Page 50 of Greased

My hands absently run over one of the scars that is still raised on my stomach. All along I had thought it was from a car crash that stole my memories and half of my family.

But that was just a lie. Instead, reality is a much harder pill to swallow.

Some motherfuckers saw an innocent fucking child and, due to their fragile masculinity, decided to kidnap and torture her out of some kind of petty revenge against my father.

It fuels the rage inside of me that has been growing since the moment they laid everything out on the table for me. Don’t get me wrong, I was, and still am, pissed at them for keeping me in the dark. It made me feel like a fool. Also completely unprepared for the role in which I am to take over from.

A part of me is utterly terrified at the path that lies ahead for me. Going from a barista in a small town in Central Queensland to the next president of a gang? Yeah, I don’t think there is much that could have prepared me for that. In another way though, this feels right. It feels like I am meant to be here. It helps to ease some of the lingering anxiety I was feeling.

It's been hard to keep all of this from my friends back home. Especially Noah and Grace. The thought of keeping something like this from them seems like a betrayal of our friendship. We have always told each other everything. No matter how small or massive. They were the first people I went to when I had finally got my period. Noah told us before his parents that he had gotten into the Brumbies Academy. Grace couldn't wait to boast to us about finally losing her virginity. Noah is a patient man for being able to deal with Grace and I this long.

God, I miss them.

I send them both a quick text letting them know just that too. I get a message back from both of them almost instantly. He clearly didn’t get the earlier hint to go to bed.

NOAH

I miss you more Scar. I hope you are having fun over there with all the stars. Don’t forget us when you are famous.

I chuckle before I send a reply.

SCARLETT

If there is anyone that should be concerned aboutremembering their friends when they are famous,it's you hot shot. Why aren't you asleep?

Instead of amessage in reply, my phone lights up with a call. A photo of Noah’s goofy face brightens my screen and I can’t help but chuckle.

“Ugh, why are my fans so obsessed with me? I swear my manager redirected my calls through to an assistant. That’s it, she's fired.” I put on the most ridiculous posh accent I can manage.

I hear an eruption of laughter from the other end of the line and I can't help the laugh that escapes me either.

“God, I miss you Scar,” Noah says once he finally stops laughing, “It's not that same with you not here. Can I come visit yet?”

I can’t help the wave of sadness that overcomes me. I sigh, fighting back the tears that threaten to spill down my cheeks.

“I miss you more than you could ever know, Noah. Don’t you worry, the moment you can, I will be buying plane tickets for you to come over.”

“I wouldn't be too concerned about needing to buy me tickets, Scar,” Noah says trailing off. Just by the tone of his voice, I know he has a surprise in store for me.

“Spill.” Is all I need to say. Noah chuckles.

“Well, Coach Winters called me into his office yesterday. My manager was there as well, and a couple other head figures.”

I could instantly tell that Noah was just trying to torture me with the extended version so before he could continue, I but in. “Hurry up and spit it out Noah. You know I don’t have the patience for this shit.”

“I’m making my debut for the North Magpies next year. They want me apart of the thirty.”

The scream that leaves my lips has the entire girls bathroom startling, trying to look for what I’m guessing they think is a snake orspider or whatever creature they are terrified of but I ignore their stares.

Noah chuckles down the line. “Holy fuck!” I shout. “Please don’t tell me this is some kind of sick joke, Noah,” I say with an edge of caution. It wouldn’t be the first time he has pranked me and I know it won’t be the last.

“I’m not joking. I wouldn’t joke about this.” He promises, his tone serious.

“I’m so fucking proud of you. You are almost there!” I gush. I’m sure I look like an absolute nutcase to the girls still lingering in the bathroom but I refuse to hide my pride for my best friend.

“You are the first to know outside my manager and the team obviously. I’m planning on telling my family and everyone when I go back home once the seasons over.”

“Wait, I am?” I say in disbelief.