Chapter 24: Chapter twenty four

Arielle

By some sort of miracle, the principal didn't return till I was done cleaning up in his bathroom. I couldn't risk going back to class looking like a grieving mother.

And thank God I keep all my essentials in my backpack. I reapplied my make up, brushed my hair, and fixed my rumpled shirt.

The image of Drayton's ruined shirt flashed across my mind. He hadn't bothered to change it. Either he really didn't care what anyone would say or he kept it on as a silent taunt that I let myself be vulnerable with him.

I highly doubt it was the second one. Drayton King might be a royal pain in my house ass, but he wasn't that insensitive. I felt a little bad for thinking the worse of him when he just helped me with no complaints.

He was still an asshole for trying to get me into an accident few hours ago, but I forgive him for that. Only that.

I tried not to think about what our new interaction means. We weren't friends, not even close to being one. But I live with him now, I have to learn how to put my intolerance for him aside. It would only make living difficult if I didn't.

I took a final look at my reflection on the mirror and smiled. I looked just as I did when I arrived at school. My slightly red eyes could easily be passed off as lack of sleep.

I walked out of the bathroom and headed for the hall. I passed Ms Bell's desk and saw she wasn't there. Weird. The principal and the secretary were not around.

I wondered if either of them had noticed Drayton hiding in the bathroom. I made a point not to ponder on what he should possible be doing in there.

Drayton liked to cause trouble but it's usually when I provoked him. He'd always pin them on me. Though his revenge weren't petty “messing up the principal's toilet” kind. He might be a dickhead, but he's very creative in getting back at people.

It was already lunch break when I turned to the classroom hallways. I decided to change course and go to the cafeteria instead. Dan would probably be waiting at our table. I needed to talk to him.

I was just about to turn when I felt someone tapped me from behind. I whirled around to see a girl who seem to be in the same class as me, judging by her senior uniform.

I squinted my eyes, taking a closer look at her. The recognition hit me and I frowned. I had completely forgotten about her until now.

“What do you want? Your boyfriend dump you?” I snapped.

I didn't care that my tone was harsh. After the shitty events that happened today, I was on edge.

The girl blinked, her only surprise at my tone, but she smiled. She started typing something on her phone.

I was about to demand why she stopped me, only to type on her phone when she flashed me her phone screen.

“Jack is not my boyfriend. He's my cousin.” she'd typed.

Typed, like she couldn't speak. I blinked as the realization hit me. The girl was mute. That's why she didn't say anything the day I saw her hanging off Jack's arms.

I suddenly felt bad for how I spoke to her.

Gosh, I was so horrible to her back then and now. I didn't give her the chance to explain herself before coming up with my ridiculous conclusion that they were dating.

“I'm so sorry, I didn't know–”

She cut me off by showing her phone screen again.

“Don't give me that pity look. I don't like it. I'm not diseased.”

She cocked her head to the side and narrowed her gaze on me. Aside from King, I don't think anyone has ever dared to direct that look at me. I was the one usually giving people the intimidating stare, not being at the receiving end.

I didn't know how to feel with the sudden shift of power. But I also refuse to show any hint of nervousness. The idea that anyone made me nervous was laughable.

I shifted my weight and adjusted by backpack.

“Alright, I'm sorry, Jack's cousin.” Her lips twitched at my words, but it seemed she was stopping herself from smiling.

She began typing away.

“I understand sign language.” I blurted out and cursed myself inwardly.

Damn, I can never stop talking.

In sixth grade, I'd taken a few classes when I learnt Drayton knew it just to spite him. I hated that he knew something I didn't. My father had learnt about it and used it to his advantage.

Jack's cousin paused her typing and stared at me with an eyebrow raised. I didn't know if it was a silent question or she found it insulting but I said,

“I'm sorry, but you were taking forever to type and I need to get lunch. Break's almost over.” I shrugged.

She didn't want pity. I'd been on the receiving end of pitying stares for a while to understand how grating it can be. I could practically see the appreciation in her semi-mean stare that I didn't continue down the pity road.

As if to back up my statement, my stomach growled loudly. I gave her a pointed stare that says, “see”

She pressed her lips together and dipped her phone into her pocket.

“I just transferred here and Jackie was showing me around when you showed up. I've heard about you and Jackie's history, but that doesn't give you the right to talk to him like that. You didn't even give him a chance to explain himself.” She signed, each wave of her hand was angrier than the previous one.

She must be really protective of him to act like that. I refrained from telling her that her cousin was a grade A dickhead, simply because she was the first person in a long while who wasn't choosing her words carefully around me.

Her tone was harsh but it wasn't hateful or pitiful like the ones I was used to receiving these days. Either she didn't know my history around here or she simply didn't give a fuck.

I really hope it was the latter.

“I'm sorry. I promise I won't yell at your precious cousin again. Happy?”

“Very.” She signed, bringing her hands closer to my face and scowled.

Now, I couldn't stop my chuckle. She simply glared at me, flipped her hair dramatically, and stalked off. It was exactly the kind of exit I would have made.

“What's your name?” I asked after her.

She halted her steps and threw me a glance over her shoulder. She seem to be contemplating something before giving me the view of her hands as she signed,

“Laura.” And she walked away.

It didn't matter that she was Jack's relative or she might be a pain also, but I liked her. And I've never liked anyone in a long, long time.

Not after that horrible fight years ago with my own cousin. Dan had been my only friend.

Dan.

I hurried my steps towards the cafeteria. I spotted Dan sitting at our table before I could even reach him. A girl was sitting in front of him with her back on me.

I didn't need to see the girl's face to know who she was. I would recognize that honey coloured hair anywhere. The fine mix of McAlister blond and her mother's brown hair.

I wanted to grab Natalie by the hair but Dan saw me. He said something that made Natalie stand, her face grave. She threw me a look full of hatred before stalking off.

“What was that about?” I asked as soon as my ass touch the chair.

“Nothing worth discussing.” He shook his head. He motioned to the packed lunch bag on the table.

“I had your food packed because I wasn't sure whether you'd show up.”

“Thank you.” I said and gave him a smile.

He gave me another one right back, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. Whatever my bitch cousin said to him must have been bad. I was going to make her pay for hurting him.

My phone beeped just at the same time as Dan's. I checked it to see a text notification. A smile tugged at my lips as I read the text.

When I looked up, I found Dan staring at me with an alarmed look in his eyes.

“No.” He said firmly. But even he knew it was too late.

My mind was already made up. Let everyone remember who Arielle McAlister was.

Starting tonight.