Chapter Twenty Four #2
“Oh, how cute,” she teases, tilting her head to the side.
“Do you do that because you’re scared to talk?
” Her friends giggle, whispering something to each other before bursting into actual laughter.
We’re gaining more attention from the tables around us, smart phones appearing in my peripheral vision.
Nothing is ever sacred in this place. I take a deep breath, trying to remind myself that losing control is exactly what she wants.
“Actually,” I say, loud and steady, “I do it because I can. You should try learning something new instead of spreading your legs for half the football team.”
I feel the silence that follows, its sharpness cutting through my jacket and Rhys’ T-shirt.
Even Addy freezes, blinking at me like I’ve just slapped someone, a slow psychotic smile spreading across her face.
Klara’s features drain of color before flooding red again, the kind of red that is usually accompanied with a shriek or a slap.
“You bitch,” she mouths. Her hand twitches at her side, but she doesn’t follow through. Picking up my backpack, I sling it over my shoulder, refusing to let her see my hands shake. Addy hurries to do the same.
“Run along, Klara,” Addy says. “Your claws are showing.” Tilting her chin upwards, she stands tall alongside me, daring Klara to make her move. It’s not like we’re practiced fighters or anything, but I reckon I could land a punch if I really needed to. I kick and hit Rhys enough.
The cheerleader trio exchange glances, then sharply turn and stalk away, their ponytails swinging as if they’re synchronized. Klara glances back once before disappearing out the door, her glare promising that this isn’t over.
When they’re gone, the tension leaks out of me so fast it leaves me dizzy.
Bodies suddenly shift, students at the tables cheering and clapping enthusiastically.
The movements are too fast, the cracking of palms blurring my vision as if I can see the sound waves.
Tugging Addy outside a few moments later, we head in the opposite direction of the cheerleaders.
We head for the library, in particular the quiet zone.
Dropping onto the beanbags, Addy is still beaming whilst my anxiety sets in.
“She’s jealous,” Addy signs once she has my attention. “Don’t let her under your skin.”
“Too late,” I reply, managing a weak smile.
I just showed a side of myself I don’t like in front of so many witnesses, and those who weren’t there have probably seen the livestream on our student forum.
I don’t want to be that bitch. The new girl who waltzes in to steal boyfriends and brings their exes down.
The narrative they’re going to spin is all wrong, and as much as I pretend I don’t, I care.
I’m just starting to make real friends here.
Resting my elbows on my knees, I press my palms to my eyes. The darkness is a small relief, but I can still see Klara’s face burned against the inside of my mind, smug and knowing.
Addy reaches across, gently pulling my hands down. “Look at me.” When I do, she gives me that kind of smile that feels like sunlight filtering through the rain. “She’s just proven she’s all bark, no bite. Rhys made his choice, remember?” I nod, though there’s a flicker of unease I can’t shake.
“She mentioned last night, I sign. How would she even know?”
Addy frowns, her eyes lifting in thought. “She’s probably bluffing. Gossip spreads fast around here, especially with your name attached.” Her lips soften into a small smile. “Don’t let her make you doubt yourself.”
Flopping back in the beanbag, I inhale slowly through my nose. She’s right. Klara thrives on attention and on getting reactions. It’s what gets her through each day. I know that what I have with Rhys is real, whether the rest of the world wants to accept it or not.
The tension in my shoulders finally starts to fade. I watch the sunlight spilling through the library’s domed skylight, realizing how much I’ve missed coming here. The smell of paper draws out memories of safety and comfort. Addy nudges my foot, her smile patient as if she’s waiting for something.
“You still owe me the juicy details,” she signs. I groan, rolling my eyes, but the laughter that bubbles up feels lighter this time.
“You’re relentless,” I say out loud, shaking my head. Going back to signing, I keep the conversation to ourselves. You never know who is listening in around here. “Clay is a private person. He won’t want his business shared all over campus.”
“It’s hardly all over campus. It’s just me,” Addy pouts.
I grin, but make no move to fill in the gaps she’s asking for.
Addy is the closest friend I have, but she has more influence than she thinks.
She’s popular amongst certain crowds, and not the best at keeping secrets.
The small voice in my mind is warning me against oversharing. I just want to keep this for myself.
“Okay fine,” Addy holds up her hands in defeat. “Can I at least ask how Clayton is doing? After the whole locker thing, then leaving and then coming back. I’m kind of Team Clay over here.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed,” I narrow my eyes, my expression dripping with sarcasm.
Relenting, I sit upright and twist my lips.
“He’s okay. He makes slight headway and then reverts back into himself.
Sometimes it feels like it’s two steps forward, five steps back with him.
But he’s here, and he’s not letting Rhys push him around. ”
Catching Addy’s frown, I lick my lips, worrying that I’ve said too much.
Guilt slithers along my spine, cold enough to make me wrap my arms around myself.
So much for Clay’s privacy. It must be impossible for him to work on himself when Rhys is always around, ready to put him down again.
I’m the reason Clay is in Rhys’ orbit, and vice versa.
I should make more effort to smooth out their differences.
Waving my hand through the air, I reset the conversation.
“We’re all works in progress. No matter what I’ve gotten myself into, it’ll work itself out in the end.”
Still, Addy doesn’t look convinced. She nudges herself forward, balancing on the edge of her beanbag to reach across and squeeze my arm. Like a light has turned on behind her eyes, her face brightens and the smile she gives me in nothing short of manic.
“Leave it with me. I have an idea.”