Chapter 29

Arabella Rivera

“No.” Samantha whispered in disbeliel. Her eyes had widened notably. Gwen on the other hand eyes widened with interest is she nearly throws herself across half of the table to preraat Meredith

Tell me more.” She urged, fingernails digging into the table as she pins Meredith with an impatient glare.

Meredith sends her a questioning stare but continued to speak anyway. “Well, apparently the bad boy caught herpes from some girl.”

Meredith shrugs then lets out a short.” Heard he’s crossed that the entire school knows.”

Her words only seemed to make me even more frightened. My body had gone completely numb as I had no choice but t o listen on.

“Aww, poor Haiden. He definitely didn’t Ncdeserve that.” Samantha pouts as she brought the burger to her mouth and

“Crap.” She ans and quickly smatches the napkin beslide her tray to clean off the thick dressing

I never really understood why Samantha was such a Halden Cross lan. And I think I wasn’t the only one who thought so.

“Why are you defending him? He’s a dick, I say he got what he deserves.” Gwen huffs and finally settles back on the chair.

Samantha shrugs. “He’s not that bad.” She mumbles biting into the burger again. Her eyes surprisingly hadn’t torn away from Gwen’s irritated glower.

But it only seemed to feed Gwen’s annoyance. “Not that bad?!”

“Not that bad is Cain drinking water from a gutter. Haiden fucks anything in sight and let’s not forget the criminal record that’s no doubt overflowing. The guy is a lost cause.” She hissed.

Ml He’s an asshole, glares at anyone for no

him.” She shrugs and pick up a fry an pushed it in her mouth

Meredith nods. Agreed.”

My jaw ticked, I hated that Gwen was being a hypocrite.

But even with my sudden anger and frustration, I bit my tongue. I was in no mood to argue with anyone especially since I am actually the cause of Halden’s name being tarnished.

I felt guilty and it only weighed more on my frustrations.

“Imagine the girls that wanted to hop on that bull. They must be crying their eyes out.” Gwen suddenly cackled.

“What about those who already had? They’re crying their eyes out while going for a checkup.” Meredith added while laughing along with Gwen.

“Guys that’s mean.” Samantha’s brows lined with frustration.

I had no Hghi a shot what I said last. might nowing that it wasn’t true. And if i I was, it wasn’t my business to tell. I had dug myself in a big hole and I leared there was no way out.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

It took me quite a few seconds to realize that the question was directed to me. My eyes flick over to a probing Gwen. I could feel Meredith and Samantha’s eyes also o n me and I assume they were waiting for

my answer.

Ripping my eyes away from Gwen, I pinned them to the awful tasting salad I regretted taking “What do you want me t O say? It’s not any of my business.” I mutter without letting any of my real emotions leak out.

But it most definitely was my business. I was the root of all of it.

und me intensely. Tiettin

e

d in

while tumbling. “Maybe it’s rumor. Some girls аrе mаѕtу whеn a guy drops

“I didn’i why she got dumped.” Meredith answered with annoyance saturating through her voice.

My eyes flick over to Meredith who hooked me with a dirty stare. My jaw clenched as I pinned her with one of my own.” It was just a thought. Anyway, as I’ve said, I don’t care and this has nothing to do with me.” I sneered going o n defense mode.

“Okay guys calm down on the hostility.” Gwen chuckles nervously as she darted her eyes between Meredith and I.

I decided to be the bigger person and tear my furious eyes off of Meredith’s equally hostile ones. I found my eyes straying towards where he usually sits with his friends. He wasn’t there but his friends appear to not be fazed about the rumor,

Seeing how they still joked with each. Lother.

she chewsona lry. “What? Tasked not wanting to give away that I knew who she was referring to. I quickly dart my celo Gwen, relieved that she wasn’t paying attention but instead conversing with Samantha

“Haiden.” She mutters sarcastically.” He’s not in the cafeteria, probably outside or somewhere else.”

“I wasn’t looking for Haiden.” I denied.

She nods. “Right. So your eyes just so happen to stray towards his table?” She asked, mocking me enough to have my fist clench on my thigh.

“That’s exactly what happened.” I snapped lowly.

Irise from my chair and grabbed a hold o fmy lunch tray. Gwen finally noticed the tension and looked at me confused.”|

“”I’m not m

y mone” I grita

I shook my head. “No, I just need some

“So no you’re not okay….” She drawled out confused.

I rolled my eyes, forcing my annoyance down. “I’m fine Gwen, I just need space.” I snapped and turned around,

I threw the lunch tray in the bin on the way and walked out of the cafeteria. I knew where I was heading or I suppose I should say whom I was heading to.

I was on the hunt for Haiden Cross.