Destined... | Anthony 'Ant' Vaugn

013 The Bitch is Gone, Expulsion!

The Sheriff 
Part 1 

"What do you reckon, aye?" Cash asks us, breaking the tension.

After the rumor had spread like wildfire, the entire school had assumed SLTS was canceled. None of us had bothered to show up to the class and instead gathered in the quad. I sat on the bench in front of Ant, leaning back against him while he stood behind me. Across from me, Missy was perched on the opposite bench, her eyes scanning the group.

"I mean, it makes sense. Jojo's a clit banger," Spider says, his usual smirk plastered across his face.

I scoff loudly. "Oh, did she tell you that, then?"

Spider ignores my jab, pressing on. "She's always asking Amerie to stay back after class."

"Yeah, to tidy up. Not to get a trim, Jesus," Darren interjects, his tone dripping with disbelief. "The whole thing's bullshit."

"Why do you think the person who made the rumor wants to stay anonymous?" Sasha asks, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"Yeah, well, if someone made this up, it's a pretty messed-up thing to do," Missy says pointedly, her gaze shifting toward Harper, who's leaning against a tree a few feet away, watching us.

"Yeah, like why would someone even do that?" Ant adds, shaking his head.

"Yeah, nice one, Harps," Spider says, raising his voice just enough to make sure Harper hears him. She looks over, her expression blank but wary. "Really outdone yourself this time," he adds, dragging out the really for emphasis.

"Just leave it, man. At least SLTS is canceled," Dusty says, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.

"Oi," Dusty suddenly says, pointing toward the path. We all turn to see Amerie walking by with her mum, her face tight and unreadable.

"Here comes the minge muncher," Spider quips, earning a smack on the arm from me.

"Bro, shut up. You know it's not true," I snap, my patience wearing thin.

"Babes," Darren calls out to Amerie, his voice softer. She only shrugs, her expression guarded as she walks past us.

"Walk of shame," Spider mutters under his breath, ignoring my glare. I smack his arm again, harder this time.

"Stop," I hiss, but he just shrugs me off with a smug grin.

Before I can say anything else, we see Miss Obah descending the stairs, a police officer trailing behind her. The quad goes eerily quiet as everyone watches.

"That's what happens when you scissor a student," Spider says, his tone flippant. This time, I don't even bother hitting him—I just roll my eyes in exasperation.

All eyes follow Miss Obah as she walks across the courtyard, the officer close behind. Darren calls out, "Miss!"

She turns her head slightly, her face stoic, but keeps walking without a word, disappearing out of sight.

~~ 

I head to Harry's, hoping to find Darren. Everyone else is busy, and I don't feel like sitting at home alone, so visiting them seems like the best idea. As I walk in, I immediately spot them sitting in a booth with Quinni and Amerie. Perfect.

Even though I'm still mad at Amerie for everything she did to Malakai, a pang of guilt hits me. The Jojo rumors are brutal, and no one deserves that. Sighing, I decide to sit with them anyway. Amerie is stuffing her face with chips when Darren clears their throat, breaking the awkward silence.