Page 25 of Hidden Truths

I’m not sure how long it takes Brock to actually rip all the papers from the wall, but before I can move, he’s back in front of me. Brock kneels down and presses his finger under my chin to lift my head so I’m looking at him.

“I’m gonna find out who the fuck did this shit and I’ll make them pay,” Brock promises me, his voice full of rage and hate to the point it scares me and I shrink back from him. “Don’t be afraid of me, Arabella. I will never do anythin’ to hurt you.”

“We both know who did this. It was Karmen and Collette. I’m sure all of their little minions put them up, but they’re behind the words against me. I’d like to know how they got the picture of my brother. None of them would ever be caught dead in the poor section of town for any reason. Not even to fuck me over. So someone else took that picture of my brother and me at the park. It’s too late, Brock. There’s nothing that can be done. Too many people have seen this already. And this is just one building. We don’t know if they’re in any other ones or where else on campus they’ve been hung up,” I tell him, more tears spilling from my eyes as I realize this is more than humiliation and their attempts to hurt me.

Karmen and Collette have taken things too far this time. Now, they’re putting my life in danger by telling everyone here I’ll do anything sexual for mere pennies. There’s nothing stopping the guys from taking what they want from me. The reality of the situation is that I’m a virgin and I don’t see that changing any time soon. After this shit, I know the words Kash told me days ago are going to go up in smoke. Not that I can blame any of the guys. For some reason, a part deep in my soul breaks with the knowledge that I’m going to be completely alone until I make decisions and get the fuck out of High Point for good. Now that I have the means to leave, I believe that’s exactly what I’ll do. I can sell my grandparents’ mansion, put all the assets in storage to keep for Vinnie and myself, and take the money and run from this horrendous town. No one will ever see me again and no one can stop me from leaving here if that’s the decision I make.

“You’re right, we don’t know where else this shit is posted. But, I can tell you right now that you’re not alone, Arabella. I’ll go through every fuckin’ buildin’ and make sure that they’re all gone. It doesn’t matter how many people have seen them because no one will get close to you. I won’t let anyone hurt you because of this shit,” Brock promises me as I give him a weak, watery smile because there’s no way he can be with me at all times. “Let’s get to class before Rollins has any more reason to treat you like shit.”

Brock helps me from the floor and we make our way to the lecture hall our math class is in. He leads me to the back row we typically sit in and I don’t move to pull out anything I’ll need for today’s class. There’s no point when I doubt I’ll be here much longer. Still, I try to keep my focus on the board at the front of the room where Professor Rollins pretends to teach us anything. He has no clue what the fuck he’s doing as he copies everything from the book he’s loosely holding in front of his body. When it comes to actually explaining the problem to us and how to solve it, the professor doesn’t know what to say or how to show us a damn thing. I want to laugh at his inadequate teaching, but I can’t find anything to laugh at right now.

Brock is busy taking notes from the board as I remain in my seat without worrying about notes or paying attention at all. When I hear my name called, I answer the question without thought even though I know for a fact that Professor Rollins will tell me that I’m wrong. Karmen keeps looking back at me with a smirk on her face and I know without a doubt she’s the one who put those posters up in the hallway. It’s written all over her face and I want to hurt her in some way. However, before I can let myself think about all the ways I’d want to hurt her, the door of the lecture hall opens and a man I’ve never seen before steps inside as he looks around until his eyes land on me.

“Professor Rollins, I’ll be taking Miss Moore with me. She’s to be excused with no consequences from you at all. That comes straight from Dean Maddison,” this man states, his voice letting Professor Rollins know that he won’t get away with trying to punish me in any way.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Brock asks as the man steps closer to me and I grab my bag from the floor where I dropped it.

“No. I can handle whatever happens now on my own. Thank you, Brock. Your friendship has meant the world to me. I want you to know that,” I tell him, knowing I have to get the fuck out of High Point because there’s no way I can remain here where I’m constantly beaten down and tortured for no good reason at all.

“Don’t do this shit, Arabella. You’re not fuckin’ tellin’ me goodbye like this. I’ll see you the second this class is over with and we’ll go from there. I’ll get you lunch,” he says, pain filling his eyes and voice as my friend looks at me with concern filling his features.

With a subtle nod of my head, I stand from my chair and leave with the man who came in to get me from this dreadful class. The second we’re out the door and in the hallway, I feel as if I can’t breathe and my chest is caving in on itself.

“All of those vile posters have been removed from campus, Arabella. You don’t have to worry about seeing them again. Forgive my manners. I’m Mr. Hayden, your counselor. I’d like to talk to you in my office about this and make sure you’re okay,” he says, leading me to the door to exit the building as he opens it and holds it open for me to step through before him.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I tell him, my voice barely above a whisper as we walk across the campus and I see the guys all standing a short distance from the building we just left.

I can’t determine what’s going on with a single one of them from where I’m walking as they stand side-by-side with their arms folded over their chest. Each one of them stares at me and only me. A large part of me wants to run to them and let them comfort me. However, I remain at Mr. Hayden’s side as we make our way to his office. I can feel the guys’ stares on my back after we pass them. It feels as if something is shifting in the air and there’s nothing I can do to change it from taking place. I feel out of control and like a runaway train is heading straight for me to ensure I’m kept off balance at all times because there’s no one to save me from whatever is about to happen.

When we finally get to Mr. Hayden’s office, he unlocks the door and lets me go inside before him. Mr. Hayden motions for me to take a seat in front of his desk after he turns on the light and closes the door behind him. He takes his seat behind the desk and takes a minute to simply look at me. He’s relaxed back in his chair and if he’s waiting for me to say something first, we’ll be sitting here in silence for a long time. I’m not ready to say anything to anyone right now.

“Miss Moore, I’m sorry you had to see that when you got to school today. If any of us had known about it, we would’ve removed it immediately before you were forced to see it. Dean Maddison has had each building searched thoroughly and removed all the posters that were hung up. We’re looking into the situation and will do everything in our power to ensure whoever did this is dealt with as harshly as we can. This is not something the school tolerates and will let slide,” Mr. Hayden states as he looks at me and allows me to see the truth of his words.

“I appreciate that. For the first time, I can honestly say I don’t want to be here and that I’m scared to walk around campus after what was said on those papers,” I admit, tears filling my eyes once again.

“That’s understandable, Miss Moore. Is there anything we can do to make you feel safer while you’re on campus?” he questions me, his voice remaining gentle and making me feel safe for the first time in a long time. It’s a feeling I’ve only felt when Brock is around me.

“I honestly don’t know. I’ve got so much going on and my only goal has always been to protect and take care of my baby brother. No, he’s not my child and I wouldn’t be ashamed of him if he were. My mother isn’t able to take care of us properly at the moment. We’re staying with a responsible adult and it won’t be long before I’m nineteen. I have the means to take care of my brother now and I have a feeling that things would be for the best if I simply leave High Point and quit school,” I tell him honestly of the thoughts running through my mind at the moment.

“I don’t believe that’s the solution at all, Miss Moore. What I will say is that the decision is yours to make at the end of the day. You are of age to leave on your own and protect yourself any way you choose. While I don’t know your personal circumstances, please know that I’m here if you decide to remain in High Point and get your education with this university. If you could let me know the second you make a final decision, I’ll make sure to gather your records together so you can take them with you and continue your education at another school,” Mr. Hayden says with a small smile on his face instead of a serious expression.

“I will. Thank you for letting me know the posters have all been removed,” I tell him, standing from the chair I was in and leaving his office without another word.

While looking around the campus, I see the guys haven’t left the area as I head straight for the library. I can sense them following me as I head inside and take my table like nothing has happened here today. I’m sure as hell not going back to my math class when there’s no reason for me to be there. Professor Rollins won’t allow me back in the room now that I’ve left and he’s been reminded that my absence is excused. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he had a hand with those damn posters. However, I remain silent as I watch the guys take the table directly in front of me. They talk in whispers so I can’t hear them, but more often than not, their eyes stay on me. I’m choosing not to look too closely at what I see there. For now, I’m going to focus on my work as I pull out the textbooks from my bag and let myself get sucked into the work that I need to have done.

Arrangements

Arabella

OVER THE LAST week I’ve been thinking about everything going on and weighing all of my options. At the end of the day, I can take the money I now have and leave High Point behind without a second thought. There’s nothing keeping me here. I can take Vinnie and get the fuck out of here to get away from everyone who’s bullied me over the years and continues to do so now. The only thing stopping me is the fact that if I leave now, Karmen and everyone else wins. They accomplish their goal of getting rid of me and I don’t know that I can accept that outcome. While I may not be able to fight back and win against my bullies, I know that my being here means that I’m winning because I haven’t given up and given them all what they want. I show up every single day and that’s more important than tucking my tail and running away because of what they’ve done to me over the years. While life would be easier to start over where no one knows me, I feel like it will cement in my mind that I just roll over and accept defeat over doing what I truly want. Getting the best education I can is what I want. High Point University gives me that.

So, my thoughts have been on the will and what it means to me. I can stay in High Point and get everything I thought I’ve always wanted by accepting the terms of everything. Or, I can take the money and forge my own path. Either way I’ll be forging my own path because at the end of the day, the decision is mine to make. The major downfall for me is knowing that if I remain in High Point and accept my full role in The Faction that I’ll have to marry one of the guys. I don’t know if I can tie myself to one of them after everything that’s been done. If I had to make a decision about them though, I would marry Kash. He’s the best one of the group and I know he would respect what I have to say when it comes to the marriage and me not wanting to have anything to do with them.

I did break down and talked to Brock about everything. He understands where I’m coming from and talks to me about everything. He feels I should go through with the wedding, accepting my role in The Faction, and making everyone who has hurt me over the years pay for what they’ve done. A deep part of me wants to make that happen. Because once I accept my role, it means Karmen loses. I can change things and there’s nothing she can do to stand in my way of making it happen. She’ll be the one who grovels and pleads for what she truly wants. It might be nice to see that happen. For now, I guess I need to talk to Kash and see what he has to say about what I want and how that would work moving forward.

Since I don’t have a phone that anyone knows about and I wouldn’t even know how to get in touch with the guys, Brock assured me that he’d let Kash know I want to sit down and talk to him. I want to meet in the library instead of out in the open. So, Brock will bring him to the room we usually use for our tutoring sessions and make sure no one gets close to the room once we’re inside. Yeah, I can lock the door so no one else can get inside, but it wouldn’t prevent anyone from eavesdropping on our conversation. Brock will stand outside and not let anyone get too close to the door to hear what’s being said. He even reserved the rooms on either side of the one we’ll be in so no one can listen in that way. My friend has thought of everything because I’m still so confused and my mind has been stuck in a fog since I learned all of this new information. I don’t like this feeling and have a feeling it won’t go away until I make concrete plans and realize what I’m going to do moving forward.

After my last class of the day, I make my way to the library so I can wait for Kash and Brock to get here. Nerves fill me as I walk quickly across campus and try to avoid everyone. Karmen has been keeping a low profile since she helped two of my professors try to get me expelled for cheating. I know it’s just a matter of time before she shows her face and does more than plaster the walls of the buildings on campus with posters filled with nothing but lies about me. Karmen isn’t happy if she’s not making everyone around her miserable. That’s her role in life and she excels at it. Girls like Karmen won’t ever be happy because every single other woman they see is nothing more than competition they have to put down and get rid of so they can feel superior and on top of the world.