Woke

37.)

Kiara:

Chris immediately arose from his seat and started to march up the aisle. I knew he was trying to catch up to Eric and based on the furious look on his face, he had absolutely no intention of confronting him for a peaceful conversation.

"Chris..." I quickly stood up to follow him. I knew his ears were deafened by rage, and the only way to get through to him would be to physically stop him. We'd just gotten out of trouble; it wasn't worth it.

Once we reached the parking lot outside of the building, Chris picked up his pace. I was practically jogging in my heels just to keep up. He grabbed Eric by the shoulder, causing him to stop and face us.

"I should fucking kill you." Chris growled. I gasped in surprise at his words. I hadn't yet fully processed everything we heard, so to see how livid my boyfriend was had me taken aback.

"Wow, threats? After what I just did for you?" Eric tsked. "What an ingrate."

"You bastard! You posted a private video of us. Why the fuck should I be grateful?!"

"Hold on, son. Let's approach this civilly." Josh said.

I looked to see mine and Chris' families, as well as Devon, Monica, and Tiana. Right near Eric and Taylor were Whitney, Danny, Wes, and Kathy. Everyone stood close enough to be within earshot, but Chris, Taylor, Eric, and myself were definitely closest to one another-- close enough for the possibility of a physical altercation occurring to be very high. I gripped Chris' arm, hoping my touch was enough to keep him calm.

"No, he's been trying to sabotage my relationship with Kiara for months. He needs his ass whooped."

"How was I trying to sabotage your relationship, when you knew what Karr and them were up to from the beginning?"

Chris' body grew rigid, as I frowned deeply. "What're you talking about?"

"Oh, Chris didn't tell you?" Eric laughed humorlessly. "Danny told your little boyfriend about the deal he and his theatre pals made with Chambers several months ago."

"I'm sorry, Chris, but that's actually true." Danny quietly said.

A silence fell over the group, and my eyes were trained Chris while he refused to meet my gaze. There was no way... I turned my head to glare at Eric. "Y-you're lying. You've been trying to screw with my head all semester..."

"Kiara, I'm sorry you have to find out this way, but Chris knew." Taylor shook his head.

"Stay out of this!" I snapped, before turning to Chris again. "Did you know?"

"I..." everybody stared at him, as his face grew red. I hated how I knew the answer before he gave it. "Yeah, Danny told me."

"Oh my God." Monica mumbled.

Tiana inhaled sharply. "Chris, no..."

My grip on his arm loosened, as his admission processed through my brain. "You knew?"

"Kiara I swear, I thought he was lying! After everything that happened the day of the debate, and with Taylor coming back, I knew you were feeling so stressed. I thought he was trying to save face. I didn't want you getting anymore upset."

"The same way you didn't want her upset about Karr finessing your Georgetown scholarship in exchange for you to stay with her?"

"That's a mother fucking lie and you know it." Chris balled his fists, and Devon was suddenly by our side, holding Chris back. My boyfriend's body was shaking with fury, while I just stood there dumbfounded.