34. Chapter 34
Chapter thirty-four
Bexley
T o my surprise and astonishment, when we arrive at the Ridgeview Valley Gardens, I'm taken aback by the number of people waiting.
In my mind, I knew I should have fought Rylan on his demand to come with me, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. But now, seeing the Cedar Heights crowd, I can't help but wonder if I've made a mistake.
He followed me home after we left the warehouse, and when I was ready to leave, he insisted on driving me, stating I'd be in no position to drive myself. As much as I wanted to refuse, I gave into the uncomfortable feelings and let him take charge. Today of all days, I need to not be in control.
When we arrive, I can't stop the emotions from flowing at the group of people, standing next to the gravesite for support. Arch is front and center, and while others give Rylan a weird look, he just smiles.
Thankfully, no one says anything. Mills rushes forward to pull me into a hug, and out of the corner of my eye, I spot Steele sporting some matching bruises. He looks worse for wear like me, but he gives me a tight smile, gaze flickering to the tall man next to me. There's a flash of confusion, anger, and resignation, but he gives me a little nod.
"How are you feeling?" Arch asks quietly.
"I'm okay," I reply, tugging on my black dress nervously.
It's one of those old pieces of clothing that stay buried in the back of the wardrobe, only breaking out for unique occasions. I didn't bother with my makeup and the best I could manage with my hair was to chuck it into a bun to hide the knots.
My face is still blotchy and red from crying, but after the beating I took last night and the fact I'm at a funeral, no one knows the truth.
I don't know where to go from here. After briefly giving Rylan the rundown of Hunter's antics last night, I was ready for him to be indifferent. But he still insisted on accompanying me.
He's a master of disguising emotions, and he's doing a great job at hiding it, but I can't help but wonder what the fallout will be for this. Who will be the victim? The three guys go way back—I'm just the archnemesis who sometimes bangs him. But even though he's masking his true feelings, I catch little glimpses of anger when he thinks I'm not paying attention. It's obvious it's directed toward Hunter, and I just know there will be further consequences to pay.
Mr. Morrison is standing at the foot of the grave, holding a battered black book. It must be filled with so many memories from deceased folk, telling tales of livelihood and victories, detailing every milestone in a person's existence from birth to death.
I wonder if he remembers most funerals. Or if any have stuck with him.
This will probably be a fading blip on his radar. Sure, he might remember me for a few weeks—particularly as the girl who had a stranger step in to pay—but then life will move on, and I'll be in a dusty file somewhere.
Rylan gives Arch a sharp nod, offering his hand to both our surprise. Arch takes it, shaking it firmly. Before I can process the interaction, a car door slamming closed grabs our attention, and when I turn around to glance at the parking lot, my eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
Soph comes bouncing over, Tai in tow. For a seemingly confident dickface, he's barely looking up, acting shy.
"Bex! I'm so sorry," Soph rambles, hugging me. "I had no idea."
Words are caught in my throat, and seeing my confused expression, Rylan places a gentle hand on my back. "I hope you don't mind, but I told Sophia. I figured you could use a friend."
When his head scans the Cedar crowd, I can tell he's just as perplexed as I am at the mass gathering.
"Sophia dragged me," Tai mumbles. "My condolences."
My eyes switch between the two Willowbrook men, welcoming the distraction from what will be a rough morning in a few minutes. Rylan cocks an eyebrow but doesn't say anything, the two of them sharing a silent conversation.
I turn back to Arch, starting to feel overwhelmed. He smiles softly, reaching out to rub my arm.
"We just want to support you. We're your family too."
Choked up, all I can do is nod in reply, signaling to Mr. Morrison that he's free to start.
Everyone falls quiet, and despite originally wishing I could keep this quiet, there's a feeling of peace around me as I stay flanked by the group.
I can't bring myself to speak for once, tears slipping down my cheeks as I throw a red rose on top of the casket as it's lowered into the ground. A portable speaker plays a collection of Mom's favorite songs, and when Arch stands up to say a few words, recalling some of our fond memories with her, I'm relieved to feel an arm around my waist. Rylan tightens his grip, holding me up as my legs shake. I let myself lean into him, swiping tears away with the back of my hand.
And there, in death, the enemies wave the white flag, laying their weapons to rest as we farewell a life that deserved better.
When Monday rolls around, I've officially entered the Twilight Zone.
I don't remember anything from yesterday, and the funeral is all but a blur.
After the service finished, Rylan, Tai, and Sophia stuck around for a bit to make sure I was alright before heading to set up Willowbrook's night at the beach. Arch stayed with me at the house, and Abby cooked us dinner. I had no idea the girl could cook but I'm so appreciative of her. Most girls would be jealous of their partner having a female best friend, but not her. She shares Aquarius Instagram reels with me. But on the plus side, I'm allegedly coming into wealth, a new relationship, and prime opportunities for my career.
Despite everyone from Cedar Heights knowing that Mom was gone, no one mentions anything. In fact, it appears Rylan, Tai and Sophia also keep it under wraps. Besides the usual taunts and glares from Willowbrook peers, I manage to escape pretty unscathed.
Rylan continues to text me in the evenings while Soph has made it her mission to join us at lunch. She seems completely immune to the whispers, people deeming her a traitor. But as Tai's sister, it doesn't go beyond that. No one is brave enough to voice their concerns or opinions to the three leaders.
And speaking of which, they look as snuggly as ever. The three of them stalk around the school, apparently unfazed with the brewing trouble in their inner circle. Hunter glares at me whenever we cross paths and today, I've already flipped him off three times—making sure to flash my black nail polish at him. I can't tell what's annoying him more—my seemingly unbothered attitude to his little stunt, or that Rylan and Tai give me a little wave whenever we see each other. But he's not the only one pissed off. A few times I found Liv seething, steam almost billowing from her ears at Rylan's attention toward me. Soph told us that she was expecting him to go to the dance with her, but when she brought it up, he was dismissive of the idea.
At least three times a day, Ms. Power Suit makes an announcement over the speakers, requesting volunteers to help set up the dance for Friday. As expected, I don't have a choice in attending. When tickets went on sale, Soph purchased one for me. And Arch has been sucked into it too. Apparently, that friendship guess between Sophia and Abby was accurate. They purchased the tickets together, and now Arch is being dragged there as well.
I have no choice but to bite back a groan and give my blessing when Cedar students come and ask if they should go to it. It would be wrong of me to advise them not, just for photos and rumors to emerge that I was there.
So, anyway, after classes, the two girls practically kidnap me, forcing me into Soph's little yellow Mazda. I silently curse Archie for being able to get out of this impromptu shopping trip, but I make a mental note to send him teasing text messages about Abby. I'm not going to suffer alone.
We arrive at the Ridgeview Valley Mall, the two of them linking arms with me on either side as they drag my flailing dead-inside corpse to the nearest formal wear store.
The shop assistants can see them coming from a mile away, offering glasses of non-alcoholic bubbly the moment we step foot inside.
I have to admit, even though the idea is daunting, seeing all the dresses hung up in colored order makes me oddly happy. I try to ask the question of why we need formal dresses when the theme is Villains and Sinners, but they just shush me, throwing sequined prisons at my head.
"Whyyyyyy?" I groan, digging my heels into the plush carpet as Sophia attempts to shove me into a changing room.
"Because everyone deserves to feel like an evil temptress. Get in there!"
I'm ashamed of the squeal that rips out of me as a second pair of hands shove me in the back. The last thing I see before they close the curtain is Abby and Sophia's grinning faces.
"I could end you both in the blink of an eye!" I half-threaten.
"That's the evil energy we are looking for!" Abby calls out with a giggle.
Sighing, I have a look at the pile of dresses they have thrown into my hands and hung up on the hook inside the changing room. They range from black and navy-blue to bright red. Shit—how am I going to be able to decide? One… I can't even afford a dress. And two, I don't have character inspiration yet.
As I shift through the dresses, my ears strain to listen to their conversation, the two women also ducking into adjacent rooms.
"Did you see that one on the mannequin?" Soph calls out. "That's what I want for prom."
"It's so pretty. Except those mannequins are too tall. I'd drown in the floor length skirt."
My head swirls in circles, an image popping up. Darting my attention back to the dresses, I ignore my preferred colors, reaching for the bright red dress.
It's quite stunning, I have to admit. The thin spaghetti straps blend into a cowl neckline, before a sequin corset-style bodice cinches the waist. Blood-red silk flows to the floor, hiding everything except for the side slit.
Slipping into the dress, I'm pleased to find it fits perfectly, and oddly enough, I can breathe even with the corset. I call the assistant in to help tie up the laces and by the time I'm done, so are Abby and Soph.
"Alright, ready," I tell them, stepping outside the curtain.
Sophia rips back her fabric doorway, a scowl on her face. "We were meant to countdown—to be dramatic." She pauses, gasping. "Holy shit. Look at you. Evil temptress indeed."
"Wait—I want to see," Abby says, stumbling out of her room. Her eyes lit up upon seeing the dress, nodding vigorously. "That's the one, Bex."
"I haven't tried on the others yet," I argue, though if it gets me out of trying anymore dresses on, I'll consider it a win.
"No need," Soph murmurs, walking to stand in front of a mirror. "It's perfect. What do we think about this?"
The dark navy dress shows off her cleavage, the v-neckline plunging toward the fitted bodice. Below, a voluminous tiered skirt with asymmetrical ruffle layers spins out around her. She circles slowly, popping a hand on her waist. "I'm the Evil Queen from Snow White."
"It's good," I tell her with a nod of approval. "Your tits look amazing, by the way."
She grins. "I know."
We turn to Abby, and it takes everything in my power to hide the smirk that fights its way to my face. Unlike us, she's opted for a cotton-candy pink dress that hangs just above the knees. It's covered in patterned sequins with floral lace and tulle. I'm not quite sure villains wear bright pink, but then again, I'm not sure I can imagine her in dark or monochrome colors.
"And what are you meant to be?" I laugh, grinning.
Abby hops up onto a step next to Soph, flattening her hands over the tulle. "I'm going to be Cruella de Vil. I have the perfect faux fur white coat that my parents got me from Europe."
"Cruella doesn't wear pink," Soph points out, equally amused.
Forever the unfazed queen, Abby smiles fondly, giving a tiny twirl. "This version does. I'm Cruella 2.0. Besides—she was a fashion icon. Pink is the new black."
I fold my arms, smiling at them both. It's the first time in weeks I feel truly happy, and even though life goes on, the two of them have reminded me that living can be a beautiful thing with the right people in your life.
"What about you, Bex?" Abby asks, turning around to face me. "What villain or sinner are you?"
Staring at my own reflection in the mirror, I smirk. "Everyone from Willowbrook seems to think I'm insane. So, that's easy. I'm Harley Quinn."