Monday. Our first day back at school since we'd all reached the agreement that Cass would take the fall for Avory, regardless of how much stress it put on her relationship with Rian. This wouldn't be easy for any of us. Rian was madly in love with the girl and was just as uncomfortable watching me with her as Avory was, while I was bothered by the fact that I had to pretend to swoon a girl I saw as a sister. It was an uncomfortable situation, but there was so much at risk here. A girl with no hope that we were all determined to save and keep safe, no matter the costs. In the meantime, Jack had offered to walk around with Avory on his arm. I didn't like the idea at first, no one did, but he had a point. If people thought he was after her, no one would expect me, his best friend, to take her away. But.. That's exactly what we were doing with Rian and Cass.


We were all on thin ice and we knew it, but if worst came to worst, the courts would believe that we switched partners because we're teenagers. The adults would have no struggle believing that's what we do in High School.


"Are you sure you're okay with this?"


"Honestly, no," Rian frowned as we began our walk to the school, Cass lingering back with a look of fear on her face. "Alex, I really love her. Please don't make it seem any bigger than it has to."


"Dude, I would never hurt you like that, you know that. When all of this shit dies down we'll just say Cass and I realized she belonged with you and we can go back to normal. Fuck everyone else, I mean, we're pretty much just friends with each other."


"But Lisa is going to start so many rumors," Cass finally stepped forward, shyly linking her arm with mine. "I'm not like Avory, guys. I can't handle the name calling."


"Don't worry about it, Cass," Ave spoke up, making all of nearly jump from shock. "The smartest thing to ever come out of Lisa's mouth was a dick."


Literally, we all stopped dead in our tracks, except for Jack who was being pulled along by Ave. Did she seriously just say that? This shy, quiet girl, just made a joke at someone else's expense? Fuck, she was opening up. A smile spread across our lips as we tagged along after them, hoping that today would be different. Hoping that we could make a big enough impact to save Avory from a cruel fate, and is she kept her mouth like that, she might just be able to scare Lisa off.


By the time we reached the doors, everyone was already gawking at Jack and Avory, who seemed awkward together but cute enough to make other chicks jealous. It was strange seeing Ave with someone else, I admit, I was jealous. But this was to protect her so it had to be done, despite how nervous she seemed being with Jack. He kept trying to make her smile by whispering in her ear and it worked a little, but not the extreme.


The real gossip started when people noticed me walking in with Cass clinging to me, Rian doing his part by glaring from behind us. Regardless of the fact that it seemed to be working already, we had to part ways to go to our lockers. Cass planted a kiss on my cheek and waved me off, sending an apologetic smile to her pretend ex-boyfriend.


Our classes went by smoothly, though I had to keep my head down a lot to avoid questions. By the time I made it to the lunch room, the rumors were already flying.


"I heard Rian hooked up with Kara again and that's why Cass is with Alex now!"

"Well, I heard that Alex was jealous over their relationship and since his new sister is so weird, he went after Cass and won!"


I rolled my eyes to the childish comments and plopped down at the table beside Cass, averting my gaze from Jack and Avory, who were curled up in their seats. I knew this was innocent. Avory probably honestly needed to be held right now, because even I could feel Lisa's eyes burning holes in her, but that didn't make it any better on me. She seemed so at ease with Jack in that moment. I'd taken her virginity and she still couldn't be with me like that.


"For the record," Rian commented, taking his seat beside Jack, "I never hooked up with Kara. Can you believe some of the shit these kids come up with?"


"That's the kindest rumor I've heard," Cass frowned, resting her head on my shoulder for support. "Someone has been saying that you got me pregnant and made me abort the baby, when Alex was the only support I had so I ended up with him."


"Guys," Jack leaned in, making sure not to disturb the sad girl in his arms, "you're missing the point. It's working. Have you seen Lisa today? She's confused as fuck. She's questioning herself."


This made a smile form on all our lips, well, all but Ave. Something was off with her today and I couldn't understand what it was. I wanted so badly to pull her aside and speak to her, but that was out of the question. I'd have to wait until we got home.


Or, at least, I thought I'd have to. When I saw Ave cower into Jack's chest, I knew trouble was brewing. And when Lisa slammed her fists down on the table, I knew I was right. We all jumped to the surprise.


"It's sweet, what you're all trying to do for her, but I'm not buying it," Lisa snorted, locking her eyes on me. "I know what I saw, Alexander. You were supposed to be with me. I was supposed to be the only girl you didn't throw out like trash. I got played, and for what? A lost fucking cause. She's going nowhere in life and you all know it. Look at her, she can't even look at me!"


"Lisa, stop," Cass spoke up, rage written on her face. "You don't even know her, you have no right to talk about her like that!"


"Like I'm going to listen to the new school slut," Lisa rolled her eyes, averting her gaze to Ave. "But you better listen to me, new girl. I've done my homework. If I can't have him, neither can you. Stay away from Alex or I'm going to the officials."


My heart dropped. It wasn't an empty threat, I knew Lisa would go to any length to ruin Avory's life. A part of me always hoped Lisa would be a good girl, but you can't change someone. She was bitter and green with envy. Hell hath no furry like a woman scorned.
As Lisa left the table, she left behind a broken-hearted Cass, who was literally clinging to my shirt to fight back tears. Rian was beyond pissed, Jack was holding tight to Avory and I was lost. I couldn't leave Ave on her own, but.. What else could we do? There was no other solution, except for the fact that we were going to these lengths to take Lisa out in the first place.


"Where are you going?"


I shifted in my seat as Jack let go of Avory so she could stand up from the table and quickly leave the lunch room. I'd have gone after her, but it was useless. I didn't have the answers this time.

Notes

Been forever. I apologize. Comment if you're still reading!