Breaking Free

Chapter 24

Raven's pov

"Morning!" Emily says as I walk out of the bathroom. "I have to get to school early today, but I'll catch up with you later."

"Okay, see you then," I say as she walks out of our room. I finish getting ready for school then head outside. I start walking to my class. As I approach a couple of girls I catch a glimpse of their gossip.

"Did you hear what happened at Drake's dorm Friday night?" One of them asks the other. I slow my waking pace to listen in on their conversation for a tad longer.

"Yes, she's such a whore," The other says. "Speak of the devil." I turn around and see Alexa speedily walking down the sidewalk with her head down.

"Hey Alexa," I say as she almost walks past me.

"Hey," She says as she continues walking.

"Sorry we ditched you last night. How was the rest of your night?" I question.

"It's okay. It was fine," She says then wipes her eyes.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Chelsea started this really nasty rumor about me. It's only halfway true but now everyone thinks I'm a slut," She says. "She's telling everyone Drake and I had sex behind her back when she was passed out in the bathroom. And that she and Drake were dating at the time. I don't even know. But it basically boils down to I stabbed her in the back by sleeping with Drake."

"Chelsea's a bitch, you can't take it to heart," I say.

"But now Drake won't even talk to me because he thinks I've been telling people about what we did like a silly little teenage girl," she says.

"Oh," I say awkwardly. "So you two actually did, do it."

"I don't even know how it happened," she says as she breaks down into tears. "We were just kissing and I tried telling him to slow down but things escalated and the next thing I know I'm losing my virginity."

"Listen, I know Chelsea is spreading all these rumors around, but you're not a whore. And you didn't stab her in the back either. She left Drake's room with Austin to do god knows what," I say. "And Emily and I shouldn't have left you alone with Drake. And I'm sorry for that."

"It wasn't your fault," she laughs lightly. "At least I got it over with. I just wish the whole school didn't know about it."

"You can come find me at lunch if you need anything," I say. "I have to get to class."

"Thanks Raven," she says as we part ways.

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I walk to my third period, family studies, and arrive just as the bell rings. "Miss James, cutting it awfully close," Mr. Kingston says as I walk to my desk. I turn around surprised.

"Mr. Kingston," I say. "I thought you weren't going to be here today."

"I don't see any reason as to why I shouldn't be," he says then directs his attention back to his computer. I sit down in my desk then pull out my family studies folder.