Grace.

Chapter 7.

The following day at school was P.E. Many of us hated it. I started at my locker that morning and left some of my books. Luce, Donny and Bebe joined me looking very hungover. "Where's Naomi?" I asked them. "Probably puking in the bathroom," Lucy replied. Donna leaned onto one of the lockers next to mine with her eyes closed. I chuckled softly. "Let's go. You know Coach Burke doesn't like late comers," I reminded them.
"Screw him," Lucy cursed.
As we were standing by the lockers talking, Ethan walked by and he greeted me. "Hello, Grace." His voice was so low the others barely heard him and didn't even notice that he did. It was as if he was shy or didn't want them to hear. If only he knew that to them it was a norm that I got greeted by guys at school. But what they didn't know was that Ethan was the only guy who greeted me everyday, all the time. Not only would he greet, but I'd catch him looking at me. Or how sometimes if we get to class at the same time he'd open the door for me or hold it open for me.
Well, those were the little things I noticed about Ethan Byers.
I hated it. Hated it and sort of liked it at the same time. I didn't tell any of my friends. Not even Naomi. I had a good reason as to why. I was only feeling that way because I was getting constant attention from the same guy! It's not like I was into him!
At the field, Lucy and the other two hid behind a tree nearby. I looked for a group I could join on the track and that's when Mimi appeared.
"Hi, Grace," she panted.
"You look terrible, I'm not even going to lie," I blurted out.
"Gee, thanks. But to be fair, I feel terrible. Physically. Emotionally. Mentally."
"I don't know what to tell you. Last night you were insane."
"Please don't remind me!" She sulked.
"I told you not to kiss Hunter or do anything with him," I frowned.
"I got too drunk and I regret everything!"
Her eyes widened and she gasped lightly. I turned to look at what she was seeing and that's when I saw Janet who happened to be Austin's girlfriend and popular girl at school, with her friend, Natalie.
"Quick! Let's run!" She whispered, pulling my arm.
"What? Wh-"
"Good morning, ladies."
It was too late. They had already caught up to us and we had no choice but to entertain them.
"Janet. Natalie." I deadpanned.
They took one look at me and then back to Naomi.
"Great party last night, huh?" Janet started.
"Yeah. Sure, I guess," Naomi replied, eyes to the ground.
"Yeah. Too much fun. People even went as far as doing things they weren't supposed to do. Hitting on the wrong people," Nat added.
"Wait, what? You think I-"
"Let's go, Janny," Nat spoke up, cutting Naomi short.
"I didn't think that Hunter would be into you."
Janet bit, walking away with Natalie.
We watched as they modeled away. Mimi gave a huge sigh, balancing her hands on her knees.
"Hold on! What the heck was that?!" I questioned.
"Dammit!" Naomi spat.
"What's. Going. On?" I repeated.
So, apparently Austin followed her to the bathroom last night and asked if she was okay and what not. She said they didn't fight and that he must've sensed that she's not okay that's why he was checking up on her. Nothing happened in the stall but Natalie walked in and saw her and Austin leaving. That's why she thinks Naomi was hitting on Austin. What we weren't sure of is why Janet said what she said about Hunter.
"But what were you thinking?!" I asked, annoyed.
"Please don't start."
"You let Lucy get into your head. When you passed out at the parking lot last night, Hunter insisted that he be the one to take you home. I said 'no'. You were out of it and who knows what he would've done to you?! On top of that he now thinks you two are a thing," I informed her.
"What? Really?! Oh no!" She cried into her hands. "Everyone probably does! Crap! Do you think Austin saw us?"
I shrugged. Donna, Lucy and Bebe came just as we were talking.
"I need to talk to him. Have you seen him?" Naomi stressed.
"He's not at school today, and also, he did see." Donna joined.
"Hey, Ms. Hunter Sink,"
Lucy smirked, placing her arm on Mimi's shoulder.
"Shut up. Get off me. This is all your fault!" Mimi snapped.
"My fault! How so? You kissing Hunter was all you! Not me, honey," Lucy chuckled.
"I shouldn't have listened to you," Mimi whined.
We continued gossiping while running around the field. The lesson ended after what felt like years later and we headed to the changing rooms to get clean and dressed. At our school P.E was always in the morning. No one knows why. But after those two hours of suffering, we'd get an hour and a half to freshen up before continuing with the day. Some girls wouldn't shower. They'd just change their clothes and continue about with their day. Disgusting.
I always used the same shower. It was my favorite one. As I slipped out of my clothes, I heard Beanie and Sam talking next to me. They didn't notice me listening in on their conversation.
"I don't know. He's been acting really weird lately," Beanie voiced.
"What's he doing now?" Sam asked.
"It's what he's not doing. We used to have sex everyday but now...it's like he doesn't want me anymore."
"Ethan? No sex? That doesn't sound like him."
"Right? I'm starting to think he's seeing someone else."
"Are you surprised? You two aren't even a couple. That means..."
"Don't say it. Please."
"Beanie, this is Ethan Byers that we're talking about. There's a high chance he's over you."
"But why would he do that?"
"Uhm, duh! You gave him what he wanted. Did you honestly believe he liked you? No dates. No phone calls. Just sex. C'mon, Beanie."
My heart quickened and I had frozen right on the spot. I knew Ethan was a player but hearing it being confirmed just felt...different. For some odd reason my heart sank. A part of me didn't want to believe it and I don't know why. He had so much potential. He would've been a good boyfriend if he wanted to. Well, at least that's what I thought to myself.
During lunchtime after Science class, Mimi pulled me and Lucy into the bathroom. She looked really worried. I thought she was still stressed about Austin but she was actually worried about Bebe.
"What is it, Naomi? I'm hungry," Lucy grunted.
"It's Brooke. She was my partner in class and we were talking. About her relationship especially."
"What did that bastard do this time?" I hissed.
"Everything. We thought he was only hitting her but..."
"But what?!" Lucy pressed.
"He's been sexually assaulting her as well."
"What?!" Luce and I cried out.
"Shh. Yeah. He sometimes forces himself on her. Hurts her. I- she says she didn't want to tell us because..."
"I am going to kill that son of a bitch!" Luce cursed.
"Because...this is what she doesn't want! Us fighting for her! Causing more trouble for her!"
Mimi yelled.
"Keep your voice down! That is insane! We're her friends. We are not going to turn a blind eye. That's never going to happen!" I threatened.
"C'mon, you guys. Please. Can we just do as she's asking? She's already going through a lot as is," Naomi begged.
It was absolutely insane but we had to do as Bebe wanted. It was her relationship after all. If Mimi didn't beg, I would've confronted him and told someone immediately.
"For now...let's just focus on being there for Bebe. In whatever way we can," I suggested.
"I'm joining her in cheerleading this term. I don't wanna do it but..."
"That's very nice of you, Naomi. But that doesn't solve the problem. Luke needs to go," Lucy grunted.
"We'll think of something, okay?" I sighed.
It was upsetting and a bit annoying how Brooke continuously chose to be with that asshole despite everything he was doing to her.