7

FLASHBACK. (RIELE'S POV.)

This is so surreal. I sat on my seat in class as I heard everyone having different opinions, creating rumors, and whispering all sorts of things about what happened to Dean.

What actually happened to Dean? What is my own opinion?

Yeah. I do have mine. I have my own thoughts on the unfortunate path Dean must have taken without his realization, because I know what he was accused of wasn't true.

I know, and what I happen to know, I trust. If I don't believe something, then I don't believe it, and I don't believe Dean was the culprit in this situation.

Something else is involved, but what is? Cause things doesn't happen too easily, and if he was actually the culprit, then he should have tried not to get himself caught.

I watched as everyone flocked into the classroom, then my eyes landed on Dean's best friend. Levi Walker.

He must be going through a lot after what happened to his friend. It is even surprising how the situation went viral.

I smiled knowing he tried all he could do to help his friend. He confessed a lie to save his friend, but in the end he spoke the truth, so it shouldn't look like he was involved in it. At least, he tried to help his friend, but apparently, that would be risking his future.

I sighed broodingly. It maddened me to not know exactly what the truth is.

Each time I ask myself a question on the issue about Dean, my mind hit a blank wall, thereby causing me to stop thinking. I can only come up with one particular prejudice; Dean didn't do it, but there is nothing to back it up.

Why am I like this? How well do I know Dean? Were we good friends?

I, and Dean weren't friends, but am sure you can consider two teenagers who always bicker to know each other. He's always annoying because of how he sticks with me like some glue that won't go away, and because we always quarell, I know him. I know exactly what he's capable of.

Dean couldn't have done something like that no matter how angry he is. He knows how to cave his anger, and not unleash it. He knows how to control his violent side. Believe me, I know him that much.

Beating someone to comatose was way out of Dean's personality. 

I find it unrealistic for the fact that he ended in Juvie when the so-called victim that opened his eyes widely to be beaten up didn't even die.

"I can't stop thinking about Dean." I heard Ashely mumbled reflectingly.

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Me too."

"You know him well, Riele, so what do you think?" Karen asked.

I sighed. "I don't think he did what he was accused of." I said truthfully.

Ashely gaped turning to face me. "Really?"

I nodded. "I say the truth when it is needed."

I heard Liz scoff. "You guys are slowly losing grip on reality. Boys fight, so what are the impossible chances that Dean didn't have a breakout with that guy, got angry, and nearly beat him up to death?"

My forehead creased. Breakout? Could be true. I wonder what that victim really did to Dean that'll cause him to breakout.

Truly, there are no impossible chances, but there is something behind this situation.

The creaking sound of the door caused me to look straight to see our teacher emerging in.

I sighed. Dean was supposed to be in this class.

"Alright, you guys. Enough about Dean. Let's all snap right back to reality. Place your books on your desk.

Everyone nodded. "Yes sir."

★★★★★★★

I'm seriously pressed right now. I kept walking through the long hallway til I met the doorway into the girls rest room. I walked inside, and into one of the toilets, and did my business.

After it being done, I arranged myself, flushed, washed my hands, and dried it with a paper towel.

Coming out of it, I was immediately met with my face in the mirror. I walked closer to it. I truly am beautiful. My raven hair flowed from my oval face down my shoulders. My hazel eyes perfecting my looks making me smile. 

After staring at myself for a while, I walked to the doorway to go out of the room, and back to class, but then I heard a voice in the hallway. A voice talking whisperingly, but loud enough for me to hear. A voice talking like there is something to hide.

There could actually be.

I smirked, and took my phone from my jacket pocket, and put it on recording.

I noiselessly, and slowly creaked the door quarterly open, and I saw Levi on the phone.

He looked really tensed, and uneasy. It's like a whole lot amount of fear overwhelmed him.

What could he be possibly hiding?

I rose my phone up, and clicked the record button. I stood there without speaking.

"I had to do it." I heard him speak. "I didn't have a choice. I was overcome with fear because I don't want to end up in Juvie." He said.

Then he stopped talking making me know the voice on the other side is talking. Sadly, it is unhearable.

I felt a curious sensation - half-sensual, half-thoughtful. I wanted to know more of what is going on.

"There was no other way." Levi started speaking again. "I know Dean didn't do it, 'cause I witnessed it. I know my testimony could have helped him, but I don't think I wanna be put in that situation." He stopped.

I was divided, and pulled against myself. My pupils flared. Oh my God! This is downright impossible to think.

"Yes, call me a coward, Arnold, but I needed to save myself. If I hadn't lie to them, I would have been pointed as his partner in crime, and ended up in Juvie with him. I can't be pulled into Dean's problem, since the mother of the victim wanna do all she can to let the culprit suffer. I had to save myself. Dean has to take the fall alone." He said, and hung up.

I saved the recording, and looked at him with anger. My teeth clamped so hard that my jaws ached.

The hysterical tensity of my nerves urged me to speak, and to curse at him. My left fist clenched, and held stiffly to my side.

How I hate betrayals.

He looked around, and I silently stayed away from his sight. I heard him sigh, so I looked back to see if he was up to anything, but he wasn't.

He edged toward the end of the hallway, and turned a corner out of sight.

I opened the door widely, and chuckled in a disgusted manner.

Levi? Holy Levi now a liar Levi. My fist clenched harder knowing how Dean would feel that his own friend betrayed him, and let him fall straight into the lion's den.

I'm so gonna confront him. I'm gonna let that coward know that his secret is with me, and it sure as hell isn't safe.

★★★★★★★

All that day, after I've found that bitter secret, I had lurked behind a curtain of indifference, and looked at things in different sides, and angles, snapping and glaring at whatever will try to make me come out into the open when I can actually use it as a card to play against Levi.

It happens to become the rhymes of my life. Indifferent, and blackmailing; periods of abstract brooding in mainly guilt, and periods of intense desire to shove that guilt away; moments of silence, and moments of anger.

My teeth gritted, and the last image I saw of Levi going out of the hallway lingered in my mind. I could have looked for a stick, gripped it hard, and swung it at the back of Levi's head, feeling the impact of the hard wood cracking against the bottom of his skull.

The tight feeling was still in me, and I know it'll remain until I do something about it.

But any reason that would make me want to spill the beans could be through an action so violent, and irking, performed by Levi.

"Why do you seem lost in thoughts?" Karen asked me.

"Yeah. You look like someone who's been staring at a ghost." Liz added, as we got to our lockers.

I opened my locker, and placed my book inside, then I locked it.

I turned to them, leaning my back against my locker. "I just have a lot on my mind."

They nodded. "Why don't we meet at the café since school is about to close?" Ashely asked.

"Sounds like a good idea." Karen said.

I nodded.

They all turned to Liz. "Well, I'm not busy, so I'll be there." She said with a half-shrug.

Ashely nodded. "OK. See you guys then." She said, and left.

"I'll be going too. I've got something to attend." Liz said, and I nodded. She equally left.

"Are you really alright, Rie?" Karen asked. Her eyes peering at me as if searching for something that could answer her question.

I nodded. "Yep. My head is just filled."

"Can't you offload it on me?" She asked.

I smiled. "I guess, but soon."

She nodded unsurely. "OK. Bye then."

I nodded, and she left.

I stepped out from the locker, and came in contact with a kinda wall in front of me.

My eyes are elsewhere, and my mind filled. Blinking, I realized it is just a classmate. A male classmate.

I looked at him, and I huffed. It had to be him. It had to be Levi I bumped.

"Are you OK?" He asked. His words somewhat void of feeling.

I shook my head. "No. I found out someone is sitting on a secret the size of a Matterhorn, and gave me a space to sit with."

He furrowed his brows with utter confusion. "Who did?" He asked.

I smirked at him. "You did, liar." I said with defiance.

He narrowed his eyes at me, "Liar?" He scoffed. "Don't think I'm one of those victims of yours that you call names. You've got nothing on me, Riele."

I tilted my head to the side at how naive, and fraudulent this guy is. A complete pseudo.

I jutted out my right hip, and folded my arms. "Do you think I'll call you a liar without having anything to back up my accusation? Those said victims of mine should have told you I always back up my statements with something legit." I told him.

He frowned. "What are you talking about?"

I chuckled in disgust. Now he wants to know.

"What I'm talking about is, I found out your treachery." I prolonged.

"What treachery?" He asked screwing up his face. I could tell he was becoming tense, and uneasy. His voice is beginning to be coated in it.

"You lied against Dean. Didn't you?" I asked, though knowing he'll want to deny, or pretend like he doesn't know what I'm talking about.

"I don't get you, Riele."

"I overheard you talking to someone named Arnold. Does that ring a bell?" I asked.

His body shook, as he let out a shaky breath, he lowered his eyes, but kept quiet, like he was put on contemplating mode.

"I also do have evidence to back up my accusation." I added unfolding my arms, and shoving my hands into my jacket pockets.

He looked at me, and I nodded.

"What do you want from me, Riele?" He asked coweringly. His hands tightened into fists.

I lifted a brow. That question wasn't expected.

"If you wanted to rat me out, you would have, and everyone knows about your indifference, so if you haven't ratted me out, then you want to use that against me, am I right?" He asked.

My eyes sparkled with amusement at his words. I guess I'm becoming an open book that everyone can read.

I let out a huge sigh, and nodded. "I'm sure this day isn't a happy day for you anymore, so I won't say anything yet, Liar. Just know that you are gonna be one of those said victims of mine that I humiliate, and give names. If you do what I want, your secret is safe."

He kept his eyes glued on mine in a glaring manner. His glare could have turned bread to toast from a few yards away. The bell rang indicating it's closing hour.

"I'd advice you to blink. Don't glare at me." I warned.

He blinked.

"Apologize for that." I told him.

I saw his jaw clenched. "I apologize."

I smirked, and nodded. "Good. You can go now. We'll see tomorrow."

He gave me a one last look, and left.

I chuckled. This is damn why I am bitterly proud of myself. How I can make people hate, and fear me is award winning. Sometimes I equally hate, and fear myself.

I turned to look at his retreating back, folded my arms, and smirked again. I'm definitely playing my game well, and I'll always make sure that I always win, 'cause this girl sure ain't a loser.