𝐁𝐀𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄

Chapter 19: New Girl

Alice

Dinner was silent as usual, I ate my food while Aaron tossed green beans at me with his fork, I rolled my eyes and kicked him in the leg, he humphs and kicked me back, I maintained my groan and kicked him back, harder.

He coughs up his food and leans back on his chair while I release a laugh, "Aaron! Alice!" Father hollered, and my smile dropped along with Aarons, "Sorry" we both muttered at once, he cleared his throat and took a sip of his water before putting a smile on.

"I have some news" he beams, catching all of our attention, "I'm running for mayor again"

....

Crickets were the only thing I could hear, "Okay" Aaron chewed on his food shrugging causing me to smile again,
"Honey that's amazing!" Mom shook him on the shoulder, "Yeah father...Congrats" I gulp, "Who's the rival?" My father's smile even grew from my question.

He looked...kinda proud, I never ask about politics neither do I care about them, but I just had the urge to ask, "Kenna Graham-" Before he could finish his sentence I spit out some water, why is it always me?

I glance at Aaron who had rolled his eyes at me, "She's already losing, she has drunk of a husband and reckless kids, if she can't even control her own damn family what makes you think she can run a town" Aaron snaps, Mother cleared her throat in a warning for him to keep quiet.

"So...it's not her fault her kids and husband are like that" I catch everyone's attention again, my father having a frown on his face along with Aarons, "Are you on their side now?" Aaron snarls toward me, I scoff and fold my arms across my chest,
"I didn't say that! I'm just saying it's not her fault" I shout back.

"Enough!" Father bangs his fist against the table, causing the food to tremble from his strength, "Both of you cut it off, We aren't getting into this tonight, just go to your rooms"

I rolled my eyes but without hesitation, I stormed from my seat out of the dining room while Aaron followed behind, I stormed upstairs when suddenly Aaron called for me.

I roll my eyes and ignore him heading for my room-

Suddenly he grasped my wrist forcing me to look at him, "What's going on with you?" he frowned, "What?! just because I'm defending an innocent woman-"
"She's our rival and so are her sons, you should know that" he points his finger at me but I smack it away.

"Why do you still have this hate toward Greyson your both on the Pumas so why do you two hate each other so much?!" I shouted, he scoffed and arched a brow, "he's running everything! My spot in hockey, my reputation-"

"Is that what this is about? Because he's getting all the girls to drool all over his feet? he doesn't even have a good reputation, Aaron! every guy fears him, he's the bad boy and a player, and your the golden boy with good grades"

His scowl slowly disappeared and the grasp on my wrist loosened, "There's a rumor going around you two are fucking around behind my back, oh 'The school golden girl is fucking her brother's rival ad the bad boy at school' he spoke in a taunting tone, what? who started these rumors?! Why hasn't anyone said anything to my face?

I gulped my eyes widening in shock, "And there's also a photo, of you two in baking class" he took a step closer closing the gap between us both, "Tell me it's not true, you didn't go behind my back and started messing with the guy I utterly hate"

I shake my head back and forth, "It's not true, he's my lab partner in baking class and we have a project together" he smiles and wraps his arms around my neck, I hug him back feeling guilt drop into my stomach.

What did you expect me to say? 'Yeah, he got hard in baking class and I felt honry for the first time?!

I'll just have to keep that to myself, "I know you wouldn't do that to me, and date a guy like him, he's a bad influence on you"

❆

I stormed inside the school, people already putting up fake smiles and waves, "Hey Alice looking good-" The first girl that came up, I walked up to her without fear, and asked.

"Who started these rumors?" I demanded, "I don't know but trust me no one believes it you wouldn't do something like that" I slightly smiled, "Thanks"

"No problem...Grace just moved here" I arched a brow as she handed me her hand, but I took it, "New and already know who I am" I smiled, "Yeah... the Mayfield twins Everyone basically talks about you both, including the Graham triplets and the drama between you guys"

She gulps, was she nervous? "What's wrong?" I asked, "People are staring," I glanced around the room, realizing people were staring not just at her, but at both of us, I sighed knowing why.

"I never talk to anyone besides my friends-" realization hits me like rock bottom, oh no this poor girl, I glance around the room again catching girls giving her a dirty look, they were jealous I was speaking to her, What if they bully her for speaking to me?! or she's the talk of the school?!

I can't let that happen.

"Hey, Grace when do you have lunch?"
"Uh, seventh period-"
"Perfect you should join me and my friends, see you around" I wave her goodbye, surprise spreading throughout her face as I walk away, she seems nice, I hope.

As I was making my way to my first-period class, I overheard shouts coming from a hallway, curiously I glanced-

Oh my fucking god.