Chapter XXII

It had been nearly three years since Jay had spoken to Rina Davens and he truly believed he would never do so again. Rina had made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with them anymore and Jay knew they had no choice but to go their separate ways. After everything that went down between them, he expected he would go the rest of his life without facing her. He knew that their friendship ending had taken its toll on Alice but, unfortunately, there had been nothing he could have done to remedy the situation. So, from eighth grade on, Jay and Alice pretended like Rina didn’t exist and she did the same to them. They didn’t even say “hi” to each other when they passed in the halls. To anybody that didn’t know their history together, they wouldn’t even look like acquaintances and that was the way it should have stayed.

And yet, there Jay stood, leaning up against a wall behind the school, watching as his former friend made her way toward him with an obvious look of discomfort and irritation. He still couldn’t believe what Matt said was true. Despite their past, it made no sense that Rina would be behind what was happening to Alice. Yet, at the same time, Matt had seemed genuinely concerned and Jay didn’t think he was lying. So, he knew the only way to get to the bottom of it would be to finally talk to Rina directly. He needed to hear her side of the story and see how well it matched up with what Matt had said. However, that was far easier said than done.

What he was essentially doing was going to a friend he had last been on bad terms with to accuse her of bashing open Alice’s locker.Not to mention, he found out from Vinny on Tuesday morning that somebody had started sending her death threats from an unknown number. At first, Jay couldn’t bring himself to approach Rina so, like the coward he knew he was, he put it off. First it was one day, then two, and now it was after school on the Thursday after Alice was first targeted, finally having worked up the courage to do something. After all, there was no getting out of it now. After the death threats, Alice had been too scared to return to school since and, according to Lilly, Brad Fischer had spoken to Evan Wright only to learn exactly what Matt had claimed: Rina and Evan were the ones behind what was happening. That was a fact that was now harder to deny. If he wanted to do what he always claimed he lived to do and protect Alice then he had no choice but to finally confront Rina Davens. After all, Vinny had made it clear that if Jay didn’t do something first then he would, and there was no way he could let that happen. He was the one that needed to talk to Rina, not anybody from the club.

He glanced to either side of him, cringing at the dumpsters he was standing between. He wished he could have spoken to her elsewhere but he knew this was the only place in the school he was likely to get any privacy at least until later in the afternoon when most clubs let out, but he knew Rina would have gone home by then so he knew it was now or never.

“Alright, Jay,” Rina said softly as she stopped a few yards in front of him, her arms folded under her chest and her expression one of utter disgust. “I’m here. So say whatever you want to say so I can go home.”

For a moment, he couldn’t help but take her in. He hadn’t truly looked at her since they were in the seventh grade and so, his mental image of her more or less remained as what she looked like back then but now, he could see that there was very little of his old friend left. Her long black hair was wavy and smooth, she wore so much makeup that her face almost looked fake. It was a surreal sight and part of him wished he had continued to avert his eyes from her.

“It’s been a while, Rina,” he replied, trying to conceal the nervousness in his voice. “How’ve you been?”

She snorted and narrowed her eyes. “Shut up, Jay. I know that you don’t give a damn about how I’ve been. I’m sure you have a reason for calling me out here so just get to it or I’m turning around and leaving. You’re lucky I even bothered coming out here in the first place so don’t waste my time.”

He couldn’t help but to cringe at the sharpness of her tone. “Good to know you still hate my guts. Even after all these years, you’re still pissed at me?”

“Of course I am,” she spat. “You think I could just get over what you did? You think I could just forget it like it didn’t matter? I swear to god, Jay, I hope it’s still killing you. I hope it’s eating you up inside.”

Jay tried to swallow his emotions down and refrain from breaking eye contact with the girl. Part of him wanted to tell her that she had nothing to worry about—that what happened to Audrey Moore was still destroying him to that day. There were countless nights he spent wide awake, replaying that infamous moment over in his head, recognizing everything he could have done to prevent what happened but not doing a damn thing, forcing himself to stand by and watch helplessly. Of course he hadn’t forgotten. He didn’t think he would until the day he died and he knew that was the way it should be. Rina had every right to hate him. Alice did, too. However, Rina had no reason to take any anger out on Alice. He would accept attacks against him but not against her.

“You’re as pleasant as I remember,” he growled, trying not to show her his inner turmoil.

Rina scoffed. “Fuck off and get to the point. What do you want?”

Jay took a deep breath, prepared himself for what he knew he had to do, and stared Rina dead in the eyes when next he spoke. “Don’t play dumb with me. You and I both know what I want. After all, like hell it’s a coincidence that I call you out here now of all times after ignoring you for three years. I assume you heard about what happened to Alice?”

Rina narrowed her eyes once again and Jay didn’t miss the flash of nervousness that crossed her features. Just that brief look was enough for Jay to believe that what Brad and Matt said was true. Even if Rina wasn’t the one who personally went through with the attacks, she was aware of who did.

“Of course I have,” she hissed. “Nobody in our grade hasn’t!”

“Well, you see, Rina, I’ve heard rumors that it was actually you who was behind what happened to Alice’s locker.” He took pleasure in the look of surprise that followed his words. “What do you make of that?”

The stunned expression vanished almost as quickly as it appeared, being replaced by a look of pure rage and hatred.

“How dare you!” she snarled. “Are you accusing me of doing all that to Alice?!”

He stood up straighter, narrowing his own eyes in response to her challenging tone. “That’s right, I am. But at the same time, I thought I owed it to you to talk to you first before I go to the principal. I wanted to know what you had to say for yourself.”

“T-the...principal?” she stuttered, the panic clearly setting in as she realized he was serious. “With what proof? What fucking proof do you have that I did this? I have nothing to do with what happened to Alice! I don’t know who you heard that from but they’re a fucking liar!”

“Evan Wright,” he said simply.

Her eyes went wide at the name and he quickly continued before she had the chance to reply.

“I heard it from Evan Wright,” he repeated. “Apparently, he was bragging about what you guys did loud enough for people to hear him.”

“He…?” Rina clenched her teeth in obvious fury, though Jay couldn’t tell whether it was directed at him, at Evan, or at the both of them.

“Look, Rina,” Jay pressed on. “If this has to do with what happened to Audrey then leave Alice out of it! Go fuck up my locker! Go draw all over my desk! Take it out on me! I’m the one who deserves it! But not Alice! Alice did nothing wrong and I’m not going to stand by while you and that shithead hurt her!”

He had hoped his words would reach Rina. He knew deep down that she wasn’t a bad person. When they were friends, she had been sweet and loving and an all around amazing girl. If she had stooped to doing something like what happened to the locker then he was certain that it had to be either her emotions clouding her judgment or somebody else pressuring her into doing it. If he could just reach that part of her that he remembered so well then maybe he could convince her to stop tormenting Alice. But, much to his surprise, Rina didn’t back down.

“Don’t act like Alice was blameless,” she uttered. “After all, she chose you even after everything. When I called you out, Alice sided with you despite what you did to Audrey. She acted like I was the one in the wrong. You don’t think she has this coming? In my mind, both of you are awful.”

He had wanted to go into the conversation with a cool head but, hearing those words leave her mouth, he found that he just couldn’t contain his anger.

“Don’t act all high and mighty,” he snapped. “Sure, I fucked up! I know that! I fucking know that! Alice does, too! Even if she won’t say it, she knows it was my fault! But you...do you really think Audrey would want you doing something like this to Alice?! Do you think she’s looking down on you right now and thinking that you’re doing the right thing! Like hell she is! She loved us—all of us!”

“Y-you…” Rina stuttered.

She looked to be on the verge of tears and Jay prayed that he had actually gotten through to her. But, just when it seemed like she might actually see reason, somebody else called out to him.

“The fuck’s going on over here, Brooks?”

Jay felt his body go cold as he turned to his right to see Steven McCormick and Evan Wright walking toward them. He knew they were both football players and that McCormick was currently dating Rina. Both had a significant height advantage over him and he could tell just from their furious expressions that they had overheard part of the conversation. He wanted to turn and run but found that his feet wouldn’t move.

“Don’t just stare at me with that dumbass expression,” McCormick continued. “I asked you a question.”

“I…” Jay stammered, sparing a glance over his shoulder to see the fence leading to the track blocking his path. He knew that if he wasn't such a pathetic piece of shit then he could just sprint over and hop the fence but he knew there was no way he would be able to get over it even if he didn’t have the two football players chasing after him. “It’s not...your buisne—!”

“Stevie, thank god you’re here,” Rina suddenly cried out, rushing away from Jay and toward the red-headed boy. “He was being really creepy! He kept trying to touch me even though I told him not to and I… I was really scared!”

Jay's eyes went wide as he stared at his old friend in horror.

What...the hell?

Both Wright and McCormick turned to look at him, somehow seeming more furious than they had been when they arrived.

“N-No!” he quickly protested, taking an involuntary step back. “She’s lying! I didn’t do anything like that!”

“So first, you try to molest my girlfriend,” McCormick growled. “And then you call her a liar? I’m about to fucking kill you, Brooks.”

I should run! I should do something! I’m about to get my ass beat! Rina, she…

But he still couldn’t move. He couldn’t process the fact that this was reality. Rina had left him out to dry and was behind everything happening to Alice. She had turned on them in every sense of the word. He had thought he could get through to her and save Alice from any further torment but now he realized that he had completely misjudged the situation. As usual, he was an utter failure. He couldn't save his best friend and now, he was going to get his ass kicked. For a moment, he looked at Rina, but she wouldn’t even turn her head his way. Instead, she was clutching her boyfriend’s arm, her face buried in his chest.

“Don’t you dare fucking look at her!” McCormick snarled, gently pulling his arm from Rina’s grip so he could take a step toward her. “You’ve gotta lot of nerve, Brooks. You’re gonna regret ever going near her!”

“Fuckin’ loser,” Wright spat, a wide grin on his face like he was excited for what was to come.

However, before either could make a move to charge him or Jay could run away, another newcomer’s voice rang out.

“What’s going on back here?”

At the sound of his voice, Jay felt some hope return to his body as he realized he might not be totally screwed. Both football players and even Rina turned around to see Damien Clark approaching them, his hands casually in the pockets of his uniform and a curious expression on his face. Jay noticed McCormick and Rina tense up but Wright only seemed to get more excited.

“Clark?” McCormick growled. “The fuck do you want?”

Damien shrugged, never once looking away from the tall boy. “I was actually looking for Jay. He said he’d help me out with something after class ends but he was late so I thought I’d look for him. So, unfortunately for you two, you’ll have to pass on kicking his ass today. He’s busy.”

“Oh?” Wright spat. “And we’re just supposed to listen to you? What kind of arrogant prick do you think you are?”

“I wouldn’t call myself arrogant,” Damien replied. “Confident, how about? I’m confident that, if I was forced to fight you both, I would win. Now, if either of you would like to test that theory then by all means, I’m down. Just don’t come crying to me when you’re in the hospital with a cracked skull.”

Despite knowing Damien was putting on an act and playing off his violent reputation, he couldn’t help but feel a shiver run down his spine. There was something in the way he said it that unsettled Jay...almost as if he truly did believe he wouldn’t lose in a fight against them. Knowing how hungry McCormick and Wright seemed to be for a fight, part of him expected both to take Damien up on his challenge. So, he was surprised when McCormick simply scoffed.

“Whatever,” he snapped. “Take the stupid little shit. See if I care.” He then glanced down at his girlfriend and whispered, “Come on, Rina.”

Wright looked over at McCormick, clearly pissed that his friend was backing down so easily. Yet, despite his obvious desire to fight, the boy followed as McCormick led Rina past Damien and began making his way back toward the courtyard. Jay exhaled a breath of relief as he realized that he just barely avoided getting his ass kicked.

“Thanks,” he uttered. “I owe you one.”

Damien merely shrugged. “Don’t mention it. Lilly’s who you should really be thanking. She’s the one who asked me to keep an eye on you just in case things went south.”

Jay couldn’t help but to smile.

Lilly. Of course it was Lilly.

“Come on,” Damien said with a nod of his head. “Let’s get back to the clubroom. I’m sure the others are curious to know what happened.”

Feeling a twinge of guilt that he hadn't been able to do anything more than nearly confirm that Rina was behind everything, he reluctantly followed after the boy as they made their way back toward the main school building.

***

Vinny could only pace around the clubroom as he listened to Jay explain what went down between himself and Rina Davens. Overall, the curly-haired boy had only really been able to determine with almost certainty that Rina actually was behind the whole locker incident, which matched up with what Brad had told them back on Tuesday morning. That being the case, Vinny was now confident enough to say that Rina and Evan were the ones targeting Alice and that was good enough for him. He didn’t know which of them were behind the death threats but he now at least knew who he would have to go after if he wanted to make them stop. Luckily, Alice had remained home from school all week so there hadn’t been any more chances for the two of them to go after her outside of the messages. So, Vinny had urged her to block any numbers that texted her. For the time being, she was safe. However, that didn’t mean they had all the time in the world. Alice couldn’t stay home forever and Vinny knew that the moment she came back, Rina and Evan would do something else to her. He had to act soon and now, he knew exactly what it was he needed to do.

“So, what’s the plan?” Liz asked, breaking the silence hanging over the clubroom.

They were all scattered, sitting at various desks around the room with Damien at his normal spot at the back table. When Jay had finished his story, they had all retreated into their thoughts to figure out what to do next. They all knew something needed to be done to help Alice but Vinny had a hunch that they wouldn’t agree on what that something was. His assumption was confirmed by what was said next.

“There’s nothing much we can do,” Damien replied. “All we can do is tell a teacher, maybe Mr. Lowe, and hope for the best. Or maybe even go to the police and show them the messages. That’s all we can do for Alice at this point.”

Despite the rationale behind Damien’s words, Vinny couldn’t help but to scoff at them.

“Don’t be stupid, Damien,” he growled. “You know full well that won’t do a damn thing. Trust me...adults are utterly worthless when it comes to this sort of thing.”

He could see Lilly and Jay both looking at him with obvious discomfort but, despite knowing he was probably unsettling them a bit, he found that he didn’t care. Instead, he made sure to face Damien, knowing his old friend was almost certainly going to be his biggest obstacle to overcome if he wanted to get his way.

“Maybe that’s true,” Damien conceded. “But like I said, it’s our only option and it’s far better than doing nothing. We have evidence that Alice has been receiving death threats. The cops won’t just ignore that. And please, Vinny. I get that you’re on edge but you don’t have to talk to me like that.”

The blonde boy shook his head, knowing it was a bad idea to lose his temper but finding himself unable to keep his emotions in check.

“Oh like hell! You think the police would bother with some random cyber bullying?!” he snapped. “Shit like that is so common these days that they’d probably just brush it off as a bad joke!”

“And maybe they won’t!” Damien replied calmly. “But that's all we can do.”

“All we can do?!” Vinny exclaimed incredulously. “And what rock have you been hiding under these past few months?! We’ve got more options than anybody, all because of what Eric has in his pocket! Let’s not act like I’m the only one who thought about this! We all know it’s what we have to do! I’m just clearly the only one with the balls to say it!”

Lilly, Eric, and Jay all looked away from him, a good indicator that he wasn’t wrong. They absolutely had considered the idea at least once. Liz kept a straight face, betraying nothing of what she thought on the subject while Damien didn’t even hesitate to shake his head firmly.

“Absolutely not,” he said sharply. “Using that stone is not an option.”

Vinny cocked an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? Well, I hate to break it to you, but just because you’re scared of it doesn’t mean I am. I’ll gladly use The Switch on whoever the hell I have to if it means sparing Alice from whatever shit Evan and Rina would do to her.”

“It’s not about being afraid, Vinny,” Damien said. “Using the stone to help Brad on a test is one thing, but here? There’s no scenario where using it is a good idea.”

“That isn’t true in the slightest,” Vinny growled. “If we use it to steal either Rina or Evan’s bodies then we could—!”

“No!” Damien shouted, rising to his feet and clearly startling Lilly and Jay. “We are not going to steal somebody’s body! Not under any circumstances is that a good idea! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This stone is not a toy. We can’t just use it to solve every problem we have! We don’t have a damn clue what it is or where it came from! We don’t know who owned it first! We don’t know what else could be out there! We know nothing! Which is why I think we should both refrain from telling anybody about it and from using it unless absolutely necessary. What are you gonna do with Evan and Rina when the plan is over? Now they know about our stone. What then?”

Vinny scoffed. “Who cares? If they told anybody then they’d be seen as crazy… That’s a win in my book.”

“Vinny,” Lilly said, speaking for the first time in a while. “That’s…what Eric said when he proposed helping Brad and you were firmly against it.”

“And?” he asked, turning to look directly at the girl. “That was a situation where the reward of helping Fischer wasn’t worth the risk. This is different. Alice’s safety is at stake here, Lilly. Trust me! Incidents like this can get out of hand so easily… So we have to do something? Or what? Are you saying you’re willing to use the stone for Brad fucking Fischer over Alice?”

“Vinny,” Eric interrupted. “That’s enough. You know what Lilly means.”

Vinny turned to look between Lilly, Eric, and Damien, seeing the same expressions of hesitance in each of their features. Liz was the only member of the club who had both remained silent and was still unreadable. However, the fact that she hadn’t spoken up in his favor told him where she stood on the matter.

“So? Is that how it is?” he asked softly. “You’re all against it?”

“I…” Eric began weakly.

“Think about it, Eric,” Vinny pressed. “Can we really just sit back and let Alice take this when we have the means of helping her. I know this is eating away at you! I know you hate to stand by and let people get hurt! So, do something! Give me the stone and I promise I’ll fix everything myself!”

Vinny extended his hand, looking at Eric and only Eric. But his old friend wouldn’t look back, choosing instead to stare down at the ground. The others were all looking at him with their breath held and it was clear that everybody knew the final decision was Eric’s to make. Vinny just had to pray that the boy understood what needed to be done.

“Liz, Jay, Lilly,” Eric said after a moment. “I know where Vinny and Damien stand. What about you guys?”

“I…” Lilly uttered, “...don’t know. I want to help Alice but...I’m afraid of what would happen if we tried going after Rina and Evan with the stone. Damien’s right. They might be smart enough not to tell anybody, but then...if they were to steal it...we’d be in even bigger trouble than we already are. I don’t know if the risk is worth it.”

Damn you, Lilly, Vinny thought furiously. I see how it is. Fischer over Alice, huh? Fine. Be that way.

“As for me,” Jay chimed in, “I don’t know either. Both options have their problems but...I can’t just leave Alice hanging. Mickelson’s right. The stone...might be the best option.”

Well, at least Jay has some sense. Who would have thought he’d be the only one on my side in this mess.

“And Liz?” Eric muttered. “You’ve been quiet the whole time. What are you thinking?”

Vinny turned to look at the bespectacled girl with a look that begged her to take his side but, unfortunately, she only disappointed him.

“It’s your call, Eric,” she replied. “It’s not my stone. You do what you think is best.”

Eric sighed, leaning back in his chair to stare up at the ceiling, his brow furrowed in intense concentration. Everybody in the room was looking at him, waiting for him to make the final decision and decide what to do. Finally, he shook his head, leaned forward, and spoke.

“I’m sorry, Vinny,” he said. “This...just isn’t a situation where I can just give you the stone.”

Vinny clenched his teeth, seeing the looks of relief on the faces of Damien and Lilly.

“But Eric,” Vinny pressed. “We can’t just do nothing! We can't sit by and wait!”

“Then don’t,” Eric replied firmly. “I’m not telling you to sit by and do nothing. I’m telling you that I’m not giving you the gem. Those are two different things. If it means that much to you then figure it out. I’ll help you where I can. After all, I don’t want anything to happen to Alice either. Now…” The boy got to his feet and stretched. “I have to go to the bathroom. Club is out for today so why doesn’t everybody take the day to relax for a bit, yeah?”

Vinny clenched his fists, dropping down into a chair and putting his face in his hands as Eric abruptly moved to leave. The others didn’t choose to remain behind for long either. When Eric returned, Liz, Damien, and Lilly gathered their things and left the clubroom, leaving Vinny and Jay alone in the room. The curly-haired boy seemed to take that as his cue to leave but, just as he was getting up, Vinny called out to him.

“Listen, Brooks,” Vinny said. “Could you stay a moment?”

Jay stopped and glanced back at him, albeit quite hesitantly. The two of them had never particularly gotten along and so, it was only natural that the other boy would be weary around him. However, for the time being, they both agreed that something needed to be done for Alice’s sake. Therefore, as far as Vinny was concerned, they were on the same side.

“What is it, Mickelson?” he asked meekly.

“This Rina Davens,” he replied. “You and Alice have both told me that you guys used to be friends but, after hearing about how ready she was to lie to her boyfriend about you, I can only imagine what went down between you guys. You kept beating around the bush when you talked about it. So? What happened between you guys and Rina.”

Jay grimaced, clearly uncomfortable by the conversation, which only confirmed Vinny’s suspicions that there was something he was keeping to himself.

“Look,” Jay grumbled. “It’s a long story and one I don’t want to share...especially not with you. It doesn’t matter what happened. All that matters is that Rina chose what she wanted to...and that clearly doesn’t involve me.”

Vinny sighed. He really wanted to push Jay for information but it was obvious that the boy wasn’t going to give it no matter what. Whatever happened between Rina, Alice, and Jay was something he would have to put on the side for the time being. Instead, he needed to figure out a way to deal with Rina and Evan without the stone.

“Well, fine then,” Vinny grumbled. “Have a nice night. See you tomorrow.”

Jay nodded and was about to turn and head toward the door when it was suddenly pushed open. Both boys looked up in surprise but, when Vinny saw Liz walk through the doorway, he figured she must have left something behind and returned for it. Yet, instead of walking toward where she had been sitting, she instead made a b-line for his desk. He sat up straighter, confused as to what she wanted but, before he could say anything, she reached forward and placed something on the desk before him.

His eyes went wide.

Right there, on the surface of the desk, sat the little orange stone that should have currently been with Eric.

“Here you go, Vinny,” Liz said softly. “Do what needs to be done.”