We're Not Related Anymore...

Smile For The Camera

Bethany: Three Years Ago

I'm almost having a good time until I see Hudson. He's on the dance floor with that friend of Maddie's and they're attempting to waltz. Josh grabs my hand to lead me there as well but I dig my heels in, refusing to leave the edge of the room. 

"What's wrong?" He asks, tiredly. For once, he's combed back his blond hair and he looks handsome. He even shaved like I'd asked and he seems like the perfect prince charming. Except for when he's rolling his eyes at me. He follows my gaze and sees the laughing Tessa and Hudson in the center of the room. They're pulling funny faces at each other now that the music has changed from a slow dance to a more fun song. "What's your deal with him?" Josh asks and I attempt a nonchalant shrug. 

The truth is, I despise Hudson. I've known him all my life and all he's ever done is make me feel small. It's bad enough that I have to see him at the stables on my property every day but now he's quite literally invaded the one corner of my life that was free of him. 

"Nothing," I tell Josh. "I don't have a problem with anyone. But it's getting stuffy and I need some fresh air." What I need is some space to regain my composure before I have to deal with breathing the same air as that man.

"Do you want me to come with you?" He offers but I'm already shaking my head. He frowns but lets go of my hand as I head towards the doors leading to the quiet school hallway.

Josh is sweeter than I thought he was when I first met him. He tries to come across as tough but he's really just a big ball of mush inside. He's been my biggest, most welcome surprise this year. He sees me in a way no one else seems to, and even though it feels good to be really, really liked by someone, there's a part of me that feels hurt that his best friend has never seen what he sees. 

I shake my head as I pass by the lockers. I keep walking without a destination in sight. I hate that there's still a part of me that wishes Jacob would look at me. I've been in love with him since I've known him but he's never so much as given me an inkling of a chance. 

Maybe he's gay, I wonder, as I get to the library. But whatever the reason, I should get over it. I'm with Josh now and he's everything. 

I let myself into the library, loving how quiet it is in here. When I was younger, I used to read all the time, but I haven't had much time for it these days. I head over to the Thriller/Mystery section and run my fingers over the cracked spines of the books. I've always loved a good mystery, a case that needs solving. 

I'm just about to take a book from the shelves when a noise catches my attention. It's a laugh that turns into a moan and I wrinkle my nose. God, what's wrong with people? We're in a school for God's sake.

I know I should head back but my curiosity gets the better of me. I start inching towards where I think the sound is coming from. I keep my steps small and quiet, not wanting to be caught watching. 

A flash of pink catches my eye and I move forward, keeping myself hidden behind a bookshelf. I duck my head and peek through a gap between the shelves. Oh my God, it's Maddie fucking Culkin, I realize putting a hand to my mouth to stop the delight from turning into a laugh. Who would've thought the uptight city girl was a skank?

She's sitting on some guy's lap and it's pretty obvious what they're doing. He's pulled down the strap of her dress and the top half of her body is exposed as he kisses down her neck. 

I pull out my phone from my purse as quietly as I can. Hey, if someone's stupid enough to have sex in a public place, they should deal with the consequences. 

I hit record and as I do, the boy she's with suddenly stiffens. He leans back with his hand and tries to remove her hands that are tugging at his hair. 

"Maddie, stop," he says firmly and my body goes rigid as I recognize the voice. I almost drop my phone and alert the two to my presence when I realize she's hooking up with Jacob, my Jacob. 

I don't stop the recording as Maddie, not processing his warning just yet, continues to lean into his space. He dodges her next kiss and puts his hands roughly on her shoulders. 

"Stop," he repeats. "We have to go." Maddie blinks up at him, her lips swollen and pouty. 

"What's wrong?" She asks as he pulls up the straps of her dress to cover her again. 

"I don't know but I feel like we're being watched."

"Are there cameras in here?" She asks suddenly panicked. I end the recording as she starts looking around the room, searching for them.

"No, but let's get out of here," Jacob says, reaching for her hand and pulling her up. She stands on wobbly feet and leans her weight onto him. "Maybe there's still time to convince you to dance with me."

"Not a fat chance am I dancing with you," she says, laughing now. Her momentary panic seems to have left her. "You'd have to hold me up because my legs feel like jello right now."

"I don't mind," I hear him say. I wait until I hear the doors open and then close again before coming out of my hiding place. I play back the recording, shock, and horror warring inside of me. 

How could he? How could Jacob do such a thing with his own stepsister, I wonder as I watch the recording. I can feel my brows scrunching as I look at them. Well, I guess there goes the gay theory. It seems he is interested in girls, just not me.

I edit the footage a bit, anger making me start the video from when Jacob starts pushing her away. I end it before they start talking too much and rewatch the video. 

It looks really bad out of context like this. It looks like she's forcing herself on him and he's pushing her away. I bite my lip, my finger hovering over the trashcan. I should really delete this video but something in me tells me not to. 

Why should they get away with something like this? Their parents are married for Christ's sake and if it wasn't for this little skank, Jacob wouldn't have finally noticed me this year. But no, she came in and swooped him away from me and she had no right. Especially when they're related to each other. 

I press the share button on my phone instead and pull up the Instagram icon. I quickly search for our school's gossip/confessions page, and send them the video.

I add a quick text under the video. 

Say it's from an anonymous source. The girl in the video is Maddie Culkin. I'm sure of it. The guy might be her stepbrother. 

There's still time to un-send the message and video but I don't. Instead, I exit out of the app and delete the original video from my phone and then from my Deleted Pictures folder. 

Smoothing out my hair, I put my phone back into my purse and march out of the library like nothing ever happened in here.