Hello! I literally just got out of my last exam a little over an hour ago (law) so I'm uploading now! I'm working full time for the summer term, but I'll be uploading one or two chapters a week so don't worry! I'm also going to go back to Once Upon A Storm so if you're an OUT fan you should add that to your reading list :)
Enjoy!
~~~
Sky
Almost three months passed since we started planning out our vacation. It was already the 19th of December, which meant it was the last day of school before winter break. I had seen Garrett a few other times when he invited me to other parties, but I only went to two because of my job and school work. I didn't feel as weird going out with him. I was even beginning to consider him as a friend because of how nice he was. He never attempted to make a move on me, which I was very thankful for. Dan stuck to his plan and made sure to find out what every student was doing for his or her vacation. Luckily, no one would be going to Costa Rica. The students that were going on vacation were mostly going to Florida, Mexico and Cuba, but most students weren't leaving the country at all since they'd be going on a graduation trip at the end of the school year.
I got a few detentions with Dan here and there for not completing (or not attempting) my homework on several occasions, but at least it gave us time to talk about random things in our lives without becoming intimate. I somehow managed to hand every assignment on time without failing too badly while Avery maintained her 96% average without even breaking a sweat. School was the last thing Ave and I had on our minds. We were so excited about getting on a flight tomorrow that we didn't even acknowledge Brittany walking up to our table. She was wearing a skimpy outfit (which probably broke a dozen school dress codes) and blue contact lenses.
"Why isn't it the loner witch? Why do you even hang out with this," Brittany started and pointed her finger to Avery while coming up with a name for me, "Freak?" She finished. Avery tried getting up, but I pulled her down and got up myself. I walked directly in front of Brittany. I had the advantage because even though Brittany was wearing heels, I was still a good three inches taller than her. "You really want to know why, Bitch?" I questioned loudly which made many people stop talking to look at me. Before Brittany could respond I continued. "I hang out with my best friend because she is nice, smart, funny, not a slut, not an attention whore, isn't fake in any way, is naturally beautiful and she doesn't trash on people or spread rumors because she's not happy with her own life," I answered slowly, but made sure to sound as intimidating as I could while looking straight into her fake blue eyes.
"In fact, she feels bad when she hears rumors about other people who have done nothing to deserve them. That's why I hang out with her. In my eyes she is the coolest person I have ever met and you are the biggest loser," I said really loudly since I could no longer control what was going to come out of my mouth. "Me a loser? If I were a loser people wouldn't be begging to sit with me. If I were a loser I wouldn't be on the cheer squad. If I were a loser I wouldn't have had many boyfriends," She said angrily before looking around and smirking. She took a step back before speaking loudly and getting the attention of the entire cafeteria that was now quiet. "I bet you never had a boyfriend or even a guy that had the slightest interest in you. I bet you were annoying the hell out of Garrett for him to invite you to those parties. You probably acted like a slut to get anyone's attention," she screamed which made many people gasp and start talking to one another. I crossed my arms and laughed at her.
"Stop it Brittany!" A deep voice yelled from the popular table. Everyone turned to see Garrett getting up. "You can't keep doing this," he said as he walked over to us. He clapped his hands to make sure everyone was paying attention. "Sky Evans did not do anything to get me to invite her to those parties. In fact, she actually turned me down several times at first. I invited her because I wanted to. We've never done anything with one another other than speak and dance so everything you just said is complete bull shit," he spat at her while standing at my side. "I'm pretty sure many of you agree that Sky is a nice person and is far from being a slut. I'm sure you guys know that about Avery too," he spoke and turned to Ave before shooting her a smile. Her mouth was wide open at everything that was happening.
"It's true," a random guy I didn't recognize spoke up. "I danced with her a few months ago at a party. She's not slutty at all. She's actually really fun and a great dancer!" He said happily. I then recognized who he was; it was the last guy I danced with at the first party before Garrett and I left. A few others agreed with him out loud before quieting down immediately. "Shut up freak!" Brittany screeched at him before turning to her friends and sending them a look. "I heard Sky had sex at that party with some random college student when she went to the bathroom," another bleach blonde girl said. "Yeah, and she had a huge hickey the other day!" Another one with red hair said. Crap, I thought I covered that up well enough.
"It's called a straightening iron! They burn you!" I yelled back at her. "I was with her the entire time. Sky didn't even have a washroom break let alone sleep with anyone," Garrett said, but people ignored him because they already started gossiping. "You can't fool me Garrett. I know your little secret and I know Sky and her little slut of a friend Avery probably-" before she could finish I slapped her with all of the force I had inside of me. I felt the slap echo throughout the cafeteria, which was now completely silent. No one moved or said a word. And right when things couldn't get worse, I heard a few people gasp and look behind me where a very angry Principal stood at the entrance. What made it even worse was Dan getting up and walking over to the Principal.
"Sky Evans, Garrett Hastings, Brittany Justice, and Avery hope. Report to my office right now!" he screamed.
~~~
"Sky Evans, it's your turn to tell your point of view of what happened," Dan said as he and Brittany emerged from the principal's office. Brittany was holding an ice pack on her face, which was visibly red. I laughed internally at her before I grudgingly got up and walked inside of the office. I told the principal everything that happened... minus the drinking at the parties. He nodded his head the entire time as if he believed me. "Mr. Phillips spoke to Avery and Garrett together since they were technically a part of the argument. Your story goes along with theirs almost perfectly. Unfortunately, you will be suspended for two weeks after the break for physically harming another student," he said. My eyes widened in fear. Suspended? "I can't get suspended sir! I need to get accepted into a good university if I ever want to make it into science!" I cried frantically. I felt like I was going to pass out. "I'm sorry, Ms. Evans, but the rules are rules and you assault Ms. Justice. She won't go unpunished either. She will be suspended for a week for making so many accusations and bullying you and other students." A week? That's all she's going to get?
"I have a better idea for Sky's punishment," Dan cut in. Both Mr. Nelson and I turned to him before he carried on. "I was in the cafeteria when the argument started. Brittany was provoking Sky and Avery. She went up to them when they were eating and started arguing with them for no reason. I didn't stop them because there weren't any threats or complaints. Miss Evans does not deserve to be punished for something like that. Isn't it punishment enough that there are going to be terrible rumors going around the school for the rest of the year about Sky?" He questioned before he kept speaking.
"If Sky spends the rest of the year in lunch time detentions with me and we add it to her record, could she get away from suspension?" He asked. Mr. Nelson looked at my tear-drenched face and back at Dan. "Although I am not suppose to do this, I know Miss Evans is a good student so if you don't mind, Mr. Phillips I will agree to this as long as it's every single regular school day lunch in detention with you," Mr. Nelson decided. I couldn't have my hopes up too high. "Will it show up on my school record that I have so many detentions?" I asked hopefully. Mr. Nelson frowned. "Sadly, I can't take those out, but I can make the reason that you were protecting another student. I can even write you a letter explaining that you were only helping out if it comes down to it," he answered me. I nodded sadly before he let me leave the room and Dan followed along.
"Avery is waiting for you in the front foyer. It would be best if you went home so it looks like you were punished fairly," Dan said sadly. I nodded before a tear escaped my eyes. Dan looked at me and than around him before he quickly dragged me to where Avery was waiting for me. He took a handkerchief out of his shirt pocket and handed it to me so I could wipe my tears away. "I really wish I could hug you right now," Dan said quietly enough that only I could hear while looking down at me. I smiled and mouthed, "me too," since my voice would probably crack. "I just want you to know that I'm proud of you. You were being a great friend to Avery by protecting her. Just remind me to never annoy you enough to get slapped," he joked, which made me smile.
"Thank you," I whispered before Dan left to get ready for his next class. As I was turning the corner I spotted Luke walking into the school. From where I was standing he couldn't see me. I saw a worried look cross his face before he ran towards where the seating area was. I poked my head around the corner to see him hugging Avery tightly and whispering something to her. I decided that this would be a great time for me to "accidentally" find out about their relationship, so I turned the corner and walked up to them.
"Ahem," I said, which made them pull apart and look at me in shock. Avery had black streaks down her face from the black eyeliner and mascara she was wearing. Luke's former baby blue shirt now had small black stains at the front from Avery's makeup. "What's going on here?" I trailed as if I were confused. "I'm sorry, I must've gotten caught up in the moment. Dan called me and-" Avery put a hand on Luke's chest. "No, I'm ready to tell her the truth," Avery spoke up in a vulnerable voice that I recognized from her conversation with Luke a few months ago. "Tell me about what? Why do you look so sad? You know that you can tell me anything, right?" I asked her while grabbing her hands. Avery took a deep breath and wiped her tears before saying the two words I've been waiting to here for the passed two months. "We're dating."
"That's great!" I said excitedly. I smiled at Avery and gave her a hug. Ave looked confused and Luke just watched us. "How long have you been together?" I asked her. Avery looked at Luke. "A few months, but we wanted to make sure it'd work out before saying anything," Luke answered for her. I nodded. "Well I'm glad it did. I figured it would happen sooner or later." Avery laughed. "Can we just go home now? I'm done with school," she said. I smiled at her. "Sure. I'll just grab my stuff and meet you at the car," I told her before I went to my locker to pick up my things. What started off as a horrible day quickly turned into a better one. I was mostly relieved that school would be out for a few weeks, but I was just glad that Avery finally told me the truth. After all, she is my best friend.