Fall From Grace

Chapter Twenty Three

Chapter Twenty Three

"Vivian, I really had no idea you were out here." I defend myself and Calvin.

The couple arguing on the deck are Calvin and Vivian. Had I known this wasn't a viable lead, I wouldn't have followed the sound of their arguments.

"Sure," She scoffs. "I believe that."

"I swear, I came with Avery. But I can't find him. I am looking for him right now."

At this point, I don't think Vivian will believe anything I say about anything. I'm not really sure how I keep getting myself into these situations.

"Well maybe you should, or better yet, I should go find Avery myself and tell him what kind of person you are." Vivian tries to push past me, but Calvin stops her.

"Whatever person you think I am is propaganda fed to you by your so called sisters. You should think twice before trusting people who would drive you away from your best friend." I spit, then turn on my heel and storm away.

I am sick and tired of this 360 change in Vivian. She was always a big believe in benefit of the doubt and innocent before proven guilty. Now she is eager to believe these girls she's known for five minutes, then me who has been her best friend for all these years.

Sterling and Dio are right where I left them, and Avery nowhere to be seen. But I don't want to be here anymore. I've moved past denial, and I am barreling straight towards anger. I can't be here anymore.

"Let's go." I take Sterling's hand for the second time tonight and start tugging him towards the exit.

I'll text Avery later, right now I need to leave before I fight Cami.

"What happened?" Sterling asks, using our joint hands to stop me from walking.

"I'd really prefer not to dwell on it." I sigh. "I just needed to leave."

"Okay." He doesn't continue to press.

"Let's keep walking."

I don't let go of his hand, I don't want to, and he doesn't seem to mind.

We walk towards the dorms quietly, and I rage inside my hand. This is bullshit! The way Vivian is treating me is utter bullshit. There really is no excuse for it at this point. If she wants to act out this way, let her. She'll regret it.

The birds are out again tonight, but I block them out, not in the mood.

"Parties always seem to make you grumpy, yet you keep attending them." Sterling remarks.

"Maybe I am a masochist." I huff.

"Kinky."

"Oh shut up." I smack him with my free hand, but he's already got me smiling.

Sterling hasn't made any comments about our hands, so I take a brave leap and shift the way are fingers are, tangling his long ones with mine. I let them tangle and untangle over and over, the repetition calming.

"How would Avery feel if he saw us like this?" Sterling looks down to see what I'm doing.

"Honestly, I don't give a fuck." I sigh. "I'm exhausted Sterling. All I want is for all of this to be over."

"I'm sorry you got caught up in all of this."

"It's not your fault."

Sterling comes into my room with me, I guess not ready to leave yet.