by C. E. Wilson
“Just like that?” Archer asked, looking incredulous. “Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Do you really think he’s going to admit it when you’re acting like this? Micah’s been sleeping around with other men’s women since middle school. He knows the game and he knows how not to get caught.”
“So why would he brag?”
“Because he trusts me, and he wants people to know that he made an ass out of you.”
“So how will I ever get proof that he’s really sleeping with her?”
“I told him to come back to talk to me,” Archer said. “He thinks that I’m talking to you about him helping out tonight—”
“As if I’d have him here.”
“Exactly. But he doesn’t need to know that. I told him you were considering it and he wants to hear what I have to say. Go hide in the gym, I’ll tell him that you’re grabbing things from the wrestling room and bait him into telling me what’s going on. You can hear him say it.”
“Good.”
“But, Orion.”
“What?”
“You have to stay calm. If you run out and start beating him up, you could lose everything at this school. The Headmaster will expel you for fighting. They’ll call your parents.”
“Fine. I’ll do as you ask, but just know, if he admits to sleeping with Dev…I don’t know what will happen.”
“The meds will kick in before you figure it out,” Archer said. “Go now and hide in the bleachers and I’ll bring Micah in the gym. And keep your damn mouth shut so he doesn’t know you’re around!”
Chapter Two
Archer beamed as he watched Orion disappear into the gym.
Now all I have to do is talk about that skank, Bentley, he thought to himself as he watched Micah cautiously walk back through the lobby. She and Micah had been hooking up all summer but Micah didn’t want anyone to know about it because the girl was trash. Micah knew the girl was skanky but he didn’t care because she was easy. It would be cake to get him to laugh about her.
“He’ll have no idea what’s going on,” Archer said.
“Who won’t?” Micah asked. “Where’s Orion?”
“Cleaning out the wrestling room to set up for another concession stand,” Archer said. “Let’s talk in the gym so no one can listen.” Micah followed him closely, looking around. Archer saw that the gym looked empty. “Are you still talking to Devony about helping out tonight?”
“She says that there’s nothing she can do,” Micah said, frowning.
Archer moved close to him and spoke in an undertone. “Oh, but I bet if Bentley could help you, you’d be already be helping us out!” He nudged him in the ribs with his elbow.
“Oh her?” Micah asked, laughing. “That girl will do anything!” From his hiding spot, Orion caught the hearty sounds of Micah’s laughter filling the gym and he narrowed his eyes.
“I can’t believe how much she likes you. She could have anyone!”
“I know, it’s a shame, isn’t it? But I can’t help myself, I want what I want.”
“I bet you do. You always have,” Archer said, elbowing him again. “She told me about how you two hooked up in the chemistry lab today.”
“It’s never enough with her!”
“Are you going to go public with her?”
“Public? With her? Could you imagine my father’s face? He would throw up all over his office!”
“I’m telling you, your father would probably love the match.”
“My father’s pickier than you know,” Micah said. “She wanted me all summer. I couldn’t keep her away from me!”
“All summer?” Archer repeated loudly. “Damn, that long?”
“Before that, I think. You know how she is. She can’t keep her legs closed. I wouldn’t be surprised if she tried to go public about us. She’s a liar though, all those girls are.”
“Girls like her are only after one thing.”
“Well she can have it from me, so long as it’s private.”
“Did anyone see you sneak into the lab this afternoon?” Archer asked.
“No. She pulled me in and started having her way with me,” Micah chuckled. “She’s always hanging around me and trying to get my attention. She’s feisty, that’s for sure.”
“Are you going to sneak her back into your house?”
“Come on, Archer, you know I will. I have needs.”
“But you won’t date her, huh?”
“I don’t date girls like that.”
“Shhh…” Archer warned. “Isn’t that her?” he whispered as Bentley entered the gym.
“I could smell her coming in with that cheap perfume she’s always wearing,” Micah said, putting on a show for Archer. “What do you want now?”
“You slime!” Bentley hissed at him in a low voice, throwing a small metal object at his chest. “I knew you gave this ring to another girl! I must have been out of my mind to think that you’ve changed! You said you found it in your locker, you scum! I bet half the school’s worn this ring. I won’t wear it! We’re done.”
“Bentley?” Micah asked, scrambling to scoop up the ring. “What the hell are you talking about? I gave this ring as a gift to you.”
“My ring!” Orion breathed, watching the scene.
“It’s got a date on the inside from before I even knew you, you idiot! I don’t want your secondhand gifts! Never talk to me again,” she shouted, spinning on her high wedges and storming out of the gym.
“Go after her,” Archer said, nudging him forward.
“Are you sure?”
“She’ll make a scene if you don’t. Take her back to your house and give her something good.”
“What about what you wanted to talk to me about? What about Orion?”
“Don’t waste time. Hurry up before she gets away. If you don’t calm her down she might smash your windshield or something.”
Micah looked hesitant but within a few seconds he had turned away and was running after Bentley. Once he was gone, Orion stepped out from behind the bleachers. His eyes were red and his hands were beginning to twitch.
“Did you hear everything?” Archer asked.
“Every word.”
“Did you hear how long they’ve been together?”
“Yes. And the ring!” Orion shouted. “She threw that ring at Micah as though it was nothing more than trash! How dare she? The school tramp was wearing my gift to Dev.”
“Are you sure it was yours?”
“I’m as positive as I can be. The same ring I gave to Dev, he gave to her. Archer…I don’t think the medicine is working.”
“Give it time.”
“I can’t wait for it to kick in! If I don’t do something about this, I’ll go crazy! Give me another.”
“Another what?”
“Another pill! It must not be working right.”
“I think one’s enough.”
“If you don’t give me another pill, I’ll drive right up to Devony’s house and rip her throat open with my bare hands.”
“That’s the drugs talking, you idiot. You don’t mean that,” Archer said, taking out his pill bottle and breaking a pill in half. “How about this?”
“Give me the whole thing!” Orion shouted, marching over and snatching both halves up. He threw them both down into the back of his throat without water and swallowed deeply. “I hate her! I hate her for what she’s done to me! How could she sleep with Micah? How could Micah betray me like this and then brag about it?”
“Don’t be mad with Micah. He’s only a man.”
“A dead man.”
“Let the medicine relax you,” Archer said. “Please, you’re talking as though you’d really do these things.”
“I will!”
“Just have an open relationship. Those can work.”
“I’m not giving her permission to sleep around!”
“Then you have to let her go.”
“She cheated on me with the guy I thought was my best friend.”
“That does make things worse,” Archer conceded.
“There’s a gun at my apartment,” Orion said, his light brown eyes wide and bloodshot. “I’ll kill her.”
“You’re not going to shoot anyone,” Archer said. “You can’t kill her. Women cheat. It’s in their nature.”
“Not a woman who I’m with. That’s not happening.”
“You’re joking, right? You’re not really going to kill her?”
“Do I look like I’m kidding?”
“N-no,” Archer said, looking him over. For the first time, he truly looked dangerous. He had mentioned that his family had moved to America for a reason. His lips couldn’t find the courage to ask why. “You need to calm down. People are starting to arrive. Do you feel better?”
“I feel…dizzy,” he said, blinking at the door to the gym. “Who’s here?”
“It looks like the head of the student body over at the local college,” Archer said, turning his head to get a better look. “That’s Lucas, alright. He must be here to see how things are going.”
“I don’t have time to talk to him.”
“Devony’s with him,” he said carefully.
“Then I’ll—”
“You won’t do anything rash,” Archer said. “Calm down and put your game face on. Let’s keep it together.”
“That’s easy for you to say. Your girlfriend isn’t cheating on you.”
Chapter Three
“This looks amazing!” Lucas said as he looked over the front of the school building. “You guys really brought this all together.”
“Thanks,” Orion said gruffly.
“There are just a few things,” Lucas went on, digging in his pocket and handing Orion a piece of paper. “Just make sure that you take care of this before teams start arriving.”
“Whatever.”
“Are…are you alright, Orion?” Lucas asked, looking him over. “You don’t look so hot. Are you ill?”
“So what’s going on?” Devony asked Lucas, trying to keep things light. “Are things over at the college set up?”
“As well as they can be. You know I run a tight ship.”
“That’s what makes you a great president,” Archer said.
“Where’s Micah?”
“He’s around,” Archer said.
“He’s alive,” Orion muttered.
“Huh? What’d you say?”
“Oh it’s nothing!” Devony said, smiling. “Micah and Orion just had a little fight but it’s all getting worked out.”
“Is that so?” Orion asked.
“What?”
“Do you even know why we’re fighting?” Orion challenged.
“I know I don’t,” Lucas said, frowning. “Is there something going on I should know about?”
“It’s just a small fight,” Devony said. “I’m trying to help them work things out. Micah means so much to me.”
“I’m sure he does.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Devony asked.
“Nothing.”
“Did I say something wrong?”
“On a night like this, we’re all on edge,” Lucas said, watching beads of sweat roll down Orion’s face. “Orion, do you want to go home and take a shower?”
“Why? I’m clean. What about you, Dev?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Are you a clean girl or a dirty girl?” Orion asked. “Do you even bathe alone?”
“Orion!” Devony sputtered out with a red face. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’ve heard word that Micah’s going to run for replacement editor-in-chief for the newspaper for the remainder of the school year,” Lucas said, trying to change the subject.
“That’s great,” Devony said.
“I bet you think it’s great,” Orion muttered again.
“Orion?”
“Micah’s just so perfect, isn’t he? I’ll have to ask him what it feels like to have the mayor’s daughter backing his every move.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t talk to me like I’m a moron, you know what I’m talking about.”
“I know you’re being crazy.”
“I know you’re acting like a bitch,” Orion said. When the words came out, Devony looked like she had been slapped.
“W-why would you say that? I haven’t done anything!”
“Indeed,” Lucas said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Why are you acting like such an ass, Orion? You’ll make her cry.”
“So let her cry,” Orion said. “I bet you like that, don’t you, Dev? Another man touching you? Who hasn’t touched you lately?”
“I don’t have to listen to this,” Devony said, pulling away. “I’m going home to get ready and I hope you’re in a better mood when I get back.”
“No, Dev, don’t go,” Lucas said, taking a step towards her. “Orion, apologize to her.”
“Like hell I will. If anything I’ve been too kind. She deserves it.”
“What have I done?”
“Do you want to sleep with her?” Orion asked Lucas.
“Are you actually asking me that?” Lucas asked, his hazel eyes growing wide. “Are you kidding?”
“I’m not kidding. She’ll sleep with anything, just ask around.” He pointed a finger at Devony. “You’re a cheater and a liar and I can’t believe I ever trusted you. Get out of my face before I do something I’ll regret. As for Micah, he doesn’t need to work for the paper because he can replace me as president! I’m done!” he shouted, throwing up his hands and storming out.
“What…what the hell just happened?” Lucas asked. “Is he sick or something? He looks like he hasn’t slept in days with those bloodshot eyes.”
“I think the pressure of being a student body president has finally got to him,” Archer said as sympathetically as he could. “I mean how many people were at his old school? Ten? Twenty?”
“Don’t be ignorant,” Lucas said. “He’s acting like there’s something wrong with him. I hope he’s not drinking energy drinks to stay awake. Those things plus no sleep will mess you up, big time.”
“I don’t know what he’s taking to help him deal with things, but that’s how he’s been lately,” Archer said.
“Calling his girlfriend a bitch? That’s new to me.”
Archer shrugged. “So he overreacted. I’m sure he’ll apologize for it later and show up with a dozen roses.”
“Does he talk to her like that all the time?”
“That’s their business,” Archer said vaguely. “I don’t pry. Just stick around if you’re curious. Despite what he said earlier, Orion will come back for the tournament. He’s not about to make the school look bad. Just watch him and make your own decisions.”
“He seemed so calm before. Do you really think he’s on something?”
“People can change,” Archer said.
Chapter Four
“Tell me if you’ve ever seen anything, Ellie,” Orion insisted.
“Orion, I swear I never saw anything! You’re acting irrational, you know that? Look at you! You’re sweating like crazy!”
“Never mind how I look,” Orion said, wiping his forehead. He was surprised at the amount of perspiration that came off his head but he tried to concentrate. Everything was so blurry! Why couldn’t he focus? “You’ve seen the two of them together. I saw him sneaking out of the library.”
“They weren’t doing anything wrong. I was there the whole time and I know for a fact that they’re nothing more than friends! Most of the time they talk about you.”
“Did they ever ask you to give them some privacy?”
“Of course not!”
“Did they ever whisper?”
“I heard every word.”
“I…I have a hard time believing that,” Orion said as he paced around the parking lot. More and more cars were starting to show up but he ignored them, focusing only on Ellie as she continued to puff away in the lot. “You’re p
robably covering for her.”
“I have no need to cover for her. Devony’s always been good and for some reason she’s always been faithful to you. But given the way you’re acting, I don’t really know why she’s wasting her time. Micah’s never done anything to her and Devony’s been nothing more than a good friend to him.”
“Has Devony left yet?”
“No, she’s waiting for me. Honestly, I wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for Archer talking me into it. I don’t think Devony should have anything to do with you until this tournament’s over.”
“I didn’t ask your opinion.”
“Well maybe you should hear it!” Ellie shouted. “Don’t you realize what you’re doing? You’re taking something pure and shitting all over it! I mean what’s wrong with you?”
“I’m only making sure. Devony lied to her father, there’s no reason that she wouldn’t be able to lie to anyone else.”
“You’re still on about that?” Ellie said, turning away. “Get over it! She was lying for you!”
“She was lying because she was embarrassed! The same way she was embarrassed about the ‘little ring’ I gave her! I’m not good enough for her.”
“With the way you’re acting, you never will be.”
“Stop!” Devony’s voice pierced the air. Both Ellie and Orion looked in her direction as she marched across the lot and stopped a dozen feet away from Orion. “I can hear you guys shouting from the deck. You’re both making asses of yourselves. Orion, if you have a problem with me, say it to my face.”
“Come over here.”
“I think I’ll keep my distance.”
“And why’s that?”
“You look like you’d punch your mother if she pissed you off enough.”
“Only if she was a whore,” Orion said, wiping more sweat away. “Come here, I can’t see you.”
“I’m close enough.”
“Everything’s blurry. Please. Come here, Devony. You know I’d never hurt you.”
“Maybe not with your hands, but your words hurt.” She took a hesitant step towards him. “W-what…what do you want, Orion? What have you heard about me that’s making you act like this?”