Chapter 42
Prom was an absolute disaster—for the most part. One good thing did come out of it: I was prom queen. Hero’s proud and teary-eyed expression still played in the back of my mind.
The tiara sat on top of my dresser, its gold glitter coating already falling off. But I didn’t care; it was my trophy.
Ayden’s talk with Xavier went as well as possible. Xavier was obviously hurt that he used to be a distraction, but he believed Ayden when he said that he wasn’t one anymore.
Ayden had mouthed a “thank you” to Hero and me for staying a bit longer for him, before leaving to drive Xavier home.
As I walked into class the next day, Hero and Ayden stood near their desks, speaking to one another. As I approached the two of them, Imani walked past and glared at Ayden like she wanted to kill him.
She was an extremely overprotective person, and she made that abundantly clear.
Ayden paid no mind to her, turning his attention to me as if eager to say something. “Hey, Peps! I was just telling Hero that I slept over at Zay’s house for the first time last night.”
“Eek, that’s amazing!” I squealed in excitement, clasping my hands together. “Tell me everything!”
Before Ayden could respond, Hero’s voice interrupted.
“Look who decided to show up.” Hero stared behind Ayden, crossing his arms.
I turned around, hoping it wasn’t who I thought it was. But it was, and he was strutting into the classroom.
Benji.
His eyes subtly widened seeing the three of us next to each other, and redirected himself over to us, sitting in the seat behind us. The three of us narrowed our eyes suspiciously at him.
“Oh, don’t mind me.” He gave the fakest smile I had ever witnessed. “Continue whatever pathetic conversation you were having.”
My lips curled into a smirk, realizing he was upset at the sight of us talking. “Didn’t expect us to still be friends, huh?”
He didn’t respond.
“You know, we only have you to thank,” I said. “Without you, Hero and Ayden would have never forgiven each other, so thank you for that.”
Benji gritted his teeth, holding his head high. “I think you’re forgetting I have the upper hand here. Ayden’s opportunity to go to college, gone. Blake, gone.”
“Blake’s not gone,” I said dryly. I leaned in, whispering the next words, “You failed.”
He swallowed, his eyes narrowing. “I don’t believe you.”
“I don’t care what you believe,” I scoffed. “My brother is alive and well.”
He blinked, realizing I wasn’t bluffing. “Whatever. Ayden still won’t go to college.”
“I don’t need college anyway.” That came out of Ayden’s mouth. “My parents are wealthy, so I don’t need a high-paying job. I’ll do something I actually enjoy, thanks to you.”
Benji’s nostrils flared. “And what is it that you enjoy?”
“Playing the guitar,” Ayden replied. “I’m going to be a musician.”
“I’ve never seen you play the guitar.”
“Well, I do, and I’m talented,” Ayden boasted.
“I can vouch for him,” I chimed in. “I’ve heard him play and it’s beautiful.”
Ayden’s lips curled into a smile. “Sweet talking me, hm?”
I scoffed and rolled my eyes playfully. “Oh, please. I’m sure Xavier does that for you often enough.” His jaw dropped at my comment, surprised by my remark.
Benji heavily scoffed. “This isn’t the end.”
“No, I think it is,” Ayden hummed, then looked at me for validation.
I nodded. “It definitely is.”
“It isn’t over until I say it’s over,” Benji snapped, jolting out of the seat. Ayden and I instinctively bounced back, but Hero came to the rescue.
“Don’t try anything,” he growled.
“Oh, and how did that play out for you last time?” Benji cocked an eyebrow, then leaned in to whisper in Hero’s ear. “I can get you expelled this time, trust me.”
“You lost, Benji,” Hero said flatly. “Admit it and move on.”
Benji clenched his jaw, leaning back slowly. “You can’t lose in a game that you’re still playing.”
“You can’t still be playing if you don’t have any cards left,” Ayden retorted.
“And how are you so sure I’ve played all of my cards?” Benji narrowed his eyes.
“Because you’re visibly upset,” Ayden answered truthfully.
“You thought you dropped a huge bombshell at prom, something that would drive us apart, but no. No, that’s not the case.
Because you don’t get it, Benji. These are my best friends, and you underestimated their loyalty.
They aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. ”
Ayden’s speech made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. It was so heartwarming; it made me feel like I had a truly secure friend group, and that we would never let anything come between us ever again.
Benji shook his head repeatedly, not wanting to accept the truth.
That we won.
“You three ruined my life and just expect me to accept that you won?” he scoffed in disbelief.
Ruined his life? Now that was a laugh. “Funny coming from someone who is actively trying to ruin ours.”
“The book was righteously mine,” Benji huffed, pointing at his chest. “I had every right to get revenge.”
“Not when I didn’t know it was stolen centuries ago by my ancestors,” Hero seethed. “It became my legacy just as much as yours.”
Benji didn’t like hearing those words. That was clear when he started tackling Hero to the floor, tightly gripping his shirt. “It isn’t yours. Say that it isn’t yours. Say it.”
Ayden grabbed ahold of Benji’s hair and yanked him back, causing him to topple backwards. He rubbed the back of his head where he had been yanked. Hero scattered back to his feet with tears in his eyes.
“Ro,” I muttered, but he ignored me and rushed out of the classroom. At the same time, a security guard marched in, searching his surroundings. A student must’ve alerted him because Miss Kennedy wasn’t in the classroom yet.
“Where is Benjamin Davis?” the security guard asked sternly. A few students pointed at him.
“Thank God.” Benji leapt to his feet. “These two have been bullying me.” He gestured to Ayden and me.
“Benjamin, you have exceeded the point system. You are hereby expelled.”
Benji just laughed, shaking his head. “You’re making a mistake. I’ll clear it up with the principal.”
“This was the principal’s decision,” the guard replied flatly. “Grab your things and come with me to the front office to be picked up.”
Benji stammered, but no actual words came out. He shifted his gaze to Ayden, narrowing his eyes like he suspected him of something. Taking a step forward, he swung a punch at Ayden’s gut. Immediately, the guard firmly grabbed Benji by the arm.
“I will get you all expelled, I swear it!” Benji screamed, struggling to escape the security officer’s grip as he slowly got dragged away.
“Don’t bother,” Ayden called out, gripping his stomach. “You don’t have power over the school anymore.”
I jerked my head to face Ayden. “What do you mean?”
“Remember how none of the staff did anything when Benji made his speech at prom?” he asked. I nodded, and he continued, “Well, that’s ‘cause he bribed them.”
“What?” My eyes widened in disbelief.
“Yeah. That’s why he’s getting expelled now—because of that act he did at prom.”
“But what made Principal Evans change his mind?”
He purposefully ignored my statement. “Let’s go find Ro and tell him the good news.”
As he started to leave the classroom, I grabbed his arm. “Ayden, did you have something to do with this?” I stared into his eyes. “Did you bribe the principal?” I shouted in a whisper.
“No.” He shook his head. I looked down at his other hand to see him fidgeting with his rings.
“Oh my God, you do that when you lie, don’t you?” I gasped, wagging my index finger at his rings.
He broke out of my grasp. “Look, I swear that wasn’t the original plan.”
“What was the original plan?”
“I went in there, telling him that I’d get the cops to investigate him and the staff for accepting bribery from students.”
“So your original plan was to make a threat?” I deadpanned. “Great idea, Ayd.”
“Okay, I admit it wasn’t the best idea. But I had very limited options when Benji was bribing him with a million dollars.”
I was left speechless. “Principal Evans told you that?”
“Yeah, he said he would just pay the cops off. So I did the only other thing I could think of: bribing him with more money.”
I was all for Benji getting what he deserved, but Ayden was being too impulsive.
“Have you even thought this through?” I asked exasperatingly. “What if Benji counters your offer?”
Ayden scoffed, leaving the classroom and walking down the hallway. I followed, wanting to find Hero too. He stopped in his tracks and turned to me. “Why don’t you trust me?”
“Who says I don’t trust you?” I asked weakly. “I don’t trust him. I’m scared of what he can do.”
“I know.” Ayden softened his gaze and sighed, wrapping his arms around me for a quick hug. “But one of us had to take action, and I felt like it had to be me, him being my cousin and all. I know it wasn’t ethical, but there was no other option, Peps.”
I gave a small nod. “So you think he’ll be gone for good?”
“He’s gone for good.”
The two of us continued our search for Hero, coming across someone else along the way.
Xavier.
“What’s going on?” he asked, mainly looking at Ayden. “Isn’t class about to start?”
“Yeah, but Hero is—”
“We’re just trying to make sure Hero’s doing okay. Benji and Hero got into a heated argument back there, so Hero started crying and left the classroom.” I said quickly. “Oh, and Benji’s getting expelled.”
“That’s good to hear,” Xavier said, “I mean, Benji getting expelled not— um, not Hero crying.” He then hurried to the classroom.
“What was that about?” Ayden asked. “I was about to say all of that before you cut me off.”
“No, you were about to talk about Hero,” I said, narrowing my eyes, “and even though he has forgiven you, I don’t think he would’ve taken that very well. I saved you from doing something stupid. You’re welcome.”
He sucked his teeth and nodded slowly. “…Good point.”
After we checked the halls, Ayden went to check the restroom closest to the classroom. I waited outside, left alone with my thoughts.
I didn’t want Hero to shut me out. He didn’t deserve to suffer alone. He didn’t deserve to suffer at all.
Now I understood what he felt when I was cooped up in my room, and it was a terrible feeling. He had wanted to be there for me, and now I wanted to be there for him.
A few minutes passed before Ayden walked out.
Without Hero.
“Is he not in there?” I asked with a puzzled expression.
“No, he is,” he said. “But he said he wanted a moment alone with you first.”
My puzzled expression only grew. “What?”
“If anyone comes, I’ll say the restroom is out of order or something.”
I blinked. “You…want me to go in the men’s restroom?”
“Hero does.” He knew I wouldn’t be able to say no to Hero.
“Fine,” I sighed, dragging myself to the entrance of the men’s restroom. As I pulled the door open, I spotted Hero shifting his gaze from the mirror to me.
“Can you just come out?” I asked, standing in the doorway.
Hero rolled his eyes and strode towards me to pull me inside, the door automatically closing behind me. “You’re so stubborn sometimes.”
“No,” I said defensively.
He gave a small smile. “See?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why am I in the men’s restroom, Hero?”
“I wanted to apologize privately.” His gaze alternating between my eyes.
“Apologize for what?” I looked down at the dirty floor.
“For just running out like that,” he faltered. “I just… I’m afraid of appearing weak in front of you. I know— I know that you don’t care about that, but I just got scared.”
“I know,” I whispered, looking back up at him. “I don’t blame you. I just don’t want you to shut me out.”
“I’ve never— I’ve never shed tears randomly like that.” Hero shook his head in disbelief. “A guy’s words never had such an effect on me before.”
“It’s okay to cry, Hero. What Benji said—it was wrong and hurtful,” I assured. “He shouldn’t have said that to you.”
“It’s just— I hate hearing it. I grew up with that book. So, I mean, the fact that my ancestors stole the book—” He cut himself off, taking a deep breath. “It felt like a curse was lifted when it was destroyed. Like it wasn’t meant for me, after all.”
I didn’t know how to respond.
“No, you’re right, that’s stupid,” he said quickly. “It wasn’t the book that made me act the way I did. It was me. I know that. And I still regret it to this day, Pepper.”
“You’ve changed,” I whispered, giving a warm smile.
He tightly wrapped his arms around me, burrowing his head in the crook of my neck. I reciprocated the hug, rubbing his back.
“I’m always here for you,” I whispered.
“And I’ll always be there for you too, Pepper,” he whispered back. “No matter what.”
He pulled back slightly from the hug and glanced into my eyes, then down to my lips, and back up at my eyes. I nodded and looked down at his lips. Leaning in and closing his eyes, he crashed his lips against mine.
I had forgotten how great his lips tasted. I felt as if I were tasting the clouds.
“I love you so much, Pepper,” he said, giving me one more peck before pulling away.
“I love you more.”
“Not possible.”
I smiled, then remembered something. “Oh, did Ayden tell you that Benji is getting expelled?”
Hero nodded. “Serves him right. I think we’re going to have a great school year.”
“We only have a couple months left of sophomore year.” I laughed.
“Okay, well, for the next two school years then,” he retorted playfully.