by B C Morgan
My last class before lunch feels, different. Everyone is quiet, and the whispering isn’t directed at me for a change. No, the new hot topic seems to be Harrison and people aren’t being all that nice. Well, ‘people’ is too nice a word to describe them. How could I expect any different from the Shepherds? I guess they’re hoping for a new leader and I know Chelsea is gunning for that position.
It’s passing really quick today and Noah is looking at me with this emotion that screams I love you, he’s got me hook, line and sinker.
“Ready to go to lunch?” he asks, wrapping his arm around my waist as we walk down the hall towards the canteen.
“Definitely, I am starving,” I reply as his fingers trace my cheek before surprising me with a kiss that means we are stopped dead in the middle of the hallway.
It’s so easy to forget that people are around while he’s kissing me, but he’s pulling away with this beautiful smile on his face as we resume our walk towards lunch and our friends.
Although it’s easy to see as we take our table that it’s going to be a quiet one for us today, just me, Noah and Elijah and I’ve become a Henleigh sandwich between the two of them.
Roxie and Bella are auditioning for Leah’s replacement, I don’t know what happened between them but how can I not blame myself? I have no idea where Amias is and Ivy left school after classes finished, she’s become really secretive lately.
“He’s disappeared again, why is he being such a dick?” Elijah asks and clearly, he’s talking about Amias.
“He’ll figure it out eventually, hopefully it won’t be too late,” Noah replies cryptically but it’s impossible to miss the stares they keep sending my way.
“Any news on Ivy?” I ask, I have to change the subject it’s causing too many conflicting emotions within me.
“She said she’ll be back to her normal iciness tomorrow, no idea where she’s been going though,” but I get the impression that he didn’t ask either, Noah doesn’t like to push people.
“Come on No-No she’s clearly got a fella somewhere and she doesn’t want us to know, after last time,” Elijah says and it’s the opening I’ve been waiting for.
“Okay, what is the story there, who was this guy and why did it result in you calling her Trixie?” I can’t fight the urge to discover the truth anymore I need answers.
“I’ll tell you, but only because it’s public knowledge anyway. There was this guy who used to go here, a couple years older than us but Ivy was besotted. He had this girlfriend called Tricia and everyone called her Trixie.” He throws his hands in the air and I know this is going nowhere good. “Well, he treated her like shit, cheated, put her down and pretty much treated her like his personal maid. She eventually saw the light and left him and suddenly, Ivy got her chance.” People rarely changed. This is going to end badly and my heart hurts for the girl she was before she gave herself to some dickwad.
No, don’t stop there Eli. When did I become the sort of person who gossips. Fuck my life!
“We tried to warn her, but she was convinced she could change him. She made him work for it I’ll give her that but she could only hold back for so long, he hooked her and he treated her worse than he ever did to Tricia.” His knuckles are clenched, and his mouth is pulled into a thin line. “He dumped her publicly when she refused to sleep with him, saying he only went with her because he thought if she was following him around he could at least make it worth something to him. Ever since then, Elijah has called her Trixie to remind her why she shouldn’t get herself in that situation again.”
Bloody balls, that is harsh, and I thought I had a bad track record when it comes to guys. Don’t go there Henleigh, you’ve been doing so well.
The rest of the week passes and I can’t get rid of the anxiety that is flowing through me right now. Amias hasn’t come back, and it’s been three days. No one has seen him and I’m going out of my mind, I’m trying not to care but my heart won’t listen. We’re supposed to be training tomorrow, and he’s not here, I don’t want to do it without him and this is the last weekend I will have before Harrison returns. I don’t even know what his return will do to Amias and I’m still deciding if I’m going to call it quits with him but how can I when he’s not here?!
Hang on, why is Ivy standing by my locker, the day is over its chill time.
“Hey Henleigh, I’m sorry I haven’t been around much but I was wondering if you’d want to come shopping with me tomorrow. I’ve got two passes and I could really do with a friend right now.”
She looks so meek. This isn’t the Ivy I know. I can’t refuse her, not when she’s like this.
“Of course, I’m not really feeling the extras I have planned for tomorrow anyway,” I say back and we return to my room to have a catch up on everything she’s missed so far.
Only our catch up doesn’t go the way we like, I guess I’m the girl of the day or something. Roxie is standing outside my door, and biting her nails, she never does that. Is there something in the water? Because no one is acting like themselves, except from Noah and Eli.
“Baby girl I really need to talk to you, without an audience,” she says, narrowing her eyes at Ivy.
“Go in, I’ll only be a few minutes,” I say to Ivy, hating the animosity between the pair.
She nods her head reluctantly but she does go in and Roxie is pulling me down the hall and into her room.
“What is going on?” I ask, I’m really starting to worry now.
“Two things have happened today, it’s not gotten around yet but it will. And I think you need to hear it from a real friend first.” She pats me on the shoulder as she indicates for me to take a seat, she’s never this soft and gentle, it just isn’t her style. She reminds me more of a Tasmanian devil than a cute little kitten or puppy, sure they can nip but they don’t usually cause a lot of lasting damaging.
“Okay, go for it,” I reply, sitting down on her couch and she’s choosing to sit beside me and taking my hand. This is too weird.
“Chelsea was passing these flyers out today when classes finished, I think you might want to take a look,” she says as she passes it to me.
“I don’t understand,” I say quietly, as I take it all in.
Henleigh isn't only the slut of Padstow and a criminal no less but she’s also keeping very big secrets. Feel free to check the website below it will be a huge eye opener. But you must have patience if you want to discover the truth, PastFinder has done all the work now all we have to do is sit back and watch the clock, tick tock.
“Is Chelsea PastFinder?” I’m dubious, but it would make sense, in an incomplete puzzle kind of way.
“No way. I may have had a couple of friends convince her to tell them where she got the information and she admitted that it was posted under her door this morning. She’s just a pawn, a means to an end. The website is loaded on my tablet but that isn’t the second thing I have to tell you,” she says as I grab her tablet and look at the content.
It’s a countdown, ending sometime in the new year. Hang on, that’s the last day of school. Well at least I have a deadline now, I’ll have to tell the guys before the deadline hits zero!
“Hang on, this isn’t the second thing, oh no what else happened?” This worry is eating away at my stomach, leaving nothing more than a gaping hole in its wake.
“This was posted inside my locker and I doubt I’m the only one who got it.” She passes me a piece of paper and her eyes are filled with one part sadness, one part worry and two parts rage and indignation on my behalf.
It’s another newspaper clipping. Oh no! No, no, no. This cannot be possible. How did anyone find this? I’m hyperventilating, I can’t breathe. I’m putting my head between my legs. This is what people tell you to do right?
“Hey, it’s okay calm down. It doesn’t mention your name anywhere, and it doesn’t tell the full story, I only knew it was about you because of what you told me.” She’s trying to make me see the good in this situation, but she’s clutching at
straws and there isn’t any left for me to cling onto as well. “No one else is going to realise it, you’re okay. But baby girl, we need to do damage control, when are you going to tell them?”
“After Christmas, I’m going to tell the guys and then I’ll tell everyone else. Would it be really cowardly if I ask you to come with me?” I ask, and she smiles as she hugs me.
“I’ll be with you the entire time, have no fear my girl I’ve got you.”
It’s fun shopping with Ivy, but there’s this tension in the air. I know she had something she wants to say but she won’t come out with it.
“Okay, enough. What’s wrong Ivy?” I say it effortlessly, like if she chooses not to answer then it will not affect me.
“I’ve been a really crappy friend and I’m sorry for that, I should have been here for you. You’ve got three guys to juggle and I can’t imagine that’s been easy, no judgement I think you guys are perfect for one another.” She smiles, and her face screams sincerity. “Then there’s all that crap with the Shepherds and all the rumours that are going around, you don’t deserve it and I haven’t been here for you. The thing is, I don’t make friends easily, especially with girls. I didn’t want to be friends with you but I am and I don’t want to lose you, you’re my best friend and I’m really scared that I’ve fucked everything up.” Her eyes are glistening, they remind me of a mirror, the way they glimmer in the light.
“What, Ivy no! You’re not going to lose me because of this, I can’t see you doing anything to make me say bye to you. Please, tell me what’s been going on, are you okay?” I ask, why can’t I shake the sense that there is more going on here.
“I was seeing this guy and I kind of lost my head a little, it’s over now and I feel so foolish for neglecting everyone. Plus, my cousin was really ill and my parents pulled me out so I could spend some time with them. Anyway, we split up and I’m through with the whole dating scene right now, I think I’ll just live vicariously through you for a while,” she says as we go into a cafe and get ourselves a luxury hot chocolate.
It’s nice being with Ivy again, she’s funny and she drips sarcasm more than me. There’s still this edge of tension but maybe I’m just imagining it, I almost convinced myself I saw Amias a second ago. I did imagine that, didn’t I?
Going back to school is its own drama, everyone is staring at us. People are pointing, laughing or sending me nasty glares.
“Am I missing something here?” Ivy asks and I have no idea what she’s talking about.
“You really are a whore, three guys not enough for you?” Chelsea shouts before storming over to me and slapping me across the face.
Ow, that bitch can slap!
“What was that for?” I ask, I have no idea what I’ve done this time.
“Keep your hands to yourself, Finley is mine,” she screams, spittle flying from her mouth as she slams a picture against my chest.
It's me and Finley, that’s when I went to the nurse and he wouldn’t take his arm off me. Chelsea is throwing more at my feet, me in the swimming pool with him looking down at me. Finley in the pool as I climb out with a smirk on my face. There’s even one where we’re standing there looking at one another, I know it’s when we were talking about Mr. Terrifying but it looks intense. These were orchestrated, I knew he was up to something that son of a bitch.
“Listen here Chelsea, I don’t want your boyfriend. He’s an arsehole which makes him perfect for you, you have an issue then take it up with him. He’s the one that can’t seem to stay away from me, so if you can get him to back off, I’d be eternally grateful. Although in his defence, if you stopped throwing yourself at every guy on the grounds, he may stop doing the same. I may have three guys but at least I have standards.” Words can be a great weapon and they can cut sharper than any knife, especially when they are sharpened by nothing more than the truth. I wonder how deep these cuts will go?
That is all I have to say, Ivy is following me as I make it to my room. My heart is thumping like mad in my chest, please let this be the last thing that occurs today.
I guess luck isn't on my side, I’m yanking my phone out of my pocket to find it exploding with texts. They all say the same.
Get to Amias’ room. NOW.
I don’t think I’ve ever pounded on a door harder in my life, can’t someone just open the damn door!
“Henleigh calm down, everything is okay,” Noah says as he opens the door and pulls me inside, Ivy is quick to follow me in.
I don’t even need to ask what’s going on, Amias is black and blue.
“What happened?” I ask, rushing to his side. All my anger is disappearing he can barely open his left eye. His face is badly swollen, and he’s got a black eye, a broken nose and a split lip.
“I fell,” he says on a groan and he’s grabbing his side as he tries to roll over.
That’s it, I need to see the rest. He doesn’t even have the strength to stop me from lifting up his top. Damn it’s like a marbled effect between his tanned skin and dark, horrid bruises.
“Will you all leave, I want to be alone?” he asks and we won’t argue with him, even if we all want to.
“Of course we can, just text us if you need anything,” I say, brushing my hand over his hair.
“Will you stay little cub, just you? Please,” I cannot say no to him, not like this. Even if me staying counteracts his being alone request.
Everyone looks worried but they are all looking at us with this shared smile of understanding, I don’t know why he wants me to stay. Not after the way he’s been behaving but they seem to get it. They say bye but he doesn’t return it, instead he stays on his back with his head facing away from them. This is going to be an awkward evening, I can just tell.
I sit down on his chair and flick through my emails, there's one from PastFinder but Amias is saying my name so it can wait. Besides, I have already decided that I will reply to the next one I get from them. That’s probably best done when I’m alone.
“Are you okay?” I ask, raising my voice so he can hear me.
“Will you come and sit with me?”
He’s only like this when he’s scared and I guess in pain or maybe he is scared, I don’t know what happened but I do know he didn’t ‘fall down.’
I sit down beside him and I hate that I’m stiffening up as he puts his arms around me and pulls me closer, while he groans in pain.
“Sorry, you can go. I know I deserve it,” he says, and it's hurting my heart.
“I’m not going anywhere, I’m pissed at you and angry but I won’t leave you like this. I care about you Amias, surely you can see that. You just, hurt me. None of that is important right now though, will you tell me what happened and please do not lie to me.” I thought I could stay strong like a steel chain, but instead my voice breaks like a weak link struggling from the weight being placed upon it and revealing its pressure points.
“I can’t tell you little cub, anything I say will only be a lie and I won’t do that,” he’s starting to gasp so I place my finger over his lips.
I do not like the secrecy, but I can’t force him to tell me, especially in his condition. I want to kill whoever is responsible for this, god help them when I figure it all out.
“Little cub, please don’t hate me,” he says, as he pulls me in closer and lays his head on my lap, nuzzling his cheek against my stomach.
“I don’t think I could ever hate you, even if I really want to sometimes. I just wish you trusted me to stick around, maybe you wouldn’t keep things from me anymore.” I cannot be any more emphatic than I am right now, please just see me Amias. See how much I need your truths.
“You keep things from me,” he points out.
“I know, but I can honestly say that nothing I am holding back can affect us. Okay at least I hope that's the case, you could change your opinion but it doesn’t affect who we are now. Can you say the same?” My fingers brush through his hair, I hope it’s soothing for him, it’s just not having the same effec
t on me. Be honest, please.
“It really hurts to breathe,” that's his reply, is avoidance any better than a lie? Because I cannot decide.
I have been with Amias for two nights, but I have to go to class today and I don’t think I can stay here for a third one. I haven’t seen anyone else and I know he needs me but I’m running on empty, I’ve barely slept.
My English class is going great but my eyes are sore and I really want to take a nap, I love this class and I hate that I’m not working at a thousand percent efficiency. My eyes are drooping, I cannot fall asleep.
“Miss Monterey, Mrs. Hutchinson needs to see you in her office,” my teacher says as I shoot my head up. She’s looking at me with sympathy which is surprising, but she is my favourite for a reason.
I can’t make myself walk any faster and I can’t see this impromptu summoning being anything good. I don’t even have to wait, I’m literally sent right in as soon as I arrive, what is... oh no, how did I forget.
Harrison is in a wheelchair, damn it. I wasn’t expecting this, and he is not happy to see me.
“I think I’d rather be back in a coma,” he spits out with a derisive and hate filled look my way.
“Mr. Barnes, show this girl some respect. She is the only one who agreed to help you try and pass this year so you will not have to retake both year twelve and thirteen, and I asked plenty of students.”
Damn Mrs. Hutchinson, that is harsh. Can she even say things like that to a student? I know she’s defending me, but I don’t need nor want her to.
“Yes, Ma’am,” he says glumly, and she calls for someone named Benjy to come and take Harrison and me to the library.
“Benjy will be taking Harrison around the school and although he won’t be in the study room with you, he will be close by. This is going to be difficult for you Miss Monterey, you have to keep your grades up and help him with his. This will require three days a week and he’ll be taught in between your sessions by a separate teacher. He isn’t able to attend the classroom at the moment.”