A letter from three years ago

Harper POV

I was still fuming over my phone when Quinn rushed over, startling me from behind.

"Hey, girl. Are you still here?" she asked in a hushed breath.

I frowned, not in the mood for any of her gossip. "What is it, Quinn?"

"Reagan is out there, accusing you of ruining her relationship with Jace," she let out.

I clenched the phone in my hand.

"That nonsense again." I breathed angrily.

I ignored Quinn who was so flabbergasted by how calm I was and walked out of the bathroom.

She didn't let it go but continued.

"Did you really do it, Perry?" she asked impatiently. "If it is true, I'm so glad you finally got your revenge…"

"I didn't," I stated firmly, turning slightly to her.

I had barely turned into the hallway when something cold and sticky suddenly splashed all over me.

A sharp gasp escaped my lips as bright red fruit punch soaked through my shirt, dripping slowly down my arms and onto the floor.

For one horrible second, I just stood there frozen.

My eyes dropped to the mess staining my clothes, my mind struggling to process what had just happened.

Heat crawled up my neck almost instantly as the laughter around me started sinking in.

Three girls stood in front of me, one of them holding the empty bottle, their eyes glaring fiercely at me.

"That's what you deserve, ugly duckling," the one who had thrown the drink lashed out.

Quinn grabbed my hand, looking shocked as well. She turned angrily to the girls.

"What the hell are you doing?" she yelled.

One of the girls pushed her off and stepped forward.

"How dare you hurt Reagan?" she fired at me.

Hurt Reagan? She's the one who has been bullying me. I couldn't help a scoff at the ridiculous confrontation.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked in a shaky breath.

The girls crossed their arms like they had thought of it at the same time.

"You told Jace about Reagan and Declan because you have a thing for him," the first girl threw the accusation.

My chest tightened.

I lifted my eyes weakly and saw the crowd around us. In front of everyone, the secret I had kept for three years was being exposed.

I gripped my jeans, my heartbeat racing.

I tried to move, to blink, but I couldn't.

Quinn stepped forward again.

"What nonsense are you spewing? Harper hates Jace Carter," she retorted with a snort.

I moved to stop her, not wanting to drag her into this.

My breath felt shaky.

"Jace?" the girls chorused with a sneer.

My face contorted into a frown slowly.

"A little wimp like you wouldn't dare have a crush on him. We're talking about your crush on Declan," one of them said.

I paused for a second, not sure what reaction to have.

Confusion? Disgust? Shock?

"Declan?" I almost yelled.

My eyes lifted up.

A short distance away, Jace stood there. Reagan was also with him.

Was this some sort of sick plot by the two? I wondered, staring at them.

"Stop pretending to be so shocked. Everyone knows now," the girls continued.

"Likes of you will do anything just to get noticed," they spat.

I moved forward, clenching my fists.

"I did not!" I screamed, unable to hold it in.

"How do you explain this letter then?" the first girl took out a letter.

I squinted, trying to see between the almost faded ink.

My eyes almost popped out of their sockets when I finally recognized my own handwriting. From three years ago!

I panicked and tried to grab the letter out of her hand but she snatched it away, leering.

I heard murmuring almost immediately. Eyes glaring and throwing dirty accusations.

"That's…" I stammered. My legs shifted back a step.

"Cat got your tongue?" the girls mocked.

I swallowed hard, my throat dried up. My glance shifted to Jace again.

He was right there, watching. If he finds out that the letter was not written to Declan but to him, I can't live it down.

I would rather let everyone believe I have a crush on Declan.

I bit my lip until it turned red.

Quinn must have noticed my helplessness and pulled me away out of there before any other attack was thrown at me.

And for a split moment, I caught Jace's expression. It was livid.

His eyes stared at me like he was thinking of murdering me.

Quinn dragged me out to the backyard and stopped when she was sure nobody had followed.

"Do you really have a crush on Declan? I thought it was Jace," she burst out suddenly.

My already shocked face was struck again with another surprise.

I turned sharply toward her.

"How did you know that?" I almost yelled.

She pursed her lips, holding a guilty expression. Her eyes blinked without stop.

I know that look.

"Quinn?" I called gently, my eyes searching hers. "What have you done?" I asked.

Her lips pressed harder as her gaze turned somber.

"I sent Jace the message," she blurted out.

"What?"

I couldn't believe she had done that.

"I'm sorry," she dragged, grabbing my hand.

"I just wanted to avenge you for how badly Reagan had treated you and I thought you liked Jace so I…"

She rambled on and I stopped her with a wave of my hand.

"Hold on," I breathed hard.

"How did you know I… had a crush on Jace?" I whispered the word like it was an abomination.

Quinn pressed her lips together again, giving me that pitiful look.

"I saw the letter," she shrugged.

My mouth fell open and I felt speechless. I thought I had hidden it well enough for no one to ever find out.

Why did I even keep the stupid letter?

"But who would have thought it was Declan you liked," Quinn continued, surprised.

I looked at her, wondering if I should tell her the truth… about who the letter was really for.

Instead, I gave a weak smile.

"It was a long, stupid time ago. I fell for his looks. But now, I am completely over him," I stressed.

_

Reagan's POV

I gave the girls high fives for a job well done. I saw the look on Jace's face, he was pissed.

"Reagan, why did you ask us to lie that the letter was about Declan and not Jace?" one of the girls asked.

Another one spoke.

"You could accuse her of trying to steal him, that would even make everyone hate her," she chuckled.

I inhaled, forcing my smile out.

"Why do you think?" I asked them and they stared at me, confused.

I rolled my eyes at how naive they were.

Everyone knows how stupid and perverted Declan was.

It was perfect to match those two together.

"What do you think Declan would do to 'spear chucker?'" I asked, a malicious grin playing at the corner of my lips as I thought of it.

It took the girls a moment but they finally understood and beamed at the idea.

"Did you do what I asked?" I turned to Riele, one of the girls.

She nodded quickly with a mischievous grin.

"Huh. 'Spear chucker' will have no idea what hit her," she replied.

And we all burst into laughter, ready to enjoy another show.

Serves you right, Harper Scott. For daring to write my boyfriend a love letter.

I groaned under my breath.