Chapter 8

Elena picked at her pepperoni pizza as she half-heartedly listened to Serena’s voice drone in and out of her conscious attention. A loud screech interrupted Elena’s daze as Ty Montgomery sat down at their secluded table. After noticing Ty’s new haircut, Elena went back to playing with her food.

“Hello, ladies,” Ty addressed them with his usual pretentious tone. How Serena found Ty attractive was beyond anything Elena could fathom.

Thud.

Elena looked up once more to find Ty’s black Timberland clad feet nestled comfortably on the cafeteria table. Elena was at her limit.

“Do you mind?” Elena snapped at Ty, who seemed to be having eye sex with Serena.



“Jesus, Elena. What’s wrong with you?” Ty replied with squinting eyes.

“Well, you know how Sutton and Noel had a thing-” Kohler started.

“Kohler, would you shut up for once in your life?” Elena said, covering her mouth quickly as she immediately regretted her retort.

“Alright, this is where I leave,” Ty said to no one in particular as he slid his chair back.

Before exiting the cafeteria he gave Serena one of his effortless winks. She looked down at her tray quickly as a rosy blush crept its way over her face. Elena jumped in surprise as her phone vibrated in her pocket. She checked her iPhone with clumsy hands and saw that it was Noel who had texted her. She excused herself from the table, not forgetting to apologize to Kohler, and walked briskly towards the school’s solarium. As Elena arrived to the dimly lit room, Noel gestured for her to take a seat.



“I didn’t tell you about Sutton because she didn’t mean anything to me.” Noel stated, looking at the blue and white tiled floor, “It sounds wretched but she was a distraction for what truly mattered and that was you.”

Elena gazed at Noel intently and knew she couldn’t hold him accountable for sleeping with someone when they weren’t even together.

“I shouldn’t have freaked out, Noel. Sutton’s just-I can’t even compare to her.” Elena said, unable to look at Noel.

Noel finally looked up, “You’re everything that I could ever want.”

Elena couldn’t help but laugh. This was the first sound Noel sounded corny.

“What?” Noel questioned, his face as expressionless as ever.



“You’re cute.” Elena laughed once more as she wrapped her arms around Noel.

Noel began to relax as he realized that she had accepted his apology.

“Elena, you had me worried.” Noel said, smiling slightly.

“A little bit of worrying is healthy for you.” Elena replied, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. As Elena pulled back she noticed the time on the tiled wall.

“I should go. I have class soon.”

“No, go ahead. It’s not like I skipped class to see you or anything.” Noel said, giving her half a grin.

“I love that you’re such a rebel!” Elena gushed sarcastically as her and Noel exited the solarium together.

~

Noel rejoined his class in the library and was about to sit down at a computer when Sutton stepped in his way.

“We need to talk,” She stated, arms crossed over her chest.



“Right here?” Noel asked, looking over his shoulder conspicuously.

“Hm, we could talk in front of your girlfriend if you want.” Sutton replied, a devilish grin spread across her face.

“What is it, Sutton?” Noel asked, massaging his temple with his left index and middle finger.

“Well, Noel, the thing is I have a bit of dirt on you!” She laughed cheerfully.

“You what?” Noel asked, dumbfounded.

“Dirt. Also known as blackmail. Here, take a look.” Sutton urged, holding her phone up for Noel to see.

There lay Noel on a wooden bench with Sutton perched on top of him in the boy’s locker room.



“You do remember this, don’t you?” Sutton asked playfully.

Noel lunged for Sutton’s phone but she was faster. She smiled as she slipped her phone into her blouse.

“If you want it that bad, you’re going to have to come and get it!” She teased, sticking a polished finger into her mouth.

Noel grabbed Sutton’s hand roughly.

“Why?” Noel asked through clenched teeth.

“I don’t like the feeling of being used,” Sutton replied menacingly.

“Things ended mutually!” Noel replied. His voice rose and his grip around Sutton’s hand tightened.

“Stop, or ill scream.” Sutton said, her voice wavering ever so slightly.

Noel pushed Sutton’s hand away. Every nerve in his body was itching to slap the smirk off her cherub face. Knowing that if he didn’t leave he would be charged for assault, he stormed out of the library. Colton saw Noel storm down the hall and was unsure if he should say hi or not. Now that his best friend and Noel were dating, was he obliged to greet Noel? Colton decided against it and returned his attention back to Ty.

“Damn, would you look at the ass on her,” Ty exclaimed, eyeing a curly-haired brunette from across the hall.

Colton followed Ty’s gaze and realized that he was talking about Kohler. Although Kohler’s body sparked no interest within him, Colton pretended that it did anyway.

“Yeah it’s…nice,” Colton added awkwardly.

Ty whistled at Kohler as she passed by. Noel placed a hand over his face, trying to conceal his embarrassment. She shot Ty a dirty look and continued walking.



“Kohler, come over here.” Ty called, in an attempt to lure her once more.

“What are you doing?” Colton whispered quickly. “I thought you were dating Serena?”

“I am. This one’s for you, bud.” Ty replied, slapping Colton on the back.

“Hey Colton….Ty,” Kohler replied, dropping a hint of annoyance when saying Ty’s name.

“Uh, hey.” Colton said, rubbing the back of his head.

Before things could go downhill, Ty intervened.

“We should all go on a double date!” Ty suggested, proud of his unoriginal idea.

Kohler hesitated before asking, “Like, me going with Colton?”

Ty scoffed, “Who else.”

Kohler nodded slowly, unsure of what she had gotten herself into.

“Great, my buddy Colton over here will text you the details. What’s your number by the way?” Ty asked without hesitation.

Ty motioned for Colton to take out his phone. Colton fished his phone out of his back pocket and handed it to Kohler. After saving her contact information, Kohler handed the phone back, looking up at Colton from under her thick eyelashes.

“Is that all?” Kohler asked, gazing at Colton and paying no attention to Ty.

“Yeah, just walk a few meters in front of us and stop for a sec.” Ty ordered.

Kohler had a look of confusion on her face but did as she was told.

“I just had to get one more look of that sweet ass,” Ty hooted as he held his fist out for Colton to bump.

Kohler’s cheeks flushed red with embarrassment as she slapped Ty across his arm. As Kohler walked away, Colton turned to Ty and caught a glimpse of light blue eyes.

“Hey, I need to talk to someone before class. Don’t wait up.” Colton said.

“Bro, I don’t even go to class.” Ty called as Colton walked nervously towards Beau.

“Hey,” Colton addressed Beau. Beau's unusual blond hair had grown out quickly and was slicked back under a grey beanie.

Beau didn’t even look in Colton’s direction as he continued to pack his bag for his next class.

“Can we talk about what happened?” Colton tried again.

“Oh, now you want to talk? After running me out of your house like I was some kind of animal?” Beau spit out.

“Calm down, people are starting to look…”

Beau exhaled deeply as he tried to keep his composure.

“Fine. Where?” Beau asked, annoyed
.
Colton nodded his head towards the room across the hall. As the two boys began walking, Beau made sure to leave an obvious distance between him and Colton. Colton ducked his ruffled head into the deserted music room. He entered the room carefully as Beau strolled in behind him.

“I’m sorry about how I acted a few nights back.”

“Apology accepted,” Beau replied with a harsh tone.

Colton nibbled at his lip knowing that Beau still had feelings of resentment towards him.

“Beau, I like you.” Colton stated boldly.

Beau's face remained emotionless as if Colton hadn’t just confessed his feelings towards him.

Colton walked towards Beau and reached towards his face with a wavering hand.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a while.” Colton mumbled to himself.

Beau continued to stare at a tiny dot on the tiled floor.

“Look at me, I at least deserve that,” Colton stated, searching Beau’s face.

Beau finally looked at him with cold, piercing eyes. Colton took the opportunity to place his lips on top of Beau’s. Beau’s eyes widened in surprise but they gradually closed as he returned the kiss. The two boys stood in the centre of the room, grasping at each other’s clothes and kissing any bare skin they could get their lips on. As Colton slipped his hand into his partner’s jeans, Beau felt as if things were getting out of hand.



Beau gently removed Colton’s prying hand from his boxers, “Not here.”

Colton sighed, “You’re right, I just couldn’t stop.”

“No, I like your passion but if we were to get caught…I just can’t risk it,” Beau said, readjusting his grey beanie.

“At least one of us is thinking,” Colton replied truthfully.

“We should do this again,” Beau said.

Colton grinned as him and Beau exited the room and went their separate ways to class.

~

Distressed at the news she had just discovered, a sniffling Audrey made her way to Mr.Deveroux’s office. She timidly knocked on the wooden door and entered once she felt it was safe for her to enter.

“Have a seat Audrey, what brings you to my office today?”

“I’m having a really bad day and I need someone to talk to.” Audrey confessed.



“So this is not math-related in any way?” The teacher asked, slightly confused.

“No, it’s personal…” she trailed off.

“Since you are visibly distressed, I can try and help you move past what you’re feeling. Can you start from the beginning?” Mr.Deveroux prompted her gently.

Audrey took a deep breath and told him of her relationship with Ty. She told him the story from start to finish without missing a single detail. By the end of the story, Mr.Deveroux looked overwhelmed. Feeling that he knew more than he should, he cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Well, that was just…wow,” he began, unable to find the right words.

He tried again, “So let me get this straightened out. You and Ty were together before him and this Serena, was it, started dating?”

Audrey nodded with her eyes downcast.

“Audrey, you have to understand that you’re still young. You are an amazing young lady who has yet to live her whole life and find the one who you truly love. Ty’s just a teenage boy with only one thing is on his mind. You know that you deserve better. Don’t beat yourself up over this.” Mr.Deveroux said, trying to comfort his student.

“Do you really think I’m amazing?” Audrey asked, her eyes lighting up.

“Of course,” he replied automatically. “Now is that all?” He asked, standing up.

“Yes, thanks so much!” Audrey replied, giving her teacher a squeeze.

Mr.Deveroux’s body stiffened immediately. Audrey, sensing something was wrong, let go of her teacher.

“Um, I’m sorry. Am I not allowed to hug you?” She asked, her eyes wide.

“Let’s just make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he replied sternly.

“Yes, sir!” Audrey replied, as she made her way towards the door. Before exiting, she popped her head back into the room.

“Mr.D, could I have your number just in case I need someone to talk to again?” She asked, biting her bottom lip innocently.

He hesitated for a moment before writing his number on a slip of paper and handing it to her.

“Promise me that you’re only going to use it in an emergency.” Mr.Deveroux said, looking into Audrey’s doe eyes.

“Only for emergencies!” Audrey repeated, stuffing the slip of paper into her back pocket and smiling as she exited the room.

The newest chapter is finally up! Sorry that it took so long...I've been busy with school and such. As you can see, some of the characters have undergone quite a makeover. Feel free to leave a comment telling me what you think! :lovestruc