There is much trouble in Paradise

Chapter 18

"DOUGLAS! ARE YOU HOME?"

"Alisha! What's wrong? Why are you screaming like this? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Douglas. But you're going to be shaken soon. So, are you home?"

"Yes, but I'm preparing to leave. Do you need anything?"

"Well better make your way to Marquise because Valerie needs you!"

"Don't tell me. She broke up with Shane."

"Worse. He dumped her. And you want to know why? Sit somewhere, I don't want you to pass out."

"Tell me already!"

"He got her pregnant! He then backed off saying he can't do this! Imagine that! I'd give anything to know how Sean reacted when Valerie told him!"

"What? You're shitting me! How did you know all of these?"

"It started when our english teacher, mrs. Jefferson, moved my deskmate, Morgan, in the last bench because we were talking. Anyways, she overheard Bryce Vidal talking to his best friend, Ludwig, and telling him the story I just told you. He said Sean told him. Oh and he also replaced the name "Shane" with prick, cunt, pussy, twat, and other similarities."

"Too many needless details, Alisha. So it's a reliable source or not?"

"Why do you think Bryce Vidal would spread a false rumour about his own mother?"

"I'm only asking you. You're the gossip expert."

"Well, I'd say it's pretty reliable. Anyways, what do you think?"

"Shane Powell is a dick."

"Well, Bryce would agree with you. Are you going to visit Valerie?"

"I don't know. If I go it'd be obvious I know. But I don't want not to go."

"Oh yes, and given the fact that you showed up with Herron last month..."

"YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT STORY!"

"Just go to see her. Play dumb and if she tells you don't say anything. Don't say you know, don't say you didn't know. Also if she doesn't talk about it don't try to press her. Oh and don't try to comfort her if she doesn't seem to need. For the thing to work you go with your usual attitude. Take care not to seem too careless."

"What if she asks me if I knew or not?"

"She will not. Trust me. Not now anyways."

"So that's what should I do? Stay there lifeless?"

"No, you idiot! Comfort her. Take her out, of course. She may also decline, don't worry. She probably is still upset after all."

"Wait. When did all of this happened?"

"Probably no further than yesterday. Morgan told me she overheard Bryce talking about 'this morning' so I assume that's when Sean told him. And since it was Sean that told him that means Valerie told only Sean. Since it's very unlikely she had a deep conversation with him in the morning it's definitely she told him last night. Which means, if she herself felt the need to tell him, the wound is fresh so that means Shane probably dumped her yesterday either at work, or after it. Anyways, yesterday."

"Wow...that's...a lot of info..."

"Just logical thinking. Anyways, good luck! And don't you dare not to text me the details!"

"Thanks a lot, princess! I'll be sure to report back."

Alisha hung up and sat on her bed curious of what is going to happen.