A luxury car with tinted windows pulls over in front of our front porch.
Witnessing it happen first hand, the scene is kind of bizarre to me.
I didn't think any middle- or upper-class person would have the courage to drive such an expensive car through a dump like this.
Or maybe the driver doesn't really understand how bad this place is?
Oh well, I'm sure it'll be fine.
The front seat window on the right-side winds down, and out comes Scarlet Sterling's head.
"Hey Chase, hurry up! We're gonna be late!"
Why is she yelling like that? Does she not realize how early it is? I'm getting a headache just listening to her…
"Uh, that's our ride."
"That's… our ride?"
Chloe has a look of pure disbelief on her face.
Hard to blame her though, who would've expected that kids like us would be picked up in such a cool car?
Not that it matters to me though. All cars are good for is damaging the environment. This one just happened to look way cooler than most others.
"Come on Chad, let's go."
After grabbing Chad's hand, I lead the three of us outside the porch and toward the backseat door.
"Woah, you've got a lot of siblings. Lucky for them you probably took all the loser genes."
"Really? This is how we're starting the day off?"
"Hehehe."
I sigh and open the door.
First Chloe gets in, then Chad so she can help him get in and settled with his seatbelt, and finally I enter last and close the door behind me.
Once inside, I'm greeted by that new car smell, coupled with the cool air conditioning that's clearly been circulating throughout the insides for a while now.
That combined with the leather seats makes me feel like I'm some kind of celebrity after the life I've been living these past few years.
"Is everyone settled in?"
The voice belonged to Scarlet's mother, who peeked at the rear-view mirror to check in on us.
She looks a bit young for someone with a fourteen-year-old child. I'm being generous when I say that she doesn't look near forty yet.
"Yeah, we're good here."
"Okay. Let's go then."
Yeah, she doesn't sound old either. I can't exactly ask a woman her age, but I wouldn't be surprised if she were about… 32 maybe?
But still, to be driving such an expensive car at that age even after having a kid fourteen years ago…
Before I could finish the thought, she starts up the car and takes off into the streets.
"…"
Well, this certainly is relaxing.
AC, comfy chairs, no worrying about strangers pick-pocketing us, this is heaven compared to that old train. I could fall asleep right here and now.
Yeah, I'll just sleep.
I've had to use all of my free time to work on that stupid speech after all. No one could fault me for doing that.
"Hey Chase. Aren't you going to introduce me to your siblings?"
Well, almost no one anyway. I forgot how energetic this woman can be sometimes.
"Ah, sorry. Um… these are my siblings, Chad and Chloe."
"Nice to meet you two. I'm Scarlet. You can call me the best thing to ever happen to your brother."
"Seriously…?"
She really won't let up, huh?
Chloe seizes her up for a split second then responds.
"Oh. So you're the ex-girlfriend I keep hearing about all the time?"
"Ex…? Chase, have you been bragging about me to your sister?"
"Uh…"
That's all it took.
Just that one sentence from Chloe was all it took for that condescending grin to form on her face.
Her ego had gotten so big that I felt like it had inflated through the entire car and was pushing me against the leather seats.
"N-no, listen… I was just using you as an example for something…"
"Oh, don't be modest Chase. It's normal to brag about dating cute girls. C'mon, just admit it."
Admit it? How could I?!
In front of your mom and my sister?!
"Chase, why's your ex being so mean to you? Are you like a huge cuck or something?"
"Ahahaha! He is, isn't he? Chase is the biggest cuck in Sunchester High!"
"Well, he's for sure the biggest cuck I've ever met."
"Can you two not team up and call me that?!"
I knew their personalities were similar, but… This is too much!
"Maybe we'd stop calling you a cuck if you admitted to bragging about me to your sister."
"Cuck! Cuck! Cuck!"
"Look! Now you guys made Chad say it!"
"Ahahahaha! Even your cute little brother agrees!"
Moments like this make me wish I were an ostrich.
"Seriously though, could you stop? You're embarrassing me in front of your mother."
A cute giggle comes from the driver's seat.
"Don't be embarrassed hun. She might talk big, but you're the cutest guy she's ever been with too."
"O-only by default! Whose side are you even on, mom?!"
"Oh don't be like that. Having your boyfriend fight three versus one doesn't sound like fun."
"H-he's not my boyfriend anymore!"
"Oh really?"
She grins as if to say "I'll leave it at that then."
"You should take some hospitality tips from your mom, Scarlet. She knows more about having a boyfriend than you apparently d- ow ow ow ow."
She yanks my ear my from the front seat.
"Wow. You guys are like a married couple."
Chloe's words only make the whole thing worse.
"W-who would want to marry this loser?!"
"Ouch, geez dude, okay. I get it. No need to put it like that."
"Seriously…"
Scarlet lets go of my ear and slumps back into her seat.
Well, I'm glad that situation got defused.
Thanks Scarlet's mom. You really are the hero of today.
Now I can sleep in peace…
…
….
"Hey sis…"
Somewhat uncharacteristically, Chloe calls out to Scarlet in a timid voice.
Actually, does she mean sister-in-law? She really isn't dropping this, is she?
"Sis huh? Ehehe, it has a nice ring to it… What is it Chloe?"
Not that Scarlet seemed to notice.
In any case, she might be trying to ask about that thing she was curious about on Friday.
About that guy she likes.
"How…"
She pauses out of nervousness.
Come on Chloe, you can do it!
Just squeeze it out!
"How do I… um… ..t my cr..h to n..ice me?"
Well, I kinda heard her at least.
I wonder if Scarlet did too?
"Huh… you want me to… huh?!"
"I-I don't want to say it again! It's embarrassing!"
"Ah sorry sorry, I was just a little surprised. Umm… getting your crush to notice you, right? Well the truth is, it's actually kinda easy. Take it from me, and I've tried lots of things. Chatting with him, trying to be funny, ignoring him, helping him out…"
Seriously? What's with all the variety? That guy must think you're a nutcase.
"And… which one worked?
At Chloe's question, Scarlet giggles.
"None of them. What I realized is that like… if you tell him upfront then he's forced to give you an answer. If you don't do that, then while you're messing around someone else might come and take him away."
"… That's scary. I don't know if I can do that."
"Yeah. It is. But it's better than losing him forever."
"But… what if he says no?"
"I dunno. I haven't been rejected yet. But at least it's closure right?"
"… I see."
Chloe turns away to look outside the window.
I'm guessing she has some self-reflection to do.
Well, it was nice seeing her get along with Scarlet for a little bit. Seems like those two are even more alike than I thought.
Still, Scarlet said something strange there.
She hasn't been rejected "yet".
I wonder…
…
My mind wanders as the cool interior of the car does nothing to help reduce my drowsiness.
In a way, this car is worse for keeping me awake than the train is.
Oh well, nothing wrong with drifting off…
…
…
…
"By the way Chase. Scarlet tells me that you're running for Class President today?"
Scarlet's mom awakens me from my slumber with an innocent question.
I'm running for class president today…
…
"Ah, I forgot!"
Chloe's situation got us completely sidetracked.
Wait, fifteen minutes have already gone by since then?! Ah, dammit. We were supposed to go over the speech!
"Uh, here Scarlet!"
I hastily reach into my bag and pull out the finished campaign speech.
The result of my weekend of slaving over this notebook.
"Give me that."
Before I could even hold it out for her, she snatches it from my hand.
"You could've at least said thank you…"
With a sigh, I lean back into my chair lethargically.
"Hahaha, Scar be nice to your boyfriend."
"He's not… oh whatever."
She opens the notebook and begins her reading.
"…"
After not even five seconds, she turns back to face me.
"What's with this ridiculous opener?"
"Ridiculous?"
"Of course it's ridiculous! No one's gonna laugh at this!"
"Weren't you the one who told me to be a stand up comedian…? Besides, Nick laughed."
"Yeah well, that cockroach wouldn't know a good joke if it knocked the glasses off his stupid face. You're not telling this 'joke'."
"Haaa, whatever. Just keep reading."
"You don't have to tell me twice…"
She turns forward and continues reading the notebook.
"So Chase? What made you decide to run for class president?"
Her mom suddenly asks me a personal question, which makes me hesitate for a moment.
I can't very well tell her that I'm doing it to save my reputation.
But if I had to choose another reason…
"Probably… to defend the school from change I don't believe in."
"Yeah? What kind of change is that?"
"I don't know… it's just that, while I get that there are bad people out there, I don't agree with alienating an entire group just because of its bad apples, especially if you've experienced that type of discrimination first. You're just trying to overthrow one type of discrimination for another at that point. It's like… being a victim of oppression doesn't mean you can do or say whatever you want to other people, you know?"
"…"
She goes quiet for a moment.
I couldn't tell if she was pondering my words or not, but…
"Wow Scar. He's kinda serious isn't he?"
"Shut up mom! I'm trying to read this!"
"Hahahaha! I guess that's what you like about him then!"
"I don't l-like him! Stop saying that stuff!"
Wow, I kinda feel like I said all of that for nothing.
Guess I am a little too serious.
A sigh escapes from my lips.
"Oh, and Chase?"
"Hmm?"
My attention turns to Scarlet who had just called out to me.
"Here, it's the interview from Friday."
In her outstretched hand is her phone.
"Ah, that…"
That's right. She did give an interview to Leyla, didn't she? I was so focused on my speech that I'd completely forgotten.
She said it would change how everyone looked at things, but… I wonder if we even can hope for that kind of miracle.
Well, at the very least I can read it myself and try to figure something out.
"Thanks."
I accept the phone.
Okay… let's read this then.
For some reason, my heartbeat is quickening.
I'm getting nervous?
Why?
It might be because I'll be giving Scarlet my full attention now.
I haven't been very conscious of her with everything that's been going on.
She's really been doing a lot for me these past few days, hasn't she?
I need to thank her properly when all of this is over.
For now though, I'll just focus on reading this interview.
The scroll bar on this page is kinda long, though…
Leyla: Good day, followers of Sunchester High's Newspaper Club! This is your favorite newsperson and head of the Newspaper Club, Leyla Thompson with a juicy interview for you guys! I'm sure you're all familiar with the freshman drama that's been going around about Chase Masters and all of the rumors surrounding him. Why, our own club has shamelessly been a part of getting those rumors out there! Bwahahaha! But make no mistake, they are all still just rumors for now. To corroborate whether these stories are true or not, we have a very special guest with us today. Introducing Chase's girlfriend, the victim of the supposed heinous acts, Scarlet Sterling!
Scarlet: Um, hello. It's good to be here.
Leyla: Yes yes, now let's get down to business.
Scarlet: …
Leyla: What's wrong? You look kind of excited.
Scarlet: Sorry, I just thought you were going to start singing for a second. I really like that song.
Leyla: Ahahaha. Well, we can go to a karaoke bar afterwards if you don't mind. You know, just you and me…
Scarlet: N-no thanks.
Leyla: Oof! Rejected! How cruel! Freshman students these days are so heartless!!
Scarlet: Um…
…
I'm sorry, but what part of this is an interview, exactly?
Leyla: Right right, that's enough breaking the ice. I'll start off with the question everyone wants to know: Who will you be supporting in the upcoming election? On one hand, Chase Masters is your boyfriend, but Jennifer is also both the crowd favorite and your best friend. When you put that together with the rumors, it's hard to imagine that you wouldn't be supporting her, right?
Scarlet: I guess if all you had were the rumors then you'd think I would support Jen, right? But that's not really… how it works.
Leyla: Then…
Scarlet: Yep. I'm team Chase all the way.
Leyla: Very interesting! I heard whispers about you boldly confessing your feelings for him to the public during lunch on Wednesday, so I guess it makes sense huh?
Scarlet: Ahaha, that was kind of embarrassing… But I think it needed to be said. It's upsetting to listen to people go on and on about things they don't know about. Those types of rumors make this school a terrible place for him.
Leyla: So, are you saying the rumors are lies?
Scarlet: Well… not all of them. For example he does live in a slum, and he did skip class with Momo, but… everything else was a lie to make those things look much worse than they really are. He didn't do anything with Momo in that room, I can promise you that. She was scared because of a situation she had with a senior so Chase went with her to protect her, that's all. There was no kiss, no cheating, nothing. You're all being manipulated.
Leyla: Wow! So the senior is the one who started the rumors then? Since Chase got in his way?
Scarlet: No. The culprit behind those rumors is Jennifer.
Leyla: … Eh?
Scarlet: It might be hard to accept, but this is the truth. And I say this knowing that people who love her might turn against me for this. But as one of the people who knows her best, I think it's only right that I speak out on behalf of everyone she's tricked.
Leyla: But wait, why would she even start those rumors? Did she know Chase would be running against her?
Scarlet: No, the rumors are actually what caused him to run in the first place. She kinda cornered him at that point so he had no choice… I mean, when everyone's spreading bad rumors about you then what else can you do but find a way to speak up and defend yourself, right? If you don't then you'll just end up watching everyone walk over you because of lies someone else spread. As for why she spread those rumors… I think it's because of me.
Leyla: Huh... Why you?
Scarlet: It's just… This one time at lunch, he stood up to her and defended me when she was saying some mean things about me. I'm sad to admit that I hadn't noticed it all this time, but she was probably looking for a way to get back at him since then.
Leyla: Wow. This is… So in a sense, the class 103 election is a battle for Scarlet Sterling then?
Scarlet: Ahaha… If only. Jen is definitely gonna hate me once she finds out I've been supporting Chase, though. But how could I not, right? He's done so much for me already that I…
Leyla: You?
"…"
Scarlet: … The truth is, though we were dating before, it was mostly for appearances. I'd like to think that we enjoyed each other's company but… at the end of the day that's where our relationship really ended. Everything was just for looks. But I think, the more I spoke to him I realized that… that no guy will probably ever make me feel that special again. He's down to earth, he's kind, and he goes along with my stupid jokes. And I… I don't know. There's something special about him. Maybe I just see something in him that no one else does. That's why Jen's rumors scared me into doing this. They scared me into thinking that I'd never see Chase again because everyone might bully him into transferring out over something he didn't do. So, I needed to stand up for him. I needed to do this interview and show him and everyone else that he isn't a bad person. After all, he's…
…
The next words in that interview
The next words in that sentence
They hit me like a brick.
"Here."
Before me is Scarlet, who is holding out the notebook she was just reading.
"After all, he's…"
"The boy I fell in love with."
I had been shaken to my very core.
Certainly, Rachael had suggested as much to me, but…
The possibility that she was right was nothing more than conjecture.
To actually read it is…
"W-why are you looking at me like that? Hurry up and take it."
"A-ah, thanks…"
Doesn't seem like she's too cool herself, since she hurriedly turns back to face the front of the car after I accept it.
"…"
"…"
"Um Scarlet, about your…"
"You don't have to say anything. Let's just focus on the elections."
"Y-yeah…"
Easier said than done, though…
Still, the fact that all of this has to be aired out to everyone is depressing.
We had no choice but to talk about all of that just to deny some obviously fake rumors…
And she even confessed her feelings to me…
Oh my god is this really happening?
I'm not sure if I should feel happy or confused.
"It'll work."
"H-huh? What will?"
"Your speech. We can go over it on the train, but I think it's fine as is."
"Ah, right… ahaha."
Why am I suddenly such a fumbling idiot?
Is it because I'm now realizing that she's a member of the opposite sex?
No, I've always known this.
It's just that whenever she opened her mouth, that basic personality of hers became more apparent and it was all ruined.
Well, I wouldn't call her basic. It was just Jennifer's brainwashing doing all of that, right?
"You've been through a lot, Chase."
"Yeah…"
"I'm sorry. I wish I could've done more for you."
"Oh don't be like that. You've done so much already."
"No, I really haven't. I feel like you and your friends have been doing all of the heavy lifting, while I…"
Her voice trails off.
"That interview is the only thing I felt that I could have done for you. If it gets us at least one vote then I think it was worth it."
"It definitely got us more than just one."
"You think?"
"Don't be silly. Of course it did…"
She giggles.
"I'll take your word for it then."
Don't worry, I'm sure it moved a lot of people.
With a resigned smile, I turn to face my siblings who are both napping away in the air conditioned car.
This high level of security isn't something either of them are used to, so I don't blame them.
"Haaaa, how embarrassing. I can't believe you read that."
"Hey Scar, let me read it too. Don't be stingy."
"No way Mom! Hell no!"
"Hey, no swearing. Now give me the phone."
"I think I'd rather die…"
"Tsk."
"You don't get to click your tongue, mom."
"Haaa, oh whatever. So Chase, what'd she say in the interview?"
"Huh? Oh, uh…"
"Wait, don't answer her!"
"What? Just let the boy speak. Otherwise I'll just assume you confessed your love for him."
"…"
"…"
"Wait, did I guess right? Oops."
"Mooooommmmmmmm…"
"Ahahaha wait, sweetie I'm sorry. Look, I'll bring you and your boyfriend to a clothing store after school, okay? Just relax."
"For the last time… He's not my BOYFRIEND!"
Seeing Scarlet act so friendly with her mom is a wonderful sight.
Between the fear and the abuse she's had to suffer through at school, it's comforting to know that she at least has parental support at home.
Really.
It must be nice.