Where have you been, Alex?

Chapter 2

I first met Scarlet when I was fourteen. We were both in the ninth grade. The first thing I noticed about her was the overwhelming amount of eye makeup she wore. It was like a mask around her eyes, which evidently was her intention.

You see, Scarlet Jameson comes from a long line of Wall Street Tycoons who have made their fortune playing dirty and skirting around the rules. Scarlet's mother died while giving birth to her, which left a lot of grief and resentment in her father. He always blames Scarlet for everything that goes wrong in their family, so she started acting out in defiance.

She started wearing heavier makeup, more revealing clothing. Scarlet developed a tougher attitude and started sleeping around.

In five years of knowing her and being her best friend, I can confidently say that she hasn't changed at all.

"Nate came over last night. We had sex four times, or maybe it was five. I don't know. I lost count."

I stopped reading my book and looked up at her. We were laying in my bed. Scarlet usually visits every morning, before her father goes to work so she can avoid his harassment.

"That's nice, Scar. Was that before or after her tried to get with me at the gala last night?" I rolled my eyes at her.

She knows how big of an asshole Nate Vanderbilt is, but apparently the sex is good.

"Oh, don't be such a Debbie downer, A. You know I'm not serious with him. I just like to mess around to piss my dad off. And besides, I'm sure you told Nate to fuck off anyways."

"Of course, I did. I have morals and taste."

Now she was the one to roll her eyes at me.

I got up from where I was laying on my bed. I had already finished my book. That's the problem with me, I read too damn fast.

Scarlet rolled over and took my spot on the bed. Scrolling through Instagram, I'm sure. The girl can't get enough of drama, and with the world we live in there is plenty of it.

"Oh my god!"

I looked over at her, "What?"

Scarlet whipped her head towards me. "Athena, Alex's parents have put up a reward for anyone who has any information about his whereabouts. They still haven't heard from him."

"So? Why should I care?"

"Oh, I don't know? Maybe because he's been MIA for a year, and you were the last one to see him."

I could practically feel my face harden. If there is one thing that I didn't want to talk about, it's Alexander Gates.

"Just drop it, Scar. I don't want to talk it. Besides, I wasn't even that close with him. If you want to know anything about Alex, ask Nate. He was his best friend."

Don't get me wrong. A day hasn't passed that I haven't thought about him and where he could be. What he could be doing. Alexander Gates was one of a kind. Is one a kind.

No one knows just how close we were. The secrets we shared. The plans we made.

But that all changed, and I can never forgive him for what he did to me.