BAD REPUTATION [SCOTT REED]

NINETEEN

"YOU DON'T KNOW HIM LIKE I DO!"
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When Alona went back in, everyone was sat on the table with each of their blank expressions as they stared off into space whereas Mr. and Mrs. Standall animatedly talk with their first born, Peter. She took a seat next Mrs. Standall with Zach on her right much to her dismay and he immediately turned to her with a remorseful expression, he cleared his throat and lowered his voice into a whisper, careful not to be heard by Mr.s Standall.

"Listen, I know you're mad for how we--"

"No shit." Alona snapped with a scowl and the Asian boy winced at the sharpness of her tone. He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "I'm sorry, okay? I know it was a dick move."

"Just don't talk to me right now, will you?" Alona resorts with a wary tone, slouching against her seat, feeling tired of the recent events all of a sudden. Her hand itched to call Scott and hear his voice, knowing for a fact how hearing his voice alone could entirely make her feel better.

Zach's phone rings and he answered the call in a rush, declaring that it was his Mom. Alex eyed him suspiciously and right after he ended the call, "The guys? You're said with the guys?"

"I--I just have to go home and watch May." Zach shrugged but Alex wasn't having it. "Why'd you lie about where you are?"

Alex continued to fire him up and Zach stammered to get into his good graces, feeling Alex's mood starting to spoil. Alona watched worriedly at the exchange between the two teenage boys, absentmindedly biting the inside of her cheek when Alex snapped, "Does Bryce even know where you are?"

"Come on, man..." Zach anxiously trailed off.

"Fuck you, Zach." Alex fumed. "Go home."

"Yeah... yeah, I should.. um.. thank you so much for having me." Zach politely bids to Mr. and Mrs. Standall then nudged Alona, "You sure you don't need a ride home? I could take you."

"No, Scott's waiting for me. He'll take me home." Alona declined.

"You're no better than him, Alona." Alex continued with a narrow of his eyes just when Zach left. "Seriously, Lons? Being all turtle-doves with Scott Reed who happens to be one of Bryce's stupid minions? I thought you were on our side but with the way you're sticking with him like glue sure as hell shows the opposite. Did you even thought of what I would feel, or what Jessica would feel? You know he's one of those assholes protecting Bryce just like the rest of the school. For all I know, he could be the one doing their dirty work to get us to shut the fuck up."

"Alex, that's enough.." Mrs. Standall warned softly, her eyes darting to Alona with an apologetic frown.

"He's not like the rest of them, Alex. He's different." She spoke quietly. "You don't know him like I do."

"Really? He's got you sold on that bullshit? How is he any different from Bryce, how is he any different from those rapists? How is he any different when he's just like Monty who stands as a safety net for Bryce? He could be hiding a lot of shit from you, Lona. He's got something hidden from you that he can't tell because he's protecting Bryce!" Alex snarled.

"Alex, stop it right now." Peter tried to intervene but he was only ignored and the younger Standall kept going. "Do you even care? Does Tony even know about this?"

Alona bit down harshly on her tongue to get herself to calm doen, feeling her temper elevating but she didn't want to explode, not when it comes to Alex.

Alex grumbled, "Just get out, Lonnie. Wouldn't want to keep him waiting, would you? Just go."

She clenched her jaw and looked down on her lap before nodding, standing up and putting on her jacket. "Alright, I'll go." Then to Mr. and Mrs. Standall, "Thank you for tonight. Peter, I'll see you around. Thanks for inviting me, Mrs-- I mean, Bill and Carolyn."

Peter sighed. "Come on, you don't have to go, Lonnie."

Alona only smiled before gathering her stuff and walked out of the building, her fingers dialing Scott's number in a swift motion. He immediately answered on the third ring and his raspy voice suggests that he was sleeping, "Hey babe."

"Did I wake you up?" Alona asked.

"No, no it's okay. I kind of dozed off waiting for you to call." There were a few shuffling on the background before followed with the sound of keys clanging. "You ready to go? I'm on my way."

"Yeah. Please come quick." Alona exhales exhaustedly and Scott doesn't have to ask to know she wasn't feeling better after the mini birthday party of Alex. Alona didn't have to wait too long out in the cold night because soon enough, Scott's car comes peeling down the road and at the parking lot where she waited.

He steps out of the car and sees the wary look on her face, sending her a comforting smile before looping his arms around her waist, allowing her to put her arms around his neck tightly, seeking comfort in the crook of his neck. Alona shuts her eyes for a moment, inhaling the all too familiar scent of his jacket. A battling smell of faint body cologne and citrus fresh detergent. Something that she never knew she'd grown to love.

"Come on. I'll take you to my house." Scott urged and opened the car door for her, the heat blasted on fiercely. He then goes to his side of the car and drove the path down to his neighborhood, glancing at her from time to time while she rests her forehead at the cool window for the rest of the ride. When they arrived at his house, the lights were off and they had to tiptoe up the stairs to make sure his parents won't wake up. Scott closes his bedroom door and lets out a sigh of relief, he sits down next to Alona on his bed and places a chaste kiss on top of her hand, "Did something happened at the party?"

Alona smiles weakly at him and sighed, "Just this small fight with Alex. He's mad at me for dating you."

Scott nodded in understanding, "What can I do to make you feel better?"

"Nothing." Alona answered. "Just stay with me, that's all."

Scott smiled and nodded, lying back on the bed and resting his head by the headboard. He spreads his arms out as an invitation for her to cuddle, an offer that she immediately agreed to. She lets out a sigh of relief when she places her head on top of his chest, where his heart would be, hearing the loud and fast thuds of it and the fact that she's the reason behind the speed of it makes her smile.

But as they laid in the dark silently, Alex's words came haunting her. His words had gone through and she couldn't help but think that maybe he was right partially about Scott. He may have something hidden that he cannot tell her because no matter what happens, he was still a friend of Bryce, and for all she knew, he could still be protecting him.