Levi's POV

"Good morning class, today we will start a new book. Take one and pass it down. We will be reading Lord of the Flies by William Golding," Ms. Knight, our English teacher, announces.

This will be a piece of cake because I read this one two years ago. Most of the books our teachers pick, I've read. It doesn't help that they check them out from the school library and I've read every book they have to offer. That's the struggle of being an avid reader in a small town, no one can ever introduce me to a new story.

AnnaMae turns around, her blonde ponytail whipping me in the face and flashes a quick smirk before handing over my copy.

I ignore the attitude and thumb through the paperback, remembering the storyline of a group of schoolboys escaping war and ending up on a tropical island. It's all fun and games at first until the boys turn on each other.

My stomach grumbles under my hoodie breaking me out of my daze. That's when I notice the note sitting on the edge of my desk. Did AnnaMae drop this off? I open the note:

Hey, I didn't get a chance to get your

number before you ran off on me at

the party. Here's mine, 289-851-xxxx

Xoxo Clair

"This week I expect you to read the first ten chapters. On Friday we will have our first book discussion." Ms. Knight's words fell on deaf ears when she passed the books out.

I reread the note remembering how her lips tasted like cherries and I enjoyed the kiss we shared but her personality ruins her entire image. She is just another spoiled girl in town wrapped up in status and can't be told no. She views those around her as beneath her and plans on proving everyone she is better than them by leaving the town. I, on the other hand, love living here and couldn't care less what status I'm at.

Bailey is nothing like Clair. She doesn't want the fancy foods, and overpriced foreign clothing and to be clumped in with the Moretti family reputation. She doesn't mind getting dirty and dressing in clothes that make her comfortable. When we were kids she used to ride dirt bikes and play in the lake with us without a care in the world. It's just another reason why I admire her and now that we're in this pretend relationship I should probably tell Clair about it soon before rumors get out.

Hey, it's Levi,
can we meet after school?

I was wondering when
you were going to text me!
Okay, where at?

How about in the courtyard?

Can't wait!

"Those interested in extra credit can participate in our weekly Wednesday study group. It will take place in this class after school. If you attend all the study sessions you will receive extra credit and it will help you understand William Goldberg better." Ms. Knight says.

My phone vibrates again. I glance down expecting it to be another message from Clair, but to my surprise is a text from Hayley.

Really? You're choosing her over me?

What the hell? Does she know about Bailey? We just agreed on this last night and she is already telling people? Would Bailey spread the news that fast? Damn, I really need to break the news to Clair then.

++++++++

I throw my backpack into my locker and slam it shut revealing Hayley on the other side, making me jump. "What the hell, Hayley, you scared me."

"You didn't answer my text!" She complains.

"I was in class!" Haley used to do this when we were dating too, whenever I didn't answer her text right away she would freak out.

"What does she have that I don't have? Is it because I don't have a name like Moretti? Is it because my family doesn't own the town? It's a status thing isn't it? I may only be a hair stylist's daughter, but I'm a cheerleader dammit and that means something around here. Besides, football players should be dating cheerleaders. It's only natural." Her blonde hair is tucked behind her ear revealing a dangly earring I bought her when we first started dating and I'm not sure if I should be flattered by this because it must mean I have good taste or if I should be worried because we've been broken up for awhile now. She stands there with her arms crossed throwing a pouty face and the attitude makes me roll my eyes. This is exactly why I'm not dating Hayley. All she cares about is status. "Why are you still on this thing about an 'us' there is no 'us'."

I turn on my heel and head to the cafeteria but of course we are in the same lunch period together so she follows behind, a shadow that won't quit. "There used to be!" She remarks.

"Yeah, like six months ago," I scoff.

"Well, I thought we were working it out. What about two months ago? Did you already forget?" She's referring to the party when we were both stupidly drunk making out in the living room.

"That was a mistake. We already discussed it." Hayley follows me into the cafeteria mimicking everything I do. I grab my cheeseburger and throw it on the tray and she also grabs a cheeseburger. I grab a bag of chips from the shelf and she grabs the same flavor. Then when I'm ready to buy my food she stands behind me in line.

"You were just using me. Waiting for her to come back," Hayley realizes.

"You are just always on the ball, aren't you?" I say sarcastically.

After we check out, I decide to part ways with her and instead of walking to my normal table, where I would sit next to Hayley, I head south to where Georgia and Bailey are sitting. I promised Bailey I would sit with her today, and I'm glad I have an excuse to not be at my normal spot.

On a normal day, Hayley would sit next to me, blabbering about some gossip between some couple. Next to her would be AnnaMae with Hunter's arm wrapped tightly around her. Then around us would be all the football players with their girlfriends. Except for Jake, Devon, and Tanner because they aren't seeing anyone which pisses off the cheerleaders because they're desperate to be in relationships.

Today will be different. I look over and see Bailey laughing at something Georgia said and it's the first time I've seen her at school without her hood up. It's nice to see her smile again.

"Uh, where are you going?" Hayley asks.

I look back at Hayley's scowling face; I forgot she was still behind me.

"I'm sitting somewhere else today," I announce.

"Are you serious? You are unbelievable." She storms toward AnnaMae and Hunter.

Bailey's POV

"Hey Bailey. This seat free?" Levi asks.

"Of course, sit." I tell him.

Georgia stares at me with a confused expression. She knows how I feel about Levi and I haven't told her yet about my pretend relationship with him.

"What brings you to this table, Levi? Tired of sitting with airheads all the time?" Georgia asks.

"Actually, yes." Levi laughs.

"I have the latest tea!" Denver says and slams her tray down next to me. Dakota sits down next to Georgia, across from Denver awaiting the latest gossip.

"Guess who Levi Bedford is dating?!" Denver asks the table.

"Who am I dating?" Levi leans forward, revealing himself to Denver and her jaw drops open in embarrassment. No one expected anyone to join us for lunch today let alone, Levi.

"What are you doing here?" She says, flabbergasted.

"He's tired of sitting with airheads," Georgia says with her mouth full of burger.

"Wait, you said Levi was dating someone?" I ask. Did Levi tell anyone about our relationship because I haven't. I wanted to break the news to the Weber's first. Plus, I'm still unsure if I want them to know it's fake or not.

"Well, yeah, rumor has it Levi and Clarice, who now goes by Clair, are dating." She states.

"What?!" Levi and I both say unison.

"Uh, yeah. AnnaMae saw you two kissing at Clair's welcome back party. The whole school is talking about it. Wait, are you two not dating?"

"You kissed Clair?" I whip around to face Levi. We just started pretending to be date twelve hours ago and he's already keeping secrets from me! He is so frustrating sometimes, no, all the time!

"Uh, well, she uh, kissed me." He stammers over his own words and I can't believe he failed to tell me this information!

"Why do you care?" Georgia asks, still chomping away at her food.

"Because we're dating!" I blurt out.

"What?!" Denver, Dakota, and Georgia all shout in unison.

"Cat's out of the bag now." Levi awkwardly laughs as he combs his fingers through his hair.

Denver and Dakota's jaws remain on the floor but Georgia speaks up, "But I thought you hated him and you li-"

I cut her off, "It's only pretend dating. He's going to help me get on the cheerleading squad in exchange of him not having to date Clair."

"Damn, Bailey, how many people know your true feelings about me?" Levi asks.

"Oh, shut up. It's not like I waste my valuable time talking about you" I snort.

"Out of all the guys you could pretend to date and you choose him?" Georgia laughs.

"Yeah, you two don't seem like a couple at all." Denver asks.

"Denver's got a point. If you two are going to fake a relationship, you have to at least pretend to like each other." Dakota says.

"Okay, then Levi, will you give me a ride home today?" I ask.

"Well, actually, today's no good. I promised Clair I would meet up with her," Levi says.

"What? First day, and you're already cheating on me?" I gasp.

"No! It's not like that. We are just going to talk for a minute. If you want, you can wait in the truck."

"Oh, yeah. I'll be that girl waiting for you, while you fool around with another girl."

"Look at that, they're already having their first fight," Georgia says to the table.

"You guys need to come up with rules if you are actually going to do this," Dakota explains.

"What are you their marriage counselor?" Denver snorts.

"Dakota's right. We need to establish rules and boundaries. Tomorrow, you will give me a ride home and we will establish rules at my place." I command Levi.

"Fine," Levi grumbles.

++++++++

Georgia and Dakota stop by my locker waiting for me so we can walk out together. I grab the only books I need tonight and shove them in my backpack. I also grab Animal Farm and throw it in my bag. I'm so behind on this dumb book.

"So are we not going to address the elephant in the room?" Georgia asks.

I close my locker and throw my backpack over my shoulder. I knew this conversation was coming.

"Yes, I'm dating Levi. I saw an opportunity and took it."

"But you like Hunter," She says.

"Yes, I still like Hunter," I confirm.

"So, you're using Levi to get to Hunter," Dakota asks.

"He's also using me too. If anything, it's a mutual agreement." I tell them.

"Alright, but if you two are really going to pull this off you need to set boundaries and come up with your story. People are going to ask, when it started and all that shit."

We exit the school and to my left I see Levi and Clair in the alley that leads to the courtyard. Seeing him over there gives me a ping of anxiety. I hope he doesn't fuck any of this up.

"Yeah, we will tomorrow." I say.

"You should invite him to the movies with us this weekend," Georgia says.

"Yeah, I'll ask if he wants to do that."

++++++++

Jackson drops me off in front of my house and I notice my dad's car in the driveway. That's odd, I expected him to be back on the road by now.

"I'm home," I shout when I enter the house, locking the door behind me.

"In the living room," my dad answers.

When I walk into the living room I see my mother and father both sitting in different chairs, waiting for me and immediately I know something is wrong. Is this an intervention? I drop my backpack off next to the couch and stand there, waiting for the news. "What's going on?"

"I have some news for you," my dad says.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Have a seat sweetheart," He says but I shake my head. I want to know what's going on.

"Okay, after speaking with your grandpa at the party on Saturday, we agreed it would be best that I seek help," he informs me.

"What does that mean? Are you seeing a therapist?" I ask.

"I'm checking into a rehabilitation facility," He says.

"Where? When? For how long? Why?" My head fills with questions. I'm used to my dad being gone for long periods of time, because that is what truck drivers do but who knows how long he will be gone if he goes to rehab.

"The place is in Milwaukee, I check in tomorrow and I'm not sure how long I will be there but a few months at least. I'm sure you've noticed that my drinking habit has increased since Jack left us, and the family agrees that I should seek professional help."

"Is mom going too?" I gasp.

"No, baby, I'll be home. My drinking is under control," she assures me.

"Bullshit," dad mutters.

"Oh like you'd know, you're never home," She snaps back.

"Guys, can we not do this now?" I break up the fight before it starts.

"When I come back, I will be a better father for you, I promise." he says.

The emotions build up inside me. This isn't what I wanted. I don't want my family to split up more than it already has. Aren't families supposed to come together during tragedies? Why does it seem like ours is falling apart? I storm out of the living room. There's so much anger inside me I can't put them into words.

"Bailey," my dad shouts but it's too late. I'm already slamming my bedroom door. I throw the nearest object to me. The hairbrush slams against the wall. I kick over my chair that sits at my vanity and smash the alarm clock with my foot.

This isn't fair. My life shouldn't be like this. I should have my brother and both of my parents. This all started because of Jack. I hate him. I hate him so much. It's his fault my dad is leaving us. Leaving me. Just like it's his fault for leaving me.

I continue to curse at him as I destroy my room.

~~~~~3/5/20 • 2424 words~~~~~

How do you release your anger? I throw my phone against the wall which isn't good because cellphones are expensive. 😂