An Exchange

Chapter Thirty-Four - Cheater

Penny

Jonas leaped out of the car and ran after his friends as they disappeared into the school grounds. Giles and I walked at a normal pace toward the gate, when Maria rushed out at me. "Penny, I need to talk to you."

I grabbed her forearms. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Oh Penny, we feel so terrible for you." Zara walked over to us from among the cars with one of her friends. "You must be devastated."

Maria clung to my hands. "Please come with me so we can talk."

"Don't you know yet, Penny? Ryan slept with one of the cheerleaders on Friday night. I guess he hasn't changed at all."

They rushed by us into the school.

The look on Maria's face confirmed what they said. My hands trembled as my stomach lurched. "He, he..."

She pulled me to a bench at the edge of the car park and sat me down. "Penny, I was there. We drove him home afterward. I was angry too..."

My face fell into my hands. My heart clenched. I felt so betrayed. Was that why he didn’t contact me all weekend? I’d thought he was upset about the date, but this…

Someone touched my shoulder. I flinched away, thinking it might be Ryan, but then I saw through my fingers Giles squatting in front of me. My tears burst out. Giles rocked forward to kneel. He pulled my hands from my face and wiped away my tears. He sat forward and wrapped his arms around me. I rested my face on his shoulder, allowing my tears to flow.

Maria stroked my back. "Oh Penny, I'm so sorry."

Giles held me tightly. "Penny, everything will be all right. We’re here for you." He turned his face and whispered in my ear, "And I'm always here for you."

He sat back and pushed my hair out of my face. His eyes searched mine as he handed me a tissue. I took it, then grabbed his hand and squeezed. He gave me a small, caring smile.

 His gaze flicked up and he tensed. He shot up as Maria's arm tightened around me. I knew who stood behind me. He croaked my name. I trembled, afraid to even look at him.

"Leave her alone, Ryan," Giles said forcefully but calmly.

"Penny, please. I really want to explain myself."

Giles stepped beside me. "Don't you think you've done enough damage?"

Ryan ignored him. "And I know I don't deserve to be heard—"

"That's true..."

"But please, I want to at least try to explain it."

"She doesn't want to see you!"

"Giles," Maria said softly. "Maybe we should let him. He does have a somewhat good explanation."

Giles stood firmly between me and Ryan. I grabbed Giles’ hand, wondering what Maria meant, and wanting to believe that Ryan hadn't betrayed me. "I can at least give him a chance to explain."

"But..." Giles looked down at me, jaw hanging. I squeezed his hand. He slumped. "Fine." His glare shot to Ryan.

I stood, turning to Ryan, but refused to look at or touch him. We walked into an empty courtyard between two buildings where we stood several feet apart, awkwardly facing each other.

"Penny," he said, his voice strained. "I didn't mean to—"

I scoffed. "You didn't mean to?"

"I was drunk and I thought she was you." He blurted it out, stepping toward me.