Butterfly

49. The Best Thing.

Chapter Forty-Nine: The Best Thing.

♡ Jessica Washington ♡

The next week of school finishes quickly, as before I know it, it's Friday. River and I haven't really confirmed our relationship, because most people assumed that it was already official, so there wasn't much point. At the moment, I'm in a free period with River doing English revision. Well, I'm doing revision. River is just sat next to me complaining that he wants to get a drink because he's thirsty. I keep telling him to go get one, but apparently he's incapable of going alone. He also wants to talk about what our plans are for university, but I don't know what to say.

"I just think that we need to talk about it, just so we both know what's going happen after graduation," River tells me, and I sigh, putting my pen down. Don't get me wrong, I want to talk about it, I just don't know what to say about it. 

"Okay, talk to me," I say, turning to face him. 

"So you're...what? Six hours and twenty minutes away from Edinburgh, right? Unless you want to go to university single? What do you plan on doing?" River questions, and I smile, rolling my eyes.

"If I wanted to go to university I never would have dated you, so," I reply, rolling my eyes. River smiles, shrugging his shoulders slightly.

"Okay, good. Obviously we won't have time during the week to meet, but we could maybe do every other weekend so we should be able to keep up with the mountain of work that we'll most likely have. Then in the holidays we could meet for a few days, and we can obviously text and everything when we want, so it should be fine, yeah?" River suggests, and I nod, smiling.

"Sounds good to me," I agree, glad that he seems to be on the same page as me. Having this conversation makes me wonder what Olivia's plans are with Tyler, considering she is taking a gap year while Tyler is going to Edinburgh University with River. How come River, the sociable one, gets to go to university with his best friend while I, the unsociable one, goes to university alone? 

"Good, because I really hope that it works out," River smiles, kissing my hand softly before I go back to my revising. River groans slightly, before reluctantly continuing the English revision himself. I feel better now that we've talked about it, but I don't think I'll be able to dispel the small not of anxiety and worry about this actually taking place until we're in the situation. 

We revise for the rest of the free period, before I go to my History lesson while River has another free period. The history lesson is just spent going over the work from the beginning of the course, and then soon later, it is lunch time. When the bell rings, I stand up and walk into the lunch hall where Olivia and Tyler are sat down, along with Bella.

"Jessica, hello! I've been trying to find you all day but apparently you're an expert at hiding. I'm having a party tomorrow because my parents are away and I would love it if you could come? Everyone else is coming," Bella invites me, and I smile, shaking my head slightly.

"I would, but I've got rev-" I start to decline, before someone suddenly places their hands on my hips, making me jump, as they interrupt me.

"She's coming. Say thank you for inviting you," River interrupts, and I roll my eyes.

"Thanks for inviting me," I reluctantly agree, and Bella smiles brightly, before sitting down at the table. River sits down opposite me and next to Tyler, so Bella sits down next to him while I sit next to Olivia, who is opposite Tyler.

"You're welcome," Bella smiles, before her smile suddenly drops when she sees somebody she must recognise enter the hall through the door behind me. I frown in confusion, about to turn around and look, only for Bella to grab my arm in protest.

"It's my sister, ," Bella says, her face pale with what I assume is shock. I remember Bella's twin sister, Harriet. She was around when I was dating Tyler, and she played a massive part in spreading the rumour about me to the school. She's like an extreme version of Bella, except she's much worse. At least, she was. Who knows what she is like now after being at the psychiatric hospital? Not even Bella, apparently.

"Surely you've seen her since she left?" Olivia questions, confused. Bella shakes her head, biting her lip.

"No, my parents always visited her, but I never wanted to. My parents said that she was almost unrecognisable, that she had changed a lot since she left and that she really wanted to see me, but I could never bring myself to go. I guess it was silly to think that I could just never see her again," Bella explains, sighing as she catches her sister's eyes. I assume her sister smiles at her, because a fake smile crosses her face.

"Well, she must be recognisable because you saw her the second the door opened," Olivia mutters,  most likely also remembering Harriet.

"Dearest sister, I have missed you terribly, where's my welcome home hug?" Harriet smiles, and I watch Bella grit her teeth slightly as she stands up to hug her. By this point, most people are looking at us now, surprised to see the return of the familiar face. Well, she seems nice. 

"Sorry for the surprise, I just couldn't wait to see you so I thought I'd come now. I've missed you so much, Bells," Harriet apologises, before looking round the table. I wonder if she can even remember me.

"River, is that you? When did you come back?" Harriet asks, and I raise an eyebrow at River, who is blushing slightly. Wow, I've never seen him look so awkward.

"Only the start of the school year," River replies, as Harriet leans forward to kiss his cheek and hug him.

"And Marcus, Tom, Tyler...wow, I've missed this place," Harriet smiles, hugging Tyler, Marcus and Tom as well. And then Harriet's eyes catch mine and Harriet looks surprised.

"And if it isn't Jessica Washington. Don't tell me you're back with Tyler? And Olivia, wow," Harriet smiles, almost in awe. 

"No, I'm not with Tyler," I reply, rolling my eyes slightly.

"Well, You've climbed up the social ladder since I last saw you," Harriet grins, wrapping her arms round me to hug me. I try to ignore how strange this whole situation is, considering how she always used to say all sorts of things about me. But I'm not about to remind her.

"Well, what can I say, sleeping with Tyler is the best thing that's ever happened to me," I joke, smirking slightly. Harriet grins, showing off her perfect white teeth. 

"I thought mum and dad were going to see you tomorrow," Bella states in confusion, and Harriet smiles, shaking her head.

"No, they're going away for the weekend because I wanted to spend some quality time with you considering I haven't seen you since they dragged me away. But then I heard that you're throwing a party tomorrow night. It's almost as if you knew I was coming, we could make it a welcome home party. Me, you, Ava, and Olivia could all get ready at your house before the party, it's going to be great," Harriet takes control, smiling enthusiastically. Bella grits her teeth at her lack of power over the situation, forcing a smile.

"Sounds great, we can all meet tomorrow morning so we can go shopping then get ready together," Bella reluctantly agrees, before bell rings for the end of lunch, so I leave to go to my next lesson, dreading tomorrow.