Sin of the Saint

CHAPTER NINE: THE FABRIC OF HUMANITY

In a matter of seconds, Liv knew one thing to be clear. She already knew she wouldn't be taking Nathan Parker to the homecoming dance. No way.

But she wouldn't be taking Axel Parker, either.

As Liv was having these thoughts all at once, the school police officer came over to break up the confrontation. Nathan looked like he would tear into Axel with his bare hands without the officer finally jerking them both apart.

"Boys! Break it up!" he shouted. He whirled on the both of them as they stepped back, straightening their shirts. "Nathan, take a moment and think about why you're here and who you're here for before you go and embarrass your old man, okay? Half the community is here for Pete's sake. The principal's son losing his cool like this in front of everyone? You know better than that."

Nathan's nostrils flared as he took a breath to cool his head. "Sure, Officer Justin."

"And you," the large cop turned on Axel, "you stay out of trouble now. Have I made myself absolutely clear?"

"Crystal clear, Officer Justin," Axel said, picking up the crumpled letter from the ground. He stared at Nathan dead in the eyes as he slipped the wrinkled note into the Final Goodbyes box. Nathan visibly swallowed his anger in response as the cop walked away.

Evidently, there was a whole story between these two boys that Liv didn't know. And frankly, since this story seemed that it would jeopardize her image of her deceased friend, Liv didn't want to know. But at the same time, she couldn't help but wonder...did her friend truly cheat on her boyfriend...with his cousin?

Juicy gossip wasn't something Liv was too interested in, but since it concerned Charity...she didn't know if she was intrigued or not. She found herself wanting to speak to her more than ever in that moment—just to know the truth. And if it was true...then, why?

She...loved Nathan. Why would she betray that?

The knot in Liv's stomach tightened as the night rolled on and more and more people poured into the parking lot towards the middle of the party. Felicity introduced her to more people than she planned on meeting during the rest of the school year, and what was even worse, she was terrible at names.

So, she may not even be able to remember any of these people by name—how was she supposed to find a date that way?

"Oh my gosh, Liv! I was so rude to have assumed!" Felicity said, then leaned into her ear to whisper. "This whole night I've been introducing you to guys! Are you even into guys?"

Liv nodded assuredly, "Yes, I am. Most definitely."

"Because I was just about to say—there's Imogen Vicks," she jerked her head to one side, motioning to a group of girls with her eyes. One stood out among them—her true black hair and porcelain skin and perfectly applied smoky makeup summed up to a perfect image of a very tall doll-like human being. "Personally, she and I don't get along, but she's anyone's type. Literally."

"Oh," Liv said simply. It was none of her business, so she didn't pry. It wasn't in her place to judge either—after all, she was still feeling foolish and guilty for causing the event that killed her friend. How could dating around be worse than that?

The more people that showed up, the more claustrophobic Liv began to feel. She felt as if she was in a glass bubble—a snow-globe—again, just like at Charity's funeral. She felt cold and alone though she was surrounded by nearly hundreds of people, and Felicity still had her elbow linked with hers, even. But still, she felt increasing numbness creep up on her, though she smiled and shook hands with new people—new "friends."