Jae Parker raised an eyebrow, “Courtney? What are you doing here? Don’t you have a football team to cheer for?”
Courntey sighed, “Well, my dad had this idea about meeting my future ‘fiance’ tonight and he wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“Ah, yes. I think Carla did mention something like that.”
At the sound of her cheer captain’s name, Courtney moaned, “Is she going to kick me off the team?”
Jae scratched the back of his head, “I don’t really know.”
Just then, the door to the ladies’ room opened.
Alex still stood behind the door when Emily released her wrist. She went straight for Courtney, preventing her from escaping.
Jae caught her arm. Frowning, he said, “What’s going on?”
“Let go of me!” Emily yelled at him, prying her arm free. Why was this big oaf here? Why was he getting in the way of her plans again?
Courtney hid behind Jae and pointed at Emily, “Jae, this bitch is crazy! You can’t trust her!”
“Says the girl who secretly recorded our conversation” Emily spat. She reached for Courtney with her other arm but Jae blocked it.
“I only did what I thought was right! You and your cousin are nothing but liars!”
The restrooms of the first floor were located away from the dining area. For people to use it, they had to walk along a narrow hallway. It had been designed this way for hygienic purposes and for prevention of possible disturbances.
The usher at the front desk sneaked a glance over the entrance of the hallway. Normally, it wouldn’t be right to interfere in an argument. But if the commotion among the guests escalated, she would have to stage an intervention.
Back at the entrance of the restrooms, Jae did his best to keep the two girls apart. He held both of Emily’s arms while Courtney shouted in his ear.
“I said let me go!” Emily hissed. Left with no other choice, she kicked Jae’s leg and made him lose his balance. One of her hands slipped off his grip. She used the momentum to walk around him.
“Stop it” Jae winced. His leg throb whenever he put weight into it. What was her leg made of? Stainless steel?, “Why don’t you both calm down and maybe we can talk this out?”
“Oh, I’m calm” Emily scoffed, “I’m not the one trying to escape.”
She pulled her other arm and this time, Jae released it. She stood on her left leg with both arms crossed over her chest. On the wall across from her, Courtney huffed.
Jae shook his head and alternatively looked between the two girls, “Can someone tell me what is going on without taking the other person’s eye out?”
“Fine, I’ll tell you” Emily said reluctantly. Her mind went blank. She didn’t know what to tell Jae. She could either trick him into taking her side with a made up lie or she could tell the truth.
But neither of them sounded promising.
“Don’t listen to her. She’s a liar” Courtney cut in. If she didn’t speak up, the other party would brainwash Jae like they did with Logan.
“You don’t even know the truth!” Emily glared at her.
“I think I know enough to tell if someone is a liar!”
“Okay!” Jae’s boomed at the empty hallway. He was surprised no one came in yet, “Would you two please talk like civilized people? You both sound childish.”
“Why wouldn’t I be childish after finding out someone had lied to me?” Courtney explained, “And it’s not just me! This person has lied to our entire school!”
“What the hell are you on about, Courtney?” Jae frowned. He had grown sick of the two girls beating around the bush. They repeatedly claimed the other cannot be trusted but neither of them gave him the reason.
“Alex Carter is a girl!” Courtney breathed out in a rush. If she hadn’t, someone might interrupt her again.
“That is ridiculous!” Emily countered, instantly taking the defense, “Why would my boyfriend be a girl?”
“That is total b*******! She’s not your boyfriend at all.”
Jae blinked and tried to process the information given to him. The situation just became more ridiculous as time went on.
He turned to Courtney, saying, “Alex is my friend. I’ve called him gay several times but that doesn’t mean he’s a girl.”
Emily felt relieved. She was glad Jae didn’t believe Courtney right away. Maybe the situation had some hope. Maybe he would think Courtney was crazy. For Alex’s sake, she hoped he really did.
“See? I told you she’s crazy” Emily added.
Their statements only angered Courtney more. She couldn’t blame Jae’s skepticism since Alex was his friend but he had been deceived long enough.
“Jae, I’m telling the truth! Alex is a girl! And not just that! She’s an heiress to some bigshot company. We can’t let her keep fooling the entire school!”
Emily rolled her eyes, “That is the biggest load of b******* I have—”
“Hey.”
Emily’s head snapped towards the ladies’ room.
Alex walked on the carpeted flooring with wet shoes. She had a shy smile on her face as she approached them. Her eyes glued on Jae, ignoring the other two girls.
She hid behind the door so Jae wouldn’t see her but hearing Courtney repeat her words… she couldn’t stay still longer. Even if Courtney ended up telling the whole school, she should at least take some of her power back.
She wanted to be the one to tell Jae who had been a good friend. He deserved that much.
When Jae’s eyes landed on the girl with long wavy brown hair, he exhaled sharply, “I see.”
Behind him, Courtney grabbed the chance and yelled, “Ha! I told you that she’s a girl.”
Jae pinched the bridge of his nose. Was her voice always this annoying? He glared at her over his shoulder, “Courtney, be quiet or I won’t let you off easy.”
Courtney gaped at him. This wasn’t turning out the way she thought it would.
“Why am I the one being punished?” She demanded, “She’s the one who is deceiving everyone!”
Unable to take the sound of her voice anymore, Jae stepped towards her and pushed her against the wall with the back of his arm on her neck.
“I said shut up” he scolded her again, “You’ve mistaken her for someone else.”
Courtney couldn’t understand why Jae attacked her instead of the other two girls. Did he not believe her? Had they already brainwashed him? Just how many things could these people get away with?
She pointed a finger at Alex, “Jae, that’s Alex C—”
The pressure on her neck increased, making her choke. Jae’s blue eyes hardened at her attitude. He lowered his head until they had the same eye level.
In a low and deep voice, he hissed, “I already know that damn you. Say one more word and I’ll find a way for your father to lose his company shares!”
