First mistake can be forgiven Miss Holland but make sure this never happens again."
" But sir, I'm telling you, it wasn't me!"
" And I believe you Miss Holland. You are new here and have a reputed family name. You don't have any motive for this, other than peer pressure."
" But sir, I have evidence. There are people who can verify that I didn't do anything."
Principal Evans and Mrs. White shared a brief eye contact and then he continued,
" I see you are your father's daughter, but Miss Holland, this isn't that big of a topic. I'm sure your parents are too busy to pay attention to such matters. So, you may leave now."
Something just didn't made sense here. First, Mrs White was so eager to punish me and principal Evans had already declared me the culprit. But when I said, I have evidence, they agreed on letting me go.
If my memory isn't mistaken there were cameras in the corridor, they could easily find the actual culprit rather than falsely accusing me, but they didn't.
I'm sure Ava can answer these questions.
I was leaving principal's office when some of his words echoed in my head. I felt a necessity to answer them,
" Principal Evans?"
" Yes, Miss Holland?"
" My parents are never too busy for me."
When I left his office, I felt like a boss. But it's too early to celebrate. I need to find Ave.
During recess I rushed to the cafeteria. I pulled Ave aside to one of the empty tables and sat beside her so we can talk without being heard.
When I was done with my part of the story, she asked me with a poker face,
" Do you think you know who has done this?"
" Of course I do. It was Jason and Noah! They were inside the classroom before us and they scrambled away when they heard the teacher approaching."
" And you are right there. It was them. But no one's going to listen to you if you tell them."
" But why?"
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as if preparing herself for what's coming next. This time when she spoke, she sounded professional.
" Jason and Noah are the best asset to our soccer team. We haven't lost a single game from the time they joined, but that's not the reason. The reason is Jason's family reputation. Jason's family has one of the most influential name in the entire state, and even further. Rumors say his brother once bought a restaurant and then demolished it, just because they couldn't arrange a table for him."
" So why is he studying here? I'm sure his family can find a fancier place, or better, they can build one"
" Some sort of family tradition. Jason's brother and father studied here too."
" Okay, so, that's Jason. What about Noah?"
" Noah doesn't has a huge family name, but he's Jason's best friend. Moreover, if Noah goes down he'll surely take Jason with him."
My skull felt numb.
One day!
One day in this school and I'm witnessing a scandal already. I won't be surprised if by the end of this year, dead bodies start protruding from the walls.
I closed my eyes, hid my face in my palms and exhaled deeply. Ave stroked my back to comfort me.
" Grace, I know you feel it's unfair, but you'll get used to it. It's been like this from a long time and it'll be this way. We can't change it. Just stay away from trouble and you'll be fine."
As much as I want to defend myself, I don't see a point in it. Ava is right. I can't change something in a year which has been this way from years.
I stood a bit straight and opened my eyes. What I saw made me mumble unthinkingly,
" Trouble."
Jason and Noah sat in front of us. There was silence until Ave decided to interrupt it.
" So, what made you two come here?"
Ave asked with a million dollar smile. She was back to her chirpy self.
Jason answered looking at me,
" We know what happened today. We didn't mean to get you in trouble. I hope you understand that it was plain misunderstanding."
" So you agree it was you?"
As soon as these words left my mouth, Ava kicked me under the table .
" Hey!"
I groaned in pain but she ignored me and continued to sweet talk.
" I think Grace meant it's okay. We know you didn't do that on purpose."
They both nodded and then Noah said with a mischievous smile,
" We are going to the arcade, tommorow after school. Would you both like to join us?"
" We'd love to!"
Ave said practically jumping in her seat. I couldn't frown on the agreement because she had a steel grip on my arm, and I had no intention of testing her temper on this topic.
When they left I faced her and asked,
" I thought you hated them!"
" And I thought you wanted to have a great prom!"
" What does that has to do with this?"
" Jason broke up with Natalie last week. He's a promising prom king. If you two get along well, you'll be the prom queen! You know I'm doing this for you, right?"
" Absolutely not! You are doing this for your one day love, Noah."
" Maybe. But there's no harm if you are benefited simultaneously."
" Ave, I'm not interested in Jason."
" That's fine. We are not doing any lables."
" But-"
" Girl? You complain a lot! Here's the final deal. We'll go with Jason and Noah tomorrow. I won't try to accelerate your relation with Jason and you won't slow down mine with Noah. Deal?"
" Fare enough. Deal."
We finished our lunch and then went back to our classes.
When school was over I waited for Ave. She soon showed up, with Noah, obviously. On a normal day I would have lectured her about this, but since we have promised each other, and I definitely don't want her to break her's, so we quietly walked to the parking.
When we got close to my car, we saw two figures kissing near it. One of them was Jason, that was for sure.
We were too close to back out now and we positively had no intention of moving forward, so we just stood there trying to avoid looking at them.
When they were done, which was quick, Jason froze as soon as he saw me. The girl followed his gaze, turned around and glared at me.
Jason slurred when he spoke,
" G-Grace, t-this is Natalie."
" I'm Jason's girlfriend."
She said leaning a bit on Jason. He softly pushed her away and corrected,
" Ex-girlfriend."
Both of them gave each other icy looks, there was pin drop silence.
" Awkward."
Noah smirked from the background and earned a slap on his arm from Ava.
Natalie now came forward and tried to size me up. It's now that I noticed how beautiful she was. Her hairs were long , straight and black. She had a perfect round face. Her lips were painted red and complimented her sky blue eyes.
The level of confidence she had on her shirt's buttons, I wish I had it on me.
" So you are Grace?"
She said with venom in her tone.
" I guess I am."
" Let me make this very clear to you. I'm very possessive for my belongings and I do not like people hindering my reputation. It'd be better if you stay away from me. Clear?"
" Crystal."
" Good girl."
She gave a quick kiss to Jason on his cheek and left with a demonic smirk.
Ava didn't say anything. She got inside her car and left. Noah did the same. I think they both understood Jason wanted to talk to me alone.
" I didn't plan things to happen this way. She wasn't supposed to be here."
Jason said looking apologetic.
" It's fine Jason."
" You are okay with me kissing other girls?"
" Why should I care?"
" Oh.. yeah. I thought.. nevermind."
He moved aside and I got inside my car. When I started the car, he knocked on my window.
" Yes?"
" Grace, can you give me a chance at least?"
" What are you talking about?"
" You know what I'm talking about. I know I haven't put any effort yet but I want to make sure that when I do, it means something to you."
" Jason, we just met today. It's too early for this conversation."
His hands went through his hairs as he sighed.
" Yeah.. I guess.. you are still coming with us tomorrow, right?"
I nodded as my answer and he nodded in return with a smile.
I finally left school.
I felt so exhausted. I wanted to reach home as soon as possible, so I took a short route. Well, not exactly a short route, but it was an empty one, hence making it faster.
I was driving quite fast yet a car drove past me. The car took a sharp turn and I heard a tremendous crash.
No matter how tired I was, I just can't leave any person in a situation like that, so I drove towards the accident.
The car had hit a tree. Pieces of glass we're scattered everywhere.
A man stood near the car, cursing some random deer. It seemed like he was looking for something.
" Are you alright?"
I said as I neared the accident.
I was startled to see the car.
It was a black convertible Corvette.
The owner turned around and he appeared as shocked as me.
" You?! Again?"
" What do you mean by again? I didn't had any hand in what happened this morning."
" Look. I don't exactly have the patience of dealing with you right now. Everything is under control. Your help isn't required here, so you are free to go."
He tried looking inside his car through the passenger window and received a cut on his hand. Bright red blood gushed through it. He cursed and kicked the tyre.
I do would love to leave him here with a mocking comment, but I prefer being the bigger person.
I went to my car looking for a first aid kit.
I was out of bandages.
" Do you have a first aid kit in your car?"
" Even if I did, It'd be impossible to take it out."
I found a scarf on the back seat. It was my mom's. I'm sure Mom won't mind if I tell her it was for a good reason. I grabbed the scarf, went back to him and started tieing it around his hand.
" What are you doing?"
He complained and tried to jerk his hand away. That annoyed me.
" Hush now, will ya! And stop acting like a five year old."
" How the- "
" Quiet!"
When I was done, I continued,
" Let's negotiate, I'll drop you to your house, and in return, you'll try and keep your mouth shut. Okay?"
" I've said this before, I'll say it again. I. Do not need. Your. Help!"
" From where I'm watching, it's not an option. You don't have any transportation. The closest help you'll receive will be five kilometers from here. You don't have a phone. Even if I gave you mine, I don't believe you remember any of your contacts. So, you are coming or not?"
He visibly groaned but got inside my car anyway.
He sat in the backseat and made himself comfortable.
" So, what's the address?"
" Give me your phone."
I understood what he was trying to do so I handed him my phone without questioning.
The drive was quiet.
He closed his eyes and leaned further in the seats.
I realized I don't know a thing about him.
" My name is Grace Holland, and you are....?"
" We have a deal. Remember?"
He said without opening his eyes.
After a few minutes he replied.
" Ethan Reyes."
" Excuse me?"
" Excused"
" No, I - "
" Deal?"
I never knew I could hate someone so much. But he sure made me smile. I could sense him smiling as well.
When Ave said Reyes are one of these insanely rich families, she wasn't kidding. The mansion in front of us is singing praises of the Reyes' wealth.
" Drive inside."
He ordered.
I dropped him to the front porch. He got out of the car and walked inside his house without even glancing back.
It wasn't like I was expecting a 'thank you' or something, it's just.. forget it.
When I was about to leave, something unusual happened.
" Grace? What are you doing here?"
Jason asked me as he jogged towards me through the gates.
" Jason? What are you doing here?"
" Grace, I live here. It's my brother's house."
My jaw crashed with the floor.
...... Sweet. Real sweet....