Fallen Crest High(131)

Jessica whirled towards her. "You're such a whore, Jill. Sam's not going to be your friend. She hates you and me. She hates Lydia too."

Lydia gasped. "I don't think she hates me. I'm trying to be her friend." She looked at me with pleading eyes. "I'm really sorry. I really am. And I don't care if Jessica hates me after this. I should never have covered for her and Jeff and lied to you. I should've apologized to you right away too." She edged closer and shoved Jessica back a few steps in the process. "I really miss you and I'll do anything to be your friend again."

"Lydia!"

She ignored Jessica and gave me a shaky smile. "I don't care if the Elite don't like you. I'll support you and stand by you the whole time. They don't scare me."

Jill sighed. "Yes, they do. They scare everybody…well, except for maybe Sam, but still."

"Hey…?" Jeff stood at the back of the crowd, and they opened for him. His face was twisted in confusion. "What's…what's going on here…? Do I even want to know?"

Jessica turned her glare off and went to his side. She gave him a seductive smile as her hand traveled up his arm. "Hi, Jeff."

"Hey!" Jill removed her hand from his arm. "I'm not going to let you sleep with him."

Jessica's eyes didn't blink. "Can you give me a ride home, Jeff? My car's in the shop for an oill change."

He blinked at her. "Uh…sure…yeah, okay."

"Jeff!" Jill seethed.

He met my gaze for a second, but shrugged at his girlfriend. "It's just a ride home. I'm not going to sleep with her or anything." Then he motioned for Jessica to follow and the two left.

Becky's mouth hung open. "I—" She blinked. "I can't believe that happened."

"Lydia, do you think they're going to…?" Jill blinked back some tears. Her voice hitched on a sob.

"Yes." Lydia didn't waste a second. "They are. I'd dump him in a heartbeat if I were you."

My eyebrow rose. This was a different side to Lydia that I'd never seen before.

When she gave me a small smile, I almost gave her one back. Almost.

Jill's mouth fell open and tears started to fall down her cheeks. She wiped them away, but turned and darted down the hallway.

Lydia shook her head. "I don't feel bad for her. She knew what they did to you."

I shrugged. "I don't care anymore." I never had. "So you and Jessica aren't friends anymore? She's going to think you betrayed her for me."

"I know."

"She's not going to let that go."

"I know." Lydia gave me a sad look. "I miss being your friend. I'd like to earn that back and that's what I'm going to do from now on."

"Hey!" Becky grabbed my arm. A smile spread from ear to ear. "She can give you a ride home."

"You need a ride home?"

"Uh, no. I'm okay." Nightmares flashed in my head. I wasn't sure who knew that I was staying at the Kade mansion and I wasn't going to let Lydia be the first one to know for certain. "I'll find—or call—someone else."

"Are you sure? I can give you a ride home. It's on my way, you know."

"I'm okay. Really." Every cell inside of me relaxed. She still thought I was at David's.

"Wait. Are you still at your dad's house or…?"

I gave her a bright smile. "Speaking of my dad, he wanted me to talk to him so I'll see you guys later." I pushed through the crowd and hurried away before either of them formed more questions. People would figure it out, if they hadn't already, but I wasn't going to help it.