The Other Side Of Fear[1]

Chapter 32

Thanks for all the support guys💕

I had the best nights sleep that I'd had in a long time that night. Cal had woke me up to take me home so that I didn't miss curfew and thankfully everyone had retired to their rooms when I got home meaning I didn't have to answer any questions about where I'd been.

I was also glad that it was finally Friday and there was no sign of Archie once again at school. Clearly he was humiliated by what I had done and was hiding out from the gossip that was still spreading throughout school. I no longer cared about what anyone was saying about me although plenty people had given me kind smiles and friendly hellos in the halls so I figured a lot of people were obviously on my side.

Lunch came around and I grabbed a salad from the cafeteria and headed to the library to do some extra maths study with it being another class I had been failing. I spotted April alone at a table by the window and headed over to her, taking the seat opposite as she looked up with a smile. She looked pretty today. I noticed she had applied a little bit of make-up and her usual flowing short ringlets were pulled up into a high bun displaying her facial features a lot more.

'You look nice today,' I told her.

'So I look like shit every other day?' she joked with a raised brow.

'I'm paying you a compliment,' I smirked.

'I'm kidding,' she smiled. 'So, how's things?'

'Well...I haven't seen Archie since what happened and I doubt he's just decided to drop everything; I'm expecting a few false rumours to go around about me and a few comments from him when he returns back to school but I'm past caring.'

'Makes a big change from pretending to be with him just to keep him from ruining your life,' she said.

'I only did that for Cal,' I sighed. 'He was so mad though.'

'I'm sorry for telling him,' she lowered her eyes a little. 'It came from a good place and I'm glad I did because look at you now. You stood up to Archie and you actually look happy.'

'Thank you,' I nodded. 'I was only trying to protect Cal but he can take care of himself and I know he's prepared if Archie does decide to turn up to his cabin for a fight or whatever.'

'Cal would fucking kick his ass,' April said. 'I've seen him do it plenty times to plenty other pricks like Archie.'

'He told me he doesn't fight anymore,' I raised a brow.

'He tries not to but what can you do when you get a jackass who has heard about the big and mighty Cal Lakey and wants to fight him?' she said. 'He has no choice but to sometimes.'

'People still challenge him; why doesn't everyone just leave him be?' I frowned.

'It doesn't happen as much now,' she shrugged. 'I think people have realised they'll lose.'

The thought of Cal kicking ass increased my heart rate a little as I pictured the scene and quickly erased it from my mind telling myself I didn't want to ever have to see it happen; it didn't mean it didn't turn me on a little to think about it.

My phone lit up and his name displayed on the screen. We had finally exchanged numbers last night before I left and I was so thrilled to be able to talk to him now when we weren't together.