Happy | A THIRTY SIX

A/N: Today, I'd like to give a shout out to my sister and book aesthetics designer, itsabouttim on her ONC book, Anonymous J! If you're into college romances with some snarky humour and a dash of thriller, please check it out!

Of course, this author's note wouldn't be complete without the dedications. This chapter is dedicated to jakkk3 and Melanin_bear

Garren took us out for ice cream before dropping me at the hotel. I presumed it was as a gesture to cheer up Will from the 'event'. Or more like a reward for a good job in endurance.

Although what Garren didn't realise was that it wasn't necessary. Will was feeling appreciated plenty by that little expression of gratitude back at Harvey Julliard. That didn't mean I was objecting- I was getting delicious ice cream for free. Once again, Garren wasn't eating his. What was the deal with that?

At some point, Garren's phone began to ring and once glancing the screen, he got up from our booth and stepped out to attend to it. My eyes couldn't help but stare at his back from the window view, phone by his ear.

"It's probably his dad." supplied Will, easily reading my mind.

"His dad?" Why wouldn't he want us overhearing a call from his dad? "Are they not on good terms?"

"No, they get along fine. Better than what I've known." He muttered, taking a lick of his strawberry vanilla. "It's just a thing in his family."

"Right."

As another subject came to mind, I looked to Will again but found his concentration on the boy wrapped in mysteries stood outside. A look of content on Will's face so delicate and gentle that I didn't want to do anything to disrupt it. However, the words just came tumbling out.

"I was jealous of you."

He strayed those soft brown rolls onto me, puzzlement splashing onto his pretty face. "Who?"

"You." I lowered my gaze to my mint chocolate. "You're so nice and considerate, it was hard to criticise you unlike Garren or Ben. It confused me why you were with them and then after the Michael thing, I was so mad at how you were still on his side. But it hit me that I was mostly pissed because you stayed honest with yourself.

I'd look for every excuse for myself and get exhausted. It only went to show I wasn't as 'good' as I tried to act but it was only for what people would think of me. You just didn't seem to mind it and never had selfish motives like me, so I was jealous."

I counted every piece of chocolate, apprehensive and embarrassed to have the angel looking at me. I had been a fake all along. He was the real thing.

Unexpectedly, a barrel of laughter came from the blonde. I peeked and only saw amusement twinkling there. "What's so funny?"

"Everything you just said." He claimed. "I've never had a girl be jealous of me. It's usually the guy I picked over her. This is... wow, okay." He snuck a glance out of the window and scooted closer. "Let me tell you a little something then. Keep it just between us."

I nodded, all ears.

"I didn't really like you before."

In all my life, I'd never been delivered a blow to the chest so out of the blue. I wasn't sure how to take it.

"It wasn't that you did anything wrong, okay?" He hastily assured. "It's more of a reflex thing. Garren has flings constantly. Thankfully not as much as Benny but it still stresses me out."

"So, you felt worried I'd be another one of those flings?"

"Oh, no. Not a chance. You're nowhere near his types. Garren goes for the obvious pretty, glamorous kind of girls so I knew he'd probably forget you in the hour."

"Oh, lovely." I took a quick lick to distract the sting of the consecutive strikes.

"But I was annoyed that a new female member was randomly joining and would be pining over him. I barely get to see Garren at school since he's in the advance classes. All I share is PE which I'd rather skip. So I loved Coeus for that privilege and it was free from girls being all over him."

"What about Amina though?" She definitely fit the description of Garren's supposed type but oddly enough he ignored her existence.

"Yeah, Amina had been a threat to me." He started, eyes averted.

I didn't miss the past tense. "Had?"

Will checked the window once more. "When Garren hooked up with girls he could share his interests with or 'appreciate' intellect, they'd last much longer and those are the worst for me. So someone that pretty and smart enough to attend advance, Garren would be all over her. And I'd have to see it, 24/7. I was not dealing with that for a whole term or more."

The edge in his tone reeled my intrigue. "What did you do?" I asked.

"I got a hold of her number and started texting her, saying I was Garren."

He took that suspenseful line to pause for a taste of his ice cream. "At that time, Garren was occupied boning this badminton star, Rachel Kidman. I'd tell Amina we'd keep our relationship a secret until Rachel left for nationals. Girls normally fall for that bull. Think it's 'hot' or whatever so she agreed- I was quite disappointed, honestly. It helped worked to my advantage though. If Garren acted cold, she'd think he was just putting on a show."

"Wasn't that risky? Amina could've tried to talk to Garren alone if she thought..."

That was when it came to me. An unchecked lightbulb that was never screwed to the end, unclear on which way to turn it. I'd pushed it aside. The answer was here and it was flashing brightly now.

Will must've known it because he wasn't asking why I had suddenly stopped.

"... The Christmas party." I breathed.

The day Amina shared with me on the coach to the game show, where I'd learnt her crazy fantasies had blurred with reality. She'd flipped out on him for fooling around with another girl in an empty classroom. "She, she hadn't been making that up?"

The blonde faced me straight, expression blank at first. Then he presented me with a smile that shot goosebumps through my body.

"That's a story long dead and buried, Stevie." He declared. "The tiny little details won't really matter to anyone now."

Tiny little details- he'd called his manipulation, sabotage, besmirch on Amina's reputation and her very sanity a little detail. Scarily enough, hearing it from his gentle voice and lovable brown eyes could hypnotise one into believing it.

"... You disappointed?"

I swore I heard raw fear in his voice, betraying the stoic exterior he had as he inspected the polish of the table.

"I..." I was shocked more than anything else. "Why are you letting me know all this?"

"Because I don't want you even for a second thinking I'm better." He said sternly. "I didn't feel any remorse for that stuff. In my eyes, I was above all those girls. When I should've sympathised with them, I saw them as an enemy."

I swallowed hard, but didn't detach my gaze from the heavy ones that belonged to the boy making such declarations. It was more like I couldn't. I was entranced.

"And what about now?" My voice came out a whisper.

"What about it?"

"What do you see them as now?"

There was this pause, his lips pursed, like he'd never truly thought of the new ultimatum before. "Rain clouds."

"Rain clouds?" I echoed.

He nodded. "They might put a damper on my day a little but eventually, it will let up."

I hiked my brows. "That's quite poetic."

"Well, I do get full marks in English." He boasted. "It's just the tests I flunk."

"What? How is that possible?"

"My brain does not cope well under pressure. Teachers fail to understand Shakespeare didn't come up with his masterpieces in under a set time."

I chuckled.

He went in for another scoop, only to realise he'd already finished his fill. His eyes swivelled to my remaining melting lump, doe eyes falling into play. They had to be illegal.

I gave a permitting nod. I'd figured he'd haul it to his side but he instead he moved himself closer. Very, very close. "So is it true?" More than half of my mint choco gone in one bite.

I noted how the tips of his hair were actually rather dark compared to the his roots. "Is what true?"

"Back at the golf course, when Garren told Bradford you're officially with us. Is it true or was that just Garren?"

I didn't know about Ben but Will had seemed genuinely upset I turned my back on this. I was one hundred percent sure I'd made the right choice. But it wasn't the one that made me glad.

"Yeah, it's true."

"Really?" The smile stretched wider. "You're seriously sticking with us?" I nodded confidently, his beam brighter by my confirmation.

I was amazed I'd been able to reject it for so long, making this boy happy could easily become an addiction. His smiles were too radiant.

"Then we need to celebrate." He concluded.

I'd never dreaded the idea more. Another party meant another Hess reappearance. Before I could say it was unnecessary, Garren stepped back in. Except he wasn't alone.

During his phone conversation, he'd somehow got to make an acquaintance on the street. Jennette was how she introduced herself, greeting Will and I with an open smile to display her pearly teeth. Followed by gracefully flipping her long, luscious princess locks.

Will was swifter than me to go in for the handshake, a bright smile that could dazzle anyone. Only it felt a little off. Or more specifically, it wasn't as luminous as the previous ones.

It was a stage smile. Crafted only to deceive the audiences and it was a bloody good one too.

I wondered when he'd stopped using them on me that I was only now noticing it.

Jennette was a tourist, visiting for the week from Iceland. I watched Will look so enthusiastic about her sharing her sightseeing and Garren flirting in-between. Did Will torture himself like this all the time?

I shouldn't have pitied him. It was why he'd told me about Amina. So I wouldn't give him something he didn't deserve. In knowing all this, I couldn't let it go so easily.

We didn't stay at the icecream parlour much longer and it may or not have been due to me insisting I needed to get to the hotel urgently. The car Will called over soon arrived and we hopped in, leaving the pair behind.

The blonde kept his head faced on the window even after the view of their faces was gone. Hand remaining folded.

I felt the urge to reach out to it. Just maybe hold it or something to let him know he didn't have to keep a front but I refrained. I was sure being treated that way was the last thing he wanted. I opted to pick up a topic instead in hopes of distraction.

"You said you didn't have remorse for what you did." I started but there was no reaction from the sulking boy. "What changed it?"

"Ben."

"Ben?"

He finally turned his head, resting it back on the leather seating. "One occasion, there was this girl who was really annoying, like a leech. She'd stick to Garren everywhere but he wasn't even going at her. I quickly got rid of her but it turned out she was Ben's cousin. Garren knew but I only found out after Ben came fuming at me later on."

"He knew about what you did to them?"

"Since the start, apparently. Yeah, I was shocked too." He added when catching my gaping mouth. "He just thought my intentions for doing it were for a laugh though. I'd never seen him so mad before- it was kinda scary."

"Wow."

"And get this, he goes to say to me; 'I know Garren's a dick so don't act like one too. That's one too many for me to handle. No homo.' "

I couldn't sustain the fits of laughter that came out of me even if I tried. "Oh my god are you serious?"

"It's Ben. What do you think?"

"Then what did you say?"

"Nothing at first. I was just a little shocked then I apologised to him and his cousin. He threatened to tell Garren if I didn't. Little prick." He muttered but there was a reminiscent smile on his lips. "The whole thing just made me realise that what I was doing had consequences which could come back to bite me. And most of all, I was more immature than Ben, the boy who had a Power Ranger theme for his sixteenth birthday party."

"Yikes, that must've been a lot to take in."

"Worse than a heart attack, Stevie. I swear. But I really needed it. Otherwise, I would've ruined getting to know you and being friends."

A smile crept on my lips. "Will, don't be silly. You wouldn't have been able to get rid of me."

Will's mouth fell ajar in surprise at the retort. "Oh, is that so?"

"Undoubtedly." I assured to earn a chuckle but I wasn't kidding either.

"But you know, you didn't have to pretend you had homework to do just to get me out of there."

My lips felt to a straight line. So he'd known what I was doing and went along with it anyway. I felt like protesting as I technically did it for myself too. I didn't want to see Garren and Jennette start sucking face- I'd lose my appetite.

"I've been dealing with it for over a year just fine on my own." He stated in possibly the nicest way of saying 'Butt out, Stevie.'

"I know." I replied. "But it's hard to stand by when you're sulking."

"I'm not sulking."

"You're like, five times less attractive when you sulk."

"Still be more attractive than you."

I gawked at his quip, but any offense to it was swept away by the smirk laced on his lips. A chuckle submerged from me right before his tumbled out after. Once the car's wheels came to a halt, I pried open the door to when Will moved very close again.

I was taken off guard when he placed a chaste kiss on my cheek and withdrew for my eyes to witness that smile. The one with no restraints and no shadows. Bright enough to outmatch the stars.

"Thanks." He said.

I was already smiling back before I could even comprehend it. "You're welcome."

I stepped out and waved as the car started out of the street and it was there that I decided if Will was going to endure those rain clouds, then I'd be the umbrella there to stop him from getting drenched.

**

I woke up to a peculiar message that following morning.

Garren- Happy?

That was all that was written then beneath was a link attached. I immediately tapped to open. I was brought to a video and a beautiful woman appeared on screen.

Esme Ivanov. Dressed as elegant and symmetric as always, including the pins on her vest.

"Good day. Before I start my piece, I'd like to first say thank you for all those who have shown your support to the Harmonia Gala. You are true patriots to mankind and lights toward a brighter future." Her words articulate in the vigor to move the soul.

All it made me have was an itch by my eyelid. Then, she continued.

"Now um, today will be a message on exacting wrongs. In this case, my own."

I rose a brow at that.

"I, Esme Ivanov sincerely apologise for my misconduct and improper behaviour in the last few weeks. I apologise for abusing my rights to upload unseemly content to the Parr campus website and particularly in regarding the fine students of St. Sinclair's academics club with poor, unsound judgments. Especially for what was said about Adler and his close associate, Stevie Powell.

It was small minded and unladylike. I had my own share of issues which I used as an excuse to be a playground bully who knows no better than to ridicule others to avoid their own failures."

My jaw had plummeted to the floor by then. There was still another minute left to go on the video of Ivanov rebuking herself. The last twenty seconds was the pinnacle when she apologised to all who may have been blinded by her hideous cardigan.

I speedily dialled the instance the video ended. I was scuffing my bare feet back and forth, a finger locked around a strand of hair as the other line rang out.

"Did you watch it?"

"Garren what the hell did you do?"

"... I'm not sure what you mean." Even if I couldn't see his face, it didn't help to conceal his feigned ignorance.

"Don't even try it. You expect me to believe you didn't have anything to do with Ivanov suddenly wanting to 'repent'? And to upload it on the day of the Gala?"

"Oh, that's today? Gosh, well that's guilt for you. If you keep it bottled up too long, then it can come bursting out with no regard for timing."

"Garren."

"What, you seriously think I pulled something? I mean, I did stop by the university the other day to offer her something I believe she'd be interested in. Naturally, she would feel obliged to return the favour."

"What did you offer?"

"To have my nan ensure her brother is enrolled to private school in the country. You know he attended St. Sinclair? Albert something. Puny little boy scout, wrote in the newspaper club."

I swallowed. "Archie Norton."

"Yeah.”

“That’s honestly surprising you'd offer something like that.”

“It’s an incentive. And even if he was a little too gullible, Ivanov shouldn’t have taken him for granted and surely she realised that and made the deal.”

“Right, except you could’ve just threatened to expose her to Mrs. Shepherd— which honestly sounds more like your way of handling things. This almost seems like…”

“Like what?”

I pursed my lips. “… Sympathy.” Never did I imagine I'd find myself using that word to describe Garren Adler of all people, but here I was.

The line was silent for a moment and I had to wonder if maybe he hadn’t know he had acted a little out of character himself. What brought on such a thing, it had me curious.

“Well, you still haven't answered my question," started Garren, seeming to decide to disregard the topic.

"What question?"

"Are you happy?"

I curled my finger once more, binding the hair even tighter as I bit down on my bottom lip. "I'm happy."

"... Yeah?" I could vividly picture the unmistakable smirk he had on.

"Mhmm."

"Knew it."

I rolled my eyes. "So, did you sleep with her?"

There was a pause. "Pardon?"

"Esme Ivanov." I drawled. "Did you sleep with her?"

"... I don't think I quite see where this line of question is coming from."

I gasped. "Oh my god, you did."

There was a breath from the other end. "And if I did, so what?"

"What happened to Katherine West or Walsh or whatever being the last straw?"

"In the subject of settling conflict. Ivanov was a courtesy call. She had some pent up frustration and I well, had the afternoon free."

I shook my head. "Unbelievable. And wait, I thought she was a lesbian."

"Just because she dated woman doesn't make her a lesbian, Stevie."

"Really? Well, the dictionary made a tremendous spelling error."

"You missed the several key factors. Think it over, Stevie. The woman makes it a necessity to have those pins in camera view she earned as awards and the trophies on shelf. Competitive, prideful and probably an overachiever. Notably some daddy issues playing the field here too. Sadly, it makes her intimidating to her male peers. Definitely doesn't even have any as close friends."

"So, she dates a woman out of loss for men?"

"Exactly. Which is understandable, it's appealing."

I lay back in my bed, amazed. He'd perfectly assessed the lady without barely sharing any words with her. "Holy shit."

"What?"

"You're good."

There was another pause, even longer this time like the outright appraisal struck as much as it did me for saying it out loud.

"Obviously, it's me we're talking about here. Don't feel bad if it takes a few years to catch up. I can only imagine how many brain cells rotted from inhaling the fumes in that village you stayed in."

Just like that, it seemed the delay had never happened.

I'd have to be careful not to have my eyes rolling back into my skull from chatting with this boy. "Right, yeah."

"So how did you know I slept with her?"

"You figure it out, genius."

Whatever comeback Garren had to whip out was snuffed when I ended the call. I rolled over on the covers and grinned down at the incoming message.

Garren- prick

The Aces were trouble. Maniacal, mischievous and alluring but downright trouble.

I knew that intuition was right from the start. The signs had been there, even more flooding in as I got deeper. It was screaming out to warn me. At first, the attraction was solely curiosity. I just wanted to know if something would stop me if I didn't listen.

It turned out nothing would. Which excited me all the more.

**

The morning stroll to class had been an eventful one. Which should seem unlikely but I had become Moses as people would pave a path at my steps like the Red Sea parting in two.

It was just as Garren said; those who knew the Aces and didn't want to cross them, didn't want to cross me. In so much as even my footfalls, apparently. I didn't hate the precaution around me though. In a way, it added humour to the dull start.

The highlight being when I was branching the main library and two boys goofing off who didn't know how to whisper, fell into my line of sight. I stared and the pair turned to stone.

I was skipping out of the head office after dropping in to submit a slip, when a voice called out to me.

"Stevie!"

I turned to where Ben hurried over with that usual chipper beam.

"Hey, what is it?" I asked.

"A guy came up to me and asked if I'd seen you."

"A guy? What was his name?"

"Dunno, he didn't say."

"What did he look like?"

Ben's lips contorted to a flat line, eyes squinted with an absent gaze. "He was kinda tall, I guess? He seemed nice. Oh, wait he's right over there!"

I followed Ben's pointing finger to where it was aimed at the courtyard and Shaun was stood standing. My delight at catching sight of him was smothered when registering the two figures he was stood by. Ashton and Liam.

What was he doing with them?

Then that voice of reasoning had me remember that it wasn't at all weird for my boyfriend to be talking with my friends he was already acquainted with. I hadn't shared a word of our falling out with him, which I was realising now was extremely careless.

We'd need to have a word but first, I had to find out what they were talking about. Contrarily, my feet weren't cooperating. I'd been dodging the couple for nearly a week and this was the best I'd been able to withstand the trigger that usually fell at spotting either of them.

For only that progress to be crushed when Ashton suddenly turned her head. Our eyes locked.

In all my dodging, I'd never made direct eye contact before and everything I told myself about being able to forget them quickly and move on was faced to be a big fat lie.

I froze up, instantly. I couldn't even muster a smile. Any recollection of what was going on seconds prior or anything surrounding me was gone.

Then a gentle hand held my shoulder, lightly tugging me to face them and blue eyes that had a gleam in them as he opened his mouth.

"Hey." The smile on Hess's face was large and ominous. "Just the girl I've been looking for."

Before my lagging thought process could digest the sentence, or the hands cupping my cheeks, a tender pair of lips pressed against my own.