"Do I really have to go?" I fake sigh at Summer. She stops touching her makeup up in the bathroom and turns to me.
"Yes." She smirks at me. She begged me to go to the winter formal our school holds every year. I didn't particularly like dances but she swayed me to join her. Anything to make her happy.
She shuts the light off before stepping back into the room finally done. She stood in a long, strapless, navy blue dress that showed every curve of her figure. She was messing with her hair that she lightly curled. I step towards her and tug her to me.
"You're beautiful." I tell her provoking her cheeks to break into a light crimson.
"You're not too bad yourself." She smirks at me. I wasn't as fancy. I was only the most formal I needed to be for this dance which was a button-up with slacks. I was saving the whole suit thing for prom.
I crash my lips into hers gently. She moves her lips against mine with grace, and I let out a small moan when her hands find my hair. I move my hands further down to grab her ass causing her to shriek and slap me lightly on the back of my head.
"What? That dress really shows it off." I smirk down at her but my smugness ends when she begins to giggle uncontrollably. "Why are you laughing?" I glare playfully.
"Your lips, they're, they're pink." She stammers out through her laughter. I find the nearest mirror and sure enough, Summer's lipstick has transferred onto my lips.
"It's not that funny." I pout as I wipe the pink off.
"It kinda is though." She smirks at me after fixing her lips.
---
Even after the weekend, I come back to school Monday still ignoring Ryland. I was ready to move on over the whole ordeal but he is too stubborn to let it go.
The fighting has been taking a toll on the band, as we haven't had practice and everyone was treading lightly around each other.
The make-believe Summer had appeared again about a day ago and hasn't left me alone once. I constantly have my headphones in to mute her voice. I know she's only here because of the fight and I hate Ryland for that.
And not to help my mood anymore, I had completely forgotten about trying to get my grades up. My teachers were starting to get on my every move and it irritates the fuck out of me. My first period teacher who was the first to be on my case threatened to call home. So now I have that to potentially look forward to when I go home today.
Lunch rolls around and I meet the guys at the usual table. Ryland of course acts like I didn't just join the group. I roll my eyes at the unnecessary childish behavior, it's been going on for too long now.
"Can we please just get over this stupid fight?" I say loud enough to gain his attention. Everyone stops their conversations at the table to look between us in shock and probably some fear.
All he does is stare at me. The longer he says nothing, the more agitated I get. What was his fucking problem?
"This is getting so fucking ridiculous! For fucks sake, we're all adults here, we should act like it!" I slam my hands down on the table standing slightly over the table. Everyone flinches at the noise.
"Maybe you should take your own advice." He snaps back copying my actions. Were staring at each other with great intensity. I cannot believe he's putting this shit back on the table.
"You have no fucking idea what I'm going through so don't even start this shit with me again, Ryland!" I lean in closer.
"It's been three years, when are you ever going to get over it?" He says through his teeth, leaning in as well. I tug at my hair in frustration.
"You best back off before I do something I regret." I close my eyes.
"Like you have the guts." He scoffs. This was it. My breaking point.
The adrenaline takes over as I jump over the table separating us and knock him over his chair. He's taken aback by my actions, as I pin him down and throw the first punch. I scream profanities at him as I continue my strikes. It takes him a while to fight back. He pushes me off and pulls me up and throws a fist.
We're doing everything we can to hurt one another as Reese and Ash try holding us back. Someone must've gotten a teacher at some point because three were now pulling us away from each other and scolding us.
I can't even focus on what the teachers are saying, all I can do is glare at Ryland as he stares me down. This was a long time coming. He never liked me and Summer together because she took my full attention.
We're both pulled to the principal's office and sat in the chairs opposite of the man himself. I cross my arms and look at the wall.
I could still feel some adrenaline in my system as I shake my leg. I tried my best to listen to our principal talk to us about our behavior but I only got bits and pieces.
"I'll be calling your parents to inform them of your suspension." He speaks. I snap my head towards him. Great, now I have more to worry about. "You're both excused for the rest of the day." He waves us off. I had no idea how long we were suspended for, but I assume it's for the rest of the week.
I shoot up from my spot and exit the room. The guys are stood outside the office when I walk out, Ryland close behind me.
"What happened?" "How much trouble are you in?" "You stupid fucks." "Why would you do that?" Everyone asks all at once as they see me come out.
I just walk away to grab my things and leave. I'm sure Ryland can explain everything without me.
I get into my car not looking forward to the earful I was about to receive from my mother. Surely she knows I'm on my way and is probably working out what she's going to yell once I walk through that door.
I pull up into my driveway against my will. I had taken my time getting home but it still went by at record speed. My mom was already opening the front door beckoning me to get out of my car and inside.
"Bryson, you can't be acting this way if you intend to graduate." My mom says as soon as I step inside. I drop my bag by the door as she continues her rant. "What the hell happened between you and Ryland to get into a fight?"
"He was talking bad about Summer." My breath hitches on her name, and sure enough, she walks behind my mom. Speaking of the devil.
"That doesn't mean you have to initiate a fight." She says sternly. "You're already behind in school and this suspension is only digging the hole deeper."
"I'm sorry." Is all I can manage to say. I had no excuses for the past year.
"Your father is not going to be happy." She sighs and I look down. "You can go to your room." She lets me off and I instantly go up to my room.
I shut my door before laying on my bed. Why can't my life go the way I want it to?
"You didn't have to get into a fight because of me." Summer sits to my left. I turn the opposite way in hopes to block her out, but she just sits on my right.
"I wasn't defending you, I was defending her." I say coldly and she frowns at my statement.
"But I am her."
"You're not real!" I slam my hands down. "Why can't you just leave forever?!" I cover my face. I cannot deal with this anymore. I've gone completely off the rails.
I uncover my face and look around. For once my wish has come true, she was gone. I sigh as I sink deeper into my bedsheets. I just hope my mom didn't hear me yell at literally nothing.
♡