38. Chapter 38
Chapter thirty-eight
Bexley
U sually, I'd love to say that I was right. But not this time.
I guess cheerleaders have some weird pull over the staff because those requests for volunteers to set up the dance soon turned to mandatory requirements. It was not in my mid-week plans to be balancing on a ladder, hanging black and red streamers from the large glass windowpanes in the auditorium. Not to mention their sexist attire means I'm trying not to flash anyone that walks past.
At least it's not just me suffering. There's a mixture of Willowbrook and Cedar Heights students in here, all dragging decorations and muttering curses.
Dean Lannister lingers by the door, a pleased sneer on his face as he watches us work. Ah yes, the thrill of free labor. The only thing that gets rich people off besides more money… is saving money.
"This sucks," Arch grumbles from the next window. "Did you notice that there's no cheerleaders in here?"
My eyes scan the room. "I'm not surprised. They probably blew the dean under his desk for this."
As I focus my attention on him, I spot Soph skipping through the doorway. She pauses, doing some weird curtsy to him while holding a stack of floating red balloons.
The ladder shakes as I double over, holding in a laugh. Dean Lannister smiles fondly at her, obviously not recognizing that she's mocking him. The vision that one of his own is taunting him is a safety hazard.
"Jesus, Bex! Chill," Arch hastily whispers.
I grab the window, taking a deep breath. "It's fine. I'm all good. But hey—if I fall, maybe I'll get a payout?"
"No broken bones. Your bruises are only just starting to fade from last Friday. As if we need any more injuries."
Climbing down the ladder, I intercept Soph, plucking a strand of black ribbon.
"I'll give you five dollars to pop it and suck the helium," I dare.
She snorts. "And risk a video of me floating around social media? I plan to stun everyone on Friday, not torment them."
"I do both," I shrug with a grin. "It works well when you mix them together."
We walk together to the other side of the room, passing the balloons to one of the footballers. I can't help but notice that he body scans Soph, clearly interested in more than just her latex presents.
I throw her an amused expression, and when her nose crinkles at him, I swing my arm around her shoulder. "Come on, baby girl. I need you in my bed soon."
His mouth pops open as Soph leans into me, the two of us walking away from the horny, drooling jock who looks like he wants nothing more than to follow.
Back at the ladder, Soph makes a gagging sound. "Argh. Did you see him staring at my chest? Why do they think we like that?"
"They don't. They couldn't care less what we think. We're just bodies to idiots like that."
She nods. "He's not my type anyway."
Her head turns, gazing at someone across the room. I follow her line of vision, doing a double take when I realize who she's looking at.
"Parker?" I whisper heatedly. "You like Parker?"
"Shut up!" she hisses, cheeks flushing bright red. "I didn't say that."
"You're staring right at him."
Soph buries her face into her hands. "Argh. Stop."
"Oh, my God. You like him," I grin.
"I will end you, Bex. Stop talking."
"Aww," I tease, pinching her cheek. "You're so cute when you're angry."
She narrows her eyes on me, before the expression changes and she's back to being all embarrassed. "Don't tell him. I know he runs in your circle."
"I won't," I promise. "But maybe you should ask him to the dance."
Soph blinks at me, perplexed. "We're going together—you, me, and Abby. And Archer too, but he's non-negotiable baggage."
"I can hear you!" Arch grumbles from his ladder.
"I meant for you to hear that!" Soph shoots back, poking her tongue out.
I lean against the ladder, taking the opportunity to glance around the room. It's slowly coming together. They really went for the dark theme—every decoration is red, black, or dark blue. Streamers are making their way across the roof, while dozens of balloons turn up spontaneously.
A group of jocks start dragging tables and chairs in, and when the bell finally rings, we all breathe a sigh of relief. Now it's the next group's turn for torture.
The three of us head past Dean Lannister, his eyes turning cold when they land on me. Pausing, I glance at Soph, and she reads my mind, the two of us curtsying at the same time.
The older man gapes at us, looking like he's been clam-slammed in the face. Archie groans, grabbing both of our arms and dragging us away before we end up in detention.
We're still clinging to each other, laughing loudly, that I don't see the body approaching before I smash into it.
"Watch where you're going!" the shrill voice yells.
Straightening up, I cock an eyebrow at Liv. Dressed in her usual cheerleader uniform, I spot her minions behind her. Sierra sneers at me, dramatically flicking her hair over her shoulders. Peyton seems reserved as always, eyes glued to the floor.
"Oh, are you going to hang decorations?" I ask.
Liv scoffs at the idea. "I don't think so. We don't do manual labor."
"I guess that explains why Rylan got sick of you," Soph mumbles loudly.
Sticky pink lips part in anger, and I see a blur of white and black. My body reacts on its own, pushing Sophia out of the way of the charging cheerleader.
Apparently, Liv seems happy with the alternative, her hands darting straight for my hair. She rips on my ponytail, yanking my head down.
She did NOT just fucking do that…
I hate stereotypical bitchy girl fights. There's no honor in them. Nail scratching and hair pulling is a cheap tactic.
Launching an uppercut into her stomach, Liv groans, doubling over. Sierra jumps in, likely remembering the last time Liv and I got physical with each other.
The two of them throw punches and grab my arms, attempting to pin me down. To my surprise, Soph lunges at Sierra, jumping onto her back. The two of them squeal, falling to the floor in a heap of flailing limbs.
Liv doesn't care about the welfare of her friend, going straight for my face with her sharp acrylics. Just as I go to block it, a hand snaps out and grabs her wrist.
"That's enough, Olivia."
Everyone freezes. I quickly find Arch, annoyed to see him blocked from us by two giant footballers who must have followed us out of the auditorium. They don't appear to have touched him though, so they can live… for now.
"But Rylan!" Liv whines. "They started it."
At the mention of his name, I snap my head in his direction. Rylan towers over Liv, still clutching her wrist tightly. He locks eyes with me, lips twitching slightly.
"Bullshit," Soph interjects. "You tried to attack me."
Rylan cocks an eyebrow at Liv, who immediately starts stuttering pathetically. "It's not like that."
"You tried to lay a hand on Tai's sister?" he asks darkly.
I guess that explains why Soph and Rylan were always immune to each other. Friendships go a long way—never mess with someone's twin.
"No…"
"Yep!" I cut her off, folding my arms. "She sure did."
Liv glares at me. If looks could kill, I'd be dead three times over. She scowls at the smirk on my face, and to be fair, I should have seen it coming.
"No wonder your father left you and your mother died. I wouldn't want you either."
"Olivia!" Rylan snaps loudly, but I barely hear him.
"What the fuck did you just say to me?" I ask quietly, stepping toward her.
She rips her wrist out of Rylan's grip, wiggling her fingers like she's about to claw my eyes out. "You heard me. We all heard what happened to your mother."
Sophia quickly steps in front of me, staring daggers at the head cheerleader. "Back the fuck off. Now."
"Why are you even wasting your time with this loser, Sophia?" Liv scoffs. "You're supposed to be better than that. Tai—"
"Keep my brother's name out of your dick sucking mouth!"
I find Rylan's gaze again, his baby blues watching me closely, silently trying to calm me down.
This is the mother of all self-controls. I want nothing more than to pound her face into the floor. No one speaks ill of my family. It's been less than a week since I buried Mom, and I'm not about to let someone who's destined to peak in school talk about her like that.
But despite my body shaking with rage, I know the moment I lay a hand on her again, she's going to go running to Dean Lannister. I'm surprised he hasn't appeared from the auditorium with all the commotion. It will be an immediate expulsion. Her bruises will fade but my future and graduation will be ruined forever. She'll have won.
Soph's words come back to me, an idea flashing to mind.
If Liv is going to hurt me where it hurts… then I'm going to do it right back to her.
Pushing Soph gently out of the way, I watch as Liv stiffens, prepared for me to come at her. But at the last second, I step to the side, brushing my chest against Rylan's. Snaking my hand to the nape of his neck, I tug him forward, pressing my lips to his.
The fallout is instant.
All the gasps are still no match for the banshee scream that comes from Liv, the sound ricocheting around the hall.
Behind me, I hear Soph's stunned gasp before saying, "Well, fuck. I didn't see that coming."
To my relief, Rylan kisses me back while casually placing a hand on my waist. It's short-lived though, as Liv shoves us apart, rounding on Rylan.
"What the hell are you doing?!" she demands, voice cracking. Tears well up in her eyes, like she can emotionally blackmail him into providing the perfect answer.
He glances down at her, unfazed. "Kissing?"
For once, Liv is rendered speechless. Her eyes shoot over to me, shock, anger and embarrassment registering all over her face. A single tear manages to spill before she hastily turns around and takes off down the hall before everyone can see her crying. Sierra quickly follows, calling out her name.
My eyes fall to the lingering girl, her hands nervously fidgeting with her cheer skirt.
"I'm sorry to hear about your mom," Peyton murmurs so quietly that I barely hear it. Without waiting for a response, she turns and follows her friends.
When they are out of sight, I face Rylan, annoyance on my face.
He looks at me, amused. "What?"
"Don't you what me," I say. "How the hell did they find out?"
Rylan's face drops, turning serious. "I didn't say anything."
"You better not have," I reply, still shaking with fury. Looking over my shoulder, I glare at the footballers. "Move."
They hesitate, peering over at Rylan. He must give them a look or nod because they quickly move, freeing Archie from the body cage they have formed around him.
As I go to step past him, Rylan grabs my arm, halting me. "I didn't do it, Bex."
"Let me go," I mutter sternly.
He releases me straight away, watching as I walk away with Archie.
Soph looks unsure if she should follow, gaze flickering between us and Rylan. Finally, it appears she decides to stay put, probably realizing that I need space to cool down from the clusterfuck that just happened.
I'll talk to her later about it. But right now, I need to get out of this hellhole.
I need to go somewhere quiet and peaceful.
Arch follows me to the doors, waiting for me to tell him what I need. Pausing on the front steps, I turn to him, allowing myself a moment to let my walls down.
"Go hang with Abby," I say softly. "I'm going to go to the beach for a bit."
"Are you okay?" he asks.
I nod. "I will be. But I need to leave before I commit a cheer-homicide."