FOUR

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"all i know since yesterday, everything has changed."

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SHE COULD NOT stand not knowing what had transpired between Ruby and James after the committee meeting but she knew that asking Ruby was not an option. Ruby would most likely make something up and not tell her the actual truth.

So with no other choice, Nia turned to the one person she had once considered her best friend. She arrived to school earlier than she usually did and waited by the common area where she knew Lydia would usually hang before school started.

To her surprise, Lydia hadn't shown up and Nia was now stuck with having to wait by Mr.Porter's class to confront the Beaufort girl. She leaned against the wooden wall and exhaled sharply as the minutes ticked by.

Just as she was about to leave, Lydia was making her way down the corridor and stopped when she noticed Nia.

Nia narrowed her eyes at Lydia. "I need you to tell me what James is doing with Ruby."

Lydia cursed under her breath and stepped closer to Nia. "I need you to know that I didn't ask-"

"What is James doing with Ruby?" Nia demanded again, her voice impatient.

"He was my only resort. You had dismissed me completely without hearing me out and I just needed for-"

"For someone to make sure your dirty, secret rendezvous never gets out?" Nia sneered.

Pain spread across Lydia's face but she glared at Nia and stood up taller, her blue eyes piercing. "I did what I had to do and if that means having my brother blackmail your little friend, so be it."

Nia clenched her jaw and glared back. "Right. Because all that really matters is making sure that you Beauforts come out unscathed, not caring about anyone but yourselves."

Lydia's gaze softened at Nia's words and she reached for Nia's hand. "Jes, I-"

Nia flinched at the usage of her old nickname and moved out of Lydia's reach. "Don't you dare use that name." She hissed. "I am not that girl anymore."

The warning bell rang, signaling that class was about to start and Nia took that as her cue to leave. She exhaled sharply and turned to look at Lydia one more time.

"Tell Jamie to back off or I will make him back off. "

Before Lydia could respond, Nia turned around, her hands shaking with a mix of anger and adrenaline. She tightened her grip on the strap of her backpack and continued down the corridor, determined to face the day head-on. Lydia had dug her own grave, and now it was time for her to lie in it.

└── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──┘

Cheers echoed all behind Nia as she held onto the camera and searched for Lin. After her showdown with Lydia, Nia had felt drained but she knew that if she had skipped school, her father would have her head served on a silver platter.

So she had gone to each of her classes and then had met with Kieran for a crash course on how to use the camera, because according to him, she was only booksmart. She hadn't known whether to feel flattered or offended, but had been leaning towards the latter.

The bleachers were filling up with students, their cheers and chatter creating a lively atmosphere. Nia stood on the sidelines, her camera ready, as the players took their positions on the field. Normally, she would be excited about this, capturing the energy and excitement of the game, but today was different. James, the ever charming captain that he was, was pumping up the team, and the thought of his smug face was enough to dampen her enthusiasm. As she snapped away photos, her mind was reeling back to her encounter with Lydia.

She knew what the Beauforts were capable of, having experienced it first hand. She just hadn't expected for them to make their move so quick. For him to get involved so fast without thinking it through. Just at the thought of it, she gritted her teeth. They were not going to get to her. Not again. Especially not now when she had to protect Ruby.

Shaking her head, she turned back to her task at hand, and shot photos of the players as the game began. East View College was one of Maxton Hall's many rivals but they stood no chance when it came to lacrosse. The boys were playing with everything they had and it was paying off.

"Hi, sorry I'm late." Lin started as she jogged up to Nia. "I had to run to the bathroom. What did I miss?" She asked, glancing at the field.

The afternoon sun blazed overhead as Nia adjusted the settings on the camera. "Not much," she replied, giving the game a quick glance. James was running past the other team, scoring another goal. "Just the same old game."

But she knew it wasn't just the same old game. The bastard was good. Like really good, maybe even great. Despite her annoyance, she had to admit that James had skill. He moved with agility and precision, leading his team with confidence. Each goal he scored was met with thunderous applause, and though it irked her, she couldn't deny the truth-James Beaufort was admirable.

"Yeah, just a boring game." She muttered, fiddling with the camera.

Lin arched an eyebrow, not believing her and smiled. "Right."

She frowned at Lin's implication but kept shooting photos, making sure to capture the players' intense expressions, the swift movements, and the camaraderie of the team. James kept glancing again and again at her after every point he made, his smirk becoming more pronounced every time. Nia shook her head, muttering under her breath, "Childish." She aimed her camera at him, capturing the moment, but not because she wanted to. It was her job, after all.

She then focused on the crowd, boys chanting for their friends, girls screaming for James, and professors looking like they'd want to be anywhere else but here. She turned the camera toward Lin and saw Ruby pass her by, scanning the area as if she were looking for someone.

Nia was about to follow her when she heard the shouts on the field. Alistair Ellington had fouled McCormack, a douchey East View player, and before they knew it, all players began fighting. Nia zoomed in with the camera and winced as she saw Alistair throw a few punches and shot a few photos as James pried him off the other player.

The whistle blew, signaling a time out as Alistair was now being seated out. He walked over to the bleachers instead with the team and Nia approached him as he stood next to Ruby.

"You got a good arm." She complimented as she joined Ruby and him.

Alistair gave her a goofy grin, with a glint in his eye. "I wanted to give McCormack a few more, but the referee was too quick."

Ruby laughed and nodded at Nia's camera. "Did you get any shots? I'd love to see that in the promo video."

"Oh you bet I did."

They all share a laugh and chat for a bit more when Ruby notices Lexington and excuses herself. Nia watches after her when Alistair nudges her. To her surprise, he was looking at her with a bit of sadness.

"I miss talking to you," He confessed, looking at her. "I can't be myself around others like I can with you."

Nia's gaze softens but she doesn't say anything back. After all, what was left to say? She had promised herself not to believe any words of her old friends. They were mere lies.

As if reading her thoughts, he placed his hand on top of hers. "I mean it, Nia. I miss having you as a friend."

Nia looked at the field as she opened her mouth to reply, but stopped short when she realized James's eletrical blue gaze was on them. She pulled her hand free from Alistair's and cleared her throat. "I'll make sure to select the best photos of you for the video."

A glimpse of pain flickered through Alistair's eyes but he gave a solemn nod. "Great. Thanks."

She nodded back not knowing what else to say when Lin called her over to take a photo of Director Lexington. Grateful for the interruption, she turned away from her old friend and joined the girls.

"If you show that you're a good team leader and all goes well, I'll write you a recommendation letter." Lexington said as Ruby and Lin looked at each other with a smile.

Nia gave her friend a questioning look but stepped up, angling the camera at Lexington. "I was summoned?"

Lexington nods and addresses Ruby. "Ms. Bell, can you do me a favor?"

Ruby nods.

"Step out of the picture."

Nia bit back a laugh as Ruby sheepishly smiled and moved beside her. Just as Nia was about to take the photo, the final whistle blew, signaling the end of the game and the crowd erupted in cheers. Lexington looked at the field with pride and Nia took the chance to take his photo then. Maxton Hall had won and they were making sure everyone knew it had been all because of James as he was immediately swarmed by his teammates.

Nia turned to celebrate with Lin and Ruby but noticed that Ruby was nowhere in sight. She looked back at the field and noticed James had disappeared too.

Well, bullocks.