Reality

Chapter 22

"What happened?" Will asks, concern in his voice.

I sit down next to him on my bed and close my eyes.

"I don't even know," I answer.

Will places his hand on my shoulder. "I'll beat him up if you want me to."

I almost laugh. "It's alright," I sigh.

"Did he hurt you?"

"No..." I say slowly. Did it count as hurting me? Kissing me against my will?

What if I secretly enjoyed it though?

Will raises an eyebrow skeptically.

"What?" I ask.

"You ran home," he pointed out.

"I was cold and wanted to get here faster," I lie smoothly. At least I think it's smooth.

"You were crying," Will accuses.

"Nuh Huh, I just..." I struggle to come up with something. "While running the wind was blowing in my eyes. So they got watery," I explain.

He eyes me skeptically again.

"Okay," Will finally gives up. He doesn't believe a word.
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"Mhm," I reply.

Will sighs and stands up. He walks out of my room without another word.

I'll deal with that later.

I need to talk to Carly... If she knew... No. That's impossible, she wouldn't hide something like that from me. I know Carly, she cares for me, she does. I'm sure...

But Zack and her... Would she be on his side?

I grab my phone and unlock it.

My hands trembling, I open my messages and begin to text Carly.

Me: Hey.

It doesn't even take her two minutes to reply.

Carly: Hiyo

Me: What's up?

Carly: Nothing, just hanging out in my living room, bored :/

Catherine, just get to the point.

Me: Can I ask you something?

She takes longer to answer this time, like she's hesitating.

Carly: You offend me, Catherine Archer

I hold my breath and pray she tells me what I want to hear.

Me: Did you know about the dare between Zack and Ethan?

About 5 minutes pass until she responds again.

Carly: Cath, this doesn't involve me

My heart shatters and falls, like someone just dropped a delicate crystal against hard jagged rocks on the side of an abyss.

Me: I can't believe you.

So much for best friends.

Carly: Cath, understand that he asked me to keep it a secret, I swore not to tell.

We never kept anything from each other.

Me: I thought you were my friend

The tears come again.

Carly: I am your friend

I turn off my phone and throw it at a corner.

By throw it I mean carefully set it on my drawer because, come on, nobody wants to purposely hurt their phone.