This Means War

Chapter 4 ~ Did You Spike Your Coffee With Adderall

It was Thursday and I couldn't be more excited for Friday. When I got to first block, I saw that Ariana wasn't in her usual seat next to me. I tapped Lauren who sits in front of me and I raised an eyebrow and cocked my head to the side and she shrugged her shoulders. I knew I was going to have to find out what was going on with her. She is never sick, and I knew that if she was, she'd at least text Lauren or I and tell us to get her assignments, but I did it anyway.

I spent the whole day worrying about Ariana. During my free block, I called her phone and left her at least three messages. At lunch I found Lauren and asked her about this. "Do you have any idea where she might be?"

"You are freaking out way too much. Did you spike your coffee with Adderall or something? She probably fine."

"You said she's never missed school right? So why did she miss today?"

"You're over-reacting and over-analyzing, Darse. She's fine." I sighed.

"What if she's not?"

"We'll go by her house after school, ok?" I nodded my head and we continued eating.

When the bell rang after school, I heard a voice call my name. I turned around and saw Lauren. I smiled at her and stopped so she could catch up with me, she had an apologetic look on her face. I sighed. "You can't take me can you?" She shook her head.

"My parents said they have something big we need to talk about, so I have to get home. I'm so sorry. Can you find a ride home?" I nodded.

"Yea, I'll figure out something." Lauren nodded and then I went to the parking lot to find Cade's car, knowing he could take me home. When I got to his car, I saw Bailee there. She was twirling her hair in her fingers - classic Taylor move. He laughed and she slightly pushed him and then she took his hand, dug in her pocket and pulled out a sharpie then started writing on him. I was appalled, was he buying this cheap garbage. I walked to the car as Bailee was walking away. She winked at me and blew me a kiss and I rolled my eyes and walked over to Cade with a grossed out face.

He was looking at Bailee and I looked back at her retreating figure. Those red-leather pants were being her best friend right now. Cade still wasn't looking at me, so I hit him in the back of the head and he turned to me. "Ow." He said holding the spot.

"You know she's like nine right."

"What are you talking about?"

"She's not even a real blonde. And can someone say push-up bra?" He looked at me amused.

"Is someone jealous?" 

"Pft. What? No. Now get in your car, I need you to take me somewhere." I was being jealous. Not because I really was, it was for the plan. Make him think I'm interested, that was it. Get him to want me, then he'll be my golden ticket. But instead of going to a chocolate factory, I get to ruin Taylor's life. Everyone wins. He laughed and unlocked his doors, getting into the car.

"Where are we going, Princess?"

"You wait in the car, I'll be out in like five minutes." I got out of Cade's car and walked to Ariana's front door. I knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer. When no one did, I checked the driveway and saw that no car was in the drive. Her parents must not be home. I did have to give Ariana her work though, so I turned the doorknob and was surprised when it wasn't locked.

I walked inside, closing the door behind me. "Ariana?" I called out her name hoping she'd respond. I walked up the stairs to her room. She had a nice house in a suburban area and the inside matched the outside. It was nice, put together and I could just tell her parents had some sort of stuffy jobs - spoiler alert, they did. I went up to her room and opened her door. She was looking out her window listening to music. I knocked on the door and she nearly had a heart attack.