Page 84 of Unspoken Truths

Frankly, I think I’d be disappointed in the girl I grew up with, and always had a crush on, if I thought there was a chance that she would.

“There’s fire when the world burns down,” I growl. “Sometimes you’re willing to light yourself up along with it to get the job done, and that’s what we’re dealing with with Rachelle. She has no problem throwing herself into the fire, the trouble is finding how to extinguish it. Dale was fucking with her today.”

“I heard Lili threw him and others off the paper,” Elijah grunts. “I stood just outside the room during their meeting. Fuck, the girl is scary when she gets fired up.”

“It’s sexy,” I admit, shrugging. The three of them smirk, nodding, knowing exactly how long I’ve been interested in her. It never happened, and now probably never will.

“We flirt, but keep our hands off,” Jared says. “That leaves terror, gaslighting, fucking with her grades, and so much more. Do we use the mafia angle?”

He’s talking about the men that tried to run down Lili and Rachelle. Dad thinks he’s close to finding exactly who did it, even though Caulder Theron is the one who called for the scare. One of his men was bragging about it at a bar, and his uncle heard.

Portland is a smaller city than you’d think in the grand scheme of things. Flapping lips get cut right off.

“Let’s use it,” I mutter. “Colby on the football team is having people walk her and Lili to their events, but since Dad hasn’t found the guys, it’s an option.”

“Is he close to finding them? I ask for logistical purposes, not because I give a fuck,” Theo adds.

“My dad hasn’t shared where he’s at on it yet,” I grunt. “I know he’s taking it seriously, though.”

“Alright, anything else we need to discuss?” Jared asks.

“She’s getting closer in the ranks for grades,” Elijah growls. “It’s all the teachers are talking about in their lounges.”

He’s like a ghost, always watching and listening. His footsteps are even silent, and I’ve joked that he needs a fucking bell. There are times Elijah is damn proud of his ability to fade into the background, yet others where it frustrated him.

“Then I guess I’ll fuck with her ability to study,” I say with a shrug. “Screamo music pumped into her room may make a difference.”

“So that’s on the table?” Elijah asks.

“Yep,” I agree. “She’ll have to learn to adjust. The only line is sexual touches. The shit she was saying wasn’t pretty. The girl has demons that may rival yours, Theo.”

“Maybe that’s why I’m drawn to her,” he says, so softly I almost don’t believe I heard it at all as he stands. “Let’s get back to school before we’re missed.”

Nodding, we all move as one. I don’t know if this change in plan will help her hold on, but it’ll give her a chance to fight.

I can’t do it for her.

* * *

THEO

Maybe that’s why I’m drawn to her.Damn, I didn’t mean to let that slip out, yet now that it did, it’s all I can think of.

Rachelle slips into a side hallway as our last bell rings, signaling that the school day is over. It’s a funny thing to say, since every student here is always here afterward. Clubs, tutoring or teaching, shelving books for the library or cataloging, these are all things that students do for extra points toward their future.

If they’re not doing one of the above things, then participation in a sport is expected, which means that the fields are busy places. I have a soccer prep program that I’m beginning in the summer to ensure that I’m ready for the fall since the season is over, but I’m otherwise marked safe from playing a sport currently.

Following the little mouse, I emulate the way that Elijah walks so that my shoes don’t squeak on the stone floors. This place reminds me of a castle in many ways, due to all of the secret passageways and towers. I’m intrigued by Rachelle, which isn’t a good thing.

I take apart my computers to be able to know every piece of it intimately. It’s the first thing I do whenever I get a new unit. I don’t get to game or hack unless I can figure it out, and then I reward myself with a bit of trouble. Things that catch my interest have to be willing to be completely dismantled. It’s the exact same way that I became friends with Nacio, Jared, and Elijah.

We played fucked up games, and the stakes just got higher as we became older. Now, instead of jumping from the highest point into the lake, its entrance into one of the most exclusive secret societies in the world. Only the best get selected to become a King, and we rise or fall together.

It’s almost a tragedy that I’m this interested in the girl I’m currently stalking. I want to know everything about her, because what I’ve been able to dig up tells the story of a girl with no fire, grit, or ability to stand up to anyone. Nacio’s story about how she broke apart on Sunday, filled with thoughts of jumping from the highest point of the house doesn’t show me anything different.

And yet, he mentioned setting herself on fire in order to watch the world burn. That’s the girl I want to get to know. Why won’t she show me that person?

Rachelle Thomas is an enigma as she takes a large breath and opens the door to one of the dark rooms. Intrigued, I follow her in, smirking when she turns to say something.

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