It Started with a Dare

36

The next day at school was anything but normal. Ridge waited for me by the front door. Emilee looked at me then glared at Ridge. "Can you give us a moment?" I asked, shocking both Emilee and Ridge.

She nodded hesitantly then went into the school. I looked at Ridge. "I'll give you five minutes," I said.

He started after I finished my sentence. "Braelyn, you do not know how sorry I am. That dare went too far, and I know how bad I hurt you. But, I seriously fell in love with you. That wasn't a lie. I am in love with, and with you ignoring me, it hurts. It hurts so much," he said.

I looked away. "Is that all?" I asked, trying to hold the tears back.

"Yes," he said.

"Well, I'll keep that in mind," I said then made my inside.

He followed after me. "Am I forgiven?"

"No," I said. "I just wanted to hear what you needed to say. That's it. You shattered me." The tears blurred my vision, and I blinked them back. "Please, Ridge. I'm begging you. Just leave me alone."

I walked away before he could see the tears. I wiped them away hurriedly as I met Emilee, Marcus, and Xavier by my locker. They looked at me with concern.

"You okay?" Xavier asked.

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I just needed to hear what he needed to say. That's all," I replied.

"You don't need to he-"

"Xavier," Emilee interrupted.

He looked at her then at me. He nodded then took off in the opposite direction. I watched him go then hit my head on the locker. "He thinks I'm stupid for listening to Ridge, doesn't he?"

"No, it's not that," Marcus said, laying a hand on my shoulder. "He's just going through some things right now."

"Braelyn," someone said. I turned and groaned when I saw Carly walking over to me. "May I talk to you?"

"Why? So, you can ruin my life, too?" I asked.

Carly looked at me with pleading eyes. "Please."

I sighed and shut my locker. "Fine. Let's go," I said.

"Brae-"

"I'll be fine," I said, interrupting Emilee. I followed Carly down the hall. "Right here's fine."

She looked at me. "Wren is a terrible person, and what she has done to you is wrong. I'm sorry that I stood by her while she did all of those things. She was blackmailing me."

"What do you mean blackmailing you?" I asked.

"My twin brother, Will, got drunk one night and hit a girl. Wren caught it on video. I just found out that she had deleted it a long time ago, and I felt so bad for not sticking up for you," Carly said.

"Why is everyone apologizing to me today?" I asked.

She sighed, "You're not a bad person. Wren's jealous. I can't believe I stood by her. I should've let her post the video. Will was going to juvey anyway."

"It's fine. Don't worry about it, Carly," I said then made my way to class.
××××××
I made my way to the kitchen. Mom was upstairs taking a much needed nap. I made myself a sandwich then headed up to my room. I turned on the TV and sat on my bean bag chair. A marathon of Law and Order: SVU was on, so I decided to leave it on.

I finished my sandwhich, and that's when my door opened. Emilee poked her head in. Tears streamed down her face. "What's wrong?"

"I cheated on Marcus."

"What?" I asked.

"At a party, about two months ago. I got drunk and made out with a guy," she said. "When I told you that I didn't want you to make a decision you'll regret, that's what I was referring to. It's eating me alive, and I needed someone to talk to."

"Who was it?" I asked.

"All I know was that his name was Kai," Emilee said. "I can't believe I cheated on him." Tears poured down her face.

I went over to her. "Emilee, calm down, and tell me everything," I said, and so, she did.

When she finished, she rubbed her face. "What do I do?" she asked.

I sighed, "You have to tell Marcus everything. Explain to him what happened."

Emilee had tears pouring down her face. "Can I invite him over here?" she asked. "I would feel better knowing that you were here."

I nodded. "Yeah."
××××××
Ten minutes later, Marcus pulled into the parking lot. I waited at the top of the stairs while they talked in my room. Mom made her way out of her room. "What are you doing-"

I motioned for her to be quiet. Then, my door opened, and Marcus stormed out then down the stairs. "Marcus!" Emilee called.

I looked at her. She had tears pouring down her face. "He didn't even say anything," she cried.

I sighed and made my way into my room, giving Mom a look that said that I would tell her later. I shut my door then lead Emilee to my bed. We laid down, and I conforted her while she cried herself to sleep.