The Fallen Officer's Son

11. Carson

"Carson Walker," I cringed at the sound of my name being shouted across the hall earning looks from the passing students. Roxy was running at full speed down the hall with a very displeased look on her face. I gave her a nervous smile as she reached me. "Where the hell were you during lunch yesterday?"

"Hey, Roxy," I smiled and she raised a brow waiting patiently for me to tell her where I had been and why I missed lunch with her. "I was with Dolan. We went to the aquarium during lunch."

Roxy's scowl deepened as she crossed her arms and leaned against the lockers. "You ditched me for Dolan?" she exclaimed, her voice echoing in the crowded hallway. "We had plans to study for the chemistry test, Carson. You know how important that is to me."

I winced at her words and shifted uncomfortably. "I know, I'm sorry. But it was an impromptu thing."

She sighed and said, "ever since you've started hanging out with Dolan, you've been ditching me to be with him, what's going on between you two?" I bit my cheek and avoided looking at her, "and don't say it's nothing, Carson."

"Let's walk to class before we're late," I said and she narrowed her eyes, "and I'll tell you."

We walked to class and I could hear the passing students whispering but ignored them. "Well?"

she said as soon as we sat down.

I took a deep breath and looked at her. "Okay, I'll be honest with you. Dolan and I have just been spending a lot of time together because we have a project to work on. It's nothing more than that, I promise."

She raised an eyebrow, "Really? Because it seems like you've been avoiding me to be with him."

I felt guilty and reached for her hand, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel that way. You're my best friend and I wouldn't trade our friendship for anything."

She sighed and nodded, "Okay, I guess I overreacted. Just don't forget about our plans for this weekend, okay?"

I smiled and squeezed her hand, "I won't. I promise."

As the bell rang, we gathered our things and headed to our next class. I was relieved that we had cleared the air and I made a mental note to make more time for my best friend in the future.

****

The last thing I had expected to hear when I walked out of my final class with Dolan, was Roxy talking about me.

"He's so gullible," She was saying and I stoped in my tracks along with Dolan who looked down at me with concern, "he's so easy to manipulate it's sad really."

"I still can't believe how you managed to make him think you were his friend," Miles said with a laugh and I swallowed the knot in my throat while Dolan placed a hand on my shoulder offering his comfort that is as more than happy to accept. "He and Dolan will pay for getting Jack and Jerry arrested."

"I'm surprised you weren't jailed like those two had been," Roxy said and Miles was silent for a moment.

"They couldn't find anything to hold against me."

"And I'm sure if you pretend to be sorry, Carson won't hesitate to forgive you," Roxy laughed, a sarcastic laugh that chilled me. I grabbed Dolan'a hand and pulled him away not wanting to hear more of Roxy and Miles conversation.

"Are you okay?" Dolan asked as I felt my throat close and tears to burn my eyes. I never knew betrayal could hurt this much. I nodded, trying to compose myself.