𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 || 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝗺.

thirteen.

thirteen.
tw: manipulation

The Wednesday before homecoming was a very hectic day. Following school, rumors of interrogation and extreme security at homecoming, and cheer practice, I was at my grandmother's salon with Tatum. We had been so busy with cheer and finishing dresses that we didn't even have the time to think about hair until now.

Other than our busy schedule this week, these last few days were so odd. Ever since I had bumped into Lena, she had grown very cold and avoidant of me while Billy barely let me out of his sight. If we weren't in class or lunch together, he was bribing Tatum to not drive me home, sitting with me, Rue, and Kevin, blowing up my phone, or sneaking into my room. I felt so smothered and uncomfortable by his constant hovering that I didn't even mention salon time with Tatum.

"So you and Billy-boy have been close..." Tatum smirked. "I mean, he won't even let me drive you home from practice."

"It's weird, huh..." I sighed as I looked up from my magazine.

We were in the waiting area, waiting to be brought to the wash station. This was the first time in what felt like forever that I was able to hang out with Tatum one-on-one and I loved it.

It was hard to think about what was going on between me and Billy. I really did like him, that was obvious, but with his recent development of clinginess, I didn't know what to think of him. I didn't know if he had done something, was about to officially ask me out, or what.

"Have you heard from Sidney?" I couldn't help but ask. Reporters and Cops had multiplied since the arrest of Cotton Weary, it must have been overwhelming her.

"Babe, I ask you about Billy-Boy and you ask me about Sidney?" Tatum asked in shock. "Are you not into him?"

"I mean, I guess..." I slouched in my seat. "There's just been so much going on and from what you've told me about the investigation, it must be hectic for her..."

Tatum had been filling me and out friends in on everything she found out by snooping on Dewey. From what she had told us, Cotton had broken into the house and attacked Maureen after a brutal confrontation and raped her before leaving, not knowing that Sidney was there. The cops also believe that he acted alone, despite his refusal to confess.

"Dewey told me she's been a mess... She feels bad about going off on us and has been taking all of this really hard..." Tatum was uncomfortable talking about this. "But she isn't ready to face us. She's locked herself in her room."

Tatum got quiet and reached for a magazine. Despite why she told us, it was obvious that Tatum was worried about Sidney. They had been friends for so long, they did everything together before I got here. Deep down, this separation was killing her.

"But come on, tell me about Billy." She forced herself to smile. "You haven't told me anything and I've been dying to know!"

"I mean, what is there to tell?" I giggled, slowly leaning back into my seat. I honestly didn't know what to tell her.

Her eyes widened as she leaned towards me. "Come on, Sol! You can't be serious!"

"I am!" I exclaimed.

"Are you two going out or fucking?" She whispered the last part, hoping that my mom or anyone didn't hear. "I've noticed the tension between you two since you got here but after this weekend, you two have been different, especially you."

My eyes widened and I let out a lengthy sigh. "I mean, yeah, he's cool and everything but I don't even know what's going on."

I never told Tatum about Billy sneaking into my room and kissing me or when he gave me a tour of the school. We had just met and she was closer to Sidney. It didn't feel right then and it still doesn't feel right to tell her now. If I told her, she'd look at me differently.