Ava walked into math class. She looked around and saw everyone was sitting with someone new. Then she looked at the board and saw that he changed their seats. She thought assigned seats were stupid but whatever. She took her seat that the board showed she was suppose to be. She tried to forget about last night. She was pissed that Isiah and her never got their time alone. However, she also couldn’t make the girls leave last night. She huffed as she sat down. She understood that Alexander was Isaiah’s best friend, but she still couldn’t believe he canceled their date and didn’t make Arya and Bria leave. She was in her thoughts about last night and everything going on. That was until she heard a “hey” from a new voice. Ava looked at the voice. She kind of reminded Ava of Arya. However, this girl was different.. she could tell. “Hey.” She finally managed to say. She still couldn’t believe she was pregnant by Isaiah.
As they sat there it was quiet for a moment. Arya and Rylee don’t know each other very well, but she has seen her around. Then Arya spoke and Rylee listened and nodded her head “Yeah I knew what you meant and did not mean in that way, so no worries. Yeah I am close with Fluer and when we hangout with the boys, we just go into town, or jsust mess around on campus see what we can get into, I mean not aything special really.” She said shrugging her shoulders. I mean they did what everyone else does.
The Arya kinda was trash talking about the boys asking if they were sexist jocks and about Jax making Madi lose her baby. She looked at her The guys aren’t sexist jocks, they just try to put on an act if I am honest. If you get to really know them you would see they really are’t that bad and actuall chill people. Sometimes the title is what make people act certain ways, I mean I am a jock to but I am not mean or sexit." She smiled and laaughed a little so Arya knew she was ot offended or saying it in a bad way. “And believe me I am all for womane power, more than you know, I hate how this world is and treats people. I mean I am a Lesbian, and when I came out my parents, especially my mom did not like it at all and thought it was just a phase and I would get out of it. She acted weird when I hug out with a neighbor that was a female hanging in my room, which I mean there was feelings there for her but. She wanted me to be straight because that is how the world is supposed to work, males and females date, not girls liking girls or guys liking guys, but eventually my parents did come around and support me now.” She sighed and took a deep breath before going into what Jax did. “Yes Jax did do that, and believe me I do not approve or accept what he did and I gave hi an ass whooping and an ear full on that, and I feel terrible for Madi, she did not deserve that neither did the baby girl. But Jax really does feel bad and has been very depressed, he even has stopped drinking and partying and he is getting help, and I mean real help that he needs and he realizes that he did need. He is never going to forgive himself for what he did to Madi or that night and he has to live with it forever. But sometimes huge mistakes can ake people change and realize they are the issue and need help so they never hurt anyone again or do something so violent and not ok. I am still very upset with him and what he did, plsu he drank that night which is not an excuse but that made him act worse and was a contributing factor in what he did. I don’t know much about him and Madi just besides they are exes but I don’t know why they broke up or anything. I mean I guess that night kind of explained why they broke up he treated her like shit and probably was abusive especialyl if he drank.”
By the time Tracie finally crawled into bed, the party felt like it had happened in a past life. Her head buzzed not from alcohol, just from overstimulation. She lay there scrolling, thumbs flying, leaving sharp little comments of truth where she shouldn’t, poking at people she didn’t care about just because she could. It was easy. Mindless. Familiar. She stayed up way too late.
~
Math was first period, which already put her in a bad mood. She shuffled in barely awake, hoodie pulled low, eyes barely skimming the room. Someone shot her a look—annoyed, maybe but Tracie didn’t register it. She was too tired to care. She slid into what she assumed was her usual seat, dropped her backpack, and let her forehead rest against the cool surface of the desk.
It took her a minute to realize something was off. The board was filled with names. A new seating chart. Well… too late. She needed more than just a dirty look to get back up. Tracie didn’t bother correcting herself. She stayed where she was, eyes closed, letting the classroom dissolve into background noise. Voices blended together with chairs scraping, quiet laughter, talking too much for this early in the morning. Then came the tapping.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Persistent. Annoying.
Tracie cracked one eye open. She was sitting behind Arya. Of course she was. And next to Areyah was Rylee—someone Tracie didn’t know personally, but knew of. The tapping didn’t stop.
Their conversation drifted back in pieces. Something about friends—Fleur, Jax, Ash. Something vaguely political. A half-hearted rant about parents who used to be homophobic, as if that fixed anything.
Tracie was on the edge of tuning it all out again when Areyah’s voice sharpened very slightly. “Hell, didn’t Jax make someone lose their baby?” That got her attention.
Rylee sighed. Her response came fast, Tracie wondered if she’d answered this question before. “Yes, Jax did do that,” Rylee said. “And believe me, I don’t approve or accept it. I tore into him for it. I feel terrible for Madi—she didn’t deserve that, and neither did the baby. But Jax feels awful. He’s been really depressed. He stopped drinking, stopped partying, and he’s getting help. Real help. He knows he messed up.”
Tracie stared at the back of Rylee’s head now, fully awake. “He’s never going to forgive himself,” Rylee continued. “He has to live with that forever. But sometimes huge mistakes force people to change—make them realize they’re the problem and need help so they never hurt anyone again. I’m still upset with him. What he did isn’t okay. Alcohol isn’t an excuse, but it made everything worse. I don’t really know the details with him and Madi, but… that night kind of explains why they broke up. He treated her badly. Probably was abusive, especially when he drank.”
There was a pause after that. It wasn’t very long—or maybe it was too long because it gave Tracie the opening she didn’t even want. Before Tracie could stop herself, a small sound slipped out of her, barely more than a breath. A scoff.
It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t intentional. But it happened, and she hoped it blended into the classroom noise around the three of them.
@Kbail | Arya
@Kate | Rylee
Just a little bored, feel free to have them not of heard her 
Atlas
Atlas was in his room drawing with his headphones on listening to music he had been in his own head so much since he had been back from break and honestly he didn’t know why. He was startled a bit when he heard a knock on the door and he honestly had assumed it was probably Miles or Chase because it wasn’t probably his roommate that he just kind of orbited around and hadnt even really talked to. He almost just ignored the knocking but it had knocked him out of his focus so he opened the door to see who it was. When he saw who was at the door he smiled softly it was Baxter. “Hey. Miss me?” he asked softly as he took his headphones off and reached for Baxter’s hand.
Baxter smiled big as Atlas opened the door. The gift he got for Atlas still behind his back. He smiled as Atlas spoke. “Hey, Miss me?” He wanted to say of course. Atlas then took his headphones off and reached for Baxter’s hand. Baxter gave it to him. They walked into Atlas’s room. “Yes I missed you. It was lonely here without you…” He smiled at him Then he pulled the gift out and handed it to Atlas. “I got you something.” He said as he blushed and held the gift out to Atlas. He really hoped Atlas liked it. After all it was the most expensive brand he could find. He still couldn’t believe he spent $400 on this for Atlas.
In Math Class
Arya wanted to roll her eyes at Rylee’s excuses for Jax. Instead she just rubbed the bridge of her nose and leaned her elbow on the desk. She heard someone gasp behind her and she turned absentmindedly and saw that it was Tracie. Just great. Arya turned back around and tried to pretend she wasn’t sitting there, but it was pretty hard. “So, you’re just going to keep him around you guys while he gets help? You don’t think maybe, I don’t know, that he’s dangerous?” Arya scoffed. She leaned back and folded her arms. She was already having a hard morning because of the blog post that came out about Austen. That’s exactly why she was on a break from him. While leaning back in her chair she accidentally fell down on the floor. “FUCK!” She yelled out. Everyone turned to look at her.
@Kate - Rylee
@Tiina - Tracie
@ChayChay05 - Jax Mentioned
In Math Class
Rylee just sighed as she hated that convo. It always irritates her having to remember hearing from Jax what he did and she did not approve of him doing that and she really did basically beat his a*s when she heard what he did. Arya then continued and said "So, you’re just going to keep him around you guys while he gets help? You don’t think maybe, I don’t know, that he’s dangerous?” She just looked at her again “Yeah most likely, he is more than what he did. He made a giant inexcusable thing that is not forgiveable. Plus we all have done things that are not good or gave friends second chances after they messed up. We all have pur secrets that if got out people would look at us or everyone differently. Jax has said many times to that he wished Leo ki**ed him that night so yeah I think he understands big time what he did and does not even forgive himself. But honestly why does it matter to you? I mean it’s not keeping you up at night and interrupting your sleep.”
She then heard a sound from behind them which she saw a girl and she scoffed at there conversation. “Great another person wannts to butt in to. What do you have to say? Might as well since it seems like everyone has a say in what Jax did or his business.”
In Mr Lockhart’s Math Class
Juelz smiled at the girl. She seemed shy, just like her. “Hi.you’re really pretty. Are you dating anyone by any chance?” Juelz wanted to be more bold this school year, especially since it was a new school. “I love your hair color.” She leaned forward and bit her lip.
@ChayChay05 - Ava
Tracie was already sitting up, eyes fixed on the back of Rylee’s head long before she meant to be obvious about it. So when Arya half turned to glance back at her scoff, Tracie’s gaze flicked away for a split second—like she totally hadn’t been listening that closely. Like she didn’t care.
Then Rylee called her out. Tracie looked at her slowly, brows lifting in genuine surprise. “Oh, I get a turn?” she said as a question, but she was still gonna answer even if Rylee now declined. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “You really want my opinion?” Her eyes flicked to Arya now— someone who just a few nights ago had gotten lots of her unsolicited opinions.
“I just think it’s interesting,” she said. “How you say ‘giant inexcusable’ and ‘not forgivable’ in the same breath as keeping him around.” Tracie air quoted where need be. “Like… if someone shows you what they’re capable of, I don’t know. Maybe believe them?” She gave a small, humorless smile. “And the whole ‘he hates himself so it’s fine’ thing? That’s not exactly comforting. Because do you know what hurt people do?” She didn’t finish the saying, just let a boy from her past drift through her mind for a moment. Her shoulders lifted in a lazy shrug.
“But hey. If you’re cool betting your safety on his self improvement arc, that’s your thing…. But I would have listened to your…. Friend.” She nodded towards Arya. Then she tilted her head slightly. “I’d call it dumb.” Tracie truly couldn’t place if Rylee was extremely loyal… or just not able to give up a friendship. They both seem like scary things to do, either way.
“F-CK” Tracie startled. Not enough to jump up and help her though. She blinked down at Arya on the floor, brows lifting again. A slow exhale left her nose, somewhere between a sigh and a suppressed laugh. “Yikes,” she muttered, not loudly, but enough so Arya and Rylee could definitely hear.
Tracie didn’t move from her seat. Didn’t reach out. Didn’t ask if she was okay. Instead, she tilted her head, studying Arya the way you might a spilled drink you weren’t responsible for. Then, dry as dust, “I don’t think you’re supposed sit down there.”
@Kbail - hope it’s okay I moved her falling around a bit 
help me know if I should edit!!
@Kate
Rylee let out a short breath, staring at Tracie for a second like she was deciding whether to argue or just let it go. She didn’t. “You know,” she said quietly, turning around in her chair, “it’s really easy to sound logical when you’re talking about someone else’s life.” Her voice wasn’t loud, but it had an edge to it now. “I never said what he did wasn’t inexcusable. It was. That doesn’t magically erase years of knowing someone, though.”
She shrugged, but it looked more tense than casual. “People aren’t math problems. You don’t just subtract them and everything balances out.” Her gaze flicked briefly to Arya, then back to Tracie. “And yeah, hurt people hurt people. I know that. But sometimes they also try to fix themselves. I’m allowed to decide whether I believe that or not.”
She paused, jaw tightening slightly.
“You calling it dumb doesn’t really change anything. It just means you would’ve made a different call.” Then Arya swore and hit the floor, and Rylee immediately half stood, instinct kicking in. She shot Tracie a look at the dry comment.
“…Seriously?” she muttered, getting up and walkig over to Arya and then crouching down to help Arya up. “You you okay Arya? Also, Arya and I aren’t really friends, we ust have a mutual friend in common."
In Math Class
Arya rolled her eyes at Tracie’s answers.“Tracie, and I mean this as disrespectfully as possible, I feel like you’re the last person to talk about this so you should just shut your a$$ up, I’m not even gonna lie.”
Arya didn’t even bother looking at Tracie, she just kept her arms folded and stared at the white board. She was still heated about that instagram argument and was moving her leg up and down. “Like, bro I don’t think anyone cares when you’re a snitch and a fake friend. Like, if you’re going to be a criminal at least do it the right way.” She said, referring to the Austen and Fleur situation.
She didn’t agree with Austen’s actions at the time, hell she didn’t even like him then but being a snitch was even worse. Arya was beginning to say something else but she fell back from leaning in her chair and let out a cuss word that could probably be heard around the country. “Yikes, I don’t think you’re supposed to sit down there.” Arya felt anger flare up in her chest. She whipped her head around to face Tracie. She didn’t even notice Rylee asking if she was okay, but deep down Arya registered it as an attractive soft voice. Was Rylee really that caring? “Also, Arya and I aren’t really friends, we just have a mutual friend in common.” Arya got right back to being annoyed. She felt like Rylee said that for no reason.
Without thinking, Arya stood up and grabbed a pencil off her desk and threw it at Tracie’s forehead. THUNK! It hit her forehead and fell on the floor. Arya slammed her hand on the desk.
“I guess it made that sound because you’re empty headed. Um, BITCH I wasn’t sitting there I just fell down!” Arya was ready to throw hands and knock her over the table.
@Kate - Rylee
@Tiina - Tracie
Tracie didn’t flinch. If anything, she went still while her chin lifted a fraction, eyes flat and observant. She leaned back in her chair, slow and deliberate, gaze drifting past Rylee—but not far enough to fall over. “I didn’t call you dumb,” she said calmly, voice dry, having mastered the game of words. Of ‘he said, she said’. “In so many words I said I wasn’t sure if it was loyalty or something else. If that hit a nerve, that’s not really my problem.”
Her eyes slid to Arya then, one brow lifting briefly. Not offended more… unimpressed? “Snitch? Fake friend?” she repeated lightly, like she was testing the words for flavor. “That would require me to be your… his friend in the first place.” She paused, if only to see if Arya would react. “I didn’t owe that creep or Fleur an once of anything. Actually, I see why you’ve changed your stance on murder all the sudden… Being as Alexander was in your little circle, no? I’m not actually sure why you even questioned Rylees decision to stay friends with Jack or Jake or whatever the f-ck his name was.” She said, her flustered state showing a bit. Instead of opinion versus opinion, Tracie felt cornered into Arya and Rylee versus herself.
“Believe whatever you want. Keep whoever you want around. I’m not running a support group or living your life.” Then, almost as an afterthought, she added, eyes drifting past the two girls sitting in front of her, “But don’t ask for opinions if you’re only comfortable with the ones that agree with you.” She said, as if the thought only just drifted down stream and she hadn’t planned it out. Like she said it to no one in particular.
For half a second, Tracie didn’t move. The pencil bounced off her forehead and clattered to the floor, and she just stood there—eyes blinking once, like her brain was catching up to the sound.
“I guess it made that sound because you’re empty headed. Um, BITCH I wasn’t sitting there I just fell down!” Tracie touched her forehead as Arya spoke, looked down at her fingers, and laughed. Not loud. Not hysterical. Just a sharp, breathy laugh that had no humor in it at all.
“Oh,” she said quietly, eyes lifting back to Arya, something cold and bright flashing there. “So that’s where we’re at.” The chair scraped hard against the floor as Tracie stood—fast, sudden—rushing around the desk that separated her from Arya. She didn’t even register Rylee anymore. Tracie didn’t swing first, didn’t shove yet but she got right up in Arya’s space, close enough to be unmistakably instigating. “You don’t get to throw things at me and then play tough,” she said low, voice steady in a way that made it worse. “Pick one.” Tracies preferred method of cruelty? Cuts by a thousands words or less. Plus, she’d been so good about not fighting people this school year. What a shame she’d have to ruin that.
Her jaw tightened, shoulders squared, very clearly deciding whether today was the day she broke character—of online troll. “This is me being very restrained.”
@Kate Girl…. Ik Rylee is very levelheaded but… this ain’t looking good 
@Kbail post so good I didn’t even react—just started writing 
Rylee just watched for a little bit of there convo then Arya threw a pencil at Tracie and it hit her in the head and then Arya ade a comment about Tracie being empty headed and this made Rylee laugh out loud, probably harder than she should have but it was funny to see the pencil hit Tracie then the response Arya had afterwards. “I mean your head did sounds kind of hollow. Also haven’t you been at this school all of what 5 minutes? Don’t you think you should keep your mouth quiet and mind your own god damn business, I mean you don’t even know these people at least Arya does or has seen them around more often than you. Also I listen to people’s opinions I just don’t really care about yours, and I only said to share since it seemed like you were going to say what you thought anyways.” Rylee gave a fake smiled to Tracie.
As she was doing this she saw Tracie get up and go close to Arya because of her comment, but she did not see Tracie hit Arya.. or at least yet, she must have been taught the do not punch first speech. Tracie seemed like a horrible, judgemental, lonely person. It would not surprise Rylee if she had no friends or her friendships did not last long if she even had any. “News flash no one asked or wants you to be a support group person, and yeah you aren’t living our lives. I just feel bad for whoever your family and friends are, they have to deal with a lonely bitter person that doesn’t have an ounce of nice in her tiny body.”
Rylee didn’t care if she ended up getting in this soon to be fight or not, if it happens it happens ad she will deal with the consequences if there are any but she was not going to start this fight, and if she somehow was not going to get involved she was okay with that to. “Also if this is you being restrained, then you must be a monster when you are not restrained, or I should say even more of a monster.”
Arya stared at Tracie. What she was really seeing wasn’t Tracie at all, it was Austen. “Arya, I still love you. I know the whole Piper situation has been insane but Piper doesn’t mean anything to me alright? Yes, I might be a stupid jerk who doesn’t know what he’s doing like, at all but I’m still cute, right?” Arya’s frown deepened after hearing Rylie’s words in the background. “Also if this is you being restrained, then you must be a monster when you are not restrained, or I should say even more of a monster.”
A cheating unrestrained blue haired smurf monster. Arya thought to herself as she lifted up her hand in an instant and slapped Tracie across the face. Before she could even put her hand down, she felt someone grab her arm.
Alex wasn’t able to start his math class yet because he got news that Arelya’s daughter got shot. So he had to deal that. He was in the teachers lounge, meeting with the others and getting another cup of joe just to get his energy back. As soon as he walked in, he saw Arya Goldweng slapping another student across the face. Alex quickly ran up to her and grabbed her arm before it could escalate. “What the hell is going on here? All three of you, go to the principals office - actually no. The counselors office.” There has been talks about the counselor getting more involved, especially when the school blogs are affecting students self esteems. “In fact, I’m escorting the three of you there. This is absolutely ridiculous. You should be ashamed of yourselves.”
Alex lead them to the counselors office and knocked on the door. Then he put his hands on his hips and tapped his shoe on the floor impatiently.
WNA Counselor
Nala was sitting in her office, eating a bagel and watching a show on her phone when she heard three knocks on the door. She opened it and saw three students and Alex Lockhart standing there. “I think these kids need to have a talk with you. They just got into a fight.”
“Oh no! Of course they can. Come in.” As soon as they walked into her office, Nala shut the door behind them. There was a big enough couch for them to sit on. Nala sat on the couch across from them. She leaned in and clasped her hands together. Then she put on a smile, even though she was kind of nervous. It had been a long time since she had this many students in her office at once. “So, hey guys. I know there’s been a lot of bullying and gossip happening on the blogs. Can you tell me what started the fight? Did it have anything to do with the blogs?”
@Tiina
@Kate
@ChayChay05 - (Piper Mentioned)
Tracie’s gaze slid to Rylee slowly, like she was recalibrating her target. She didn’t raise her voice. That would’ve made it too emotional for her own taste.
“Interesting,” she said, almost mildly. “You laughed when something got thrown at me. And now you’re lecturing me about kindness?” Her head tilted just a fraction. Not curiously.
“And you’re right,” Tracie added, eyes steady, unblinking. “I have been here five minutes. Long enough to see how the students act. You don’t care about my opinion—fine. But don’t pretend this is about loyalty or history or knowing people longer. You’re just embarrassed someone said what everyone was thinking of Jax offline. As for my family and friends?” She shrugged, small and dismissive. “You don’t know a thing about them. And if you think calling me lonely is going to scare me, you’re really overestimating how much your opinion matters.”
The slap didn’t even register as pain at first. Just heat. A bright, shocking burst across her cheek, followed by the metallic taste of adrenaline flooding her mouth. For half a second, everything went silent.
Then her body moved before she did—shoulders forward, fingers curling into a fist, weight shifting like she was about to launch. She didn’t think. She didn’t plan. She was going to hit back. Right upside Aryas head.
And then a hand grabbed Arya’s arm. A voice cut in. Authority. Adult. Consequences. Tracie froze mid breath.
Her anger didn’t disappear. It had nowhere to go. So it sat in her chest, vibrating, furious and unfinished. Her cheek throbbed now. Not enough to cry. Just enough to remember. Scholarship. The word dropped into her head like a brick.
Not here. Not like this. Not over something this stupid. Her jaw tightened. She forced her hands open as the teacher droned on. Forced them to unclench. Get it together.
They were walking now. Down the hallway. People were staring. Because of course they were staring.
Her heart was still pounding hard enough to make her feel dizzy. She hated that. Hated that her body was betraying her, acting like she’d lost. Tracies head buzzed with her affirmations— something supposedly helpful that had twisted into a toxic ink that now stained her brain. She wished she would stop.
Her Affirmations
Don’t react. Don’t give them that. You didn’t do anything wrong. Nothing wrong. You’re not the one who threw something. You’re not weak for noticing patterns. This is why you don’t trust people. Don’t react. Don’t give them that. You didn’t do anything wrong. You’re not the one who threw something. You didn’t get physical first. You’re not weak for noticing patterns. This is why you don’t trust people. I’m just pointing out the truth. Don’t react. Don’t give them that. You didn’t do anything wrong. Nothing wrong. You’re not the one who threw something. You’re not weak for noticing patterns. This is why you don’t trust people. You didn’t do anything wrong. You’re not the one who threw something. You didn’t do anything wrong. This is why you don’t trust people. You’re not weak for noticing patterns. Don’t react. Don’t give them that. I only pointed out the truth. I only pointed out the truth. F-ck! Don’t cry. I didn’t get physical first. They don’t know me. Don’t cry. I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t. It’s just the truth. I’m not weak for noticing patterns. This is why I don’t trust people. I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m not the one who threw something. I didn’t do anything wrong. This is why I don’t trust people.
You’re fine, she told herself. Stop being a b-tch, Beatrice. The words were harsh and automatic. They landed heavy, but they steadied her. She rolled her shoulders back. Lifted her chin. If anyone was getting suspended over this, it wasn’t going to be her.
She didn’t look at Arya. Didn’t look at Rylee. She stared straight ahead like none of this mattered. By the time they reached the counselor’s office, the anger had cooled into something sharper. Not gone just better controlled.
~
The room smelled too clean. Too soft. There was a couch big enough for all three of them.
Tracie didn’t hesitate. She walked in first and sat directly in the middle. Not close to either side. Just centered. She dropped her bag by her feet and leaned back like she belonged there. If they wanted space from her, they’d have to find it somewhere else.
When the counselor started asking questions about what happened, about blogs and fights and feelings, Tracie felt the corner of her mouth twitch. Of course. Of course it was about the blogs.
She exhaled through her nose and spoke before anyone else could. “They didn’t really affect me,” she said evenly. Her cheek still stung, but her voice didn’t. Then her eyes slid, just briefly, to one side. “But clearly someone had a reaction.” And she folded her arms, calm now. Composed. Like she hadn’t almost swung back five minutes ago. Like she still didn’t want to.
Rylee rolled her eyes when Tracie was saying it is funny that she is lecturing her about kindness when she laughed about Tracie getting hit in the head with the pencil. Then she started to go off on her about how Rylee could not handle that people are thinking about Jax in a bad way offline. “Oh honey I was not trying to scare you, if I wanted to scare you I would, i’ve met people a lot scarier than you. And you do not know me or anything about me either so you have no idea how I am as a person or student, I am actually very nice. Also I don’t care what people think of Jax on or offline, they can all hate him for all I care, but I know who he is so I don’t care if this whole school hates him.”
After she said that she saw Arya slap Tracie and she was shocked, but before Arya could put her arm down she was stopped and Rylee looked behind her and saw Lockhart. Oh hi Mr. Lockhart, how was your winter break?" she asked but then his voice came and told them they should be all ashamed of ourselves and originally told them to go to the office then said no and told them they are all going to the counselor’s office and he is going to walk them down there. “yeah I’d rather go to the office Rylee knew right now Lockhart was mad and she was not going to make it worse for herself besides making that office comment which probably would not make it worse, normally she would say something more but she can tell he is in no mood today. She grabbed her stuff and walked out the door with Tracie and Arya and then Mr. Lockhart.
As they walked down she could see that people were staring which she did not really care for she has been walked down the hall before by a teacher. Eventually they got to the counselor’s office and Lockhart knocked on the door a few times then a moment later a woman opened it and Lockhart told her that they needed to talk with her because they were fighting. The counselor told them to go in and take a seat and Tracie walked in first and sat in the middle. Rylee just walked in and sat on the further side so then Arya had the closest seat to the door. As they sat down she asked if this whole thing started about the blogs and Rylee again rolled her eyes, why was everything about the da*n blogs.
Before anyone spoke Tracie spoke first and said it didn’t effect her but basically pointed out someone had a reaction which was basically pointed at Rylee. Rylee was surprised with how Tracie acted 5 minutes ago to now like she is sweet and innocent when she is not. “Yeah this has nothing to do with those blogs Ms, also I don’t really think we need to be here Mr Lockhart is exaggerating, it really is not a big deal or as big of a deal that he says.”
Arya sat solemly on the couch, just moving her leg up and down. She found herself doing that a lot these days.
“Ladies, you need to cooperate with me okay? There was obviously something happening. Alex wouldn’t have brought all three of you in here if it was otherwise. Now, lets just start by talking about how this started. Actually, let’s start with what’s everyone’s mood right now? Let’s start with you Arya.”
Arya felt like she was going to burst with emotion, and she did. “Look, it was me alright? I slapped Tracie. And it was a big deal to me.” She looked at Rylee when she said that. “I’m not okay. The blogs, Austen…”
“Austen? Austen Cromwell? From what I remember, he goes to St Andrews is that correct?”
“I wasn’t really thinking of Tracie when I slapped her, I was imagining her as… As Austen…”
“But why?”
“Because, Austen is…or was my boyfriend but I just think he’s cheating on me and I’ve been angry this whole morning. I found out on the blogs that he’s really involved with… A girl named Piper. I don’t know if she is pregnant by him.”
All the words just tumbled out of Arya’s mouth.
“Did anyone else know about this?” The counselor asked. Looking between the two girls.
(Me trying to write but cramps are kicking my butt)
Rylee rested her elbow o her leg then her hed on her hand as she listened to the counselor talk and then Arya spoke and talked about her feelings and emotions and looked at Rylee whe she said it was a big deal her to and rylee put her hands up as in like she was surrendoring. As Arya finished explaining the counselor looked at Tracie and her asking if they knew about this or not. “umm kind of yes. I did not know about the cheating part but at a party I saw him defend Piper or try to. Some guy was being talking with her angry and these 2 guys that are actally really close and kow Piper very well tried to separate him from her a little and then I saw Austen come and defend her. He then admitted to her and that small group that was aroud her tat he sent some type of text message, then I saw Arya come and pull him away that is about it. So I fugured from Piper saying she did not really know him and the way he tried to defend her that he probably liked Piper, but I know nothing about him cheating or that he could possible be the father of her baby. I haven’t really seen the blog if I am honest, I have been dealing with my own stuff. Listen Arya, I am sorry that you have to deal with that and seeing it on the blogs, it can’t be easy.”
She did reall feel bad for Arya havng to deal and see all that, she knows she probably couldn’t handle it very well either, but she would go aroud trying to act like she was ok to everyone else, so basically she would bottle it up until she exploded, which she guessed Arya was at that point. Now she unnderstood why Arya brought up the whole Jax thing and how she could be friends with someone that hurt a girl and a baby because she was thiking about Austen and Piper being pregnant.
@Kbail - No worries, hope you are eelingn better today
@Tiina
Tracie didn’t bother pretending she was shocked. She’d already read the blogs—every ugly thread, every speculative headline. Pregnancy scare, Piper, names being dragged like chum through water. None of it was new. What was new was Austen being directly involved, and she kept that reaction buried where it belonged. No one here needed to see her fitting it together in real time.
She shifted forward on the couch, elbows on her knees, fingers loosely laced. Her cheek still stung a bit, but she didn’t touch it. Didn’t want to give it the satisfaction.
“I knew about the pregnancy stuff,” she said plainly, cutting in before the silence could get too awkward after Rylee finished. “The blogs made that impossible to miss. I didn’t know Austen was being dragged into it until just now though.” She flicked a glance at Rylee then back to the counselor.
She was a little impressed with Rylee, though. Tracie hadn’t even noticed half of what happened at that party because she’d been mid conversation with Nevaeh, whose smile had been distracting in a way Tracie absolutely did not want to unpack. Still. Rylee noticed things. Filed them away. Used them when it mattered. Respect where it was due.
“And for the record, this didn’t start because of the blogs.” She gave a small shrug. “I have opinions. I usually do. I didn’t shove them down anyone’s throat. I said one thing, it landed wrong, and then it escalated.” That was her concession. If Tracie did extend olive branches—this was one.
She leaned back again, crossing her arms loosely. “I’m not sitting here claiming I handled it perfectly. I could’ve dropped it sooner.” Her eyes slid to Arya has she considered adding in a, ‘I didn’t touch anyone’. She decided against it. “I don’t feel unsafe. I don’t need this to turn into a whole thing,” Tracie added, already halfway disengaging. “If the goal is accountability, fine. If the goal is a group hug therapy thing, I’m good to just go back to class.” Inside, her thoughts were less composed.
Don’t spiral. Don’t get defensive. You’re not wrong, but that doesn’t mean you’re excusable just yet.
She hated that Arya was clearly unraveling. Hated it in the way you hate collateral damage, not responsibility. And yeah, a part of her still thought it was messed up that certain people got endless grace while others were expected to swallow things quietly. That Rylee could know everything and still choose comfort over consequence.
But this wasn’t the hill to die on. So she stayed still. Calm. Quiet. Not because she necessarily felt bad but because she was smart enough to know when a fight stopped being worth the cost.
⸻
Rylee listened to Tracie speak and it was good to knows he didn’t think she did nothing wrong. She as her input really wanted no but Rylee said why not even though she was kind of being sarcastic but serious since everyone had seemed to want to say something about her being friends with Jax. She is loyal and sometimes that is a negative thing. Rylee looked at the girls then the counselor “and I did not say nice things to Tracie after she said her opinion, so I didn’t handle it good either, and I’m sorry Tracie for what I said I am. I guess I’m just tired of hearing everyone judge me because I’m friends with Jax. And I was being serious what he did was unforgivable and it was violent and yes he had violent tendencies and people have there own opinions and that’s fine, I guess it’s just the fact that people judge Jax without really knowing who he is and I know who he is so I feel like people are judging him based off his actions not who he is as an actual person even if he doesn’t have the best reputation. I guess I can be loyal to a fault and I know it’s not a great thing. No one is perfect I made mistakes to and I made a mistake with the things I said too and about you in class. I guess like Jax I don’t really know you so what I said was like judging you without knowing who you really are. So again I am sorry for what I said to you and I’m sure your family and friends love you and you aren’t lonely.”
Rylee felt like that was all true she did jump down Tracie’s throat and say mean things just because she was annoyed with everyone assuming the worse and judging Jax on his awful thing he did to Madi and what did Rylee do, basically did the same thing of Judging Tracie without really knowing her. She was sure they most likely would not be friends but maybe they can have more respect for each other.