39. Queenie's Assistance

**Rosé**

"When Margo asked her opinion about the Callum situation, Robin had this little innocent smile on her face and said that you might," Queenie continued. "I found it odd that she was putting the blame on you when we both knew the type of guy Callum was and even complained about him together. I don't know, it just feels odd."

I knew that Queenie told me this with no malice in her heart, I could tell by the way she spoke in more of an informative than gossipy manner. However, that didn't stop my heart from hurting. It did everytime I heard something new regarding Robin.

For a long time, the question kept repeating itself in the back of my mind. Why would Robin hang out with me and abandon her old friends? She had to be getting something out of it.

Unlike what she told others, I never told her to. She was the one who always insisted she rather hang out with me than go to some "lame, overhyped" party.

Now, I think I have my answer.

Her, the sweetheart of the school, hanging around with an outcast with so many bad rumors surrounding them. She liked staying with me because I made her look good.

People would constantly ask her questions about me. She said so herself. Because we were often by each other's side we would always be compared.

A flame shines more in the darkness. To her, she is a flame that people should appreciate no matter what. And what better way to show them that than to keep lonely little Rosy company because nobody wants to be her friend?

I forced a smile. "Thank you for saying that, Queenie."

"You don't have to smile, you know."

I raised my eyebrow. "Hm?"

"That thing you're doing with your face." She used her forefinger to motion to my lips. "If you're pissed then get pissed. Robin mouth could have caused you to end up in a wheelchair, at best."

I felt Keona's comforting hand on my shoulder. I knew she didn't quite know what was going on and who these people were, but she could tell I was in distress and was trying to show her support nonetheless. That's what I appreciate about her.

I patted her hand as a way to reassure her that I was okay.

Thinking about it, I should take Queenie's advice. Why should I pretend everything's fine when it's not? I have every right to be upset and every right to lash out. It's the ones that try to make me feel ashamed for feeling upset that are in the wrong.

"Thanks again, Queenie," I muttered. "You're not all that I thought you were either."

"What? A lackey? A mean girl with a thing for kicking losers in the face and stealing their lunch money?"

I giggled, a genuine one. "No, I was about to say 'self-centered'."

Queenie laughed and I did too. Keona smiled as she watched us.

It could have been my imagination, but I swore I saw the tiniest smile on Denis' face.

Keona and I cleaned up after we were done eating. "So, um, see you around?" I said to Queenie.

She bit her bottom lip. "Mostly likely, seeing as I was able to sit with you and you haven't gotten on my nerves."

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. When she looked at it, she frowned.

"I'm going to sit here and chill for a while." Queenie took a sip of her apple juice. "I'll see you around."

**Queenie**

As the others left, she sat there and stared at her phone in disbelief.

*Which tent is yours?*

Queenie scoffed, but, of course, she should have expected this from Margo.

*The yellow one with a lion on the side.* She texted back.

*Found it!*

Queenie pulled on the neckline of her tight black sweater. It didn't even make sense for her to come, it's not like she'll be able to do anything since she'll get sent home as soon as the teachers see her.

With a frustrated sigh, Queenie got up from the table and was about to head to her tent when she was stopped by Denis who decided to stand in her way.

He sank his hands into his pockets. "Can I talk to you for a sec?" Denis asked.

Queenie looked him up and down and folded her arms. "You look like my old man when he doesn't get any sleep. But sure, what's up?"

Although his head was hidden beneath a hood, Queenie could tell he hadn't groomed his hair all morning. His eyes resembled marbles that didn't shine.

Denis swept his tongue over his dried lips. "I wanted to ask you if you would allow me and a friend to look in your books."

Queenie raised her eyebrows. I'm guessing you're not talking about copying my homework."

"Why didn't you ask Alyssa?"

He shrugged. "Alyssa and I haven't talked for months, plus, she would ask what I needed to use the books for."

"So you figured asking her sister would be better," Queenie concluded.

Denis nodded without hesitation.

"Then that means you must trust me somewhat. Why do you need to come to my father's study? Doesn't your pack have an old library that has a lot of ancient books?"

"The thing is… what I want to find isn't there. And between you and me, I don't want *my* old man to find out."

Queenie raised her eyebrow. She smirked. "Fine. But in exchange, you need to help me scan some books to make electronic copies."

Denis released a sigh of relief. "Thank you! I have to go, but I'll let you know who will be coming with me and when through text."

"As long as they're not going to try and steal Dad's spellbooks."

"Of course not! We have more respect than that."

For the first time since they arrived at camp, a smile appeared on Denis' face. Someone called out to him and he told them he was on his way before turning back to Queenie. "Also, please don't tell Alyssa."

"Wasn't planning on it," Queenie said.

The person called out to Denis again, urging him to come along. "I gotta go…"

"Seeya!" Queenie said her farewell and left before he did. She attempted to walk in a manner that made it seem like she wasn't in a hurry although she was.

Before long she made it to the area where the tents were set up. Hers was the one at the edge of the clearing.

Thankfully it didn't appear as if someone was inside. Queenie cleared her throat and the opening was unzipped from inside. She swiftly got in and closed it back up before turning to her uninvited guest. "What the hell?"

Margo had eaten one of Queenie's chocolate bars until only half of it remained in her hands. Her scarlet red lips were smeared with the candy. Her knees were drawn up to her chest and were exposed because of the rips in her blue jeans.

She showed no regrets as she shrugged. "What? You didn't expect for me to stay home because of that bitch, did you?"