Belle

𝑋𝑋

◎

"I always was a little suspicious about him," Jaxon says through the phone, his words were completely untrue and I roll my eyes. "We don't even know what he did, for all we know he could've just spilled a drink on them," I reason, pulling my pant through the pant leg. Riley slept over last night but Cal never came back. I had tossed and turned all night in bed, much to Riley's discomfort. The question of what had got them all so worked up was fresh on my mind.

"Never trust a boy with blond hair, that's my rule" He claims, making me snort. "Jax, you're blond" I remind with a smirk playing on my lips. "Yeah well I'm not straight, it's different," I can almost see the smile on his lips from here. The phone is suddenly grasped out of my hand and Riley has it to her ear. "Hey Jake, yea yea, ok Josh. Can't recall if we'd ever met, maybe we could be good friends. But you tend to call at the times that we run on a tight schedule so maybe book an appointment and we'll see if we can fit you in but right now we are about to miss our ride. Thanks, bye!" She rants before hanging up and smiling sickly at me. "Ara, Ri, I'm not taking you if you don't get down in 5 seconds," Kaden slurs from down the stairs, still half asleep.

I grab Riley by the arm and drag her down the stairs, ignoring the yelps she let out. "Kade is it even legal to drive while you're half asleep?" I tease, earning a middle finger from him as we step out the door. "Shotgun" Riley calls and I scoff, "go ahead, that shits traumatic." I warm, making her look back at me with a concerned look.  "Why didn't  Cal pick you up?" He asks tiredly, "she left last night and never came back," I shrug. When we reach the school, the first thing we see is Celia and gale in the middle of the foyer holding hands. I look at Dylan and raise an eyebrow, asking him what was going on but his face is angry and set on Celia, was he jealous? Dylan didn't seem like the type to like Celia but maybe I was wrong.

I groan in my head when I see her turn towards me "Ara! have you heard? Gale asked me to be his girlfriend last night," she squeals, partially deafening me. The smell of overtly sprayed Bath and Bodyworks perfume hit my nose and I hold back gag. "Oh my god Celia, I'm so happy for you!" I fake a smile trying to be nice, but Riley had other plans. "Why do you smell like a 6-year-old who just found out what perfume is?" She inquires bluntly, causing me to jab her slightly, my fake smile grows painfully big and I apologize before pulling her through the school.

"You can't just go around telling people they smell like a 6-year-old RI!" I whisper-yell. I'll admit that she was right but she didn't need to make Celia public enemy #1. Celia had her nice moments just like anyone else did. They were just... rarer for her.

"I was just telling the truth," she rolls her eyes, and I can't help the smile that comes to my lips. A movement behind Riley makes me drop the smile. "Hey" she smiles awkwardly, "hey? Bitch you left me stranded yesterday without explanation. What the fuck?" Calista's eyes widen, "I had to go, sorry," she says, but I notice her head isn't in the right place. She fiddles with her fingers and looks at me pitifully. "Calista, what the fuck is going on? Did anyone do something to you?" My mind is rushing to the worst things.

"No, No I'm fine. I'm sorry, I can't tell you what's going on" her apology is returned by a glare from Riley. "Ok then tell us who can, this secret shit is getting old. If it's not important then we should be allowed to know." She argues, but I just look at Cal sympathetically. Calista sucks in a breath before speaking, "I- Ace will tell you," she says uncertainly. I raise an eyebrow and look at Riley. "Oh my god, I swear I didn't think he was actually a male stripper when I said it!" She squeals throwing her arms up in defence.

"You- you what?" Cal quite literally wheezed, struggling to catch her breath through her laughter. "Riley, you didn't say that- not out loud at least." I point out and her cheeks go pink. "Enough! Go to Ace and get some answers," she pushes, trying to quickly change the subject. "Riley I have class right now," I remind, looking at Cal for help but she just smirks.