Ch16

NOVA

Being back at school is no fun. Being back at home is no fun either. A part of me wishes I'm still at the valley, with Aunt Joan, Marcus, Kol and Chloe. Even though my cousins were immature and brought trouble to their doorstep, I still feel that I wouldn't feel like an outcast if I had stayed there.

Enzo fucking released the statement. It made me look like an evil, jealous person. But I should be happy that it did exempt my brother.

Mom keeps saying the damage has already been done. That no matter what Enzo's father does with his lawyers and even a PR team, there's little they can do.

The only thing that can make the slate clean again, is if the girl releases a statement. And I would have gone to the end of the world to find the girl in question. But it involves talking to Enzo and he hates me. My brother hates me as well.

"Just leave it be, baby." Mom glances at me from the driver's seat.

I fold my arms. "It's not that easy mom. I made the mess. I should be the one to clean it up."

Mom sighs. "Baby, the earlier you stop beating yourself about this... the better for you. I don't want you to miss out on your highschool experience just because of this."

Is she being serious? Like is mom for real? "Mom, everybody hates me at school. I can't even show up at the media department because Mr. Lawson won't talk to me. My friends won't look at me. I'm cooked because you and dad are the only people who don't hate me."

"Oh baby. Don't be like that. Your brother doesn't hate you."

I scoff. "You don't know that."

"I know he's upset and it'll take a while for him to calm down. But then... have you tried apologizing to Enzo?"

Bad idea. I can't even show up at the hockey rink and leave alive. The guys will literally kill me with death glares and everything.

"I just want to change schools, mom. I really want to."

"Your dad thinks it's a bad decision to let you change schools and besides, it's the middle of the school year. No school accepts new.. "

Bullshit. "That's just an excuse that you and dad are making. They will if dad puts in a good word for me."

Mom doesn't say a word again. I'm starting to think she won't reply to me. After all, it's dad's decision.

"Baby, I made a terrible mistake by taking you to stay with Joan. And... I wish I hadn't done that. Your father says you have to show up each day and make them know at school that you are sorry for what you did."

"I didn't even post the recording! That was all Ava! When will he understand that I never intended to do that to Noah and Enzo? Noah is my big brother and Enzo... He... he..."

He's your fucking crush and the guy you're obsessed with. I take a very deep breath and sink back into the chair, biting down on my lips.

Fuck everybody.

I didn't do what they are accusing me of. And they can think whatever they want to think. I shouldn't care about people's opinions. I should just care about Noah and Enzo. Getting them to forgive me and that's all.

"We're here. Have a nice day, baby." Mom says as she pulls up in front of the school gate, stepping lightly on the brakes. "You'll be fine, okay?"

"I'm not too sure about that." I murmur as I get down from the car and slam the doors. I ignore Mom's goodbye, staring at the looming gate ahead of me.

Today will mark the third day of my resuming school since I came back home.

I used to feel so invisible before but now, I get stared at, cursed, glared at... name it. It's left for someone to walk up to me and say hate words to my face.

The only thing stopping them is the warning from the head of school and that's because my father asked him to.

Well...

I make my way into the school, my head down. It's still super early in the morning so I don't have to be worried about whispers and stuff like that.

I make it two steps away from my class when I get cornered. The girl that's standing in front of me is chewing gum loudly and she's got a name tag with a certain design that I recognize.

You see, our school has a unique tradition going years back. I'm sure the older students who passed out created the different sorority groups.

I haven't cared much about them, so I don't know why the leader of the most popular sorority has just cornered me.

The girls don't care much for hockey players so it can't possibly be about my recent scandal. What the fuck does Bethany want from me?

"You know me?" She asks, popping a gum bubble with a loud smack.

Yes of course, Beth. Everybody knows you and your... sisters. I just nod.

"Good. It's not everyday you get this lucky. We want you to join us."

I blink rapidly. It's more like I've just heard an expensive joke. Or... I've just heard a joke that's not too funny and I don't know whether to laugh or just play dumb.

Because what the fuck? Did she just say that they want me... me... as in the girl everybody hates to join them?

"I don't understand." I say after I find my voice.

"It's more like your lucky day. I see the way the students treat you just because you decided to stand up for a fellow girl of yours."

"I didn't post the recording. Ava did." I say immediately. That's it. Whenever I get the chance to tell anybody who cares to listen, I tell them that I did not post the recording.

"Well, you made it. That's very... brave. Look, I don't want to talk too much. You think about it. Do you want to join us and be untouchable... Or do you want to remain the girl who betrayed her brother and her... crush to everybody?"

My crush? The hell does she know about my crush on Enzo? I haven't talked about it to anybody.

Bethany grins at my expression. "Oh, you don't know."

Her words pique my interest. "What don't I know?"

"That your ex best friend Ava joined Phi Delta last week and is telling all of the girls your secrets." Bethany steps closer to me, her face now blank. "I know you think this is because of our rivalry with them but... it's not. You think about it and give me a reply before school ends today."

"I... I don't..."

"Offer ends after school."