Pavane for a Lost Boy (Or Rather, How to Survive Loss after Rejection)

Chapter Fifty-Five

A/N: Play the song in the header when you see the next A/N. Caution! Sexual moment may not be suitable for the faint-hearted. Reader discretion is advised!

Dear journal,

Betrayal.

It's a bitter pill to swallow and a deadly bitch from hell who can pack a punch, especially when it comes to a closely-guarded secret that you wanted to keep to yourself and your inner circle of friends whom you could truly trust with all your heart.

And in my case, Ryan "Tainted-Golden-Boy" Peavey- the one jock whom I guessed was full of secrets and lies, was someone who was the man behind the biggest scandal that was currently the hot topic of the day at Pacifica Glades High as he released the one secret that I hoped never to be revealed. And I bet it was because I constantly rebuffed his advances and broke his heart after revealing my plans to never want him and only wanted Oliver.

I had a feeling that Jillian Kendricks was right on the money about me facing the consequences of attending that party after the football game. And I bet that the outcome would've been the same if I didn't end up going and stayed home like everyone in my circle suggested. In either case, I'm dealing with this hot mess right now and yet I knew that I would have to face the crtiticizing stares and harsh gazes from my classmates as the coup de grace has me fallen from grace.

And Ryan Peavey and Theo Blake (the Goth punk who was the male version of my late mother) were to blame.

"I can't believe that Peavey and Blake had the balls to reveal that you were a love child to the whole school," Gianna spat angrily as she, Jose, Oliver, my foster family, and the McGillivray/Sullivan clan were holding camp after I was swiftly released from school for the rest of the week (courtesy of the Callaways). "This shit right here makes me want to go to their houses and knock some  sense into their asses."

"You're not the only one," Holly replied as her mom served lemonade and sandwiches to everyone, me being given extra servings just as her boyfriend, Serenity, and Epiphany arrived with pastries from the coffee shop. "I just heard that Ryan's dad raced over to the school and landed punches upon his own son when he found out. Mr. Blake and his fiance did the same to Theo, the main shit-starter of the gang."

"Well, it's what they deserved," Derrick agreed, "and I just heard from Moseley that Ryan's off the football team effective immediately and is suspended for a month. Coach Wilborn was pissed off at him as was everyone else there."

"What about Jillian?" Serenity wanted to know, accepting a cup of lemonade.

"Damned if I know and double-damned if I want to care," I couldn't help but reply, "but she was with me during break and being under watch by Vice-Principal Callaway, so I guess she's not on the hate-list for today. Then again, she might as well be after her crazy suggestion to keep her godbrother off my back."

"What did she say this time?" Javi asked in exasperation. "This ought to be good."

I took a deep breath. "She warned me that neither Theo nor Ryan would stop from getting what they want- the former wanting me dead while Ryan just wants me for himself. And she was afraid that things might go out of hand, so she suggested that I date Ryan and Oliver."

"WHAT?" Epiphany screeched.

"Is that bitch losing her mind?!" Serenity bellowed, her manicured fists clenched tight

Derrick scoffed. "Bro, tell me that you're not giving this suggestion some thought," he said to me.

I shot him a glare. "Of course not," I replied hotly. "I told her no and reminded her that Oliver is thee ONLY one that I want to be with."