The Broken Girl's Angel

Chapter 13: Problems

Cassidy

Weaving through the hallways was always one of the most dreadful parts of my day. My shoulder bumps into passing bookbags, causing a soreness to make itself known. If only there were fewer students here. Reaching my locker, I grab the handle only to find a black liquid to which I concluded was ink. Why on earth was there ink on my locker handle? I sigh at the idiotic joke and open my locker. While rummaging through my books with my clean hand, something clatters as it makes contact with the floor.

Bending over to pick it up, I see that it's a rose gold charm bracelet with 3 initial charms hanging from it: C. O. S. "C, O, S? What does that mean?" I say to myself as I exam the jewelry. Not a minute later, I hear a fast-paced clicking of multiple pairs of shoes headed in my direction. I turn around to see Courtney and the principle.

"There it is! There's my missing charm bracelet!" She says, whining and pouting, her finger pointed at me. A low mumble escapes from the mouths of those watching the event unfold. "Wait, what? This is your charm bracelet?" I ask in disbelief.

"What do you think the initials stand for you idiot?." She scoffs. The realization hits me like a bus and my heart drops. "B-but I didn't steal your bracelet!" I frantically say.

"Oh, really? Then how'd it get in your locker? I lost it this morning in the art classroom and there's ink on your hand from the inking projects we're doing in that class. I saw you go in there during lunch. So what's your explanation, Rosewood?" She says as she smirks behind the principle's back. I suddenly realize I've been set up and there's definitely no way the principal is going to believe my word against Courtney's.

"I don't know how it got there, I promise," I say desperately in attempts Mr. Harvey would take pity in me.

"Well, Courtney, unfortunately, the school's policy does require a second witness to back up your claim." He says. A small wave of relief washes over me, thankful he didn't take her side so easily.

"But there is a second witness! Just ask Jaxon," her face held a smile that informed me she was up to no good. Behind her figure by the lockers parallel to mine, I could see Jaxon and his friends talking. His attention was directed towards us at the mention of his name.

"What?" He asks with a slight irritation in his voice. "Is it true, Jaxon? Did you see Cassidy steal Courtney's bracelet?" The principal asks. My eyes feel as though they're burning holes into his skull. His eyes travel from Courtney's eyes to mine as everyone around us, including myself, waits for his response.

"I-...yeah. I did." He sighs and shifts his eyes to the ground. My jaw drops to the floor at the unbelievable accusations Jaxon claimed to have been a witness to. It is true I went into the art room during lunch, but it was to talk to the teacher who wasn't even there. So I know for a fact he didn't see me steal her stupid bracelet because I didn't even steal it!

"But I didn't even-!" Before I could even defend myself, the principal cut me off. "That's enough, Cassidy. I'm going to need you, Courtney, and Jaxon to follow me to the office." He says, guiding us three through the hallways. I roll my eyes, sighing with frustration, and follow behind Courtney and Mr. Harvey. I think of a million and one outcomes to my current situation and they all end with me on the receiving end of Christina's wrath. The thought alone sends a wave of chills down my spine.

A warm hand momentarily brushes against mine which scares me out of my endless thinking. Snapping my attention in the direction of the contact, I look up at the towering figure of the boy who was already looking down at our hands as we walked. His face displayed a similar expression as mine so I assumed he didn't do it on purpose. Our walking had noticeably slowed as we awkwardly looked at each other, neither one of us wanting to interrogate the other.