaking badly and that was the only reason I hadn't run away from there yet.
"Why?" she repeated with so much disgust I shuddered. "Because I can, you whore. You've already mess everything enough."
What the hell is she talking about?
"What are you-?"
"Now." Jade cut me and the dangerous look she gave me made embrace myself for the worst, starting to hyperventilate. It isn't over. She stepped and cold fear of realization hit me when I saw how everyone was laughing and taking photos. Faceless people all too eager to catch my fall out moment. I was literally froze in the spot so I could only stand there, choking in embarrasment and shaking, fully showered in sticky smoothy. I whimper and curled over myself but the laughs never stop, echoing in my head as the tears start to fall. Jade pushed me as a cherry top of my humiliaton and I landed non gently on the ground. "Now you stay there for good."
Not that I could with my trembling limps. Everybody was laughing. Their chuckles slipped through my skin, right to my core.
I sobbed on the floor, hoping for it all to end. The cruel girl in front of me said something else but I couldn't hear her. Still in daze I wiped some of the liquid from my face with shaking hands and looked up as Jade bend her waist, facing me from above. Fear and hate roamed my chest and guts.
"You see, Alyson. You had no place in here. You've stay away from us, all of us. Other way this will be only the begining."
"W-what had I ever done to you?"
The blond glared at me and stood up again, sneering in disgust. "Like you don't know." she spat at me and stormed away like everybody else, leaving me alone in the empty cafeteria. So lonely...
But then through the crowd of unkown people my gaze locked with a known blue one and my heart stopped.
Brett smiled maliciously and came my way.
"I'll take care of it, okay?" as he came closer I noticed another smoothie in his hand. No please... his cruel smile still plastered on his lips as he retracted his arm. "I promise."
I jolted forward, patting my body in search of the cold liquid but finding none; instead discobering myself covered in sweat and panting, a ragged hammering in my chest. The dark familiar surrounding helped me calm down from my panicked state as I fisted the duvet as an anchor.
A dream.
It was a stupid dream. A nightmare.
The soft moonlight slid in through the blinds of my room in a conforting manner and with a heavy sight I leaned backwards again. I was home. I was safe. It was all in my head...
Only that it wasn't.
Maybe that episode had never happen... but my days off were running out and in no time I'd be attending that hellhole all over again. It's been three days since Mr Jones came take report and so far things hadn't change that much. True, the girls involved got a warning but since there were no evidences and their families were kinda powerful there was only so much the school body could do to protect me from 'phantom attackers'.
So, so great, right?
I got cramps everytime I thought of going back after having pissed them off.
Granny was decided to take them down. She had a very heated argument with all their families but it ended changing nothing. She also was very touched when she learned Brett was part of the students that had bothered me. She refused to believe it at first... well I thing she still is in some kinda denial phase.
I shuddered when the end of my dream came again vividly. Ever since he came and promise to take care of it I hadn't heard from him. Well, he had called several times and even shown up again but considering everything I didn't answer nor Granny this time.
The ache in my heart clenched further every attemps he made.
I don't know what else he had to say, but I had enough of him. I won't fall again nor endure their bullshit anymore. I was done. For good this time.
Julia Ryder just called me yesterday too. I took it hesitantly but as always she ended up being the sweetest. She shown me her support and how disappointed she was on Brett, that there must had been some mistake but that he will be properly grounded for his doings. She also offered some motherly comfort and an invitation to come over.
I really missed that woman. She was always like a second mother but lately I'd barely seen nor talked to her and it was then that I realized how I missed her in my life. Another thing Brett took away, I guess.
A quick glance to the clock by the door told me it was barelly pass 3am.
Damn! I could still got some sleep. I better got some sleep. Considering how badly I'd been resting lately, at least now the physical pain was almost unnoticeable and I'd recovered from that massive cold.
After some more rolling and calming my frantic beat I finally managed to drift back to sleep, dreamless this time.
..........
The wooden parquet from Norah's room vibrated as my phone lighted up. It was the first time I left home after everything, and the three of us were currently on our weekly 'studding session', gathered on the floor with our belongings splashed around. I ignored it writting the essay due to next thrusday but it beeped three more times catching as well Macy's attention.
"Who's texting you... at this time?" she added the last part a bit hurriedly, trying to cover her surprise at me actually interacting with someone other than them. I take no offence, tho, I was very aware that no one ever texted me. But I felt the pit of my stomach tightening thinking of a certain person that's recently been trying to contact me.
Instead I shrugged, shifting a bit from my position laying on the floor. The dark skinned girl gave me an unsure look but nodded and go back to her book as well. Several seconds went by but there was another 'bing' and I almost cursed out loud.
This time Norah gave me a glance as well. "Whoever it is seems pretty determined to talk to you."
"Yeap."
Another beep and they exchange a look. "So... aren't you gonna take it?"
My guts curled but I played deaf. "Mhm?"
Norah glanced the phone, back at me and an amused grin appeared when she read the hidden nerves my gaze held. "Here." she place her pencil on the half filled sheet and reach out. "I'll get it for you."
"No!" before giving the order my own arm shot out to beat her. Last thing I wanted was for her to saw a text or call from Brett and read even further into things that weren't even there. "I'll take it, thank you." She chuckled and I bit my lip to prevent it from trembling. Very hesitantly I opened the messages and as soon as I read the name above a huge breath escaped me. "Oh." my chest relaxed in relief and confusion. "It's... Dylan."
Macy frowned, getting into a sitting position and stretching her arms to get rid of the numbness of being in the same position for so long. "Dylan who?"
"The model." I mumbled absentmindly as I scanned the words he sent quickly. "From the Studio."
"Oh my God." Norah shut the book and sat as well, excited as I read his text and inevitably a smile stretched my lips as the meaning sink in me. "Tell us, girl. What's he saying?"
"He... Dylan say Drew's presentation went perfect and that they got interested in my work as well."
"Mh." Norah wiggled her brows. "How many texts does he need to say that?"I glared her and she immediately held up her hands, but her expression wasn't the one of someone apologetical. "Hey! I'm just wondering."
Macy shook her head but sent me a smile. "Alyson, that's awesome! Does that mean they're interested in you applying for Nebraska?"
"That's what he says." my cheeks were hurting from being stretched that much but for the first time in a long while I felt hope. Like, really. I typped back a very emphatic thank you before lowering the phone once more. "He said it went perfect and Drew gave them my resume and phone as well, just in case."
Macy hugged me tightly: "That's so incredible, Alyson!" Norah was the next and almost tackled us to the ground.
After that it was basically imposible for us to focus back in work. I just couldn't. Not when my mind was driffting to possibilities. What if they do like me? If they gave me a chance? If I could properly apply for a schoolarship?
Oh my God, we were talking about an actual future here. Something I'd been seing as rather impossible for so long...
So yeah, it didn't came as a surprise when an hour later we were gossiping through a rerun of Friends with our things still sprawled on the floor. What? You can't mix us and act like we would actually work... especially not when I felt like high on sugar.
Macy was halfway throught last prank her sister Raven put on her when we were interrupted by another phone sound. Only this time it wasn't mine.
Norah twitched from her position to reach the nightstand where her mobile was charging.
"So... who's texting you, uh?" I tried mimicking her previous brow's wiggle but I'm sure it look weird.
"You silly..." she playfully narrowed her gaze and went to read her text, her mouth gaping right after. "Oh my God!" she shrieked making Macy jumped and almost fell from the ottoman.
"Jeez, Nors! You scared me. The hell is wrong with you?"
"Girls," she beemed, eyes wide and looked up at us. "Jade's got expelled."
I froze, gaping at her. The words last a long between us before I finally was able to process them. Jade? Expelled? Too good to be true. I must have heard wrong. "What?"
"Ian just texted me." Ian? as in the delegate? She grinned brightly, turning the screen so we could read it as well. "Jade. Got. Expelled."
Macy took the phone from her, frowing as she read it and I leaned closer to do the same over her shoulder. I couldn't believe it.
"For how long?" I wondered softly, still not processing it properly.
"Forever." Macy gave me the phone and smiled at my astonished expression. "You hear me, Alyson? She's out of Clayton for good."
"Well," Norah bit her lip. "I don't think it'll be forever since her parents are who they are... but at least for a good amount of time."
"That's... I don't- How?" I looked over the screen but was too shocked to actually read and processed it in my mind. Jade expelled? It sounded like a joke.
"Well, she's been reported to the principal with proves that he abused you and he had no other choice if he didn't want to be exposed to the press."
I felt suddenly light-headed. This is impossible.
"Proofs?" I repeated breathlessly. "What proofs?"
"Well," Macy cleared her throat and shifted a bit awkwardly sending a quick glance over the pink haired girl. "The witness that testified they saw right when she was doing...that to you." she swallowed. "Mr Jones was cornered."
My guts twisted at this new information. My gaze diverted to Norah.
"Connor testified?"she smiled and I felt like crying on relive but also confused. "W-why? I mean I'm so glad but he didn't seemed to care back then... well not too much at least."
I haven't seen him since I fainted on the hallway. I wanted to call him but I didn't have his number and Norah say he was a bit special in who he gives it to. Neither had I seen him in the Mendley's place like I was hopping, so I was still yet to thank him. And now knowing he actually did more than just get me out of there... I felt shittier.
"He's not heartless, Alyson." Norah sighed standing up in one jump to pace around, clearly more unsettled with this than she let seen. "I can't blame you for thinking that. He can be a real pain in the ass but... Anyway, I can assure you he was pissed after what he witnessed and..." her gaze diverted out the window absently but then she frowned and closed the distance in two strides. "Isn't that Lover Boy talking to my brother?" Norah asked in disbelieve and I swore at that moment my heart stopped.
"What?"
Macy and I shared a weird look and jumped to join her, forehead pressed to the glass and my guts fell to the floor. On the front yard of their place were the two of them. Connor seemed as inexpressive as always, lazily leaning on the fence with a cigarette tangled on his fingers, his skate resting by his legs and almost looking bored. But his gaze was on the boy in front of him.
Brett had never seemed so menacing to me as he was at that moment. With his sport clothes and disheaveled hair I could tell he just got out the practices. The boy was gesturing with his hands and for the look on his face I could totally tell if he wasn't yelling he was about to. He was fuming and spiting rage all over the new guy but he just stay there, not a bit impressed by what I supposed was the threatening face of Brett.
I didn't even know this two met each other, let alone had an argument. Had they had a problem? I choked at a sudden idea. Was Brett confronting Connor about the accident? Oh, no. No, no, no. This is bad this is really bad. I'd never meant to drag anybody down with me. Connor had a surprising nice act and now their gonna mess with him as well? My blood was throbbing on my ears and I couldn't hear my friend calling me. I could only focus on the two students talking on the other side of the parking.
Brett kept saying something but Connor didn't even blink, looking straight at him like seeing a bothering fly. I felt like crying. Then the auburn finally shuts and wait for an answer. For a second nothing happen but then Connor lips moved. He barely said a couple of sentences but I saw how Brett's face shifted from rage, to confusion, to horror then anger again. That stung my curiosity. What could Connor possibly had said? Not much since he push off the fence the next second and lazily threw the skate to roll before stepping on it and getting away, without looking back at Brett once.
My heart was wild against my rib-cage, pounding like he wanted to break free, and I could only wondered what this two had been talking about. What could had bothered Brett so much? My thoughts' thread was abruptly cut off when he turned and our gaze locked through the distance and the glass. It was as if the rest of the world faded away and his eyes were the only real thing I could hold on. So intense I felt my lungs stop working and cold sweat covered my back.
Kill. Me. Now.
"Alyson?" call me again Macy and I finally snapped out the sudden trance, pulling away immediately and hidding on the wall by the window, as if that would help. He'd aready seen me watch him.
I pressed my lids forcefully. So stupid.
"Is he still there?" I wondered with dry mouth.
They shared a confused look and then Norah shamelessly turned outside again. "Yeah, he is. He looks conflicted... sad maybe?" my heart pinched but I pushed it down. "He's looking up here again. Should I wave him?"
"No!" I nearly panicked.
She pouted and looked back out the window. "Poor thing. I get it that you're mad, but isn't the guy miserable enough? It's like a lost poppy and you've only been away for a couple days." I shook my head, holding down the tears and leaned into Macy when she tugged me to sit by her side on the bed, suddenly realizing how badly my knees were trembling. Norah sighed and caresed the glass with one finger, as if writting something invisible. "I'm afraid tonight we're gonna get another good amount of calls for little Mr Rejected down there."
I glanced up, frowning at her. "What are you talking about?"
"Come on, he's been trying to reach you. You know it. And since you refused to take his calls who do you think he turned to?" she dramatically gestured towards herself.
I gawked. "That's not true."
"Mhm."
I turned to Macy who had this bitting-lip-worried-look. "Is it?" I asked breathlessly. It couldn't be. Why would Brett bothered them so much? After I basically tell on him? And now trying to intimidate Connor... But my heart stopped when Macy began nodding to my further startlement.
"He... of course he has."
"That's it. He's gone." Norah finally stepped away from the window and let herself fell on the ottoman in front of us. "Can you actually blame him? After everything he's done."
I tugged the hem of my shirt, tensing at the sentence. "If I doubt him is precisely for everything he'd done, Norah."
"That's not what I meant." she rolled her eyes. "Listen, we might had thought it should come out from him, but seeing you're not at all near to hear him out it's fair to say we should do the honors."
"Honors?"
"Norah." warned Macy but the pink haired just lifted one shoulder.
"What? She should know."
"Know what?" I was begining to feel completely clueless in this conversation.
"We're getting there. You're ready?" Norah smiled and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, speaking slowly to made sure to remark every word. "Lover Boy is the one who got Jade expelled."
Excuse me? My brows knitted together, not believing I'd heard right. Brett? The one that got that witch expelled? But as I held my breath and they looked at me expectantly I realized they weren't correcting themselves. They were waiting a reaction. My reaction.
I heard right. So in my sock I mustered the only proper word I could form. "Brett?"
Norah smiled. "He got to Connor, he talk to the right people... Believe it or not he was the one who put this whole thing on the road and, man, he was determined. He didn't stop until he get that bitch out the school."
I couldn't breathe. Was that what he wanted to tell me so insistently? Couldn't be. Why would he do that? To Jade? His friend. His girlfried or whatever they were. I still felt the burning stab in my chest when I reember hwo they kiss right before I passed out.
There must be a wicked reason behind all of this. So many things were blurring my mind at that moment and I only could voiced a trembling:
"B-brett?"
"And you had the nerve to tell me he didn't like you?" snorted Norah. "He's your knight in a fucking shinning armor!"
I shook my head, dazed. "Are we talking about the same Brett?"
"Alyson!"
I shook my head harder. "I'm sorry, I'm... I-if he actually did that was because he felt... guilty or something. About the last years. Not because anything else."
Norah groaned in frustration and threw her arms in the air.
"How could you be so blind?"
"Nors," intervened Macy gently. "You weren't here but these past years he'd been... difficult with Alyson. It's not that simple to forget."
She sighed and relaxed a bit.
"Yeah I know... but it's hard to pictured him hurting you in anyway since everything I've seen was him begging your attention and taking care of you."
Taking care of me...
I'll take care of it, okay? I promise.
Could it be that he was staying true to his word?
This whole evening felt unreal.
First I got a chance -small change but whatever- with Nebraska. Then Jade got expelled. And now Brett turned out to be... I don't know.
My head spun, overthinking it all and I felt more dizzy as seconds pass.
Brett?
Really?
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Hey! Here goes another chapter!! Thank you so much for the 400 likes!! So cool, I love you all <3 Let me know what are your thoughts on what happen and what you think would happen next!
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