^^Nate Spencer

As soon as the bell rang, I gathered my books and strode out of the classroom toward my locker. On my way, I heard everyone chattering about the morning event. I smiled and opened my locker when I heard my fellow students saying it was an epic move Ben pulled and no one ever suspected him.

I was happy to see how people reacted to it. No one- not that they had any courage to- mock Ben. They applauded Ben and Toby and wished them a happy life ahead.

But I couldn't say the same about clichés.

They weren't judging Ben for his sexuality, rather; they were shocked about the fact, and being his friend, they were oblivious of it.

After putting my books in the locker, I closed it and walked toward the cafeteria. Andrew told me he'll be waiting for me outside the cafeteria.

I was glad things were good between us again. I was afraid of how to act in front of him, but Ben covered it all when he disclosed his secret. After that, when Andrew asked me, I told him everything and my heart felt light like a burden was taken off.

When I turned around the corridor, I bumped into someone. Wincing when my nose clashed with the guy's chest, I pinched my nose.

"Shit!" I froze at the familiar voice and looked up to see a redhead guy I wasn't planning on seeing ever again.

His eyes widened when he recognized me and took a step back, creating a space between us. I was surprised to see he knew the meaning of personal space. He looked around like a paranoid person for someone, then back at me.

"I'm sorry Lillian. I didn't see you." He shuddered to look nervous.

Shouldn't I be nervous around him?

"It's alright," I mumbled, rubbing my nose. "I kind of bumped into you."

"I'm talking about..." He trailed of and my brows frowned. "You know... What happened before the spring breaks..."

My body tensed when he mentioned that, and I gulped. Now that I look at his face closely, I saw faded bruises over his jaw and a purple mark under his eye. I knew this was terrible of me to think like this, but I was glad Andrew and Ben beat him.

He deserves it.

"You don't have to speak of that, Dexter." I stepped around to pass him, but he stopped me.

"Listen Lillian-" He grabbed my arm, but I swatted it.

"Don't touch me." I snapped.

"My bad." He put his hands in surrender. "Listen, I want to apologize. I mean no harm."

"You've down enough harm to last." I crossed my arms and his shoulders slumped.

"I know what I did was wrong and I shouldn't have forced myself on you."

"Then why do you do it?"

"I heard everyone talking about you, Ben and Andrew and Fiona also told me some things so I thought-"

"You thought you should try your luck?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

"I thought you were playing hard to get, and I'm sorry. I don't force myself on people and that's why I stopped."

"Well, I'm glad you stopped," I said sarcastically. "No wonder what you would have done-"

"I wouldn't have done anything that you didn't want-"

"I think we have talked enough about this." I cut him.

"Alright." He bobbed his head, taking a step back. "I've been staying away from you because I was ashamed of what happened and after what Ben did today, I realized I was wrong about you... Everyone was wrong about you two."

"Good to know things are clear now." I gave him the tight smile.

"Yeah..." He pressed his lips into a thin line. "Anyway, I'm having a party this weekend if you want to come-"

"Don't go ahead of yourself, Dexter." I sighed.

"I know it's just..." He bit his lip, stopping himself. "It's an open invitation. You can bring your friends."

"Thanks for inviting me, but I don't think that's going to happen soon."

"Hope you'll forgive me."

"I can't right now. But eventually..." I shrugged, and he nodded. "I need to go."

"Right..." He scratched the back of his head. "Bye Lillian."

"Bye Dexter," I said and turned towards the stairs.

I knew he was staying away from me all this time because Andrew warned him to come near me and accidentally I had to bump into him today.

When I reached the cafeteria, I saw Andrew leaning his back on the wall beside the gate. He glanced up when he felt my stare and his lips stretched into a huge smile, making my heart flutter.

"What took you so long?" He asked, interlocking our fingers as he dragged me inside.

My eyes went to the graffiti wall, and I saw Ben's artwork still there.

"I bumped into Dexter," I replied, making Andrew stiffen.

"What the f**k does he want?"

"Nothing." I shrugged and told him what had happened.

"Like in hell, we'll go to his party." He scoffed as we walked towards the couches area.

Brittany, Tiana, David, and Madeleine were already sitting there.

"Gay pride hashtag Benjamin Forbes..." Brittany snorted, reading the post on her phone. "Now they care."

"They're being nosy as always," Andrew said, sitting on the couch with me beside him.

"I still can't wrap my brains around it- not that I have any problem- but still." Madeleine sighed, rubbing her head. "It's just too much to digest."

"You should take medicine for that," Brittany smirked and Madeleine narrowed her eyes at her.

"How come you are so calm about this?" She asked. "Ben was in a relationship with Toby for two... I repeat TWO F**KING YEARS. And you are oddly calm."

"Because I knew." Brittany shrugged. "Twin intuition."

"I think they look cute." Tiana gushed, showing the picture of Toby and Ben kissing that was all over the school website.

"What's cute about two guys making out- Ouch!" David flinched when Tiana elbowed him in the stomach.

"Just stay quiet, David." She glared at him.

"Ben and Toby are trending!" Louis exclaimed when he came with Jordan.

"They are all over," Jordan said, taking a seat beside Madeleine.

"You know what?" Louis stood in the middle with his hands on his hips. "After knowing that a scary guy like Ben was afraid of coming out, then what about others?"

"Where are you going with this?" Andrew asked, plopping his arm on the couch behind me.

"I'm saying we should run a campaign for gay people," Louis announced. "And help them so they won't feel less or uncomfortable coming out in front of others."

"How about you take a seat and shut your mouth for a second?" Madeleine grumbled.

Louis huffed but sat down while the others snickered.

"Where is Ben anyway?" Brittany mumbled, looking around.

"With Toby." Andrew snorted. I shook my head at him in amusement and leaned my back on the couch.

"There is someone else we should be worried about than Ben," Jordan said, making us look at him. "Nate."

My body tensed, and suddenly I was having a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach.

What about Nate?

"Yeah, where is he? I haven't seen him all day," Louis mumbled.

"He wasn't in the class with me." Andrew shrugged.

"I wanted to discuss my sports scholarship since he's the 'President'." Jordan air-quoted. "But I can't find him."

"Come to think of it. I haven't seen him since Friday." Brittany mumbled. "We had to do an assignment together, but he said he'll handle it. He'd be damned if he thinks I'll do it all alone and go MIA on me."

"Who's MIA?" Chloe asked as she bounced, sitting beside Louis.

"Nate." He answered, pecking her cheek.

Gosh, they are so cute!

"Oh, I just saw him going towards his President's office," Chloe answered nonchalantly. "Weirdly, he was in a casual outfit instead of a uniform."

"Why would he wear causal in school?" Brittany frowned.

"Beats me." Chloe shrugged.

"I'll go check on him," Brittany said, getting up from her seat. "Tiana coming?"

"Yup." She jumped to her feet.

"I'll come with you," Jordan said. "I need to talk to him."

"And I want to discuss my campaign plan with him." Louis grinned. "Miss Secretary?" He extended his hand to Chloe, which she gladly accepted.

"Yes, sir."

"What? You all want to discuss something with him?" Madeleine raised her brows. I was also wondering the same thing.

"Not me." David and Andrew mumbled.

"I'm coming with you guys too," Madeleine grumbled and rolled her eyes. "Don't want to be left in the dark again."

"How about we all have a picnic in his office," Brittany said in a honey voice, but deep down she was annoyed.

"That's a great idea," David said, stretching his limbs. "Let's go."

"She isn't serious about having a picnic." Tiana folded her arms.

"But we can still have one." David gave her a toothy grin, making others groan.

"Idiots," Brittany mumbled and walked away with the others following her.

"Come on, Lilly." Chloe giggled. "You come too."

"Uh..." I trailed off and glanced at Andrew, who had his brow raised.

"You are seriously not thinking of going with them?"

"Everyone is going." Chloe pointed and yanked me up.

"Group of dumb**ses," Andrew mumbled behind us as he unwillingly followed us.

The closer we get to the President's office, the more anxious I felt. Brittany, without knocking on the door, burst it open and everyone gasped at what they saw inside.

I knew something wasn't right.

~•~ • ~•~ • ~•~

What the f**k?

My eyes widened when we entered the President's office and saw Nate behind his desk.

"What are you guys doing here?" He asked, looking alarmed at us from the file in his hands.

What shocked us was the empty room. Everything in the room was packed in boxes. It was like he was moving out of here.

"What is going on here, Nate?" Brittany inquired, examining the room.

I looked around the empty shelves, which used to be filled with his books and trophies, and I leaned my back to it.

"Are you moving out or something?" I questioned.

"Yeah... Something like that?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jordan and Maddie took a seat on the sofa.

"Don't tell me you resigned?"

"I wished that was the case." Nate sighed, closing the file, and glanced at Lillian. She stood beside me and looked unnerved. "I-I got expelled."

"WHAT?!" We gawked at him, perplexed.

Nate?

The f**king golden boy got expelled.

"What the f**k is going on today?" Maddie slumped beside Jordan.

"This day is getting shocking." David runs fingers through his hair. "I think it's cursed."

"But why?" Brittany asked Nate, ignoring the others.

"Because." He licked his lip, averting his gaze. "I-I got caught..."

"Doing what?" Chloe frowned.

"Something illegal?" Louis implied.

"Don't tell me the golden boy is doing drugs?!" Maddie shrieked.

"W-what? No! I'm not doing drugs!" Nate squirmed.

"Then what?"

"Maybe smuggling students," David suggested.

"Are you serious, David?" Tiana glared at him.

"What? I'm just guessing like everyone else." He shrugged.

Everyone began bickering over each other's assumptions, and I rubbed my face in frustration. I glanced at Lillian beside me, who watched them with bugged eyes, looking terrified.

"Can you guys shut up and listen to him?!" I shouted, and that made him stop. "Now let him finish."

"I..." He scratched the back of his neck. "I was having an affair."

"Aha! I knew he was hiding something!" I exclaimed. "Told you guys a horny teenager and alone for four years, not a chance."

I knew it!

I wished Ben was here. I could rub it over his face!

"Don't tell me you are gay, too." Maddie watched him in anticipation like he was going to declare the same as Ben.

"Gay? No!" He paused and his brows knitted in confusion. "And what do you mean by too?"

"That's a long story. You'll get to know some other time." Brittany ignored his question, getting impatient. "Now, back to the point."

"Yeah, the affair." Jordan focused on him.

"The question is, why would Principal Morgan expel you for having an affair?" Chloe wondered.

"Unless that affair is..." Brittany began, and I completed for her

"Forbidden." I felt Lillian besides getting tensed.

"Are having an affair with a teacher?" Louis doubted and Nate confirmed it by nodding his head.

"What the f**k?!"

"You've got to be kidding with me."

"A teacher?!"

"Who is it?" Brittany stepped toward him.

"Grace," Nate blurted and for a second we all went silent.

"F**k!" I cursed as my jaw dropped.

"Grace? As in the Grace that teaches us English?" Maddie squeaked while Jordan besides her grimaced. Chloe and Louis just gawked at him, speechless.

"Nate the Geek has been banging the sexy hot English teacher!" David barked.

"David!" Tiana scolded.

"What? I'm repeating what he said."

"Can you guys give him a break?!" Brittany snapped and turned to Nate. "How long it's been going on and how did the f**k my mother find out?"

"We are together since the previous year-"

"F**king a**hole." Maddie cussed.

"- but Principal Morgan found out on Friday."

"Friday?" My brows furrowed.

"Because of Louis." He scowled at Louis, making his shriek.

"What did I do?!"

"It happened because of your stupid April fool's prank!"

"But... But that was last week!"

"Care to explain, Nate." Brittany waved her hand, urging him to continue.

"After the classes ended, I was working on the Prom budget and then Grace came in. Since everyone was gone and school was over, we did some... Stuff."

"Thank you for sparing the details." My nose scrunched in disgust.

"Not that it helps. I just f**king imagined him and Grace on that table." Maddie stares at the wooden table in front of Nate. "And let me tell you, it's gross."

"As I was saying." Nate narrowed his eyes at Maddie. "Grace and I were busy and then she suddenly screamed saying she saw eyes. But it was the stupid googly eyes Louis placed all over the room."

"Oh..." Louis gave a sheepish smile. "Now I get why it was my fault."

"I took out all of them. Still, they kept coming and that one must have escaped from me." Nate blew a breath in frustration. "I was calming her down, and that's when Principal Morgan burst into the room and caught us."

"She caught you herself?" Brittany gave a wicked grin. "That must be viewed to look at."

"It isn't funny, B," Nate growled, and we watched them fight like old times.

"You're right, it's not funny." Brittany sneered. "It's hilarious! You couldn't find anyone else but a teacher to f**k you."

"It isn't about f**king, B. I love her-"

"Oh, please spare me this love bullish*t-"

"You won't understand because you've loved no one but yourself," Nate called out. I raised my brows at him and watched Brittany as she gritted her teeth, but said nothing.

"Can we have these exes fight later and try to solve the current situation?" Maddie interrupted.

"Yeah, we need to plan something so he won't get expelled," Tiana said, trying to calm Brittany, but she rolled her eyes.

"Haven't you heard him? He's already expelled."

"We need to un-expel him." Louis shrugged.

"How are you planning to do that?" She raised her brow at him and which Louis gulp.

"I-I don't know, but we'll think of something."

"You will not help?" I asked Brittany.

"Does he look like he needs help?" She gestured towards Nate, who was standing there with crossed arms. "He clearly is satisfied with his so-called love."

"Not the time to be jealous, B," David said, making her growl at him.

"I'm not jealous!" She huffed and crossed her arms. "If he needs help, he'll ask himself."

"I don't need anyone's help," Nate muttered.

"Are you planning to throw away your England scholarship?" I looked at him deadpan. "The golden boy of West High and an honor student got expelled because he was horny and a teacher willingly helps him with his needs."

"It isn't like that Drew." He groaned, rubbing his face.

"Then what is it?" Jordan asked. "Principal Morgan caught both of you, so where is Miss Grace?"

"That's an excellent question you pointed out, Jo." Maddie patted his shoulder. "Where is she? She's also the part of it."

"She's taking her class." He mumbled.

"You got expelled, and she's taking her class?" Chloe tilted her head in confusion. "Shouldn't she be punished for this, too?"

"She should be." Tiana backed her up.

"I don't know what happened between her and Principal Morgan, but I'm happy she is not in trouble." Nate sighed.

"F**k you!" Brittany fumed. "You two were in this together, so why are you the only one getting penalized and she's freely roaming around the school?"

"I'm with B." I agreed. "If you two are really in love, then she wouldn't have left you alone in this situation."

"She didn't leave me alone!" Nate defended her.

"Then why are you here and she's not?" Louis said, making him open and close his mouth like a fish, but nothing came out.

"She's the adult here and she should know her limits and what happens when you mingle with students." Maddie crossed her arms.

"They should castigate her for what she did," Tiana said, and his eyes widened.

"What? No! Leave her out of this."

"Oh, she's already in this." Brittany gave him a smug smile.

"B... do nothing stupid-"

"I'm not the stupid one here." She rolled her eyes. "And you are just pu**y whipped."

"I'm not-"

"Don't even try to deny, dude." I shook my head. "It's clear and you need to realize it too before it's too late," I said, referring to the same words he once said to me a while ago.

"I'm surprised no one else knows about this." Jordan asserted. "Otherwise, his news would have been trendier than Ben's."

"What happened with Ben?" Nate asked again.

"We'll fill on it later. Just unpack everything. You're not going anywhere." Brittany confirmed.

"What are you planning?" We asked, but she ignored us and walked out of the room.

"That's for me to worry and you to find out."

"Everyone should wish to have an ex like her." Maddie clapped, getting up from the seat. "She's worried about you more than your mistress."

"You guys are saying this because you don't know her-" He was cut off when the bell rang.

"From the looks of you." Jordan shook his head. "We don't want to know her." Nate slumped in his seat confused so were as we walked out of his office.

"The breaks over and I didn't even eat anything," Maddie grumbled.

I didn't think anyone was hungry anymore after what happened. No one said anything further as we walked toward our class. I glanced at Lillian and she had mixed expressions on her face.

"Lillian?" I nudged her.

"Y-yeah?" She gulped, looking at me.

"Are you alright? You haven't said a word since we went to Nate's office."

"I-I'm just shocked." She whispered.

"So are we." I pulled her into a hug and rubbed her back. "Don't worry, I'm sure B will think of something."

"I hope so too." She mumbled, and I let go of her and kissed her cheek.

"I'll see you after school," I said, gazing into her disturbing eyes.

"Alright." She nodded and walked into her class, and I walked to mine.

Maybe David was right.

This day is cursed.

~•~ • ~•~ • ~•~

A total chaos.