Senior year of high school just seems to be dragging, I think to myself as I climb out of my car. Now just as one drama has being sorted out, another has sprouted. After Megan and Chris finally cut their shit, I caught James and Ashleigh yesterday afternoon making out in the car.

How am I supposed to tell Kelcy that one of her best friends is messing around with the guy she likes?

And most importantly, why would Ashleigh do that? She knows how Kelcy feels about James. I even thought James liked Kelcy too. I was clearly wrong.

I sigh and run a hand through my hair before my phone rings in my pocket. I fish it out as I make my way inside, ignoring the stares of the Rebels who hang around the entrance carelessly. When I check the caller ID, dread gnaws at my stomach. I have to tell Kelcy but I don't know how. Maybe I should also get Ashleigh's side of the story before I make assumptions.

I purse my lips as I bring the phone to my ear. "Hey Kelc." I try to sound enthusiastic only to hear silence on the receiving end. My steps to my locker slow down and I frown. "Kelcy?" I ask, finally hearing a sniffle in the background. I then realize she's crying and my stomach knots.

"Kelcy! Where are you? What's wrong?" I ask frantically.

"The bathroom nearest the cafeteria." She replies hoarsely and I make a detour.

"I'll be right there." I say before cutting the call. I jog to the bathroom before pushing the door open to reveal a seemingly empty bathroom.

"Kelc?" I ask softly and I hear shuffling behind a stall's door. I knock on it to hear another sniffle.

"Kelcy, please open the door." I ask and I hear the lock before she reveals herself. Her eyes are red with tear stains down her cheeks, black marks from her makeup being left in their wake. I frown before dropping my bag and pulling her in for an embrace. She holds me tightly, sobbing.

I rub her hair comfortingly and hold her tighter.

She knows about James and Ashleigh.

However, once she's calmed down I ask her what's wrong anyway.

"James... James and... and Ashleigh have been..." she struggles to say through her emotions. "Dating!" She sobs again and I frown.

"How did you find out?" I ask and she gulps.

"I went by her house yesterday and James's car was there. But I mean, many people drive the same car so I thought nothing of it but when I went inside, her maid told me her boyfriend was there. Her boyfriend named James." She starts to cry again and I hug her, hoping it will make her feel even the slightest bit better.

"I'm so sorry Kelc." I whisper, hearing the bell ring above us yet not caring if I'm late.

"I can't believe them." She mumbles.

"If James can't see how amazing you are then that's his problem. And Ash... well Ash is a horrible friend if she's been lying this whole time." I tell her and she nods before pulling back and wiping at her cheeks.

"I can get over James but... but Ashleigh? She knew how I felt about him and still went behind my back." She responds and I purse my lips.

"People aren't always what they seem." I reply softly before pulling out a few makeup supplies and giving her a gentle smile.

"C'mon, lets get you cleaned up." I say, grabbing her hand and pulling her to the sink where she wipes away her mascara and eyeliner stains. She re-applies some blush, mascara and lipstick before turning back to me and giving me a strained smile.

"You ready to get to class?" I ask and she nods. I smile encouragingly before I place my hand on her shoulder in comfort.

"Walk out there like they didn't do anything, Kelc. You don't need them," I tell her and she nods. I drop my hand. "Okay, lets go." I say as we leave the bathroom. I can't help but think that I thought Ashleigh actually cared about Kelcy.

I sure as hell was wrong.

****

"I can't believe you!" Kelcy yells at James in the now silent cafeteria. "Everything you told me was a lie." She looks at him with tears brimming her eyes.

"Kelcy, stop. You're overreacting," Ashleigh defends James.

"Are you kidding me? You were supposed to be my best friend!" Kelcy yells at her and I sit up tensely.

"You guys weren't dating, Kelcy! I could do what I wanted with him." Ashleigh crosses her arms over her chest.

"That's not the point!" Kelcy stresses in frustration. I look at Courtney to see her watching the argument with glistening eyes and a smirk. She's enjoying this. The Rebels watch the argument with judgemental stares and I suddenly want to go home. Why does everything in high school revolve around drama and gossip?

"I was going to tell you!" Ashleigh yells and Kelcy scoffs.

"Yeah? Like when?"

Ashleigh rolls her blue eyes. "Eventually! Why aren't you mad at Sophie, huh? She saw us and she didn't tell you." Ash says and I freeze, Kelcy slowly looking at me.

"You knew?" She asks me, hurt evident on her face.

"I only saw them yesterday and I didn't want to jump to conclusions." I explain and Kelcy laughs humourlessly.

"Jump to conclusions? You should have told me!" She yells and I recoil at the venom in her voice.

"I've only known for twenty four hours, how could you be mad at me?" I ask softy and she shakes her head.

"That was enough time to tell me."

"If you haven't noticed," I say, looking at her angrily "I'm not the one who committed the crime."

"Oh please." Courtney finally pipes in. "Get over yourself, Sophie. You were just as much a part of this as Ashleigh. You've known for longer than just twenty four hours.

I gawk at her, "That's hardly fair and no, I haven't. I only found out yesterday."

Courtney rolls her eyes. "Don't be a liar Sophie. Ashleigh told me a week or two ago that you caught them kissing."

I gape at the absurd lie spilling from her lips. She's trying to spin this on me... make me the bad guy.

"Isn't that right Ashleigh?" Courtney asks and Ashleigh licks her lips.

"Yeah."

I scoff. "It's pathetic that you would stoop that low Courtney." I hiss and her eyebrows draw together in a scowl but Logan beats her to a response.

"Watch it Sophie." He warns me but Courtney leans over the table and closer to me.

"Don't. Test. Me." She sneers and I scoff before turning to Kelcy.

"You really believe that?" I ask and Kelcy gulps.

"I do-"

"She saw us Kelc. She saw us a long time ago." James finally pitches in and she purses her lips before looking back at me with tears.

"I can't believe you." She whispers and I shake my head, hurt scratching at my heart knowing she doesn't believe me. Not even in the slightest. She picks up her things and wipes at her eyes.

"You're a horrible best friend." She mutters and I stand up to try and reach out to her but she steps back.

"Kelc." I say and she shakes her head before turning around and leaving the cafeteria. I watch her retreating figure before turning back to Courtney with a scowl, my teeth gritted in anger.

"Was that really necessary?" I hiss and she shrugs.

"I was protecting Ash and James, besides all I did was tell her the truth." She smirks.

"No you didn't." I grit. "You just wedged yourself between us like the creature you are."

I grab my bag before she grips my wrist, making me freeze and make eye contact with her.

"Leave her alone." She tells me and I scoff, shaking my head.

"Not this time Courtney." I respond, pulling out of her grip and taking my bag with me as I leave the cafeteria. I briefly look over to see the Rebels all watching me, curiosity burning in their eyes. I run into the hallway, knowing she'll probably be going home so I run out the front door.

I see her speed walking to her car and I sprint to her.

"Kelcy!" I yell but she ignores me, "Kelcy!" I yell again once I'm closer and she whips around to face me. I look at her pleadingly.

"You've got to believe me." I beg and she blinks at me.

"Leave me alone Sophie." She answers.

"Why are you mad at me? I wasn't secretly dating James." I say and I see raging flames dance in her eyes.

"Because out of everyone, I trusted you the most and now, probably the least." She yells and I shake my head with a weak laugh.

"I didn't know, but if you don't want to believe me... that's okay," I reply and she snarls at me before walking away to her car, climbing in and speeding off. I watch the retreating figure, trying to understand what just happened.

But all I feel when I do that is anger.

****

I can't wrap my head around how manipulative Courtney can be. She made me take the fall for Ashleigh and James, making Kelcy hate me in the process. What was the point of that? Making it seem like it was my fault? Kelcy would have probably forgiven Ashleigh and James faster than me. I feel anger pulsate through my veins as I think about how Courtney has put a wall between Kelcy and I. I don't know if Kelcy will ever truly forgive me for this, never mind move on.

Not only that, but Courtney is supposed to be my friend too. However, as time has gone by, I can see how untrue that is. Maybe back then, freshman year, we were friends but now we just deal with each other. I wish that wasn't the kind of people I called my 'friends'. I wish I could leave the Elite, make better friends, but Courtney would never allow that. Making the Elite seem second best pisses Courtney off, and if I were to leave them and inevitably do that she would undeniably knock me down to the very bottom. And she's got the whole student body to help her do so.

"Got a lot on your mind?" Alex asks from behind me and I'm suddenly switched back into reality. I look over my shoulder from my seat, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Why do you care?" I ask tiredly and he shrugs.

"I don't. I'm just simply curious." He chuckles and I roll my eyes, not really in the mood for his jokes. I turn back around, ignoring his statement before I hear him chuckle again.

"Don't take everything I say so seriously, Princess." He quips and I sigh, tuning him out once again.
"So, what are you doing working at a charity?" He suddenly asks and I frown, chewing on my lip while wondering why he's suddenly interested. "Oh come on, Cooper. You can't ignore me all day." He says sarcastically and I sigh again before muttering:

"I want to be a philanthropist."

I turn to face him, seeing his eyes watching me with curiosity.
"Mmh. That's interesting. I never took you as a selfless type." He adds and I try to ignore his comment while I watch him paint the shelf.

"What are you doing here?" I ask and he freezes for just a moment before continuing. He's good with children and maintenance work so it would be understandable if it was just for fun but really... we're talking about Alex Rosewood here.

He hesitates for a split second. "Community service hours." He mumbles and my eyebrows draw together. What could he have done to deserve serving community hours as punishment?

"For what?" I ask curiously and he smirks.

"None of your business, Cooper."
I glare at him. "What? Are you mad I don't want to tell you why?" He pouts sarcastically and I cross my arms over my chest.

"No. Just annoyed." I jeer and he smirks.

"My mission is complete then."

I imagine throttling him in my head, which is oddly satisfying, and consider legitimately doing it however, I remember that there's a bunch of kids watching TV in the same room. I roll my eyes.

"Jerk," I mutter under my breath.

"My middle name!" He mocks back.

Can you believe what Courtney did? That girl seriously has no chill... And how about James and Ashleigh sneaking around like that even though they knew how Kelcy felt?

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please don't be afraid to give me feedback even if it's positive or negative (if it's negative, please make sure it's constructive and not just mean. If it isn't constructive please keep it to yourself.)

I love you all!

Vote♡Comment♡Share