The Gold and the Forest

XXXVII

Chapter 37: Just Honey Bears

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Declan adjusted his jacket as he marched through the lobby, looking around for a dark haired girl wearing a teal hoodie. "Riz?" He called, looking over the heads of people. He finally spotted her on the seats near the snack parlor. She was on one end of a bench and there was a group of girls on the other end, talking to her.

She looked uncomfortable and periodically checked her phone.

His phone buzzed with a text. One of the girls scooted closer, touching the wrist watch Iris had on her wrist. She flinched. He checked his phone. Go get me a water from the vending machine.

That was at the other end of the lobby. He ignored her instructions and marched towards them. He bought a snack on the way first, before coming within earshot of them.

"You know, Marie told us you were dating her ex." One of the girls with a french braid smiled. her eyes glistening with hidden malice. "You're still the same as you were in middle school, Mole."

Mole? Are these her middle school friends?

Iris quirked up a defensive smile. "Are you still trying to talk to John?"

The girl snapped, shooting forward and grabbing Iris by the hair.

Declan intercepted before it became a full-blown fight. "Riz, I got you your honey bear cookies."

The girl released her hold, eyes widening at the sight of Clan. Clan gave her a scary smile.

Iris stood up quickly, face flushing. The girl seemed satisfied with her reaction and regained the courage to continue harassing her. "What is this? Did you pay him to be with you?"

"Who would want to be in a relationship with a homewrecker?" One of the girls behind her snorted. French braid's smile widened.

"Hey," She addressed Declan, batting her eyelashes at him. "The money isn't worth it."

"He's not—" Iris stepped forward, voice high-pitched. Declan clenched the bag of honey bears. "He's just a fr—"

Declan poured the bag over the girl's head, which had turned to crumbs upon his fist. The girl shrieked when the shock was replaced with disgust. "You got it in my bra!"

He grabbed her by the face, taking Iris's soda from her hand and pouring the rest all over her chest.

He grinned at his handiwork. "Maybe then some guy will want to eat you out. A girl like you needs a lot of sweetener to mask your funky smelling ass."

He shoved her back, waving his hand in front of his nose. "Iris, it fucking stinks over here."

Taking his girlfriend's hand, he stormed out of the place with her.

---

Iris was softly calling his name as they sped down the street.

"Declan." She stomped her feet down, yanking him to a stop. They were in a park. "Declan!"

He finally turned around after her scream.

"You should have just gotten me the water." Her voice held a lot of hurt, overlayed with anger.

"To pour over her?" He asked.

"I would've taken their shit and left." She continued. "You didn't have to escalate it. I'm used to it."

He got angry. The heat rushed to his head. He wanted to yell at her that she was being outrageous. He wanted to also hug her so hard that she couldn't breathe.