Once Chris shows the video of Anna starting it, even though I don't remember him filming it, Mr. Grey let's me go with a warning, surprisingly.

"I see that you didn't do this, so I can't punish you. I will let you go only if you report her the next time anything like this happens. Don't retaliate and scoop down to her level. You're a very independent and smart young woman, and I'd hate to see that go down the drain." He tells me as we sit in his office, Anna waiting outside.

"Thank you Mr. Grey." I smile faintly.

"It's not problem, Rebecca. Now, since you're all covered in god-knows-what, you can have the rest of the day off and it will be excused by me. Your aunt will not be contacted about this, in case you're worried, so I suggest that you go home and clean up. Of course, if you want to stay then just use the locker room showers and an extra pair of gym uniforms."

"Nah, I think I'll just head home. I've had enough drama for one day." I press my fingers to my temples and slowly rub then in circles, trying to ease my headache that's been growing.

"Ok. Tell Clarissa I send my hellos and regards for me." If I didn't know any better, I'd say that he's blushing.

"If you don't mind my asking," I turn around when I get to the door. "Do you have feelings for my Aunt?"

"Um..." He scratches the back of his neck, looking flustered. "Yeah. I do."

"I'm not here to tell you that I don't like it I just want to tell you that she is the most wonderful woman you will ever meet. Don't let her go and don't hurt her please. She's been through enough heartbreak for one person. She's strong but I don't know if she could handle more. So just promise me, Mr. Grey. Promise me that you won't hurt her. Because you're a fool if you run away and hurt her because she is amazing. And she deserves the world. No one deserves her." I look up and find him looking at me in a way that reminds me of my father; caring and... Intuitive?

"Rebecca, I promise you that I won't hurt her. You see... I really care about her. I know I've only been 'talking' to her for a few months but I really care for her. And honestly, I want to be with her for the rest of my life." We lock eyes and I see that he's telling the truth.

"Well you have my blessing. If that counts for anything." I smile.

"It's means the world to me. Thank you so much." Surprising me, and probably him, he gets up and hugs me to him.

"Thank you." He takes a shaky breath and I swear I almost caught him crying.

"No problem." I give him a wide smile and leave as he sits back in his office chair and calls for Anna.

"Bitch." She glares at me.

"Says the one who started it AND is the one in trouble." I grin as her face pales when she realizes that I was let off the hook.

"Watch your back, Summers. I'm coming after you and you won't see me till it's too late." She threatens.

"Oh honey, I already see you and it makes me want to claw my eyes out. So no, sadly it's not too late." I tell her and watch as her anger flares.

"Don't piss me off Rebecca. Becuase I WILL end you."

"Yeah yeah, keep talking smack, Goldie Locks." I turn away an and head to the student parking lot.

I get down there before I remember that I didn't drive here. Cursing myself for being so stupid, I send a text to Claire and Abby asking if either of them could give me a lift to my house. Sadly, they each have exams that they have to take today so they can't miss any school.

I kick a rock and watch it roll a few feet away.

"Need a lift?" I jump and turn around to see Chris grinning at me.

"Please." I respond, blushing.

"Here." He walks over to his truck and pulls out a shirt and a towel from the backseat. "If I know you, you're wearing a tank top so you can just take off that shirt and put this on. And then you can put your hair in the towel till you get home so I doesn't go everywhere."

"Thanks." He's right, I do have a tank top on. I take off my shirt before wrapping my hair in the towel then slipping on his shirt. It's a little big but it works.

"No problem." He shrugs as we get into his truck and pull away from the school.

We sit in a comfortable silence for a few minutes before Chris speaks up.

"How have you been?" He asks causiously.

"Could be alot better. But I'm going strong." I smile.

"That's good. I'm glad." He gives me a small smile, Turing onto my street.

"How's your flings going?" I half tease.

"What flings? I don't have flings." His eyebrows crease together.

"Kim, Ashley, Amanda, Allie, Melissa, Karen, and even Anna." I retort.

"Those weren't flings, at least not really. I get it, I was with Ashely for a few days but then things happened. I'm not always the one to break the girls heart. Ashley is moving because she dumped me." Oh, well damn. I didn't know that was coming.

"Oh... I heard differently. I thought she was just broken over y'all broke up."

"We are all broken, some just more than others. No one's perfect, no one CAN be perfect. That's what makes us who we are." He pulls into the driveway and turns to look at me after shutting the car off. "Broken is beautiful."

"No it's not." I unbuckle and grab my bag from the floor.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

"Not always." I reply without hesitation.

"Yes, always. How is it not always?" His brows crease.

"When you finally see just how fuck up people are, then you won't believe that." I open the door and head towards the house before stopping in my tracks.

Astor Campbell is waiting on my front steps with a movie, a bag of popcorn, and a flower.

•••

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•Marissa