by C.E. Wilson
Chapter Four
After the two girls had left, Orion appeared deep in thought. He took the seat Ellie had just left and crossed his arms over his chest. “So it was Micah,” he muttered.
“I really hoped that it wasn’t,” Archer said, taking a seat next to him. “I have to ask you something.”
“What now?”
“When you were with Devony in secret, I’m assuming you told Micah?”
“Of course I told him. He’s like a brother to me,” Orion said. “Why are you asking me now?”
“No reason.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I swear there isn’t any reason for asking other than my curiosity.”
“So why are you curious?”
“I guess I didn’t realize that those two were so close.”
“They’re not that close,” Orion said, uncrossing his arms and leaning over the table. “I guess that they have spoken to each other from time to time. We only needed him for delivering messages on the days when Devony was worried about her father finding out about us.”
“Huh.”
“Huh, what? What’s wrong with that?”
“I didn’t say anything was wrong, Orion. I just made a sound.”
“I don’t like the sound you made. Talk to me. Are you saying there’s an issue with trusting Micah around my girl?”
“Micah Castile?”
“Yes, dammit. Who else would I be talking about? We’re talking about Micah, aren’t we?”
“As far as I know.”
“So answer the question.”
“I wasn’t aware you were asking one.”
“Are you kidding me?” Orion grumbled, running his hand over his short dark hair. “Why are you talking around everything that I’m asking you? I can see it in your eyes that your mind is buzzing. When we walked into the library you said you didn’t like something and now you’re asking about Micah and how close he is to Dev. Is there something going on I don’t know about?”
Archer looked away. “I don’t think so.”
“You looked somewhere else! I saw it! Tell me what you’re thinking. Now.”
“Orion, I…” Archer said, breathing in and then heaving out a heavy sigh. He wanted to smile at how carefully Orion was watching him. Every gesture, every movement was making him nervous.
Good.
“Go on,” Orion said, looking more uncomfortable. “Tell me what’s bothering you.”
“Orion, I’d like to think that we’re friends now. We’re friends, right?”
“Of course. You helped me out when Micah was drunk and making an absolute ass out of himself. You’ve proven on more than one occasion that I can trust you with school events and I know you care about the school’s reputation as much as I do. Please…tell me what you think you saw.”
“Micah’s a good guy. I think I’m looking too much into things.”
“Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I don’t see a reason to get you riled up this close to the tournament.”
“Why would I get riled up?”
“Because you’re stressed. I’m worried you’ll start to see things that aren’t there. There’s going to be a lot of pressure. The media’s going to be here.”
“I know about the damn tournament. What I want to know is if Micah is trustworthy.”
As he fumbled with his fingers, Archer could feel Orion’s heavy gaze. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“You’re lying.”
“I have better things to do than lie. Why would you say that?”
“I want you be honest,” Orion said. “If you think something’s up, then as my friend you have tell me.”
“I…I can’t,” Archer said, suddenly unsure. For a moment he hesitated. Could he really do this? Orion took his silence for something terrible and looked at him with a face so pleading and pathetic that Archer almost felt bad for him. And then he remembered all the rejection letters from colleges. He remembered Orion preaching about waiting until marriage to have sex when he was sure that he had slept with Ellie. He had to do this. “Are you sure you want to know?”
“Would I be here begging if I didn’t?”
“Orion, I could have a rotten thought about anyone. No one’s perfect.”
“Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I don’t have to.”
“As your friend, I think you do have to tell me. If you think even for a second that Micah or Devony are up to something, you have to tell me.”
“We should head down to the Headmaster’s.”
“Not until you tell me what you’re thinking. Archer, come on. Tell me.”
“I’m probably wrong.”
“I don’t care. Tell me.”
“Doesn’t the saying go that ‘ignorance is bliss’?” Archer asked, trying to look uncomfortable. “I don’t want to plant a seed of doubt in your mind when it comes to your trust with Devony and Micah. It isn’t right.”
“What isn’t right? What am I being ignorant about? Is there something going on?”
“It’s nothing,” Archer said, standing up. “Come on, we don’t want to be late.”
“You’re going to tell me by the end of the day.”
“It’s not a good idea.”
“What isn’t?”
“Getting yourself all worked up like this, Orion! Even if Devony was cheating on you—”
“Cheating on me? What the hell are you talking about?” Orion asked, standing and getting in Archer’s face. “She’s not cheating.”
“You’re right. She’s probably not. But even if she was—”
“She’s not.”
“What I’m trying to say is, that even if she were, would you really want to know about it, or would you rather be kept in the dark?”
“I don’t want her cheating on me in the first place!”
“And as long as you don’t know, she’s not. Orion, stop. You’re going to regret having this conversation and I don’t want you be upset with me.”
“I wouldn’t get upset with you for telling me the truth! I would rather know than be an ignorant fool. Can’t you understand that?”
“Of course I do. Which is why I’m telling you now to stop this conversation and go see the Headmaster.”
“Do you have proof?” Orion asked once Archer started walking towards the front of the library. “I want proof to your claims.”
“I’m not claiming anything! Seriously, Orion, it’s nothing so stop worrying about it.”
“Do you swear I have nothing to worry about?”
“No more than you would with any other guy in the school.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“I don’t think it’s supposed to make you feel worse,” Archer said, opening the door and motioning for Orion to go ahead of him. “Orion, listen to me. I don’t have proof but you should keep a closer eye on Devony. She’s a nice enough girl but a guy would have to be a fool not to flirt with her.” Archer walked a bit ahead of him. “I’ll see you at third period, okay?” he called over his shoulder.
Orion didn’t answer him, instead grumbling to himself. “Micah would be a fool to try anything with her.”