Chapter 5 - Dump her

“Is that why you never liked her?” Pete asked.

“Why did you not tell us this before?” Pete’s eyes were full of grievances. 

“When we grew up, she flirted with all of you, although subtly, to avoid confrontations.”

“She was always clever to avoid suspicion and looked pitiful whenever someone tried to oust her.”

“I never thought she liked you or anyone for that matter. That’s why I told you to be careful.” William explained. 

Pete was flabbergasted. “Why did you not tell me all this in detail? I thought you just did not like her on account of the trouble she caused in school”. 

William shrugged, “Her mother’s good friends with my mom, so when confronted, she begged to keep it under wraps and that she would ensure she never bothers me.” 

Pete looked like he was constipated. “What about the other things?”

Before William could reply, Evelyn piped in.

“He did. So did I, but all of you were blind as a bat.”

“And she cried so pitifully whenever confronted that you guys always let it slide.”

“I told you she is a bitch. Remember when you and I almost made out?”

Pete widened his eyes. 

Looking at the disbelief in his eyes, Evelyn continued.

”She got you drunk, made you rest on the swing by the balcony where it was dark, and told you to wait for her.”

“I was also tipsy, and she told me Henry was waiting for me on the swing outside. She said he did not come inside because he did not want to disturb us, and it was a surprise.” 

“When I got there, I thought you were Henry, and you thought I was her. We almost made out, thanks to her. And she called everyone to catch us red-handed.”

“Henry was not even in town that day. But when I confronted her, she just cried and refused the whole thing and implied that you and I were cheating behind their backs and trying to push the blame on her.”

“She almost framed us, and you idiots told me not to aggravate her. You spent the whole week trying to cheer up that bitch” 

Pete looked defeated. 

Rosaline was not sure she should be here.

But she could not simply leave, given the circumstances. Moreover, Pete and William’s friends surrounded her. 

William wondered if he did the right thing by telling him now or if he was wrong not telling him so years ago. 

Evelyn was gloating. ‘They finally see her true face. Bitch, she had the nerve to try and frame me.’

The rest of the boys were equally dumb-struck, finally realizing they were all played by her. 

Pete broke the awkward silence with a helpless sigh.

“What should I do now?”

Rosaline blurted before she could stop herself, “Dump her!”