by C. E. Wilson
“Leave us alone,” Orion said to Ellie. “I’m not going to hurt her.”
“Is that okay?” Ellie asked Devony. “I won’t go unless you feel safe.”
“I’m fine,” she said in a low voice. “Please go.” She felt nervous as she watched Ellie turn and walk away back towards the building, but she held her ground as Orion came close. His eyes had a funny look to them and he seemed as though he was struggling to breathe. What was wrong with him? She came closer to him as he requested, staring up at the man who seemed to be a stranger to her now. “Orion, please,” she croaked out. “I don’t know what’s going on with you, but you have to talk to me.”
“Why should I have to explain it? You know what you did.”
“No I don’t. Seriously Orion, I don’t know why you’re suddenly so convinced I’m cheating on you. Are you crazy? I’ve been loyal to you since the first time we went out for coffee. There’s no one else.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“You should believe me! I’ve never even looked at another guy!”
“You’re always looking!”
“At who? What the hell are you talking about? Who am I looking at?”
“How can you lie like that?” Orion asked, stepping forward. He grabbed her shoulders and shook her violently, rocking her auburn hair around her face. Her eyes remained calm, but Orion could feel her trembling in his hands. “How can you honestly look at me and lie?”
“I’m not lying!”
“You are!”
“I swear, Orion! I’m not lying! There’s no one else.”
Orion shoved her several feet away from him, leaving her to stagger around to regain her footing. “Get the hell out of my face.”
“Just like that?” she said, the tears welling up in her eyes. “After everything we’ve been through, you’re going to toss me away? Orion, what’s wrong with you?”
“Everyone’s laughing at me,” he muttered.
“Why would they?”
“Because you’ve made a fool of me! You and that traitor are sneaking around behind my back and laughing at me. Everyone knows you are.”
“No one would say that! Talk to Ellie! She’ll tell you! Hell, you can talk to my damn dad if this is bothering you so much!”
“I wouldn’t give that man the time of day after the way he treated me.”
“He’s always treated you kindly!”
“As long as I wasn’t with you.”
“Orion…please,” Devony said, tears streaking down her freckled cheeks. “What have I done to you?”
“You’ve cheated on me! You’re nothing more than a whore.”
“You’re wrong! I never cheated on you! I swear to God, I haven’t!”
“You’re still lying. I’ve done everything for you, and this is what I get? A piece of trash that’ll sleep with anything?”
“I’m not a whore.”
“You seem so convinced.”
“That’s because it’s true. I’m not.”
His eyes narrowed. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Of course I’m being serious!”
“Oh, well forgive me,” Orion said bitterly. “I must have mistaken you for the other red-headed junior who’s sleeping around—”
“That’s enough,” Ellie interrupted loudly as she walked back towards them. “I thought you were going to be reasonable but it’s obvious you’re still out to humiliate her. Get out of here.”
“With pleasure,” Orion said, turning away and walking back towards the school.
Ellie frowned, looking over at her friend as she rushed to her side and wrapped her in a hug. “What happened?” she asked, looking at Devony’s face with her mascara running down her cheeks.
“I’m not a whore,” she said in an upset tone.
“Something’s seriously wrong with him right now,” Ellie said, watching him storm away unsteadily. “Your boyfriend’s acting like a total nut job.”
“That guy is not my boyfriend.”
“I don’t blame you if you don’t forgive him, but he’s still your boyfriend. You’re going to have to break up with him if you want a clean slate.”
Devony jerked from her arms. “I don’t have to do a damn thing. That guy there…he’s not my boyfriend. That’s not Orion. He’s convinced himself of what isn’t true and not even God himself could change his mind.”
“So what do you want to do now?”
“I should probably go home and get cleaned up. Despite everything else, I still have to help out with this stupid tournament.”
“Do you need a ride?”
“I think I’ll just walk. I need some fresh air. I should probably go pick up my coat.”
“I’ll walk with you down to the main street when you’re done,” she said, staying close to her side.
“Where could he have heard all those terrible things?” Devony muttered.
“Is he still upset?” Archer asked, appearing suddenly from between a row of cars.
“He won’t listen to me,” Devony said. “I don’t think our relationship can be saved.”
“Why? What happened? He seemed a lot calmer before.”
“He called her a whore,” Ellie said, pulling her closer. “I don’t blame her for wanting to end things. No one deserves to be treated the way he’s treating her.”
“Am I really a whore?” Devony asked Archer.
“Not that I know of,” Archer said.
“Is this really the time to be joking?” Ellie asked. “In the past few hours he’s called her a whore, a bitch, and pretty much everything else.”
“Why’s he acting like this?”
“I don’t know, Archer. I really don’t,” Devony said, the tears building up again.
“Dev!” Archer exclaimed, rushing up to her other side. “Dev, don’t cry. I’m sure he didn’t mean it.”
“He meant every horrible word,” Ellie said. “All the good guys in this school, and she’s dating one who’s calling her a whore.”
“I didn’t think he was capable of being so mean.”
“Where did he even get such a terrible idea? Who’s spreading rumors about you?”
“I don’t know,” Devony mumbled.
“Well whoever it is, we’ll figure it out,” Ellie said. “It’s probably just some asshole with nothing better to do with his time.”
“People don’t spread rumors like that simply because they’re bored,” Archer said in a low voice.
“I hope not,” Devony said, shaking her head. “Who would do such a thing?”
“I’ll say,” Ellie said. “I still don’t get where they got the idea of saying you’re cheating on him. You barely talk to any guys! I almost feel bad for Orion for being tricked like this. Whoever’s doing this may not only be bored, but jealous.”
“Why would anyone be jealous of him?” Archer asked.
“I keep telling you, people get jealous,” Ellie said. “Ugh, if I saw the person responsible for this, I’d either kick their ass or have you do it for me, Archer.”
“Lower your voice,” Archer said. “People are looking at us.”
“Screw you, Archer. I’ll talk as loud as I want. I bet whoever’s spreading rumors is the same person who convinced you that I was sleeping with Orion last year.”
“Shut the hell up.”
“No arguing,” Devony said. “I can’t take any more of it. Archer, what am I going to do? Do I even want him back at this point? Is it even worth it?”
“Love’s always worth it,” Archer said. “I’m telling you, he’s just in a bad place right now. He’s taking out his anger on you because he doesn’t know any other way. I bet his father treats his mother the same way.”
“What a thing to say!” Ellie said.
“I told you to shut up,” Archer said. “This’ll pass, Dev.”
“I don’t think it will.”
“It will pass,” he repeated, kissing the top of her head. “Now go home. Get ready for the tournament and
make sure you have a big smile on your face. No more crying, you don’t want frown lines,” he said half-joking.
“And me?” Ellie asked, standing next to her car.
“Do whatever you want,” Archer said carelessly, turning back towards the school. “I have to take care of a few things.”
“You’re a good friend, Archer,” Devony sniffled. “Thank you.”
“Go home,” he said, waving. “Feel better.”
“I’ll try my best.”
Chapter Five
“I can’t take much more of this.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Roderick? You haven’t had to do anything lately,” Archer said as he mopped the old gym floors. “I’m the one doing all the damn work.”
“Yes, you’re doing all the work, but I’m paying for that work and I’m being shut out. I don’t even know how you’re spending my money,” Roderick said. “You said I could talk to Devony once Micah was out of the way, but later you told me not to bother. I’m sick of waiting around, Archer. I’ve been patient, very patient with you but I don’t see where this is all going.”
“Will you calm down? I told you to be patient and that’s what I meant. Does the word patience mean something else to you?”
“I’m starting to doubt that you’re trying to help me.”
“And?”
“I think you’re trying to help yourself.”
“What would I gain from helping you in the process?”
“Money, maybe. I don’t know,” Roderick said, watching him mop. “But I don’t trust you right now.”
“You have absolutely no reason not to trust me. Roderick, I’m doing this all for you.”
“And what have I got to show for it? I’ve been calling her house and her father still won’t let me talk to her. She’s always with you, or your girlfriend, or Micah, or Orion and I can’t get anywhere near her. You keep talking and talking and talking but nothing’s happening!”
“What do you want me to say? I told you this would take time,” Archer said, shrugging him off. “But if you don’t want to trust me, I guess I can understand that.”
“So I shouldn’t trust you?”
“Personally, I don’t trust anyone,” Archer said, scrubbing hard at a stain on the floor.
“Is that a fact?”
“Yes. That’s a fact.”
“Well then, maybe I’m going to start listening to your words after all,” he said reaching into his pocket as Archer’s back remained turned.
“Do what you want,” Archer sighed.
“Turn around and look at me,” he said as a soft click was heard.
“What is it now…” he trailed off, noticing that Roderick was holding a switchblade in his hand. “What are you doing with that?”
“I’m going to tell Devony how I feel about her,” Roderick said calmly. “If she says that she’s not interested then I’ll leave her alone.”
“So…what are you going to do with that?” Archer asked, eyeing up the switchblade.
“This is my warning to you,” Roderick said.
“Consider me warned,” he said, taking a hesitant step backwards. Realizing that he was alone in the gym, he dropped the mop and held up his hands. “You’ve made your point.”
“What’s wrong?” he taunted, jutting the blade towards him. “Nothing witty to say? None of your cockiness? What a shame.”
“I said you’ve made your damn point. I can see you’re being serious. Put that away. I understand you’re upset, but you have to understand I really have done everything I can to try and help you.”
“So then you must understand how I don’t see it that way.”
“Put that away before someone sees it. First suicide jokes and now you’re pulling a knife on me? Roderick, please.”
“I’m desperate,” he said. “I’m a very desperate man. If you give me back the money you’ve stolen, then I’ll leave you alone.” Archer kept his hands up as Roderick advanced, backing him into the nearest wall. He pressed the blade against his throat and Archer gasped heavily. “What do you have to say about that?”
“I can’t give you the money back.”
“Why not?”
“That money is engaged in my plan. You have to at least let me finish my work before I can even think of giving you a refund.”
“What’s the plan?” Roderick growled, pressing the blade against his skin. Archer’s sweat dripped onto the blade and wet his hand. “What are you going to do now?”
“Capetown quit being president earlier. After the tournament, he’s done.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“So that means that Micah will be president.”
“What does that have to do with me? All I’m hearing is that Orion will have more time to spend with Devony.”
“No…that’s not it. You know her father – he’ll never approve of her continuing to date Capetown if he’s nothing more than a bum. Plus, I heard that they had quite the blow-up in public earlier. No, this means that she’ll start paying attention to Micah again.”
“So what then? What happens to Micah?”
“We need to get rid of him.”
“Get rid of him? What the hell are you talking about?”
“Says the man with a knife at my throat. Instead of pointing that blade at me, you may want to focus on him before he has a chance to sink his claws into Devony.”
“So let me get this straight,” Roderick said, relaxing slightly. “You want me to hurt Micah so Devony doesn’t go after him?”
“Y-yes,” Archer said, heaving a shuddering sigh as he felt the sharp steel leave his neck. “I’ll help you.”
“You’re actually going to help? You’re going to do something?”
“This is the final step of the plan. He’s at his house with Bentley. I think if we surprise him, we can take him out.”
“Take him out? Are you implying what I think you are?”
“I thought you said you were desperate. Are you taking back your words?”
Roderick suddenly raised the blade to his neck again. “I am desperate. I’ve waited for too long for that girl. If you’re going to help me, then you’re going to be the one who does the dirty work.”
“If…if that’s what you want.”
“It is,” Roderick said, motioning towards the exit. “Let’s go, then. I won’t waste another moment.”
Chapter Six
“It looks like she came back,” Lucas said as Devony and Ellie walked back into the school.
“I should talk to her,” Orion said, outwardly more calm than before. He still couldn’t see properly and his body was hot he but felt more in control than he had.
“Maybe that’s not such a good idea,” Lucas said. “You were pretty nasty to her earlier.”
“She’ll forgive me,” Orion said. “I’m going to apologize.”
“For what?”
“For what I said to her earlier, what else?”
“Are you sure that’s the only thing you have to apologize to her about?” Lucas asked carefully.
“What else is there?”
“Well Archer told me that—”
“Oh, nevermind,” Orion said. “It’s not important. Devony, come over here.”
“What do you want?” she asked, keeping her distance.
“I want to talk to you.”
“We don’t have anything to talk about,” she said, crossing her arms.
“Yes. We do,” Orion said, reaching out and grabbing her arm. “I want to speak with you in private. There’s something I want to say to you.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“How about the gym?”
“No.”
“One of the classrooms?”
“No.”
“Please, Devony. I have to talk to you. I won’t leave you alone until I do.” He tried to smile at her, begging with his eyes as he felt her walls coming down. He just needed to talk to her for a few mome
nts. “I’m sorry…I really am, Devony, but I have some very important things to say to you. Is your father at home?”
“He had to take care of some things,” she said.
“Please…Dev. This is me you’re talking to. Let’s go somewhere we can talk in private.”
“O…I—”
“Please, Devony. Don’t make me beg.”
“We…we can go back to my dad’s house, but not for too long because we have to be back in time.”
“Yes! Thank you, Devony! Thank you so much!” Orion said, leaning down and kissing her on the cheek. “You won’t regret this. Let me just make sure that everyone knows I’m heading out. And you,” he said, pointing at Ellie. “You’re not coming.” Before Ellie had a chance to respond, Orion grabbed Lucas by the arm and dragged him away.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Ellie asked.
“He seems a lot better, doesn’t he?” Devony said. “Less angry.”
“I’m not saying he doesn’t, but with everything he said to you earlier, are you sure you feel safe with him?”
“Why wouldn’t I feel safe? He’s my boyfriend.”
“Just a few moments ago you were saying it was over.”
“I said that man earlier wasn’t my boyfriend. That man…is. I don’t mind being alone with him now.”
“You really want to be alone with him?”
“That’s what I said. Ellie, you heard him. He said he’s sorry and I believe him. Lucas must have calmed down whatever panic he was in earlier. Frankly, I’m surprised you care. With the way you let Archer talk to you, I thought you’d be happy.”
“Archer’s kidding around. I don’t get the same feeling from Orion.”
“I’m going to talk to him.”
“I wish you two never met. I don’t like him.”
“He’s not yours to like. I love him, Ellie. You’ve always known that and I’ve never been secretive about my feelings for him.”
“Even when he treats you like this?”
“It’s the tournament. You heard what Archer said. He’s in a bad mood. He said this would pass and it looks like it’s already starting to.”
“I want you to call me if there are any problems.”
“There won’t be. He wants to apologize.”
“What if he doesn’t?”
