The Fallen Officer's Son

12. Dolan

"You really had us fooled, Roxy," I said as I stood behind the girl as she took her things out of her locker. She froze and looked at me through the little mirror plastered on her locker.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Roxy replied, trying to sound casual as she continued to gather her books.

I rolled my eyes and pulled out my phone before pressing play. I had recorded the small snippet of the conversation Roxy and Miles had in order to confront her before Carson got to school.

"He's so gullible," she looked at me, "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. "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,"

I stopped the recording and looked at Roxy, who was now pale and speechless. "I can't believe you would do that to Carson," I said, "but then again, I had a feeling that there was something about you that I didn't trust and I was right to be wary of you."

She didn't say anything, so I kept going, "You were his first friend in this school and yet you used him and pretended to be his friend and even stood up for him but now that we know the truth, we know it was all an act."

"What do you mean "we"?" She asked as she looked at me "please tell me Carson doesn't know about that."I chuckled lightly shaking my head.

"He knows, he was with me when we overheard you and Miles talking."

And it was as if the mask she wore fell and she smirked, "god it feels so good to no longer be kind to that guy," I clenched my jaw as anger surged through me. How could someone be so heartless? Carson is the nicest, sweetest guys I've ever met and the fact that he's hurt because of that girl, just makes me angry.

"You're heartless," I said through greeted teeth and she smirked as she shrugged, I leaned in and whispered in her ear making her tense, "but remember one thing, Roxy, what goes around comes around."

"Jack and Jerry never got in trouble until that faggot started school here," she snarled an ugly look taking over her face, "and you," she pointing a finger at me, "you are also responsible for my brother and boyfriend going to jail. You ruined their lives by sending that recording of them discussing how to get rid of Carson."

"Jack, Jerry and Miles ruined themselves," I said, "and Miles only got off because he wasn't one of the guys threatening to kill Carson."

"CARSON IS AN ABOMINATION!" She shouted earning glances from the passing students who stopped and stared at us.

"I'm glad that you finally decided to tell the truth of how you actually feel about me," I froze as did Roxy as we both turned to see Carson standing behind me.

He had a calm yet determined look on his face, and he continued, "I heard everything you just said, Roxy. And let me tell you something - your hatred and intolerance will only lead to your own downfall. You can't go around hurting people and expect to get away with it."

Roxy clenched her jaw as the lingering students whispered among themselves about how Roxy was a backstabber or how she shouldn't be trusted or she wasn't a good friend. Roxy's face turned red with anger as she realized the extent of the damage she had caused with her hateful words. Carson's calm demeanor seemed to unnerve her, and she turned on her heel and stormed away, pushing past the crowd of students that had gathered.

The moment Roxy left, Carson's confident attitude deflated, his shoulders slumped and a sigh left his lips.

It was then that I realized how much this situation had affected him. I approached him cautiously, not wanting to intrude on his thoughts, but also wanting to offer my support.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly. He looked up and I saw tears in his eyes making my heart sink. I quickly pulled him against me. I could still feel the tension in his body as he clung to me, and I let him cry, just holding him as he let it all out. After a few moments, Carson finally pulled away and wiped his eyes, trying to compose himself.

"I never thought Roxy would do something like this," he said, his voice hoarse with emotion.

I nodded, not sure what to say. It was clear that Carson was hurt, and I couldn't blame him. Roxy's betrayal had cut deep, but I knew I had to be there for him, to support him through this difficult time.

"I'm here for you, Carson," I said, "now come, let's get you out of here."

"Where?" He asked with a sniffle and I smiled.

"How does going for ice cream and to the zoo sound?"

****

Skipping school one day was good for Carson as he was smiling and enjoying the trip to the zoo. He seemed to have forgotten all about the drama with Roxy, at least temporarily. We laughed and talked as we wandered around the zoo, admiring the animals and enjoying each other's company. It felt like a weight had been lifted off Carson's shoulders, and I was glad that I could offer him some relief from the stress and hurt he had been feeling.

As we sat down for some ice cream, Carson turned to me with a grateful look in his eyes. "Thanks for being there for me, and for standing up to Roxy," he said.

"I will always have your back," I told him with a smile.

He smiled and took a bite of his ice cream, looking content for the first time in what felt like forever. I knew that the drama with Roxy hadn't gone away completely, but I was glad to see Carson feeling a little better. We sat in comfortable silence for a while before Carson finally spoke up again.

"I can't believe she was pretending to be my friend this whole time," he said, shaking his head. "It hurts, but I guess it's better to know the truth."

"Definitely," I agreed, "it's always better to know who your true friends are."

After we finished our ice cream, we wandered around the zoo a little more before heading back to the real world. It was clear that Carson was feeling a little lighter after our day out, and I was grateful to see him smiling and laughing again. As we drove to his house —school had long since ended—he turned to me.

"Thanks again for today," he said. "I really needed it."

"Anytime," I replied, "I'm always here for you, no matter what."

I pulled up to his house and parked my car next to his mother's car, "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"You bet," I replied and he grinned before giving me a hug that took me by surprise but nonetheless returned it before he got out and headed inside. I smiled and shook my head as my heart raced. This little crush on him was going to be the end of me. I drove home with a smile on my face, grateful that I could be there to support him during tough times. The situation with Roxy was far from over, but I was determined to stick by Carson's side and help him navigate through the challenges that lay ahead. He was a good friend, and I was determined to be there for him, no matter what.