The Truth Is.

Chapter 21

SADIE

Scott Fellings grinned a million-dollar smile. His hair was messy in a nonchalant way, curling into fringes on the end. Bright green eyes gleamed with seduction. It was impossible to tell who he might be trying to seduce; the photographer, or the viewers.

        Was that all it was? Had Scott really snaked his way into our minds and seduced us into trusting him. I grew up with him, I knew him, or at least I thought I had. It was hard to believe the same boy who defended me from Alex's teasing could rape someone. But he did, I saw the proof myself.

        The student body office was covered head to toe in Scants. They filled every corner, infecting the walls with the smell of fresh air, and wild nights. Heavy adrenaline leaked from their movements. I kept to my vice-president desk, balancing on the edge of it.

        My fingers rolled against the wood in an anxious beat. He stood, only a couple to my right, too annoyed to bother with me. I was thankful, I couldn't handle the heat of his glare right now.

        Paige hadn't moved an inch since Clove had shown her the photo. She'd locked up, a wall covering her body from interacting with us. Clove sat folded up in front of her, waving the phone to re-catch her attention.

        "Is it him?"

        The question had us bystanders leaning on the tips of our toes. Paige pulled away from the attention and rubbed her nose. "I guess."

        Clove rubbed his fingers along the wire framing of his glasses. "No guessing, I need'ya to be sure."

        "I-I" Her gaze fluttered between us, and Clove. I could almost read her mind, feel the thoughts leaving her body. We were all too attentive for her comfort. She curled in on herself, feeling scrutinized. "I don't know."

        Clove removed his glasses and folded them up to set them aside.

        The events of last night still sent tremors across my arms. He'd caught me with his phone in hand in the middle of his abandoned room. What if he'd told Alex? Or worse my Father.

        I awaited the call, ready to jump onto my phone the second it rung. The thought then occurred, Did Father have my number? It didn't matter, with Roberto around it wouldn't be hard to find, that man knew everything.

        This morning when I left early for school, no one had any questions. I'd barely managed an nod of acknowledgement from Mother before I was out the door.

        The second this was said and dealt with, I was out. I only need assurance Alex wasn't involved, the rest was up to them. This wasn't my business nor my responsibility. I was fine to leave.

        You still got her drunk. The voice reminded me.

        "Don't say that in court and we'll be fine." Clove handed me back my phone, and I shut it off, taking Alex's photo with it.

        Her eyes bugged out of her skull and she turned to the Devil for help.

        He loomed in the corner, swaddled in her dark leather clothes. He'd abandoned his leather jacket, leaving it slung over the back of my chair. He'd watched intently, leaving me to wonder what those intentions might be.

        "A case?"

        This was the point after all. It was why they accused Alex, or broke into the Mansion last night.

        You helped them. The charming for reminded.

        A girl of Latina descent hovered by Ace. Her hair was rolled up into a curly bun atop her head and smashed down by a red bandanna. Her red lips curled into a devastating snarl. I started to sweat. Her dark brown eyes weren't focused on Paige, rather they were bearing down on me.