Partners in Crime ~Completed~

Chapter Sixteen- Second Chance

"No."

"Mom, please? I can't face him!" I plead. She rolls her eyes. "So avoid him. I don't know what to tell you, Charlotte. You aren't missing another day of school just because you think your heart is broken. You're in high school. You have no idea what love even is." She says sternly. I raise an eyebrow.

"I don't know what love is?" I ask.

She nods. "That's what I said. Yes."

A sly smirks pulls at my lips but I suppress it. "Now that is a lie, Mother. I know how to love people because I actually have a heart. Wish I could say the same for you." Her jaw drops and I spin on my heel to go back to my room.

I throw on a black tank top, denim jacket and black jeans. I debate throwing on a hoodie instead but decide against it. Besides, all I have is a blue one anyway. I tie my black high top shoes and jog downstairs. Mom glares at me as I pass her. I ignore her. "Bye Dad!" I exclaim. He smiles and kisses my forehead.

"Have a good day, Tesoro." He says. I rush out the door and hop into Bianca's car. "Hey, Char. Ready to face the fire?" She asks. I send her a 'obviously not' look and she chuckles. We drive in silence to the school, where Tony is waiting outside...with Ashton. I pay him no attention until I realize Ash and Tony aren't alone. And Ashton is....busy.

His arms are locked around Claudia's waist, hers around his neck and they're kissing. I feel a pang of hurt and look down. Tony frowns slightly and wraps his arm around Bi's waist. "Ash..." He warns. The two of them break apart, both looking annoyed. "What, Anthony?" He asks, irritated.

Tony motions to us and Ash just shrugs. "Hey sis." He greets, completely ignoring me. What'd I even do? Claudia pulls Ashton's face back to hers and their lips meet. I start inching my way to the doors. I can't watch this. Suddenly, I hear the angered voice of Claudia. "What on Earth did you do that for?" She asks. I turn.

Bianca is standing between Ashton and Claudia with an irritated expression on her face. Anthony shoots me a look, asking for help to diffuse his girlfriend. I just shrug pathetically. "Bianca." Ashton warns. She holds up a hand to shut him up and narrows her eyes at Claudia.

"I don't need my brother catching diseases from you." She spits. Claudia pinches her lips together and her brows furrow. I watch as her face turns a dark shade of red. Wild guess, she definitely isn't happy. "Excuse me? You're one to talk! You're just a pathetic wh-"

I walk over and slap her. Hard. She stares at me, stunned. "What was that?" I ask in a deadly tone. Her wide eyes just stare at me. A storm of emotions swirling in them. "You bi-"

"Claudia, if I were you I'd shut your mouth before I shut it for you." Another voice warns coolly. Emily is glaring hard at the girl. While this happens, Ashton has just pulled out his phone and is typing away. Are you serious..?

Tony is shifting uncomfortably in his spot. Claudia clenches her fist. "Bianca started it by shoving me away from Ash." She barks. Bi raises an eyebrow. "He has a girlfriend." She says steadily. Ash finally looks up. "Me? No I don't." He says casually. My lips part slightly and another pang of hurt cuts through me.

Bianca spins and glares at him. "Char didn't even do anything wrong, Ashton! You're the one causing everyone pain!" She exclaims. Before he can defend himself, my friend whirls around, grabs the hands of me and Anthony and drags us inside. I hear Em follow quickly.

"Thanks." I say to Emily when we stop at my locker. She just smiles. "No problem. Handling girls like Claudia comes naturally." She says with a slight smirk. I chuckle and think back to my old school. Freshman year.