How I Saved Harley Matthews

Chapter Three: Lettered Confidential

My hands were firmly crossed over my chest as I waited patiently on the backside of the school. My head was swimming in my most recent call.

Harley had agreed to meet me, but of course he was late. I was beginning to think he wasn't going to show. I don't know why this surprised me, people like Harley and I weren't known to associate. Not that either of us were popular because we weren't.

He had his group of common thieves, shady manipulators, dirty minded and no standard having men and few women.

As for me, my friends were mostly respectful, generally carefree, intelligent students and independent ladies. We had our guy best friend, but to our knowledge, he was nothing like Harley or his friends.

A heavy sigh left my lips, and I turned around on my heels. The burnt red brick building faced me as the heat Alabama fall clouded my exposed skin. I rolled my eyes, "Forget it." I mumbled and slightly turned to leave.

I was jerked back by my waist, and a hand cupped over my mouth. I struggled against the tight hold and flew forward when I was released.

I stumbled froward and turned around to face my greedy attacker, Harley Mathews. "What the hell Harley!" I yelled as he laughed. I waited for a response, but he only continued chuckling. "You know what, forget I even called. I should have just turned you in the minute you left my house." I said irritatedly.

Briskly rotating around, I started walking off. "But you didn't!" He called, and I only continued to to walk. "Come on Bellarose! It was a joke!"

I stopped my stride as I saw a familiar truck ease into the parking lot. That was Emma's truck, and I knew it anywhere. She pulled in next to a shiny black truck that belonged to Gabe of course.

I quickly spun around and shouted, "What was! The fire or that!"

He thought for a second before speaking. "Come here, and I'll explain."

"You didn't answer my question!" I called.

"You haven't given me a proper chance to." He said, and I hesitated before walking forward.

"Okay. Explain now." I demanded as I looked up at his lanky frame.

"Okay, but first you must promise me one thing. You can't leave until I finish explaining, deal?" He proposed.

"Deal." I mumbled, making Harley smirk.

"Good." He said, and he reached for me turning me around swiftly. My back was slammed against his torso which seemed never ending. My breathing hitched as I froze. "This was a joke." He mumbled into my ear before releasing me again. He walked over to the door leading into the back of the school.

"What are you doing?" I asked in an astonishment once I regained my breath.

"Getting out of this heat? The humidity is like forty five percent." He complained as he shook the door.

"The school is locked durning the weekends Harley."

"No shit Sherlock." He said, and I shifted on my feet with anger.

Harley squatted down to eye level with the lock, and moments later there was a small click. He pulled the door open and called over his shoulder, "Let's go Bellarose."

I sighed and stalked into the brick building. Harley began walking down a hallway lined with lockers, and I fell in place beside him. We walked in silence for awhile before he spoke.

"A couple of my buddies and me were joking around last night, and somehow we came across the subject of the homecoming bonfire. Things happened here and there, and one thing led to another. They talked me into starting the fires because petty theft wasn't enough to please them anymore." He said, letting the silence fall around us.

We turned the corner, and I said, "What do you mean petty theft wasn't enough anymore."

"My friends." He said putting emphasis on the word. "They have this motto that to stay you have to pay in a way. So some take cars, others tag the towns historical buildings, a few try to see how many girls they can get with, and I just steal... Until that wasn't good enough."

"Well maybe you should get better friends." I mumbled softly.

"Well I'm not as privileged as you, am I Audin." He spat using my actual name, making it sound foreign on his tongue. I didn't like the way he used it. "My friends accept me for me. Like any one of your preppy friends would gladly volunteer to be seen with me for a day much less be a friend."

He was very temperamental person, and I didn't want to push his buttons too much. I stayed quiet after that, and we roamed the hallways in silence.

Soft talking slowly became more noticeable. I began to lag behind Harley as he walked directly towards the voices. "... So do you like the more fearsome look?" Gabe asked, and I reached for Harley in hope of stopping him from creating a commotion between us and them.

Harley only continued to drag me forward and around the final corner. I was slung around the edge, and we found Emma and Gabe were positioned around Lockhart Bear crest embedded into the floor.

Emma's blue eyes shot towards me as I was still grasping Harley's arm. Confusion was painted on her face, and I couldn't give her anything in response. I let go of Harley, and he took little notice.

"Why are you two here?" Gabe asked as he stood up. He looked towards me and then to Harley.

"That's none of your business Lamanteer." Harley spat.

"It's Gabe, Harley."

"Whatever Lamanteer. We'll let you two get back to your date. Let's go Bellarose." He said and pulled me along by my wrist.

He proceeded to yank me forward until we were in front of the school. "I hate that prick." He yelled, making my body tense.

"W-why?" I stuttered, but he didn't pick up on it.

"He prances around this school like he's a king with all of his money rolling out of his pockets, and he thinks that he's so much better than everyone else." Harley ranted.

I remained mute the entire time even when he turned to look at me. His ice cold eyes were grey and firm. The composer of his face broke into laughter. I stood motionless in front of him as he laughed at my face.

"You- you have a thing for him, don't you?" I didn't move I just looked away from his intense stare. "You know I though it was nothing in the principals office but now, now I'm sure. Audin Bellarose has a crush on the almighty Gabriel Lamanteer!"

"Shut up Harley!" I yelled as I started to walk away.

"You should know he has quite a desire to your best friend!" Harley taunted.

Fury pulsed though my veins as I promenade away quickly. Harley was nothing but trouble, and I need to stay away from everything he was apart of.

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A/N: Hello,

What did you guys think? Things moved kinda quickly at the beginning of the book, but I have great plans for this story. I'll upload the next chapter soon!

Gabriel Lamanteer is played by Marcus Butler.

Bye everyone!