Free Kendall

Chapter 22

Chapter 22
Ari's POV

Quinn and Rayssa are going to kill me

My phone buzzes with crazy texts when I wake up the next morning. 
I read them all while showering, humming to myself.

The texts are all death threats from my besties. 
No surprises there.

I get downstairs after changing into a shirt that says 'System safe person', in support of people with D.I.D and OSDD.
Rayssa's number appears, and I quickly answer it.

"Yes?"
"Ari whatever your middle name is Clare!" She shouts.

"Yes?" I ask again, my mouth switching into a curved smile.
"You are going to pay for what you did to the car!" She shouts into the phone.

I shrug.
"I did not harm your car."

"You're the only one with the spare key, Clare."
"You have no proof."

Her death threats continue as I walk into the kitchen.
Eliza is sitting on the counter, eating cereal.

She goes back to school today.
Dad and I are dropping her off at the airport around 9.

Dad is making crepes for her, one of Eliza's favourite foods.
I grab a plate and hang up on Rayssa. She can rant at me later.

I sit at the table, and Dad puts the first crepe on his plate.
Then Liza's.
Then mine.

"Thanks, Dad," I say while shoving my face with crepes.
He chuckles, nodding his thanks while eating his. 

All of us lug Eliza's things into the car after breakfast.

"Is it okay if you are a little bit late to school, Ari?" Dad asks.
I nod.
"Yeah, it's cool."

We all drive to the PTI airport, heading to the main gate to let the people take her big-heavy suitcases inside on a cart.
I hug her goodbye, tight and with a death grip.

"Be safe, Liza," I say.
She nods.
"Take care of yourself, Ari."

"I'll try," I reply.

She hugs me more.
Dad wraps us both into a big hug, when the intercom buzzes.

"All flights headed in gate B will depart in 2 hours. Please get to the gate as soon as possible."
Eliza detangles from us, and waves goodbye.

We both wave goodbye until she disappears to the pre-check.
I sniffle slightly.

Dad pats my shoulder.
"She'll be back soon, Ari."

I nod.
He leads us back to the car, and we drive to the school.

***

Dad drops me off, and I walk towards the entrance.

As I reach it, I hear running footsteps.
I turn around and get slammed into the pavement.

Rayssa and Quinn are on top of me.

"Owww," I complain.
"You little asshole," Quinn swears, xyr hair stuck in xyr face.
"It's a talent," I reply, smirking cockily.

Rayssa and Quinn get off of me, helping me up.
My back is probably bruised.

"If only you weren't one of our best friends," Quinn says menacingly.
I throw up my hands in an innocent manner.

They both lead me inside, and we get checked in.

"What classes have I missed?" I ask as we head down the hall.
"It is almost 4th period," Rayssa replies.

I nod.

We hide out in our abandoned classroom, roleplaying in a Percy Jackson server.
The bell rings, and we all pack up our things.

"Meet here for lunch?" I ask.
They both nod.

I head out, going to my locker and retrieving my 4th-period supplies.
I feel a hand on my shoulder and I freeze slightly.

I turn to see who it is, and it's Kendall.

"Hey Ari," He says, smiling.
"Hi," I reply, returning to my normal stature.

"You look nice today."
A faint blush goes across his face.

I'm wearing a pale pink flowy skirt, a white genderfluid pride shirt, a binder, a leather jacket and black military boots.

"Thank you," I reply.
My face pinks a bit.

I put my things in my bag, standing and locking my locker.

"May I escort you to the next class of purgatory?" He asks.
I nod, and he takes my hand.
"To purgatory, my lord," I say, and Kendall laughs.

We both head down the hallway, looking like idiots.

I see Alessio glaring at me as we pass and I feel the urge to shrink.
But I don't, for once being happy to be myself and to be an idiot with Kendall.

I ignore him completely, not even seeing his facial reaction, and Kendall walks with me to our next class.