Chapter 39: Chapter 39

Rylie's POV

After spending the day with Blake, I was definitely not ready for what awaited me at school the next day. In my excitement and the euphoria that being with Blake gave me, I forgot all about talking to Myles and got quite the show at school.

Blake and I had just arrived at school and we're arguing about something when a commotion just ahead caught my attention. My eyes widened when I caught sight of Olivia pleading with a fuming Myles.

"Oh no!" I thought mortified. I scrambled towards them, Blake forgotten.

"Myles, please let me explain!" Olivia cried, trying to grab Myles' hand. He pulled away from her and pinned her with a scowl. "I don't want to hear it, Olivia. I don't want to hear anymore lies from you! You're a cheat and a liar and I regret…"

"Okay, okay. Best to stop before we say anything we'll regret later on," I was quick to butt in.

"Rylie, you wouldn't believe…" Myles was saying but I cut in with an "I know, Myles."

"You know? What do you mean, 'You know'? How could you not tell me something like this? Wait, did you plan this?!" he narrowed his eyes at me.

"Of course not. Why would I do something like that?!"

"I don't know. Maybe because you never really approved of us dating in the first place? You always wanted Mason for her and I guess now she can have him. I'm just… I'm done!" he threw his hands up and stormed off.

I watched him go, wondering how things had started to go so wrong. Olivia was crying beside me and despite how much I wanted to go after Myles, I couldn't leave her like that.

"Shhh! Shhh!" I cooed, gathering her up in my arms.

"I'm s-sorry. I d-didn't… I didn't m-mean for it t-to h-happen…" Olivia cried, her words catching in her throat.

"I know. I know. I know," I mumbled, patting her head. And oh boy, did I know.

Unfortunately for Olivia, things were only going to get worse and it was all because of me.

•••

Recess was awkward that day. The only person who actually seemed happy was Jessie. Olivia was seated, barely touching her food and I could see Mason frequently sneaking glances at her. As for Myles, he wasn't with us. In fact, none of us had seen him since this morning. I knew he would be alright, at least I hoped he would be.

Eventually, I couldn't take it anymore. I don't know what it was that pushed me to snap. Maybe it was Jessie's stupid voice or the look on Olivia's face that made it seem like it was my fault… Whichever it was, I just kinda snapped.

"Okay. That's enough!" I yelled, slamming my hand on the table. All eyes turned to me. "Mason, don't tell you're just going to keep looking at that face and not do anything considering this is kinda your fault."

"Mason? What is she talking about?" Jessie asked, turning to him.

"Yes Rylie, what are you talking about?" he nudged his head towards Jessie as a signal for me to keep quiet. I ignored him.

"Don't pull that crap with me, Mason. You kissed Olivia because you like her not Blondie here," I pointed to Jessie.

"Kissed Olivia? Mason, is that true?" Jessie demanded, turning to Mason.

"It is. Kinda but…"

Before he could finish talking, Jessie had already stormed off.

"Rylie, why would you do that?" Mason demanded as soon as she left.

"Because you don't belong with her. You belong with Olivia."

"That wasn't your choice to make. You don't get to make choices for me about who I get to be with and who I don't. You're not my mother, Rylie!" Mason shot back.

"So does that mean you don't like me?" A quiet voice asked in the corner. It was Olivia. I'd forgotten all about her.

"Look Olivia, I wish it were that easy. At the beginning of the year, I wouldn't have hesitated to say yes but now it's different. I do like you but I can't just break up with Jessie like that. It's not that easy."

"Okay. I get it. Excuse me everyone," Olivia pushed her chair back and ran out of the cafeteria probably to cry.

Ouch! I really didn't see things turning out that way.

"Yeah. Thanks a lot, Rylie!" Mason scoffed before leaving as well.

I sank back in to my seat and let my head hit the table with a bang. What did I just do? Ugh! I am so dumb.

"Hey. It's okay," I heard a familiar voice say as a hand slowly pay my back.

"No Blake. No it's not okay. This… this is all my fault," I whimpered, looking up to him.

"No, no it isn't. It is and now, Mason and Myles hates me and I ruined Olivia's life. I'm a horrible human being."

"Listen to me, Rylie. Listen to me," he raised my head up to look at him. "You are not a horrible human being. Yes, a few mistakes were made but most of them weren't even your fault, okay? Look, how about we do something?"

"I-I don't know, Blake. I'm not really in the mood to hang out."

"Okay. I understand. We'll do something else then."

"Like what?"

"I'll think of something. Meet me at the fountain after school?"

I thought on it for a while. I really didn't want to do anything but stay in my room. Then again, Myles would probably be home and I don't know if I could face him just yet.

"Okay. I'll see you then."

Blake's POV

The bell for recess rang soon after escorting Rylie to her next class, I stopped by my locker to take my note for Economics. I opened my locker just as a note fell out.

Thinking it might be a note from a secret admirer, I picked up the note and opened it with a tired groan.

It read: Want to know the truth about Rylie's accidents? Meet me behind the teacher's lounge after school.

I read the note skeptically. What if it was a trick or a stupid prank? Should I believe this person and just do it? Still, what if this person gave me the proof I needed to nail Jessie or whoever was responsible?

Still thinking of my next course of action, I slid the note in my pocket and absentmindedly made my way to class.