Calling It Quits

"They know how crazy they are, but they still choose to be seen with each other."

"Can I know where is Alexandra Snow? She was supposed to be admitted here." I asked the receptionist.

She smiled at me, saying. "Room 305."

"Thank you."

I rushed to the elevator, clicked on the button '3', and impatiently waited to get there. I had no idea what had happened. The way Emma sniffled on the phone as she had been crying for hours, made my heart race.

Not in a romantic way, mind I tell you!

In panic.

In fear.

As soon the doors opened, I dashed out searching for the room. It didn't take me too long to find the cabin which was at the end of the corridor. Reaching, I took deep breaths, calming my frantically beating heart.

Opening the door, I saw the worst scene I could ever. My eyes widened.

Alex was lying unconscious on the bed, her arms bandaged and so were her legs and head. The others were either sitting on the couch or beside her bedside, looking defeated and exhausted. As soon as they heard the door open, their heads snapped towards my direction.

"What happened?"

No one spoke a word.

I asked again. Panic taking over. "What the HELL happened? Answer me!"

Cady started. "Alex...um...got beaten up by a few girls, started out with a simple cat-fight but it escalated when the guys got involved. She couldn't take it and well...."

Guys? Beating a girl up?

WHO does that?

Do they not.....?

Animals weren't that worse.

(Future Jake: That was a big turning point for us.

Future Alex: Yeah kids, and I was so unfortunate to miss it.)

"Where were you guys, then? Shouldn't you guys back her up?" I yelled.

Jeff snapped. "It was your duty! You were supposed to be there, Jake! You're her boyfriend!"

"FAKE boyfriend." I corrected it.

"It was all of our duties to back each other up!" Mia scolded, abruptly standing from her position on the couch. "But someone decided to bail at the last minute."

She glared at me.

"Me? You blame me?" I pointed myself, raising my eyebrows.

"Who else? You were the one saying 'no' to that party saying something personal came up. If you hadn't ditched, none of this would've happened!"

"That party was yesterday! She got it today! How does this relate?" I yelled.

Why on earth were they blaming me? It wasn't something like I started all this. It wasn't my idea to fake our friendships. Moreover, I never wanted to pretend to be Alex's boyfriend. Why were we even doing this? I wanted to help them because-

"S-she's here s-since yesterday," Emma spoke up, a quiet whisper.

I wasn't there. I wasn't there when she needed me. They weren't there when she needed them. None of us fulfilled the promise, the oath we took. I was dealing with my family's mess and they were at the party but couldn't stop it.

"You guys can't blame me only! You guys also signed that contract!" I defended.

"Contract. That bloody contract is the reason behind this....." Cady spoke up, her eyes darkening and her voice laced with rage.

"What are you talking about?" Jeff asked, quietly staring at Cady.

"Fake friendships never work. It shouldn't have occurred to us. We were better off without each other. Alex wasn't bullied so much until Jake showed up and now behind his back, Alex was bullied even more. No one looks at us the same way they used to. Emma is still bullied, Mia's cheerleading team broke up and they blame Mia."

"I'm really sorry you two," I whispered out.

"We were better off without each other. Things worsened since the day we planned to become friends. Before at least, they were afraid of the teachers, but now, they don't care anymore. One of the reasons being Richard knowing Principal Clean's secret."

Oh, the secret!

"So..what you're trying to say is that....we should break up." I deduced.

Jeff scoffed. "Sounds hella cheesy. Let's just say that we're calling it quits. No more dealing with each other's messes. I don't want anyone getting beaten up because they're friends with you, Matthews."

"So, you're saying it's happened because of me?"

They nodded in unison.

Wow. Just when I had decided to stick with them because of my own problems, they decided to pull back, and it's all because of me. Because of me and my wealth. It's always been like this. Even in Berry High and now here. Alex was termed as a gold digger and now Jeff doesn't want anyone to get beaten up again, especially Cady.

Wow. Just Wow.

Happy Worst Birthday, Jake.

First, my parents' divorce.

And now this.

Can I make things right?