Creep

And then, the truth (ch. 11)

A week went by before I had the guts to show my face at school again. Meanwhile, Harlee and I have been trying to figure out who posted the photo. Nothing so far. I haven't been to the house since Bella was put in jail.

I take a deep breath and walk through the pathway to school. I get a few stares, but I try my best to ignore them.

Theo looks at me, but doesn't come up to me like I expected. A reddish purple wound is now upon his once flawless face. Tears fill my eyes and I just stand there like an idiot.

He finally comes up to me and sweeps me into a hug. I try to say "I'm sorry" but it comes out as a croak. "It's okay you don't need to say anything." He squeezes me tight once more, then lets go. "I understand you were scared and confused and you just acted compulsively." He frowns. I nod but don't look him in the eye. "Besides... It didn't hurt that much." He laughs nervously and I can tell it was a lie. "Come one let me walk you to class." He smiles.

Imogen never shows up and everyone seemed to keep their distance from me except Ms. Winston. "You doing okay honey?" She asks with sympathy. "Umm yeah I expected you to yell at me." I shrug. "Shit happens. I was your age once and all the shittiest shit happened." She grins and I laugh quietly. "Take care of yourself okay?" She says and I nod.

When I get outside school, I see Harlee waiting for me with a blank expression on her face. She seems extra pale. She is next to a tall Hispanic girl wearing loads of make up. "Hi I'm Talia, I am friends with Imogens cousin." She shakes my hand. "Talia is really good with computers and she found out some information." Harlee says.

We all sit down on the bench and Taila shows a bunch of codes and URLs. "What does this mean?" I ask. "I took the photo on Imogen's phone." Harlee answers. "Shit." I mutter. "Maybe.. Ben found it?" I question. "No.. I already asked him he swore he's never been on Imogens phone and she hasn't talked to him since the night of the dance." Harlee says. My heart drops. My best friend... Why would she do this? "I gotta go but thanks for your help." I tell them and quickly walk all the way to Imogen's house.

I angrily bang on her door. No answer. I pick up a rock and throw it at her window. "I KNOW IT WAS YOU!" I yell and throw another. She opens her front door. I get closer and she looks like a mess.

"Why?" I ask blankly. "I started liking Theo right around the time you did. He would always flirt with you and ignore my presence. And I acted like I wanted you guys to get together. I acted so happy when I heard you two were going to the dance. I acted so happy....." She looks away.

"SO YOU POSTED IT BECAUSE YOU LIKE HIM??!" I yell. "I fucking hate you.. It's not fair Cass. It's not fucking fair." She cries. "What isn't fair?" I ask. "You were a nobody before you met me.. And now everyone knows you. Everyone fucking likes you." She wipes away her tears. "What the hell are you saying?" I ask angrily. "I told Dan you liked him a lot and that you might act like you don't, but you do. That's why he was all over you. I thought if you went out with Dan.. Theo would move on." She looks at the ground, ashamed.

"And I didn't know he was gonna do that to you at the cafe... I had no idea. And jeez, it made you even more popular." She snickers. I look her straight in the face, ball up my fist and just stay still. Seconds go by and instead of punching her, I walk away. Leaving everything behind.