by Mj Fields
The invitation has, however, caused Alexa, Baker, James, and Abhi to attempt to pull Brisa and me back into the friendship circle.
I was a little pissed that they were blatantly avoiding us, but the part of me that sees full truths in others, even though I’ve been juggling mine like a circus clown on her first day of training, I never really blamed them for avoiding further knocks down the rungs on the popularity ladder because of me.
For all the opportunity Seashore gives with state of the art facilities, small class sizes, more clubs with better coaches, teachers who should be teaching at colleges and universities and not a high school level, mentorship programs, standardized testing prep, college course credits, and access to the best colleges in the world, it does have its faults.
The students here aren’t wondering where they’ll get their next meal, if they’ll be picked on for not having this season’s clothes, if they’ll get caught in the crossfire of some gang activity on their way to school, or worry as much about school shootings. They worry about fitting in.
Bullshit, I tell myself then quickly amend my thoughts to, we all worry about fitting in.
Why is it all my most profound moments are while peeing? I wonder as I open the bathroom stall.
When I see Gabrielle standing there, waiting for me, I roll my eyes.
“We’re going to become friends,” she says as if she were Moses standing on Mount Sinai and had just received the eleventh commandment.
Forcing myself not to stand there and laugh in her face, I turn on the water.
“And”—she holds up her phone and starts typing something then looks at me—“there’s the olive branch.”
My phone pings as I dry my hands. I pull it out of my blazer pocket and see a notification from The Sound.
“An invite from Gabrielle Morales-Ortez.” I laugh as I read it then hit deny.
When I look up at her, she’s looking at her phone and doesn’t look angry, as I expected. She looks completely unaffected.
She types out something again, and then my phone pings with another notification.
I look down. Again, an invite.
When I’m about to hit decline, she says, “Wait—hear me out.”
“No,” I say as I hit decline then shove my phone in my blazer pocket. “You hear me out. I’ve kept your secret when I could have blasted that shit everywhere, but I’m not that person. I’m more the type to sit and wait for a person to hang themself.” I step around her. “And friendship means a hell of a lot more to me than making nice with someone for the sake of perception and popularity.”
When I’m about to open the door, she says, “I’ve never had a loyal friend in my life. Not one. If any of the people who surround me knew what you did, they’d bury me. I’ve been a bitch—”
“A cunt actually,” I say as I turn around.
Her face hardens. “That’s a disgusting word.”
“And your actions have surpassed disgusting.”
She scowls at the floor as she shakes her head in frustration. “I keep trying to figure out your fucking angle.”
“Don’t lose sleep over it, Gabby. There is none. You stay away from me, I’ll stay away from you.”
“Fine,” she snaps, and I swear I see tears in her big brown doe eyes.
Walk away, I scream at myself. Walk. A. Way.
“People like you have lived a different life than most.”
Defensively, she snaps, “You mean people like us.”
I shake my head. “I wasn’t raised to shove my nose in the air, Gabby.”
“You have no idea how I was raised,” she snaps, eyes filling more, and I have to look away before I decide hugging a poisonous snake is a good idea.
“And you have no idea how I was. Just consider yourself lucky that I was taught that, if you keep your nose in the air, you’re gonna drown when it rains.”
When I walk out, Harrison is leaning against the wall.
“I didn’t hear any yelling, or I’d have come in.”
“I’m not some princess who needs to be saved, Reeves.”
“Which is exactly why I choose you.” He smirks as he pushes himself off the wall.
Gabby walks out of the bathroom, not a single tear in her eyes.
“Told you to leave her alone.” Harrison shakes his head from side to side.
Her face scrunches up in disgust. “I didn’t do a damn thing.”
“Actually, you—”
“Made nice, called a truce,” she cuts me off.
“So, no more videos will be popping up on the entire student body’s screens?” Harrison asks.
“Fuck you,” she snaps as she walks down the hall.
He purses his lips and shakes his head.
“I’m gonna tell you what I told her. Keeping your nose in the air is a good way to drown.”
“That’s sound advice, Miss Steel.” He smirks. “However, looking down is also frowned upon, which leaves a man like me to wonder, as well as doubt myself and all those who have taught me to be a gentleman to just keep looking ahead, to do the work it takes to gain the rewards.”
I start to walk away, and he stays by my side.
“I’m guessing your parents’ humble beginnings may have given them different perspectives than mine have given me.”
“Thank God,” I huff.
He takes my elbow, stopping me as he walks around in front of me. “Show me yours, and I’ll show you the good parts of mine, the ones you shun, which makes you just as wrong as me.”
“I don’t have time for this. You and yours have bullied my brother into a fight this weekend. Forgive me if showing you how to be human doesn’t top my list of priorities.”
He smirks.
“Why is that amusing to you?” I ask, truly curious.
“For one, your loyalty and judgment are just as misplaced as mine.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“I didn’t lure your brother into a fight. You and I both know that video had nothing to do with me. JT jumped at the chance.”
“To defend me,” I hiss.
He looks at me sadly then sighs. “A catalyst to unleash his inner male instinct.”
“You don’t know him.”
He smirks. “I have a leg … well, three legs up on you in that matter—I know men. Tell me, Miss Steel, since his decision, has he acted disheartened by it?”
Fucker, I think.
“My intention isn’t to entice you to cast a cloud of doubt over his intentions. I’m sure his gut instinct was to defend you. I will, however, ask you not to lie to yourself, Truth. But, more importantly, don’t beat yourself up over this. It was, after all, his choice. With all of the resources you have at your disposal, you could have easily uncovered the digital footprints that led to the person who sent it; had them at very least expelled. But, let’s be honest, this was a much more entertaining option.”
Again, Fucker.
“When this fight is no longer ladling you with worry, you and I need to move forward in exploring the obvious attraction we have toward one another.”
“Fat chance,” I huff.
He reaches up and pushes my hair behind my ear. “At least you’re not denying it.”
Before I have a chance to respond, he walks away … whistling.
Walking into the fitness center, expecting it to be empty, I see the majority of Justice’s baseball team surrounding Amias, who is grinning from ear to ear.
I walk over to Kiki, Brisa, and Tris. “What’s going on over there?”
“Amias just got pulled up to the varsity team.” Tris grins.
“Have you guys messaged the family group chat?” I ask.
Brisa shakes her head. “Nope, we decided to let him.”
When they all disperse, Amias walks over to his bag and pulls out his phone. Then he looks at us.
Brisa smiles. “Get over here.”
He shrugs, rolls his eyes, and tries to act like he’s not about to burst at the
seams.
When Tris steps forward to hug him, he steps back. “Don’t try to make me look like a little bitch, Tris.”
“We’re all just excited for you.” Kiki grins. “This is your thing.”
He looks down and shakes his head, still trying to act like a badass.
“Years of playing without competition on the smallest team around, and—”
“All those camps and club teams,” Tris interrupts Brisa, “where they overlooked you because you were from a Catholic school, sat you on the bench—”
“Might still be benched,” he whispers. “So chill, okay?”
We all nod, understanding him not wanting to be embarrassed but knowing Uncle Zandor is going to be over the moon excited.
I ask, “Do you want us to tell the ’rents, or do you—”
“Don’t want them flipping out and blowing up the phone.”
“Then lead with that.” Kiki laughs.
“Might want to add that they should be chill because you don’t even know if you’ll get field time,” I say.
He shrugs, a smile tugging on his lips. “Fine. If you all insist.”
He taps out the text then rolls his eyes as he walks away.
Kiki looks at me. “We all got invites to Gabrielle’s party tonight.”
I shake my head.
“The boys, too.” Brisa cringes. “Did you?”
I nod. “Yeah, I was just gonna tell you about it. And tell you about Harrison being all weird.”
“Do spill.” Brisa grins.
“First, tell me the truth; do you guys want to go?”
“Fuck no.” Kiki laughs.
Tris cringes. “But the boys kind of do. They told us not to say anything. Clearly, Kiki thought you should know.”
“Are they going?” I ask, trying to remain calm.
“They said they wouldn’t unless you got an invite, too.”
“Which is not why I invited you,” comes from behind me.
“Please tell me she isn’t standing right behind me,” I groan.
She walks beside me. “I told you I’m trying to make amends.”
“Then don’t bullshit them, Gabrielle.”
I look over her as Tobias Easton walks in behind her.
“Mind your business,” she snaps at him.
He stops and looks at her. “Then do it and mean it. And don’t leave out the fact that this benefits you.”
“What part of mind your own business do you not get?” she snaps at him.
He arches an eyebrow. “Don’t be a bitch.”
“Don’t call me a bitch,” she snaps.
“In his defense, he said not to be one.” I shrug.
She looks at me. “Fine. The video was my fault. I instigated the whole hate Kiki campaign, because she was a bitch to me—”
“Oh, please.” Kiki laughs haughtily. “You came out on day one with me. None of us believe your bullshit.”
She scowls at Tobias, and he shrugs.
“You can go,” she hisses at him, and he crosses his arms and widens his stance.
She looks at us again. “I don’t like Harrison, but as women, sometimes we have to—”
Tobias sighs loudly.
She looks back and shakes her head. “You could have made this easier.”
“Nothing good comes from easy, Gabs.”
“Not like I would have been clingy.”
He shakes his head again. “Nothing good comes from lies, either. Look where it’s gotten you so far.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“Again, nothing good comes from easy.” He turns and walks away.
Her face turns red as she looks back at us. “Proper alignment brings popularity and safety from being bullied.”
“Is that a fucking threat?” Tris snaps.
“What? No,” Gabby huffs. “It’s the way it has always been. Harrison was safety. Being his made me safe from the bullshit—”
“Same bullshit you’ve been pulling with us?” Kiki asks.
She nods once. “In my defense, being a bitch has always worked.”
I can’t help but laugh.
“Laugh all you want, but it’s true. I’m not going to grovel anymore than I already have, but you’re all invited tonight, and I promise that I will do my part in not causing anymore chaos for you all.”
“Why?” Brisa laughs.
Gabby looks at me. “She knows why, so I’m assuming you do, as well. Which is why I’m not afraid that by admitting I was wrong will have any further consequences.”
Tris and Brisa look at me, seeking answers.
I shake my head. “I’m done with this, and I’m not coming to your party.”
“The fuck is the problem here?” Justice asks, walking up to us.
“No problems.” Kiki laughs. “Gabby was just seeing if we were coming to her party.”
He scratches his head in thought, and I wait for him to accept.
He looks at me. “T, we still busy tonight?”
“I am. You do whatever you want.”
He bends down so he’s eyeball to eyeball with Gabby, who legit looks shook. “I’d rather dine on glass then do shots of rubbing alcohol.”
Her voice quivers, “F-f-f-f-fine.”
He smirks at me. “We good?”
I nod.
He looks down at her again, and she looks up, feigning badass. “You stirred the pot enough, Queen Bee. Next time you decide to pull some bullshit like that, you’ll be hot and bothered when you look at me for another reason.” He leans in and sniffs her, and I want to gag. “You feel me?”
“F-f-fuck you.”
“Yeah, Queenie, that’s never gonna happen.” He chuckles then walks away.
Her face is beet red when she looks at us and clears her throat. “Again, I’m sorry.” Then she hurries to the door.
“What the hell was that all about?” Brisa laughs.
Kiki looks at me as if she’s waiting for me to tell them about the PBJ incident.
I close my eyes, telling her no.
She looks back at Brisa. “She has the hots for Justice.”
“So she’s trying to make friends with us to get to the boys?” Tris laughs. “Someone should really tell her we’ve been there, done that.”
“I’m pretty sure she just figured that out.” I shrug.
After doing a half-ass abs workout—half-assed because I refuse to change when I can’t really work out because of the boot—I say goodbye to the girls and sneak out, hoping to avoid Reeves and the other two horsemen. It works, but when I turn the corner, leaning against the wall is the freshly showered Lone Ranger of the horsemen—Tobias Easton.
“Got a minute?” he asks.
“For you?” I smile, and he pushes off the wall. “No.”
I start walking down the hall, but he easily catches up with me.
“She’s trying to right her wrong with you and Kiki.”
“Yeah, well, excuse me if I don’t buy her bullshit.” I stop, turn, and look up at him. “Tell me, Easton, why the hell do you care?”
“I don’t,” he snarls.
“Don’t come at me being all calm and acting like you give a fuck about her, and then bitch-slap me with asshole.”
His jaw tenses.
“Unless you do care about her.” I cock my head to the side. “Do you?”
“I care that she has another year in this place, and the only way she knows how to get ahead is by climbing on other people’s backs, a learned behavior. I care that she learned her lesson and is trying to make amends for the first time in the four years that I’ve known her, and you’re not giving her a second chance when it is in your nature to do so.”
“So, this lands on me now, huh?” I laugh.
He laughs wickedly. “You don’t get your shit back on track, you’re gonna have to eat those words.”
“So, now you care about me?”
His face contorts and a look of disgust mars his otherwise beautiful features. “I wouldn’t
say care. Pissed fits better. I’d most definitely be pissed that I missed watching you choke on your choices.”
I snap my mouth shut to stop the venom from spewing.
He smiles knowingly and nods. “Oh, I see. You’re playing a game here. Holding back because you don’t want your shit to land on JT’s face tomorrow.”
I clench my fists, and he looks down and shakes his head.
“I came at you real, Truth, and you’re holding back because of your bloodlines and loyalty.” Before I can stop him, he reaches in my pocket and pulls out my phone before handing it to me. “Do yourself and your brother a favor. Accept her invitation so that she can save face and, by doing so, I guarantee your brother’s face will be saved in return.”
My body burns hot in anger, and my blood begins to boil.
“Everyone going to that party sees the accepts and declines. I’m not asking you to go. I’m telling you to accept her white flag and show her some grace.”
“She’s shown me none,” I snap.
He shakes his head. “You have no idea what she has opened herself up to by inviting you.”
“Like I give a damn.”
“You care about your brother’s face? You wanna save the tireless explanation and mountains of lies you may have to give your folks when he walks into Cleaver-ville with concerned parents asking questions? Accept the fucking invite.”
My chest tightens, knowing he is alone, but also, fuck him, he doesn’t have to be. I see how everyone not only looks at him but up to him. He’s built that wall, and he stands at the ready to defend it.
“Have you?”
Annoyed, he pulls his phone out, holds it up, hits the notifications, and then hits accept. “Yeah, I did.”
I look at him. “You better not hurt him, or I swear to you, I will sneak in your house, club you over the head, ensuring you’re knocked out, and then smother you in your fucking sleep.”
His brows shoot up. “Oddly specific details. How long you been planning that?”
“You swear on all you love that if I do this, not a scratch on his face.”
He nods, and I hold out my hand. He looks down at it in disgust.
“I don’t have cooties, asshole. Shake on it or fuck you.”
When he grips my hand, I don’t feel a jolt of electricity like I previously thought I would. No, not even a little static electric spark. But I feel flutters in my stomach, my heart, and my fucking head, and it pisses me off.
