BAD REPUTATION [SCOTT REED]

FIVE

"I BELIEVE THE WORD IS 'IGNOMINIOUS'!"
——

"Shit, Alex, this is honestly messed up." Alona says lowly, looking around to make sure no one would see the shooting target Alex received in his locker this morning. "Who do you think did this?"

"I don't know. I'm not the only one receiving threats, someone tried to rail Clay off the road last night. Black Range Rover." Alex explains and Clay nods at Alona, gesturing to his banged up forehead.

"How about you, Jess? Been getting threats too?" Clay directs the attention to Jess and she noticeably squirms in discomfort, shaking her head.

Alona notices but decided to drop it, fully knowing that that past few days haven't been the best for the girl. Alex nudges her gently with his cane under the table, "How about you, is someone trying to keep you quiet too?"

Alona purses her lips and shakes her head. "No, none so far, at least."

"Who do you think's doing this?"

Alex looked over his shoulder and stared at the table where Bryce and his cronies sits; Scott, Zach, and Montgomery being one of them. "What if... what if it's Zach?"

"That's absurd! Zach's a sweetheart." Alona protests and Clay rolls his eyes, commenting. "You only say that because you slept with him too many times."

Alex turns to Alona in confusion and Jessica snickers, Alona glaring at Clay while slapping his arm. Clay adds, "But she's right. I don't think it's him."

"Yeah. Plus, he's been helping you all this time." Jessica agrees.

They continue to spectate the group in the table and Montgomery notices, making a snarky comment about Alex. Alona's eyes meets Scott's and the pair doesn't look away.

Scott shoots her a wink and Alona rolls her eyes with a smile. The two continued to stare at each other until Zach threw a Froot Loop at his face. "Dude, what the fuck? Stop looking at her like that."

"Jess, in order to drag him down, you'll need to testify about what.. he did to you." Clay suggested and immediately, Jessica's face closes off.

She shakes her head and Alex tries to convince her only to make her upset and leave the table. Alex and Clay turns to Alona, eyes pleading to help them with the situation but she only shrugged, preparing to leave the table. "If a girl says no, you gotta respect that. Plus, she's not ready and it's not your decision to make for her. Just give her time and space to think about it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to attend Porter's special skills class."

♔

The bell rings, signaling the end of their assigned special class and everyone else in the room gathers up their things. Mr. Porter keeps up with students exiting the room, trying to give them each a heartwarming and comforting message, urging them to approach him if they ever needed to talk.