Not Another Reason

Chapter Nine: Explosion

Although it had only been two days, those two days had seemed surprisingly normal, well as normal as the group could get after the tapes. After Evelyn left Zach's house the next morning, they remained in contact but she still avoided talking about that night because all she could do was think about Justin, causing an even stronger growing suspicion to her stand offish ways and vapidness. But other than that, there hadn't been much drama in the group, nor has Clay crossed any of their paths.

After finding out that Hannah had lied about Zach throwing away her note when she said he did, he gave Tony back the tapes, the person who was in charge of making sure the tapes made it to each reason as a favor to Hannah. So, as Clay walked into school he felt a giant weight off his shoulders. The burden of having the tapes and finding out as each one went on what happened to her, being too much for Clay to handle.

Clay walked into school, a smile on his face as he began walking the halls. He passes by Bryce, giving him a head nod and asking what's up, making Bryce's face twist in confusion but muttering a hi back. Next was Sheri, her head in her locker as she looked through her text book, Clay also catching her off guard. Then it was Jessica and Evelyn at Jessica's locker. Clay stops for a second, taking a long look at Evelyn with a larger smile planted on his face. "Hey Jess and Evie. Oh and by the way, looking great today, Eve." He sends her a wink, making her and Jessica's eyes go wide.

"Um, thanks Clay?" Evelyn responds in confusion, those words being the last thing she expected to come out his mouth.

Justin had approached just in time, hearing Clay's compliment to Evelyn making his jealousy begin to bubble slightly. Clay strolls away, the smile still on his face as Justin glances at Evelyn. "What the fuck is going on? What was that?"

Evelyn tries not to laugh as she shrugs, patting a hand on Justin's chest noticing he seemed a tad bit jealous at Clay complimenting her, something that also didn't go unnoticed by Jessica but she stayed quiet.

"Another meeting?" Evelyn throws her head back against the locker as she huffs over dramatically at Justin's words. "Yes, another meeting, Eve. You didn't see how Clay was acting today? We have to talk to the others and see what he's plotting." Justin responds.

"Well maybe he's not plotting anything."

"Yeah, I doubt that shit."

Evelyn rolls her eyes at Justin's constant worrying. She pushes herself forward off of the lockers, looking around the hallways to ensure none of their friends were around, before putting an arm over his shoulder, wrapping it around the back of his neck, and moving closer to him as she talks in a whisper.

"Or, we can go to my place and talk about how sexy you look when you're jealous." Justin also rolls his eyes, gently pulling her arm down as he tries to deny even though he knows she was right. "I was not jealous okay." She sarcastically hums in response, a giggle coming from her mouth at the smirk he was trying to hide, when Zach approaches, looking at the pair curiously, making them get further apart and ruining the mood.

"Hey guys, did you see how weird Clay's been acting today?" He begins, but before the conversation can continue, the boy himself comes strolling through the front door, Courtney and a group of kids following, as they give a tour of the school to the kids.

"Oh, wait, everyone. It's Justin Foley and Zach Dempsey, star basketball players here at Liberty High. Hey, Justin, where's my bike?" He turns back to face the group, adding. "Justin stole my bike."

"What the fuck? What are you doing?" Justin asks, stepping forward, making Evelyn step along with him, putting a hand on his shoulder as she stares at him, hoping he doesn't start a fight with Clay in front of everyone, something Zach also notices.