Contains Island Dialect

Spencer, North Carolina

Another school week has ended and the weekend closed, Selby was back at Spencer High for another go at the school week with a new clique of friends and the fallback of cutting ties with Spencer's elite. She never knew how much she was under the microscope by her peers when she stopped being a friend to Raine, Ayanna, and the others.  Rumors were going around about the 'break up' along with Harem's absence and Erica's addition to the group. Don't forget the island girl's new relationship with everyone's favorite billionaire son. 

Selby wanted to just dig a hole and wait for everything to blow over but that will be most unlikely. The clique she was now stuck in were major gossipers. No one really knew what happened except for her, Derek, and Harem. In her peripheral, as she sat in Math class, she eyed her boyfriend. His bruises were healing well, leaving a hue of purple and yellow where Harem landed his punches. She never went to his boxing practices when he invited her along but by the way, he knocked down Derek easily, she knew he was good at it. Leaning into her boyfriend, the accusations her ex-best friend laid upon him filtered back into her mind. Her Derek loved her, he may be egotistical at times, girls flock to him because of his looks and football infamy but he will never cheat on her. They had one of the most cliched relationships and it withstood scrutiny, doubts, and major naysayers for two years now and counting. They were proving to everyone that high school love wasn't fickle.

She couldn't understand why Harem will lie so callously. Derek was right. He wanted to put a wedge between them, he was probably lying about his love for her. Selby frowned upon the recollection of her teammates' reaction to her no longer being friends with Harem and the others. They too claimed Derek wasn't the right choice and deducted among themselves that Harem chickened out in telling her how he felt. She didn't dwell on their opinions, they were wrong. 

"Want to come over after practice?" she asked Derek softly. 

"Sure, babe," he returned, kissing her head before placing his focus back on their Math teacher. She loved their alone time. Though they haven't been fully intimate, Derek respected her decision in saving her virginity for the right time. He made sure she was sexually satisfied otherwise. Selby smiled to herself, she will prove to them all that Derek isn't a bad guy. 

The bell rang, ending the class and signaling lunch hour. Not wanting to face her old friends again, she allowed herself to be perky and friendly to the girlfriends of the other ballplayers, inviting them all out to lunch with her. They eagerly accepted and followed her noisily out to her car. She was never close to these girls but they accepted her in their group with the exchange of a few tidbits about Trey and  Alec. Having boyfriends doesn't mean you cannot appreciate goodies from afar. To Selby, she thinks the girls won't mind being part of the two guys' menage. It wasn't a secret well to her, that those two wish for a menage-type relationship, they have been best friends since preschool and knew each other inside out, one thing that no one can doubt was their sexuality. They were one hundred percent straight alpha males who simply love to share their women. Though she witnessed the love and understanding within a menage relationship with Marielle and the twins, she still had her doubts.

"What do you guys think about lunch at the mall?" she asked aloud when they all got settled into her car. The girls were marveling about the interior of her  17th birthday gift from her stepfather before they answered. She was fortunate to have a loving stepfather and equally rich to have the expensive car, it brought along envy and fake friends but she didn't care about that, she knew how to keep her head on right.

"The mall is great. It will save us a trip after school. The guys always complain when we ask them to go," one answered. Pheona, Selby reminded herself of the raven-haired girl who spoke up. Middle eastern descent and girlfriend to the school's linebacker, the couple were inseparable. Throwing a smile her way, Selby left the school parking lot quickly but she found herself looking for Harem's car, for some reason. 
The ten-minute ride was filled with laughter and Instagram pictures which Selby found undoubtedly fun. It reminded her of the mall trips even out of town ones with Raine and Ayanna. Subtly shaking her head of now useless memories, she found a park in the mildly packed mall car park. The exclusive mall was another Johnson-owned building, proudly built for the town of Spencer and cared for by them. With reasonable rent, sole business owners filled most of the storefronts mixed with chain stores. The eclectic mixture of stores and the indoor oasis design made the mall a huge attraction. 

"I can never get bored of this mall. Mr. Johnson really knows how to please people. You think Elijah will take over for his dad?" Honey asked curiously. The slender African American girl stood by the car and peered up at the large shiny structure. 

"He hasn't decided yet," Selby answered grabbing her bag and checking herself in the car's side mirror.

"It's not like he will go broke after graduation. He has the world at his feet," Becky commented, doing the same as Selby.

"You're right. The whole family is loaded. I envy the girls who catch their eyes. The new girl is so lucky. Elijah seems real happy, ten times happier than how he was with Bree. Not to speak badly about my own skin color but that girl is just downright nasty. Embarrassing the guy like that. Elijah is the sweetest guy ever," Honey followed up. The other girls agreed heartily with their friend but Selby stayed quiet. She thought back to how she snubbed Erica last Friday when she innocently asked about their project. The girl was brave enough to ask their teacher for a switch in partners after calmly telling her off. She liked Erica but she was too close to friends she no longer trusted. 

"You ever wondered how she's getting all those new clothes even that car. I mean I know her pops married up but will he gifting her all those things so frequently?" Chrystal asked. 

"Nah. Not her dad. She hates him for leaving her mom," Honey said with air quotes. Selby stayed quiet and listened closely. These girls were the news hub of the school, they knew everything, if they don't know anything offhand, give them two days to figure it out. It probably helps that Honey's mom owned the local bar and steakhouse, Chrystal's parents are lawyers, Pheona's parents owned the only middle eastern restaurant in town and also a phone store in the mall, and Becky's father was the current town sheriff. People talk, things happen, they can get reliable sources from anywhere. 

Becky rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Her older brother is out and prowling the streets looking for work so it's not him but I overheard one of dad's deputies saying he spotted her and Natalie leaving town often at all hours of the day. He's worried that she may be following the bad crowd or something. Bless his heart."

The girls snickered when she shook her head sympathetically with her last statement. Selby felt out of the loop with the inside joke.  Pheona caught her clueless expression and kindly filled her in. "In other words, she feels for the deputy's wrong given-worry. We all know Bree isn't the sweet new girl who came to Spencer all those years ago," she said. 

"Damn right she isn't," Selby muttered. 

The group finally entered the town's haven, they called the mall. "Anyone has classes after lunch?" Chrystal asked, checking her phone that just beeped.

"Nope."

"Substitute teacher."

"Free for the rest of the day."

"Study Hall."

"History. Last period."

"Nice. Let's check out the stores then get some food," she voiced before leading the way to the elevators. 
Selby found herself relaxing with the idle talk with the girls and laughing at silly jokes they came up with. Stopping on the first floor, they slipped into a clothing store which was a local favorite. A local designer owned it, his designs are pretty famous on the runway internationally but he also made local designs to suit the taste of small towns. Selby met the man behind it all once or twice, it helped that his daughter Katie was considered Elijah's big sister and a well-known choreographer for big-name stars. The store was colorful and spacious, upbeat music played low overhead with seating areas for people who just came to tag along. Though she didn't really come to shop, a few tops and dresses caught her eye. 
Wandering away from her group, she found herself standing at a clothing rack filled with outfits labeled  'The fun side in you'. It was basically graphic tank tops and t-shirts matched with either jeans, skirts, or denim overalls. She was deciding over two outfits when she heard a familiar name from a female voice. 

"Does Harem normally do this? Escort girls to the mall?"

"Yup. He's a great friend. I'm grateful that he has my back, coming here is what I needed but never knew. He thinks the cure or temporary cure to sadness and restlessness in girls is shopping or whatever we fancy," another female voice said with a laugh.

"You're lucky to have him as a friend. A best friend to be exact," the first girl said.

"I am. His family always treated me like their own. It's hard to believe that they are all I have now."

"And me."

"Yes and you. Thanks for coming with me, Stace," the second girl said.

"Like I had a choice. I had a feeling Harem would have thrown me over his shoulder and put me on the jet," the girl named Stace joked. The second girl laughed aloud and agreed wholly. Selby took that chance to peek over her shoulder. Something akin to jealousy flared in her chest when she spotted the gorgeous redhead and blonde girls, arms laden with clothes. 

"He's protective and intense, I will tell you that. He has this alpha side that comes out with people he cares about is in danger," the blonde said with a soft smile on her face. Stace paused and frowned at her friend. "But we just met," the redhead stated in a confused tone. 

"I've known H since pre-k and knows his quirks. He likes you but trying to sort some shit out in his head," the blonde offered in a confident tone.

"He does seem lost in thought these past few days," Stace confirmed. 

Selby wanted to know who these girls were to Harem. They seem to be rather close to him, the blonde more so. She remembered him talking about a Taylor back in New York but she didn't really want to hear about silly pranks boys do in their free time. Now she was confused if Taylor was actually a girl, this same blonde beauty who was talking about her Harem. No. Not her Harem.

"Yeah. To think he has his own problems yet flew out to help with mine. Can I ask something of you, Stacia?" the blonde asked.

"Anything Taylor."

Selby's eyes widen in shock. That was the Taylor, Harem kept talking about. Disbelief fought with the shock due to what she heard. Harem flew to New York for her, she knew he was lying about being in love with her. To drop everything and hop a flight for a girl means he had to have some sort of feelings for her, right?

"Give him time to approach you. He got his heart battered by a wrong choice, so he's building back the confidence he once had. I know you are a bit apprehensive about him because of his status but take away all the riches and fame, H is the best. Don't just take my word for it because he's my best friend, find out for yourself. Be his friend first," Taylor said in a hopeful tone.

"To be honest, I'm already seeing why you hold him in such high regard."

"I know right. This is going to be fun. My two best friends are going to fall in love and give me babies. I'm going to be a godmother," Taylor shrieked.

"Whoa there, bubbles. Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Stacia said with an amused laugh. Turning around fully, Selby gave the girls a once over again as they slowly made their way through the racks of clothes, that's when she saw him. Dressed in a quirky short-sleeved button-down with animated smart devices print and distressed jeans, he looked more like an always-at-home nerd than a business tycoon's son. It always left Selby confused at what his dress style really was. 

"H!" the blonde shouted in greeting.

Selby watched on as the two animatedly chatted with the redhead standing shyly by, sneaking glances at Harem. He did look adorable. Selby caught herself by that thought and outwardly shook her head, wondering why her mind went that way. Angry at herself for that minor slip, she grabbed a random outfit and found her friends. Her separation from Harem didn't last long. Pheona spotted Harem and called out to him from afar. Trying to look distracted by the clothing rack before her, she witnessed in her peripheral Harem raising his head in question then his welcoming smile to the girls. The two groups closed the distance between them which Selby grudgingly went along. Harem blatantly ignored her and answered the girls' million and one questions with his natural friendly and polite demeanor.

"We missed you at school. We were thinking you either ditched or gotten sick," Honey stated.

"I'm sorry. Things got hectic on my side. I've been keeping up online and may return tomorrow or Wednesday," he answered her. 

"Who are your friends?" Becky asked. Not waiting for an introduction the girl perkily introduced herself and her friends. 

"I'm Taylor and this is my friend Stacia," the blonde returned with a genuine smile. Selby noted in unexplained jealousy, how perfect the girls looked on Harem's side. 

"Your accent. New York," Chrystal interjected.

The two girls laughed amicably and began a friendly chatter with them. "The girls here, finished high school a semester early so I invited them out here as a mini-vacation, per say," Harem said. Not once did he look Selby's way. She felt hurt and pissed that he didn't. To her, he was acting like a snobby child. 

"Wow. So college is the next step?" Pheona asked. The two friends shrugged their shoulders indecisive and explained their reasoning. "My parents have tons of college brochures waiting for me to review. I keep putting them off," she continued. Becky, Chrystal, and Honey backed up her statement with the same exasperated tone.

"And you Selby? Any college plans?" Taylor asked. Maybe she was hearing things but she heard how the blonde's carefree tone changed to firm and mocking. Her brown eyes boldly held her gaze making Selby uneasy. 

"I'm in dance so I'm working towards a scholarship at any of the top schools for dance," she answered with pride.

"That's cool. What about a backup career?" Stacia asked. The redhead unmistakably moved closer to Harem, Taylor did too, it was like an unspoken move between the girls, they were protecting him. 

"Backup career?" Selby asked distractedly. Unknown feelings were coursing through her body making her feel defensive of what she said, even how she looked for some reason.

"Yeah. You know. Like if dancing doesn't pan out," Taylor asked slowly. 

"Uhhhh No," Selby asked feeling stupid with everyone's eyes on her, even Harem's.

"Oh. Well, you got time. Anyway, we gotta go. I need to get a new phone..." Taylor began.

"You can visit my dad's store, it's on the next side of this floor. We'll take you there. Is that okay with you, Harem? If we're interrupting a day trip, we're sorry," Pheona said. 

"Girls?" he asked them both. 

"I have your number. I want to hang with them for a while. Why don't you two go check out that store on the next floor?" Taylor said already joining her new friends. 

Harem turned to Stacia who was blushing like a virgin bride. "I think that's a great idea, Tay. Take her things and leave your packages with the manager," he said taking the chosen clothes from Stacia and handing them over to Taylor. "Oh, you got the card right. Can't remember if I gave it to you," he said going for his wallet. 

"You gave me when we left Aunt J's office. Go. Enjoy you two," Taylor said kissing his cheek then winking at her friend. They all looked on as Harem boldly took hold of Stacia's hand and led her out of the store.

"Is that his girlfriend? We've never seen him with one at school. The rumor was he has a crush on... oh. Sorry," Becky began before seeing Selby's annoyed glare. Taylor eyed her closely, then shook her head in exasperation before turning back to her new friends. 

The next thirty-five minutes were spent with her new friends getting to know Taylor and her relationship with Harem. The blonde told them so many stories that Selby should have known because of her past friendship with the same guy. It only made her realize she didn't really pay attention to his wants but he was always there for her. Jealousy, annoyance, irritation brew inside her by the time they all sat for lunch, Taylor Grandville included. The fact that Harem and the redhead weren't coming back made her even more annoyed. Quietly she tried to sort out these new feelings towards Harem, only to place them as a reflex from seeing him so soon. 

"We have to head back to school now but it was fun meeting you. We all have your number so expect a call or text from us," Chrystal said standing up from the food court table.

"Same here. Thanks for your help Pheona," Taylor said getting up also. She brandished every one of them with a hug, when she reached Selby it was a simple brush of arms around her then that was it. Selby didn't mind, she didn't want to stay in the bubbly blonde's presence anymore. Everything about the girl screamed perfect for Harem, even the redhead, so why was she bothered by that?
Quickly she left the group with the excuse of getting the car cooled down. She was mad with herself and needed some time alone. When she gets back to school by Derek's side it will all be fine. Her mind won't be too messed up. It was a fluke. She did not miss Harem nor have feelings for him.

None.

                                                                       *************

Back at the high school, Erica and Ayanna were sitting beside Raine in the school's library watching her think of ways to get the attention of her crush. She was running on the success of her lunch plan. Taking advantage of Travis' scatterbrained behavior when it comes to everything else besides his studies, she had the lunch hall supervisor offer him a packed lunch. Raine knows he always chooses random things from the options given and never eats them. Today he was given a food box with a hot meal and a bottle of fruit juice. There was a moment when she thought he wasn't going to take it from the woman. He stared at the things in her hands then searched the lunch hall. His hard eyes met Raine's and for that moment she silently prayed for him to accept her peace offering. His always tension-filled body slackened a bit before he accepted the catered food for him. Travis gave her a small nod then took his favored seat away from everyone. She had Erica and Ayanna check randomly to make sure he was eating. 
Joy filled her when they confirmed he was. 

"So wah yuh goin' an' do next?" Erica asked, intrigued by her new friend's tenacity. 

"I have to wait. After a week or two of packed lunches, I will join him for maybe once or twice during the week," Raine answered.

"What if he shuts you down again?"Ayanna asked softly.

Stubbornly Raine shook her head in denial but the girls saw her trembling hand. "Then I will try again," she said with a raise of her chin.

"But.."

"I know it's not a conventional boy meets girl scenario but I really do like him. He's just misunderstood and used by everyone and no, it's not pity. I am truly attracted to him the way a woman is to a man when she knows he's the one," Raine countered, cutting off her friend's statement. 

"I just don't want you to get hurt," Ayanna offered.

"Thanks, you guys. If it doesn't work out, then...." she said with a shrug of her shoulders. 

"If yuh need mih, call. Ah have one more class to do. Talk to yuh later," Erica said sending a smile her way.

"I will."

Ayanna stood to leave also, she had to get her schedule for this semester's tutoring students then head over to the learning center. "Don't let him make you feel inferior. You're beautiful and your heart is in the right place where he's concerned," she said.

"Thanks again."

The girls left their friend to her own devices, unaware that the subject of their conversation was close by. 

Travis stayed seated on the floor between the bookshelves near the study table Raine and her friends occupied. He was confused by the girl's actions towards him. He knew who she was, what guy didn't. She's one of the most popular and gorgeous girls at Spencer High. He never heard her name in degrading situations but that doesn't stop locker room talk. Guys wanted to bed her, just to say they did, girls were jealous of her connection to the billionaire kids and not to mention her smarts. Her name always popped up whenever he helped his teachers with student reviews for the honor roll. A's all across the board but she doesn't seem to have an obsession for a particular subject. She was untouchable yet she has a thing for him. He, a nerd, a geek who has been bullied for his own smarts, an unattractive bloke whose best thing to offer girls was help on a test. 

Why?

Why isn't she giving up?

He has been mean to her from day one, blaming her for a screw-up he did by mistake, in order to keep her away. She not only confused him but scare him. He can never be her ideal. A girl like her doesn't end up with a guy like him. He's just a phase, an accessory to the elite when they decide to take pity on the lower class. Travis vowed not to get fooled again but overhearing Raine's sincerity to get closer to him, risking her heart, made him really think. Was she worth it? 

Going up to his knees, he peeked through the books to get a look at her. She was dressed extremely modest today, just like the past few days after their little talk. He accused her of something under her, thinking she was just another lazy sex crazy chic who wanted a quick A. He saw how hurt she felt by his words but she tarried on. Initially, he felt a bit of satisfaction when he witnessed her outward flinch by his cruel words but now, he felt like a complete ass. The hoodie and jeans she wore, wasn't her style. She loved color, her style varied a lot but was never tacky. Raine covered up for him, she wanted to please him. No makeup was on her face, her brown hair was in a ponytail and not loose like she always wore it. She changed for him. 

It was all his fault. 

Why couldn't he give in to her?

Closing his eyes, he can still hear the mocking and laughing from that night. The one girl he thought he liked crushed his naive heart, taking pictures and calling like the bitch she revealed to be. Walking home that night, barely dressed with rope burns on his wrists and ankles made his heart bitter. His father wanted to sue, press charges, do something to retaliate but he just wanted to forget. Travis was scared to trust another girl, most of the girls here at Spencer High proved him right with them being users but Raine. Raine was an enigma. His wrists itched under the leather bracelet he wore, a reminder not to trust ever again. 

Turning away from the girl who can break his heart more if he lets her in, Travis quietly left his spot and disappeared deeper into the library. 

He had to push her farther away.

He had to do it, it's for the best.