The Popularity Project

Chapter Twenty Seven - Innocence

Perry's POV

School is going to suck today. After the exhausting weekend I had, nothing feels the same. I went away over the weekend, going AWOL. A few missed calls from Vivian and plenty from Ryder. I swear, he thinks I am his personal therapist. I don't mind it much, his life is more complicated than most.

The minute I walk into school, I regret it. I haven't gotten much sleep since Tessa told me those troubling things about Vivian. I can't decide who to trust. This whole situation is beyond confusing.

"Perry," a distressed voice calls to me. "Perry, I really need to talk to you."

I turn my head to see a terrible looking Vivian. Her hair is in a messy bun, her attempt at eye makeup looks too black and blotchy. She's obviously wearing her pajamas and dark bags are present under her eyes. She looks like shit, even so, there's still something cute about her.

"What?" I furrow my eyebrows. I haven't decided which route to take, and I had planned on avoiding her all day.

"Ryder," she sobs. "Ryder he won't talk to me and I don't know what's going on. I'm not really sure if he would talk to you about it, but you're the only person I could think of. I just.. Please?"

"I don't know," I sigh. Vivian nods her head, forcing a small fake smile on her face. Tears have been constantly streaming down her face, kids walking by are giving her dirty looks and me suspicious ones.

"Okay, I understand. I just don't know what happened... You haven't heard anything, have you?" Vivian frowns, then she sniffles a few times. Her arm tries to wipe away the relentless tears, only increasing the black smudges around her eyes.

"I..." I trail off, this isn't a conversation I want to be having right now. "I really have to go, sorry Vivian."

She nods her head again, then turns her back to me and fast walks to the door. "What about your classes?" I yell to her, she ignores me and walks out. I shrug, then walk to my first period class, making it on time with a few seconds to spare.

***

"I hope everyone is taking this Popularity Project seriously, because it is serious." Our principle makes an announcement. This project couldn't have come at a worse time. I wish Tessa hadn't put doubts about Vivian in my mind. Now I have to spend time with her, if I want to graduate.

"Perry," Tessa whispers to me. "Have you confronted Vivian yet?"

I shake my head, trying to silence her. Unfortunately, she doesn't take the hint.

"You need to," she hisses. "This is important, she needs to pay for everything she's done." I just nod my head and try to focus on the lesson. Tessa sighs deeply, then drops the subject of Vivian.

"She's your partner, I know that, but you can't spend anymore time with her. She's dangerous," Tessa says once the bell rings, dismissing us for lunch. I walk with her to her locker.

"Dangerous?" I question. Vivian hasn't done anything to me that could be classified dangerous. Sure, she can be sarcastic and snappy a lot, but I can assume she's joking most times.

"Perry," Tessa pulls me closer to her, then looks down the hall to make sure no one is in listening distance. "She killed her twin, then she killed my brother because he found her out. Vivian- Rosalie is dangerous, she needs to be reprimanded. No one is above the law, especially not some selfish, spoiled, bitch who feels entitled to a happy life."

I stay silent at Tessa's harsh words. If what she tells me is true, that Vivian is Rosalie and she killed those two people, then I will agree with her. I will back Tessa and fight to put Vivian away for life. However, if Tessa has we information wrong, then I will feel guilty for ever doubting Vivian.