The Girl Next Door

Part 23 - Iris

Part 23 - Don't Get Involved

✾

The endless daily routine starts today again just as it does every day — my cell-phone's alarm screaming as I fumble to get it to stop. And once I do, I pick myself up out of bed and try to think of what makes today different than all of the other days. And once again, nothing comes to mind.

While brushing my teeth, I check my phone because I have plenty of messages. I open them, expecting to see that they're all from Sophie, but they're not. They're from Amelia.

I know about what happened on Friday and don't try to tell me anything different. Logan told me everything and then DUMPED me.

Hello? Don't act like you aren't awake right now.

You had the decency to f*ck my boyfriend at my own party, in my own house, and in my own bed. That's a new low even for you, Iris. You need to back off because I don't know what the h*ll I ever did to you. We're all just trying to get through high school and the last thing I need is you trying to sabotage everything. You get better grades? Fine. You get my boyfriend at your beck and call? Okay, whatever. But what else are you gonna take? Take this as a warning, Iris. It better be nothing for your own good.

I take a deep breath, reading the messages over and over again before suddenly becoming sick. I rinse off my toothbrush and put it away, slamming the door of the medicine cabinet shut and typing my reply. I sit outside with my dog to try and cool off but I am livid with Logan.

Amelia, Logan lied to you. I would never get back together with him even if my life depended on it. I didn't sleep with him, just the idea makes me sick. I would never do that to you, either. I'm sorry he told you that but he's a liar. He tried to do it but I got away from him, and he probably can't handle the damage to his ego and lied. Don't believe him because it's not the truth.

I don't get a response too soon, but I ignore my phone and the drama even as I go to school. I keep my head down and do my best to act like the abrasive gossiping isn't hanging over my head — What if Amelia has already started to spread rumors about Friday night? But hopefully I'm just being dramatic. No one would actually care about a nobody in the shadows like me, right?

✾

I take in a deep breath, standing before his doorstep with spiders crawling up my veins. I keep my hands in my sleeves, feeling abnormally nervous about this. I'm not supposed to be here, it's a Thursday. But I need someone to talk to, and Sophie can't because she has a lot of homework to catch up on. I eventually gather the courage to knock on the door, and after a few moments it opens.

"Hello, Princess," Pierce greets me. "What brings you here?"

I step inside and he closes the door. Ruby is sitting on the couch and she runs up to me with excitement.

"I... need some advice," I go to start, "But—"

"My birthday is tomorrow!" Ruby squeals. "And it'll be right here, with my brother. And I'll finally be eight years old! And Pierce says we'll have cake! And it's even on a Friday. It'll be so different from last year and I want you to come too!"

"Sure thing, kiddo," I laugh. She just smiles and nods with enthusiasm before sitting back down on the couch and humming a song to herself.