"The Cut"

Chapter 38- Truth Be Told

Chapter 38- TRUTH BE TOLD

After Chase turned and walked toward the double doors of the cafeteria with Ryan on his heels, Carson veered in the opposite direction with Jess. She finally divulged to Jess and Kelsey that she'd been seeing someone from school, but didn't give them the sordid details of her affair with Coach Jared Fullman.

 She knew she would be judged for her indiscretions and she was holding off as long as possible.

 Carson joined a group of cheerleaders in a line dance led by the deejay. As the loud music blared through the amplified speakers of the gymnasium, she tried to let it drown out her fears regarding Chase.

 Bailey was bound to tell him her secret. And she knew it would be best to break the news to him herself. Chase deserved at least that much.

  As the school filled with hundreds of FHS juniors and seniors, the line for pictures grew increasingly long, and Bailey was grateful that there were only a few couples of front of them.

 Gavin adjusted his tie and Chase ran his hand over his slick, flawless hair. The girls looked picture-perfect and made small talk while the photographer staged the next couple.

 Bailey had a sudden idea! 

 She wasted no time sharing her thoughts with the rest of the group.

"Guys! Let's do some group shots of all us, rather than the 'basic' couples photos. It would look great for the yearbook. We can do a few different poses!" she ventured.

 Chase perked up at the idea.

"I think we should do it, gang. Who wants to sit and pose for a bunch of staged couple pics when we can remember this night for what it really is....we're all friends, right? So.. let's act like friends. Let's have some fun with this!" he said.

 The photographer ushered Bailey and Gavin under the bright, fluorescent lights and she shook her head immediately. She informed him of their last-minute change and gestured for the rest of the group to join them on the black drop cloth that was large enough for all six of them to strike a pose.

 The next ten minutes were filled with tons of goofy faces, one solo picture of the girls, one with just the guys, and a final pose with each girl carrying her date piggy-back. The couples waiting in line egged them on as they laughed hysterically. They nearly knocked one another to the floor.

 By the time they'd finished with pictures, Bailey's stomach hurt from laughing so hard!

"Oh, my Gawd! I feel like I'm going to be sick!" she howled and Gavin helped escort her toward the gym. She felt a tad bit tipsy from the couple of shots of vodka she'd slammed in the Excursion on the way to the dance.

 Her stomach had a tingly, burning sensation, like fuel that had been doused over a fire.

 Becca, Ryan, Chase and Katie were in tow, and the gang made their grand entrance onto the dance floor. The gym had disco lights strewn across the shiny, wood floors, and the large room appeared shrouded, but crammed with familiar faces.

 The sound of Drake's "Toosie" was booming through the large speakers.

"Gah! Dance with me, girls!" Bailey squealed, dragging Becca and Katie into the line dance that had already formed in the center of the basketball court. She had some smooth moves from years of gymnastics and cheer squad, and she followed the line in front of her with ease.

 Becca and Katie struggled to keep up, but they humored Bailey in her moment of excitement.

 After the next song played, the deejay took requests for the first slow song of the night, and settled on "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran. Gavin slipped behind Bailey and flipped her forward to dance with him.