Chapter 79

Luckily, my parents slept in that morning, and so Roman was able to have soup and leave without any questions asked, but I didn't fail to notice the side eye from my mom the whole rest of day when I told her I overslept for school.

I went around to Roman's on Sunday but we didn't have sex. In all honesty, I was slightly disappointed but it was due to the fact that his parents were home and hanging about and the fact I also had tons Chemistry homework to do. However, I did stay for dinner for his mom's amazing macaroni and garlic bread, this time she brought ice cream and so we sat in the living room and ended up watching a movie.

It felt weird hanging out with Roman's parents so comfortably. It felt even weirder how they were perfectly fine with it. I didn't want them to get the wrong idea about Roman and I, we were just friends – friends with benefits more like – but there was nothing romantic about it. We both had things we needed; me – good grades, him – Emily. And that was the way it was going to go.

I didn't know why I was suddenly so cynical about it all. After I left Roman's on Sunday, I couldn't help but think that way. It all felt wrong. Something was off. Off in the sense that I didn't know what the hell I was doing. I had so much going around in my head: graduating, Spring Fling, Adam and Leah being bitches, Rya calling me up to complain about something stupid Christopher did. The last thing I needed was complications between Roman and I. Getting my shit together was what I needed to focus on.

Speaking of Christopher, however, the first thing I encountered walking into school Monday morning was Rya having a full-blown rage at him.

"You little bitch, I know you did it!" she pointed an accusing finger at Christopher.

"I didn't touch your fucking laptop, woman! You're just jealous my Psych essay is better than yours!" a smirk resided on his face as he held his hands up in defence.

"Oh, like I believe that, you piece of shit! One minute it was there, the next it was gone!" I could imagine steam puffing out of her ears at how fuming she was.

"Oh, and I'm the one to blame?!" he chuckled in annoyance, placing an offended hand on his heart. "This is probably just a set up to get me off the Valedictorian list!" he narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

"Nikki saw you go into that classroom! And Nikki sees and knows everything!"

I walked over cautiously; afraid I'd get my head cut off if I interrupted.

"Nikki said Chad Willman was also in the room, but your brain instantly goes to me! What can't get me out of your head, sweetheart?" if Rya wasn't livid before, she certainly was now.

"Chad Willman can't even tell the difference between rabbit and a baby giraffe! And don't call me 'sweetheart', dickwad!"

"Would you prefer 'kitten' again, hmm?"

"I'd prefer you to jump into an erupting volcano so admit that you delete my essay file!"

"I've told you this a million times! I didn't delete your shitty essay file!"

Rya gasped a placed a shocked hand on her heart, "My essay was not shitty!"

I stormed over as she went to lunge at Christopher, knowing I wouldn't get there in time before she clawed his eyes out. However, Taylor was there just in time and wrapped his arms around her waist to hold her back.

Christopher stagged back but I saw the amused smirk on his face.

"Can't keep your hands off me, McCoy?" he mused.

"Oh, just wait till I get my hands on your insides and rip them out, Knowles!" she struggled in Taylor grip.

"Jesus, Rya, enough!" he tried to calm her.

"It's enough when his tongue is my new bracelet!" Rya shouted, trying to break free.

"Don't you mean when my tongue is –"

"That's enough, Christopher!" Taylor bellowed, struggling to keep a grip on Rya squirming in his arms. "God, you are freakishly strong for such a stick-like person." He muttered under his breath.

Christopher remained a few more minutes to laugh before turning on his heels to walk off in victory of getting a rise out of Rya once more.

I rushed over immediately after. "Down, girl!" I exclaimed and flicked the side of her neck with my fingers. She shrieked but stopped fighting Taylor's grip before he let her go.

"He deleted my Psych essay!" she complained. "What a son of a motherfucking, dick-chopping bitch! –"

I smooshed her face between my hands she her lips puckered like a fish, "We know – the whole school practically knows!"

I let go of her face and she scowled. "I worked really hard on that essay." She then pouted sadly.

"I know, honey." I consoled. "When is it due?"

"First period!" she threw her hands in the air in frustration and panic. "And now, Miss Jennet is going to think I didn't do it and give me a fail and ruin my straight A streak plus my chances of ever getting Best Student in the yearbook and my chances being Valedictorian!" I knew why Rya wanted to be Valedictorian so bad. Everyone in her family on all sides had been Valedictorian and Rya wanted to keep that alive. She wanted to be just like them.

"Now I'm screwed." She looked down at her shoes and sighed sadly.

I thought long and hard about what I could do. What could I do? It wasn't like Miss Jennet – or any teacher for that matter – was going to believe me. In fact, me coming to Rya's defence would ruin her case further based on my reputation.

Then something came to mind.

"Rya, you're going to hate me but just bear with." I said and Rya cocked her head to the side quizzically.

"I don't get what you – ah, Jesus!" she gasped as I stomped on her foot. "What was that – ouch!" I slapped her straight across the face. I saw Taylor about to intervene as I grabbed her shoulder and kneed her in the gut.

"You toad-faced bitch!" she gasped for air and I took step back frowning.

"You think I look like a toad?"

"It... a matter of.... expression..." she knelt on the floor gasping for her as I winded her.

"Oh. Okay." I answered and brushed my hands together.

Rya coughed on the floor, "What... was... your... fucking... point?!" oh shit, yeah.

"Oh shit. Um... Help! Rya's been attacked and can't go to class! Taylor, help her!" my acting skills were better than Rya's that time she pretended there was a snake in the library, but it certainly wasn't Oscar-Award-Winning worthy.

"Taylor!" I hissed as he stood there like a confused buffoon. He suddenly sprung to life after worrying about Rya coughing on the floor, wrapping his arms around her fragile body, and picked her up in bridal style.

"If anyone asks you, they were small, fast and oh-so gorgeous." I winked and she rolled her eyes.

"I fucking hate you." She groaned as Taylor started to walk them away.

"I fucking hate you too!" I responded happily, laughing as she gave me the finger.

The things you do for friends, am I right?