"The Cut"

Chapter 11- Bedlam At Beverly Bonfire

CHAPTER ELEVEN- BEDLAM AT BEVERLY BONFIRE

The moment that Evan pulled into his driveway, he flew up the stairs and into his bedroom. No one appeared to be home. He closed and locked the door instinctively to prevent any intrusions.

  He had to call Grace and they needed to figure out the supposed "game plan" because Chase or Carson may end up at the bonfire and he didn't want to be ill-prepared.

  He reached for his phone in his back pocket and called Grace at once. She answered instantly. Evan was relieved.

"Hey, how are you? Is everything okay? I'm warning you, I'm not even ready yet!" Grace questioned. She was a bit baffled.

 Evan didn't waste a second.

"Miss me? Listen, in the interest of saving time, I'll cut right to the chase-ha! Not sure if you got the preview at the game, but I couldn't say anything on the sidelines. The shit has definitely hit the fan. Chase found a little love letter in his locker today and almost threw in the towel, but I talked him into sucking it up for the sake of the team. When I hit the parking lot, I entered a freakin' war zone between him and Carson. I think it's safe to say that Homecoming will not be happening for Kelly and Dylan." Evan let out a huge sigh.

 Grace immediately interrogated him.

"Wait. Wh-what? Love letter. What kind of love letter? Like from Carson?"

"Uh, well, you could say that. It was red, lacy and had Donatella Versace's autograph on it. Does that sum it up for you?" Evan said, sounding less than thrilled.

"Oh, shit. No way." said Grace. "Why? Well, I mean, of course we know why. To break them up."

"Exactly." Evan responded and Grace felt a chill go up her spine.

"Evan, do you think Bailey knows about Coach Fullman?" she asked. Bailey was never one to keep a secret. But, Carson was her best friend and she was also the captain of the cheer squad. Maybe she was playing daft, too. Or, maybe she was still in the dark.

 Who knew at this point?

"I was about to ask you the same thing. I feel like she would know. Hell, Chase knew something was off. How could she not? This has been her supposed bff for years. And Carson's main confidant." Evan thought aloud.

 Somehow, he just sensed that Bailey knew, and possibly longer than anyone else.

"Well", Grace delved in, "I have to come clean on something, Evan. I sort of thought she was over-dramatizing. She can do that sometimes, our Bail. She mentioned that Carson was seeing someone else a few weeks ago. I asked who, she thought maybe you, and I just..." Evan caught her off immediately.

"Me? Why am I the go-to asshole? Do I flirt with Carson? Have I ever been inappropriate with her? I don't know where everyone is getting this idea from. I'm starting to feel like a real jerk here." Evan's tone shifted to annoyance and Grace quickly clarified.

"Look, Evan, it's obvious that people would place blame on the bestie. You guys are a very tight-knit clique. It isn't anything you've done, okay? I've seen how you behave around Carson and Chase. You're completely innocent, I know that. Just... breathe already."

Grace wanted to be sure that Evan knew she wasn't a part of the smear campaign.

There was always someone whispering in the hallways at FHS just aching to stir the pot.

 Grace never thought for one second that Evan would touch Carson and he valued his friendship with Chase far too much to get involved with his girlfriend.