Ignorance Is Bliss

Chapter 2

Ah, the Walter case. Where should I start?

Andrew Walter (father) is a struggling alcoholic who couldn't hold a job to save his life.

Angelica Walter (mother) is a classic slut who knows no boundaries. She's also our town's mayor. Go figure.

Elise Walter (daughter/twin #1) is addicted to Heroine, Cocaine, and Meth. Yet she still blends in with a crowd better than I've ever been able to.

Melissa Walter (daughter/twin #2) is anorexic. If my sources are correct, she throws up after every meal. And my sources are never wrong.

And Lucas Walter?

Nothing. Not one DUI, not one record of sleeping around, absolutely no trace of drugs or alcohol in his life.

So either he's the only innocent one of the family...

....or he's hiding something. I gotta find out more before I can do anything about this...

But this family? They make thousands every year from sponsors and donors, claiming to give the money to this charity or that organization. They then keep 87% of that money to themselves, pampering themselves while others suffer.

According to Kade, the twins are the mean girls of the school. They rule the halls, always followed by a band of wanna-be sluts. I consider them all to be Preps. Lucas is no better. He's always casual and laid-back with his friends. His family. His people. But to everyone outside of his circle, he's cold and withdrawn. He acts so rude and he'll abruptly leave conversations, giving only the weakest of excuses.

I don't know from experience. But I believe it. All of it. I have no reason not to.

Speaking of Kade, I hear him clear his throat from outside.

I stroll back over to my window, making sure to give my standard, slightly exaggerated eye roll. Even so, I can't help the smile slowly overtaking my features.

What an idiot.

Kade simply grins up at me as I sit on the windowsill, taking in my outfit of choice. TØP sweatpants, baggy grey t-shirt, hair pulled up in a messy bun. He eyes me for a few seconds before I jokingly say, "You gonna sit there and stare all night or are you gonna say something?"

He remains silent, so I continue speaking, the silence becoming unbearable. "Seriously, K, why the staring?"

Kade shrugs. His smile is gone, replaced by an expression that can only be described as longing. He says in a serious yet thoughtful tone, "Because you're beautiful. I enjoy looking at beautiful people, and I decided a while ago not to deny myself the simpler pleasures of existence."

"Did you just quote Augustus Waters?" I ask in an I-don't-believe-it, sort of disbelieving tone.

"Mhm," he responds, "I know how much you love that book so I decided to try reading it for myself. And for you, it would be worth it."

I feel my hand fly up to cover my heart. I really do love that book, but he didn't have to read it just for me.

But that's Kade. Caring and thoughtful, always taking the high road. And it's literally impossible to be mad at him.

Which is the problem.

I give a small sigh and put my head down, sensing where this conversation is going. "Kade, don't..."

He starts to say something, and clearly going to make this conversation worse, so before he can continue I stand up. I fake a yawn, going back into my room. "Well, I'm practically dead on my feet so I'm gonna crash. Night, Kade..."

Kade responds, sounding casual, "Night, Bex."

I hate it when Kade gets all emotional. Every once in a great while he gets stuck on what could've been. Kade and I have been best friends for as long as either of us can remember, but my brother swears up and down we hated each other in first grade. Either way, we've made an agreement to never date. Ever. Because when one of us falls, we both hit rock bottom. Never again.

I'm struck with a memory all of a sudden, from when me and Kade tried dating a year or so ago. It ruined everything, and my heart breaks all over again. I hear Kade's footsteps retreating from my backyard.

I remind myself our decision was for the best. That being best friends is enough.

It has to be.