Boy With Love

CHAPTER SEVEN | SECOND ATTACK 

ARTHUR 

I stayed away from school for the rest of the week so that all the shenanigans could die down. Mandy kept me updated about the events going on and brought my homework to me. 

The day I dreaded, Monday, came sooner than I wanted it to. I am going back to school today and to say the least, I don't want to. 

Not only am I terrified of the judging stares I'm sure the students would give me, I'm also scared of the look of disappointment and disapproval the teachers would sure as hell glare my way.

I pleaded with my mother to allow me stay home for a few more days but no matter what I said, she is hell bent on sending me to the hell hole called a school. 

At one point during the weekend, I even went as far as pleading with her for a change of school but once again, she rejected. 

So here I am, once again, in the car with my personal chauffeur as nerves wreck me. 

"Young master Arthur, we're here." Mr Finley informs me. 

Feels like deja vu. 

"I know. Just need to calm down." 

Mandy sees my car and rushes over, causing a small smile to appear on my face. 

She opens the door and practically drags me out of the car. She hugs me before squealing in excitement. "I am so glad you're back. School's been way too annoying without you." 

My apprehensive eyes watch the school building like I'm expecting something to jump out of it any second. "I'm not really glad to be back." 

"You haven't heard, have you?" She asks, a secret smile playing on her lips. 

"What?" 

She takes my hand, leading us into the school premises. "The latest gossip, dude. Your cocaine selling shit has been long forgotten." 

"Would you please stop beating around the bush and just save me before curiosity kills me." 

Mandy giggles, goes on her tippy toes to whisper something in my left ear. "It is Ciara and Luca. They broke up." 

I loud gasp leaves my lips before I could caution myself. "How? Why? When?" 

"I don't know much about it but from the rumours I've heard, Luca broke up with her. He confronted her for setting you up and when she denied it, he testified against her to the school authorities and even went as far as showing proof of a chat with Ciara and the real drug dealer. Your name has been cleared now. Ciara is the real witch in the picture. I'm surprised your mother told you nothing about it though, she came here on Friday to see Principal Anderson. I heard she'll be building a new library for the school so that your sister won't be suspended." 

At first, I didn't believe Mandy's words because it sounds too good to be true but once I see the sympathetic looks the students give me in the hallway, I realize she's telling the truth. 

Everyone whispers as I pass them, sending me sad looks. Someone even straight up walked over to me and apologized that I have a wicked sister like Ciara. 

I found everything comical, since the same people that are feeling bad for me worshiped Ciara and have always done anything she said before shit went down. 

It's crazy how humans turn on you once they get the smallest opportunity. 

"See, I told you." 

Suddenly, everyone begins to separate from the friendship group they formed to gossip about my sister. 

"Arthur!" Ciara's voice comes from afar, scaring me to the core. 

The same way the red sea paved way for Moses and the children of Israelites in the bible is the same way the students of Royals high school make way for a furious Ciara to get to me. 

They all shift to the side, afraid they'll be on the receiving end of Ciara king's wrath. They are still scared of her and what she's capable of even after they have seen her true colours. 

She storms towards me with so much aggression that it feels like she would punch holes in the floor with her hilly shoes. 

I'm expecting her to do something drastic when she gets to me but all she does is stare, her face showing that she's having an internal battle with herself. 

"You did this, didn't you?" Her voice comes out softly, softer than I've ever heard her speak in my life. 

"You set me up because you thought I framed you for the cocaine stuff. How else do you explain the evidence Luca has? You did this right?" 

I stay silent, unwilling to say anything to her. 

Ciara bends, covering her hands with her face as her shoulders shook in anger. "He broke up with me because of you. Three years together wasted because you decided it'll be fun to accuse me of something I didn't do. But yet, I'm the one everyone thinks is the diabolical queen bee." 

My heart moves for her because I Know Ciara doesn't cry around people. She'd rather throw a bitch fit than allow others see her hurt. The fact that she's crying is enough to tell me that she's innocent and also that she's breaking. 

I crouch to her level, hugging her vibrating body until her tears stop. 

A furious looking Luca comes over to us, his backpack on his back and a box containing some of his stuff in his hands. "How sweet, the siblings have made up after spoiling everything I worked so hard to keep. I should have known to stay out of a sibling fight." 

"What the hell are you talking about?" My confused voice speaks up. 

Luca grips the box he's carrying so hard that it shakes violently. "I have been expelled. I just got expelled because your sister here has decided to be a bitch and spread lies about me. Your sister told the principal that I have been stealing question papers from the teachers and selling them to students for a huge sum of money since my freshman year." 

My shocked and furious gaze moves to Ciara's still crouched form, scrutinizing her. "Really? So because you couldn't get me expelled or arrested, you decided to aim your punches at Luca because you know he is helpless? All this for what? Because you can't bear the thought of him not being with you?" 

Ciara's head shakes in denial. "I didn't do anything. I can't do anything to hurt Luca. I love him too much. Hurting him means hurting myself." 

"I can't believe you're going this far Ciara. You know how much I need this scholarship. You know how the situation of my family is. If anything, you should understand better than anyone else. Not only have you ruined my chance at graduating from a good highschool, you've also destroyed my college scholarship. Principal Anderson would be calling Duke fall university to tell them everything. Fucking rich brats always ruining everything for me." Luca yells, his veins almost popping in anger. 

"I didn't do it, I swear." Ciara cries harder. 

I scoff, folding my hands across my chest. "You must really think we're stupid. First, we have an argument, you threaten me and I'm framed and now, Luca breaks up with you and this happens after. You really think anyone is going to believe you're innocent?" 

"Please, believe me. I would never do anything to hurt you, Luca. I love you more than I love life." 

With determination and anger coursing through my veins, I march to the principal's office, barging in without knocking. "I did it, Principal Anderson. I forced Luca Redingto

n to steal the questions so I could pass. He has been selling them to me. That's the reason I'm the top student."