My breath got stuck in my throat at the sight of Jade. Her murderous gaze on me. Hard. Dangerous. And the memories of that damn changing room came back to me, making me stiffened.
Brett sensed it and absently caressed my arm with his hand around my shoulders. The warm he spread even through the jumper from that contact helped slightly, but I still couldn't look away from the blond on the other side of the lot. She certaintly didn't look happy when she noticed Brett's gesture and the small hairs on my nape rose in response when she slammed the car's door shut and finally looked away, following her step-mother whom I only now noticed getting out her car as well.
Sensing my sudden fright, the guy beside me frowned and follow my eyes 'til his reached Jade and then he tensed as well, pulling me closer after the first second of cluelessness."What the-?"
"What?" Hunter frowned looking that way too and cursed rather harshly.
I finally was able to tear my gaze from her, lowering it instead and hugging my middle at the sense of vulnerability that filled me. "I-I thought she was expelled."
"She was." grumbled Brett tightening his hold protectively. "Fuck. Don't say her parents pay her way back it."
"Is it really that surprising?" sighed Hunter but I could see his frown from the corner of my eye.
He was right. The Stefans were one of the whealtiest families in Clayton High. It only made sense they could compensate Jade horrible behavior with a significant sume of money... Only that the perpective of having her back made me wanna puke.
Now that I was having a couple days away from Noel, somehow rebonding with Brett... Now that things seemed to finally turn for the better she comes back.
"Hey." Brett sweetly cupped my chin to look up at him. "Look at me." Hesitantly I did and when my wide eyes met his electric blue ones an emotion shook me to the core. "Don't worry about her now, okay?" The intensity in his gaze made cooled my apprehension, at least enough to allow my lungs to work again. Jade couldn't attack me again, right? She just got back, and God knows what her parents must had done for it to happen. She won't risk it again. He leaned, resting his forehead on my temple and creating a small bubbled of safety where only us existed. "I won't let nothing happen to you."
Taking a deep breath I nodded, letting his words get to me. I believed him. I found myself instinctibly leaning against him for this heartwarming comfort. "Thanks."
He smiled a little, reassuringly, and squeezed my shoulders pulling me towards the door. "We'll get going." he then announched Hunter who gave us a knowing look and a salute.
To everyone's baffledment, Brett walked me to my locker and I couldn't help to feel both ashamed and excited by it. I mean, it was nice and I certainly like he was now being this sweet to me, but at the same time I didn't cope well with people's looks of amazement and judgemental confusion. It made me even more self conscious.
Brett, on the other hand, seemed completely unbother by all the attention. He made smooth talk and was back to his easy going self in a mater of seconds, making it somehow a little easier. If he noticed my unease, he surely didn't point it out. I found myself drowning in longing when we parted ways since we got different classes.
You're messed up, Alyson. Barely an hour since you made up and you're already feeling attatched.
By the time lunch came around everyone was talking about three things: yesterday's fight, Jade return, and of course Brett and me getting here together.
I hate being in the spotlight.
And the looks I'd been receiving only multiplied now that every one was on the hallways. I glued my gaze to the floor, determined not to let it bother me... not to let it shown at least. As nothing estimulating actually happen, I could sense them losing their interest and the burning of their stares on my nape lessened.
Thank God.
But I'd spoke too soon.
"Oh my God, Alyson." all my spine stiffened at the sweet/fake-concerned voice from behind me. No. Fear flued through my veins like liquid ice. "I've been looking everywhere for you," she sounded closer now, right beside me. I flinched when she grabbed my shoulder to turn me to face her.
Jade.
"A little jumpy, are we?" she smiled innocently at my grimace, almost passing as a sweet girl but the coldness in her eyes didn't fool me.
I clenched my hold on the book I was holding, needing some balance for the sudden ragged drummer in my chest. Blood rushed deafening in my ears as I gawked at her like seeing a ghost. Last time I'd been in the same space as her... she kicked me. She beat me and humiliate me. And now was standing there, acting like we were old friends meeting again?
I felt lightheaded. The attention I'd managed to lose came back to her little scene ten times worst. What was she doing?
"What?" she slightly grinned when I failed in reacting. Her voice smooth as she tilted her head to the side. The perfect image of innocence.
"Y-you..."
"Oh, right." she giggled and I almost flinched again when she reached out to fiddle nonchallantly with one lock of golden hair. "I just got back. You see? They say now they'll got me under very close vigilance." her eyes rolled tauntingly and I felt my heart going overdose at her psycohic ways.
Every pair of eye sin that hallway was looking.
Everyone knew what she'd done... or at least had a vague idea.
I had expect her to keep her distance not to get expelled again, or in case she wanted to confront me again to do it alone but no. There she was. Openly making me lose my mind in a crowded halway. Was this her way to rub in my face she'd gotten away with it?
"Look." she sighed, stepping closer and out of impulse I matched the approach backwards.
For a second a hint of mockery tugged her upper lip but it was gone before realizing it, back to that fake sweetness. But enough to prove me I was right to feel distressed.
"Chill, Alyson. I'm not gonna eat you." she giggled and took another step, pushing my locker close now that she stood beside it. "I've only came to tell you that I forgive you."
"F-forgive me?"
"Yes, I know it was just all a big misunderstanding. The principal was very attentive and patient when I explain eveything. After all they accepted to have me back for a reason, haven't they? But don't worry no one is blaming you, you were so confused..."
There was when I realized this wasn't only to rub in my face that she got away, but for everyone to see. To get her side and not hold anything against her. She hadn't attack me, it was all a crazy story I made up.
A misunderstanding! What kind of misunderstanding could be taken with the state I was found? With the confession of Connor's witness?!
I shook my head, the heartbeat now mad pounding in my ears. "I didn't-"
"I know." she waved dismissingly with that sickening gentle smile. "No bad blood out of it, okay? Come here." and before I could step back again she covered the remaining distance and hugged me. Hugged me! Jade! I wanted to shove her away, to run and never see her face again. But fear seemed to block my muscles, anchoring me there, stiff as a statue, unable to breathe. Now on a low tone so only I could hear she whispered, cold and harsh. "Watch out, freak." I went to pull away but her hold tightened, magnifying my anxiety. "You've messed up with the wrong person, bitch."
"Let g-go!"
She did, her face holding that innocent look once more, raising her hands in a fake worry. "I-I'm sorry, I was just trying to be nice." her manipulations were making me sick. I knew people would believe her. I could tell by the weird look I was receiving now. One minute and Jade already had things turning her way. She bit her lip stepping back and leaving me wide eyes and breathing hard, having to hold on the lockers for support because my knees were about to give up. "I..." she sighed, projecting that sad image of a kicked puppy. "I didn't mean to upset you?"
She was sick!
And I would have a panic attack if I didn't get away from her suffocating presence at once. Not wasting another second I pushed pass her, down the hallway and hopefully away form that scene she was performing.
I met Macy in her locker. "Hello you!" she smiled cheeckly, closing the door with a soft thud. "I think you have a lot of explanation to do, Alyson. For starters you never responded yesterday's texts and now I heard you and Brett..." but frowned when she took in how I look. "What's wrong?"
"I... She just..."
"Who?"
I gulped, looking over my shoulder as if she would had followed me. "Jade."
"Oh." Macy face shifted from concern to anger in a matter of seconds looking pass me as well. "That bitch. What has she done? Are you okay? I heard she was back but thought... " Macy cut herself and reached out to grab my hand reassuringly. "Never mind, are you okay?"
"I- Yes. But I'm sure she just treatened me."
Her dark eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
I shook my head, going over and over that crazy conversation we just had. "She... Pretty much she said I messed with t-the wrong person. And was being all fake and I thought she was... That she was going to-"
"Hey," she pulled me in for a quick embrace, and despites how vulnerable Jade's one had made me felt, Macy's calmed me down almost instantly. Her hands rubbed my arms spreading warmth and haunting away the icy sensation the blonde had installed in my veins. "It's fine. Nothing will happen tou you again."
Brett had said a similar thing this morning but nothing had stopped Jade form getting to me earlier. And I still feeling like crying everytime I remember the accident in the changing room.
"What if it happen?"
"It won't." she assured. "I'll stick by your side every second if I have to."
"Really?"
"24/7."
A wave of gratitude filled me and I found myself relaxing enough to let out a shaky laugh. "Don't you think Norah would get jealous then?"
Her eyes rolled but I could see a light blush painting her cheeks. "Not more than some guy I know." she joked back, content I wasn't that freaked out anymore.
My muscles still felt wavery form the recent adrenaline, but without the psycho near and with Macy linking our arms and guiding me forward I felt less bothered by that encounter. Actually, as I cool down and let my blood flue go back to normal I relized my franticness and panic was instinctival after what Jade'd put me through in the past. Thinking of it calmly, there wasn't really much she could do right? Despites scaring me, which she was so good at.
Maybe she could made some people believe she was an angel and it was all a misunderstanding, but the ones that matter knew what really happen and had -at her own words- put her under a close vigilance. She could mess with my head all she wanted, but the thing was that a stunt like the beating at the changing room was rather not likely to happen again. I wouldn't risk meeting with her either way, but I need to calm down.
With that repeating as mantra in my head, we both made our way down to the canteen and stood at the waiting line. I wasn't feeling particulary hungry, but talking to Macy make me get more and more serene. So I wait with her chatting about more light things until the unevitable topic surfaced. "So," she smiled pushing her hair off her shoulder and gave me that knowing look. "About that thing of you and Brett."
"Uh." my cheek flamed. I knew it was coming but stil my heart picked up at the mention. "He's been my chauffeur lately, remember?"
"Yeah, but I heard today it was you driving and that you were kinda cozy..." she eyed my reaction closely and to her amusement I was really bad at hiding my emotions. She smiled. "So what?"
"What 'what'?" I almost jumped out of my skin at the words right over my shoulder as someone held my waist form behind. I didn't need to look to know who it was, just form the familiar alluring scent and grave voice I knew the culprit. This new found excitement at his nearness churned my guts further at the heat of his chest pressing my back when he leaned to my ear. "Talking about me already?"
I flushered helplessly and before us Macy rose one brow at him, advancing with the line as she teased. "Haven't you heard about not snooping a ladies conversation?"
"Sorry M, but where are the ladies exactly?"
I elbowed him lightly on the ribs but he dramatically drop his hands and rubbed the spot, stepping beside us instead of behind. "So agressive."
"Shouldn't you go take your place there?" Macy pointed the end of the line, about ten students behind us but Brett shrugged.
"Nah, I'm fine here."
My brows knitted. "You can't just skip the line like that."
Again he shrugged and placed one hand on the small of my back to pull me forward as Macy reached the serving lady. "They don't mind."
And of course, he was right. Who would mind Brett Ryder cutting the line? Bet things would be different if I was the one in his position but well. My heart fluttered at his presence so I wasn't going to complain.
Once again, there wasn't much of a choice for a vegetarian menu, so I went for a plain salad, still void of appetite. In our usual table there was Norah, in her seat but chatting animatedly with a girl from our course that stood beside her, Hattie I think was her name. I didn't catch what she was saying but as we reached the table my friend's face had lighted up at whatever it was and she was doing small bouncings on the chair, happy.
"Oh my God, that would be so cool!"
"What would be so cool?" wondered Macy taking the seat by her left. I sat at her right and Brett on my other side, leaving a couple free spots in case Hunter joined like he did a couple times recently.
Norah's bright smiled stretched looking at the dark-skinned girl. "A party, two Fridays from now."
"Small gathering." Hattie corrected with a shy smile at the rest of us. I could tell by the way her eyes lingered a second too long on Brett that it wasn't us the ones that made her nervous all of the sudden. "You, uh, you're invited to join too. It'll be my eighteen birthday so my parents kinda spare no expenses."
"Sounds cool." hummed Brett, munching down the burger he asked for himself and not really noticing Hattie was pretty much extending the invitation for him. It made me both wanted to laugh and nudge him equally. But I couldn't help but be glad he didn't shown that kind of interest. Because he liked me. I pressed my lips not to smile and lowered my face looking down at my salad.
Norah noticed, tho and her grin wasn't at all concealed. Macy cleared her throat. "It does sound great."
"Yeah, tanks Hattie." Norah turned to her again. "Count us in."
Hattie nodded, obviously disappointed but smiled and made her way back to another table. The pink haired girl lifted her brows. "Man, wasn't she obvious?"
"Hmm?" Brett questioned with her mouth stuffed with food, so clueless I couldn't help but giggled.
"Nothing."
He frowned but Norah's stole the attention back to her quickly. "Well, a lot of rumors are going on today, you know?" the sujestiveness in her tone and the way her eyes darted between us made clear what she was refearing to.
I blushed but the guy beside me just smirked and took the last bite of his lunch, leaning back against the chair. His arm coming right over the back of my chair, making my heart sped and the hairs on my nape and arms rose at the closeness. "So what?"
The gesture not only got me heating all over as I struggled to remain unbothered but also didn't go unnoticed by them. Norah and Macy shared a look. The first one shook her head tauntingly. "A lot, actually. But first things first." she focused on me only and the humor left her features. "How are you? I mean, I see you are okay, but you ignored yesterday's texts and now with Jade back and all..."
I tensed, our last encounter too recent yet I struggled to pushed it at the back of my mind and swallowed the knot in my stomach. "I'm fine." I immediately waved it off but at her pointed look I sighed. "A bit anxious, I guess. I wasn't expecting her to come back at all."
I was startled when Brett dropped his arm from my chair to my shoulders. A gesture I was kinda getting used by now and that made me feel safer instantly. It soothed me, its weight somehow comforting. "You'll be fine."
"I'm so sorry, Alyson." Norah's fingers tapped the surface of the table between us, a scowl pursing her brows in a mix of fury and concern. "I'm pretty sure she'll keep away, tho. She won't try another bitch stunt after having been expelled already. Mr Jones would be on her heels, watching her every move. "
Macy's glance met mine but I plead her with my eyes not to tell them our encounter. It really was nothing and it would only lead them to get mad. Both Norah and Brett tend to be impulsive, and the last thing we needed was another scene. Whatever game Jade was playing, I wouldn't step in. I was done playing her games.
"I'm fine, really. So," I cleared my throat and cheered my tone, ready to divert the topic and drop the current one. "About this party..."
"Oh, you're going." interrupted me Brett as if knowing what my next words would be. Which probably was right. I wasn't really that unpredictable.
I shook my head, fiddling with my salad still hungryless. "I'm not exactly the party type."
"'Cause you'd never been in a party with me." Brett stated in a duh-tone and an eye roll. I pursed my lips in response.
"Actually, I had." I corrected. "And you pushed me into a pool."
"What?" that was when his humor died and was replaced with an scowl. His arm dropped from around me. "I didn't."
"You did. Back in freshman, remember? At Jade's place." I repressed a shudder at the memory. "I had that cast and you pushed me to the pool even knowing I can't swim."
"Noel pushed you." he shook his head, like he couldn't believe what he was hearing and his eyes clouded. "I took you out."
"What?" True is I blacked out drowning on the freezing pool and only come back to throw up water with a chorus of heads above me; I passed out again and next I knew Hunter's mother was driving us to the hospital. "I-I've thought that was Hunter?"
Brett scoffed. "That was me. And the one that gave Noel a black eyes was me as well." What? I had no memory of that. He must noticed because he answered my undone question. "We had our first huge fight then. It's only gotten worst ever since."
"I... I didn't know that." I breathed out baffled, my chest clenching as realization sinked in.
Brett took me out? Why couldn't I remember that? Why hadn't I known it since now?! And Noel was the one who pushed me... Well that part wasn't that hard to believe.
And first huge fight? I'd thought the one on the hallway yesterday was the first. Apparently I was wrong there too.
Once more, another thing I'd taken for sure had turned out completely different. And after knowing about Brett's feelings and seeing once again how manipulative Jade can be...
My frown deepened, not knowing what to believe anymore.
"Well," Macy intervined after had been in silence since now almost making me forget their presence here. "Isn't that an interesting turn of events?"
I could feel my face hotter than before. Almost magnetically, my head tilted to meet those blue orbs again, trapping me instantly. What do I really know about him? What episodes of our were really like I remembered them? And apparently my confusion and clueless state was amusing to him since he smirked.
"So we're going to this party then. Besides, we still got to make you used to this kinda events so you agree to go to the Spring Ball."
I failed to argue the party would be after the Ball when someone else responded first:
"Oh," chipped in Norah, who's been watching mesmerized as if we were a show, only lacking the popcorn. She looked beamed with her bright smile, happy to participate. "Haven't you heard? Alyson's going with my brother."
I felt my heart dropping to my stomach, my eyes widened at her big mouth.
After Brett confession and this shift our reatioship was taking, I could tell knowing by a third person I was going with someone else was a delicate topic. Even tho it shouldn't. It wasn't like he was going to ask me or anything, but as soon as Norah spoke I could felt my nerves eating me alive.
She deliverately ignored my warning glances and focused on Brett's dropping smirk. A deep scowl made its way in his frown and he spoke in a cautiously controled voice: "What?"
My ears rang. No no no-
"Yep." Norah nodded, way too cheerful. "It surprised all of us but it's great, right?" Macy elbowed her under the table but it was already to late.
She was doing this on purpose and I'd make sure to kill her for it later. Right now all my attention shifted to Brett's eyes when those turned to me. But he wasn't... angry. Something harsh swirled in those blue orbs, but it wasn't directed towards me.
"So he get to punch Noel and take you to the ball?" he groaned, diverting his gaze with a childish pout that pulled my heart strings. "Some are just lucky."
"You... Would you had asked me to the ball?"
His eyes met mine again, their intensity starting a slow fire in the pit of my stomach that sent shivers everywhere and suddenly it was as if all our surroundings blurred. "Would you'd said yes if I had?"
Would I? I hesitated for some seconds before finally confessing. "I don't know."
His jaw clenched. "Well, guess it doesn't matter anymore."
Something about this attitude was so childish I couldn't help a flutter of joy in my chest. "You sound jealous."
"And if I am? What's it to you if I am?"
"You don't have to..."
"But I like you, remember?" he deadpanned, making me red to the root of my hair. It seems like now that he'd said it, it kept coming easier. He smirked at my reaction, almost as if he could read how twaning my insides where right now. "Having you going with someone else isn't exactly my dream plan." we heard mumbling between the other members in the table and he turned towards them. "What?"
Norah smirked. "I was just saying 'I told you'." Macy rolled her eyes but smiled as well and I feel like the blush will accompany me permanently. "I been telling you so for the last couple of months now. And don't tell me off because we all heard Lover Boy's words."
Brett let out a startled chuckle. "Lover what now?"
"Oh my God." I covered my face, ashamed but a smile was pulling my lips as well.
Norah nodded, content with herself. "Yes, mister. That's what I call you. Fitting, right? Don't try to deny it 'cause you're not fooling anyone. This." she touched the sensitive spot on my neck making me shiver. "Is a hickey." Extremly self conscious, I covered it with my hair, very aware of Brett tilting his head to look at it too. A hint of concern flashed in Norah's eyes for a second and her tongue clicked. "I just hope this time was willing tho."
My breath got knocket out.
For the second time in less than an hour, I was cussing her big mouth. No one was supposed to know! Not even Macy, who now blinked, shocked. Even tho I wasn't looking, I could tell Brett's smirk fell the moment those words left Norah's lips.
"What do you mean willing?"
No no no no-
The bell ran over our heads and I'd never felt more relief about it. "Look at the time!" I glanced my non-existent watch. "I better get going now." I quickly picked up my things, throw my untouched salad and scurried away before any of them could stop me nor dig further in the matter.
_________________________________________________
Hey! There it goes another chapter!! What do you guys think will happen with Jade? And about Brett and Noel's true relationship? How would Brett react if he finds out about what Noel's been doing?
MNC is now on 10.8k views and 900 votes!!! WOW. Sooo amazing! Thanks a lot for keep reading this far and remember there's also another story of mine currently going on: I'll Change Your Mind. If you're bored along this quarantine and don't know what to read make sure to check it!
Don't forget to comment, vote and share.