Chapter 46: Chapter forty six

Arielle

“Earth to Arielle!” I flinched at the sound of my name, my eyes darting around. It took me a full minute to register where I was.

I was sitting across from Dan in the school's cafeteria and I had spaced out. I didn't know how long I was out, but from the deep frown etched on my best friend's face, it was definitely long enough to spark concern in him.

“I've called your name several times. Are you okay?” Dan asked, concern evident in his tone.

I nodded, unable to bring myself to utter the lie. I was, infact, not okay. I wasn't close to being okay. I hadn't slept a wink last night and I knew it was obvious due to the huge bags beneath my eyes. I'd tried my best to cover it with makeup but it was still noticeable if anyone looked closely.

Drayton had noticed during the ride here but he didn't ask about it. He didn't have to when he already knew the reason. He'd tried to rile me up and even made jokes to pull me out of my self loathing, but nothing had worked. I didn't want to feel better.

Diamond High was a school for the rich and powerful. And Suzie had been humiliated by the school's most popular girl on the very first day. If it was just any other student, the students would definitely have gotten over it by now.

But she was a scholarship student. It was usually hard for scholarship students to make friends. It would be worst for Suzie after I basically marked her.

The worst part was that I didn't think of the consequences of my action that day. I was just so pissed about everything and took it out on her. If only I could go back in time and–

“Arielle!” I flinched hard for the second time that day as Dan tapped me.

“Jesus Christ, Arielle. You're definitely not okay. Why are you so out of it today? Is something going on at home?” Dan asked softly.

I stared at him unblinkingly for a few seconds before sighing heavily. I didn't have the strength to lie to him today. But I also didn't want to tell him the whole truth, not in the middle of the cafeteria at least.

The guilt of my actions was weighing on me and I needed to share it with someone. Someone other than my nemesis-turned-friend. Dan was the only person I could think of.

But as I opened my mouth to start spilling the truth, a familiar voice resonated through the loud speakers. I sucked in a sharp breath.

Out of everyone that could have possibly interrupted me, it has to be her? The universe was truly fucking with me.

“Hello students. I trust you're all having a good day.” Natalie's voice echoed through the now silent cafeteria.

Everyone swerved their head towards her. Our eyes collided and she gave me a taunting smirk. Dearest cousin sure loved having all the attention to herself and she enjoyed rubbing it in my face. Except getting people's attention was the last thing on my mind right now.

“As well all know, Halloween is fast approaching. As the president of the student council, it is my duty to announce this year's Halloween party theme.”

My eyes widened and my lips parted in shock. Student Council president? When the fuck did that happen?

I knew she would be nominated. Natalie might be a bitch but she was also really smart. Just like I knew Drayton would also be nominated. But I had no idea when the actual elections happened.

The question must have been written all over my face because Dan answered before I could even ask.

“She was appointed the week you skipped school. Second week of resumption. I'm surprised you're just finding out. That was before Caleb's party.”

Well, it's kinda hard to keep up with school gossip when you're in the hospital because your father bashed your head against the stair banister.

That was also the week my mum and I moved in with Penny and Drayton.

“Why didn't you tell me?” I asked.

“I thought you knew. You're usually always on top of all the school gist.” He shrugged.

He was right. Even when I was admitted to the hospital for cancer, I always manage to catch up on school gossip. It was the only sense of normality I had in a room full of reporters and fake smiles.

I never miss out on any big news. And my cousin passing the election that I didn't even know happen, was certainly a big news. I'm surprised there was no posters of her all around school.

“Honestly, the whole things feels sketchy. There was no major campaign or an elaborate election. I just think they should have…”

Dan continued talking about the student elections but I was starting to tune him out. I could still hear Natalie discussing the party theme, but her voice was gradually fading into the background.

I was retreating into my head again and I didn't know why this time. The shock of finding out that my cousin was holding office in school had worn off, leaving a gnawing feeling in it wake.

I couldn't help but resent her a little for it. It was supposed to be my post. I had wanted to be Studebt Council president since freshman year. If I hadn't gotten sick, I would have definitely been nominated, and perhaps, won the election. This was just another thing cancer took away from me.

My throat tightened at the thought. I needed to get out of here before I had a panic attack in front of the whole school.

“Uh-oh! Incoming.” Dan said.

I raised my head to see Natalie walking towards us, her ponytail swaying behind her.

Just fucking great. As if she didn't make me feel miserable enough just by announcing her new title, she had to come rub it in my face. Great.

“Sweet cousin,” she purred, a sickening sweet smile plastered on her face.

“Natty ratty. Mm! What a breath of foul air! Where was your last stop? The garbage can?” I smirked.

But her face didn't immediately flush with anger like I had expected. Instead, her smile widened in an eerie way.

“Aw! Look at us, exchanging banters. It almost feels like our weekly family time, which you've been noticeably absent from for the past few weeks. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were avoiding me because I became the Stu-Co president.”

“Okay, that's enough. You should leave.” Dan cut in before I could say anything.

Natalie's eyes landed on Dan and I could have sworn they softened for the fraction of a second before she turned to me, ignoring him completely.

Dan was simmering with rage. It was very strange because Dan rarely got mad. He was the most coolheaded person I know.

But I couldn't focus on Dan's strange behavior around my cousin. My mind was occupied with one thought.

Natalie obviously did not know we've moved out. But it's been a long time since we've had Sunday family time.

I had to guess that my father was keeping it a secret from them too. Charles McAlister would never agree to being a bad person. He cares too much about public opinion.

“Cat got your tongue, sweet cousin.” Natalie said mockingly, he head cocked to the sides.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat and told the lie I'd conjured a few days ago.

“Not that it's any of your business, but Mum and I are busy volunteering for this charity every weekend. We don't exactly have time for idling around.” I gave her a pointed look which finally elicited annoyance in her.

I heard her mutter “idling around” under her breath. She was definitely pissed.

“What charity?” She asked after a long pause.

My breath quickened as I thought of an answer for her. There was no charity. And I had said something similar to Dan. Problem was, I couldn't remember the charity I mentioned. If I said the wrong thing, he would catch my lie.

I grabbed my backpack very slowly and stood up from the table.

“It's called the “Get Rid of Natalie's Stink”. You can come join us. You will definitely attract more volunteers to our cause.” I said and walked away before she could respond.

I heard Dan calling my name but I didn't pause. My heart was wondering in my chest. Natalie has gotten so close to unraveling my secrets. That would have been a catastrophe.

As I walked down the hallways, leading outside school, my eyes caught a familiar figure walking in the direction of the school's garden.

Okay, maybe I had lied to my best friend, which I totally regret, and my cousin, which I do not regret, but there was a chance for me to do something right before the day ends.

As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I changed my direction and followed the disappearing figure into the school's garden.