This chapter(27) & the next (28) are FLASHBACKS

>> PART 1 <<

March 18, 2016

     "Malona, I didn't know you were that type."

"Can I tag along next time?"

"I don't know how you allow it, girl."

"Tell me, is it the thrill that makes it okay for you?"

Those are only a few witty comments people threw at me at school that day. Every time someone asked me, I would send them questioning looks before they'd start laughing as they walked away without an explanation.

Taylor and Callie even came up to me asking what all the gossip was about. I didn't have an answer for them.

Approximately two hours later, I had my answer. Finally.

It wasn't until lunch time that I opened my eyes and realized what was happening literally in front of me. After paying for my lunch, I walked over to my usual table only to find that there was a crowd of people circling it.

Picking up my pace, I started to rush over to the table. My inital thought was that Taylor was about to be in some kind of trouble.

But boy, was I wrong. Elbowing my way through the silent crowd, I push through into an opening. Scanning the table, I realized Taylor wasn't anywhere to be found. Looking around curiously, I see Callie pushing her way over to me, her eyes wide.

Before I could ask what the hell was going on, she gripped onto my arm and tried pulling me away. "Lona, let's go, now!"

"No, Cal. What the hell is going on? Do you know what's happened?" I gently pull my arm from her grasp and look at her intensely. Her mouth opened and closed repeatedly for a few seconds before my attention was drawn to someone who had said my name.

When I locked eyes with the person who had called me, they were already getting up from table. A beautiful dark haired girl with bright blue eyes waltzed over to me, an angry expression on her face.

She stopped in front of me but didn't say a thing. Two other girls stood on either side of her, and they didn't look too happy either.

"So, you're Malona?" The blonde haired girl on the left asked, her lips curled into a snarl.

"Yeah, why?" I asked, handing my tray over to Callie without a second thought.

The third girl also had brown hair but her eyes were a dark green. They were all wearing the same outfit. They were cheerleaders.

The blond haired girl took a step closer to me and slipped something into my hand. It felt like a cellphone and I gripped onto it, wondering what in the world was happening.

"Look at it," the blue eyed girl stated, crossing her arms over her chest. "It's from yesterday."

Taking a look at the crowd that surrounded us, I slowly lifted the phone and quickly glanced over the screen. On the top, there were four simple letters.

Below it was a conversation over text.

I didn't say anything. I didn't react. That's why people have been making smart ass comments towards me. They thought I knew about them, I thought.

Casually handing her the phone back, I begin to back away, my eyes focusing on the ground below me.

Due to the amount of people around me, I had to turn around and bulldoze my way through, biting my tongue in anger.

"We just thought you should know!" One of the cheerleaders had called to be, no emotion in their tone whatsoever.

Just as I was about to exit the cafeteria, Callie called my name, but I ignored her and kept walking, faster and faster.

My intentions were to go into the bathroom, lock myself in a stall, and cry. I would cry, and cry, until there were no tears left. But before I reached the restrooms, I had turned on my heels and headed in the direction of the main doors, my eyes scanning every inch of the halls looking for a certain someone.

My cheek was stained with a single tear, but I would not allow another one to come out. Instead, I focused on my spur of the moment plan.

That plan of mine was tweaked slightly as I saw the one and only Noah Slater waltzing back into the school, a broad smile on his face.

Like he was the happiest man alive. Like he was the most innocent man out there.

When he saw me coming, his smile got a little bit brighter until I came closer. His happy expression changed drastically as I made a move to grab his hand, but pulled back immediately.

"Lona, what's wrong?" He sounded so concerned. So caring. But that was bullshit. I turn sharply and stomp into the first empty classroom I see. As I expected, Noah followed close behind.

Without meeting his gaze, I toss my backpack to the side and sit on the edge of a desk and bite my lip.

Hesitantly, Noah takes a step closer and asks, "What is it Malona? What happened?"

The tears were begging to fall out at this point. But I didn't let them.

I mean, a text is not 100% proof, right? Those gorgeous cheerleaders could have planned this all along just to mess with me.

There was a chance this was all just a sick joke.

"Lona."

Noah's voice snaps me out of my thoughts so quickly, my earlier thoughts were no longer on my mind.

"Why don't you tell me?" I ask meekly, forcing myself to keep his gaze.

"What do you mean?" He asks with an eyebrow raised.

He's so pathetic. Acting like he has no idea why I could be so upset.

I don't realize I'm laughing out loud until I feel someone's hand grip mine.

My hand is out of his so quick, you would have thought I was jeering away from some disgusting creature.

In a way, I was.

"Tell me, could you handle it?"

He looked so confused, it made me even more angrier than I already was.

Standing up, I take step closer to him. "The texts, Noah! The pictures? Was it worth it? Was she worth it?" I practically screamed at him.

It took him a second, but when he realized what I was talking about, he had the most horrified look on his face.

"Ma-"

"You've made me look like a fool."

I didn't bother to listen to his pleads to 'let him explain.' His reaction gave me all the information I needed.

The cheerleaders weren't lying.

I grabbed my backpack, slung it over my shoulder and marched out of the room, bumping my shoulder forcefully against his as I went.

* * * *
Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed! The next part will ALSO be a flashback :)

Please leave a comment, vote and share!<3