The New Kid

Chapter 13- Bailey's Despair

Homecoming week had finally ended, and everyone got back to their normal lives. On Monday, Jessica came up to me at my locker.

"So how was the Pharaoh Toss?" she asked.

I smiled, "Weird, but fun."

"You looked so adorable in that headdress!" Jessica acknowledged.

I blushed, "It was just a piece of plastic, but thanks."

She nodded. In my peripheral, I saw someone come running up to Jessica. I turned to see who it was; it was Jessica's friend from the dance team, Bailey Lunsford. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying.

"Bailey, what's wrong?" Jessica asked, concerned.

"I just found out Chaz cheated on me with some girl from John Adams," Bailey said, sobbing. After the whole dad-cheating-on-mom situation, I couldn't stand that word. There was no point in cheating. Bailey was too loyal and too sweet to be cheated on.

In my opinion, Chaz Anderson, or Gavin, which was his actual name, was kind of a sketchy guy, but I never expected him to do that sort of thing to Bailey. I don't know why he liked to be called Chaz, I just found that out about 3 days after my first day.

"Are you serious? I'm so sorry Bailey," Jessica said, taking Bailey into her arms.

"I'm so stupid," Bailey said, "I wasted a year and a half with him."

"You're not stupid, Bailey. You just didn't know what he was doing," Jessica assured.

Bailey threw Jessica off her, "I am stupid! You know what cheating feels like." My heart started beating faster. I thought for sure she was going to tell Jessica about Farah and Cameron. Surprisingly, she didn't. She simply put her hands over her face and walked away, still sobbing. Jessica sighed and put her index finger and thumb between her eyes.

"What was she talking about?" I asked.

Jessica looked at me, "Cameron cheated on me on our eleven-month anniversary with some random girl and almost got her pregnant."

"Why did you get back with him?" I asked.

"I told you before, Scott. I was too attached. I still am."

Every fiber in my being yearned for me to tell her what was really happening. It almost slipped, but in the end, I didn't say a word. I couldn't make Jessica do something because I thought it was right for her. I'd be just as bad as Cameron.

"I understand," I replied.

"I'll end it whenever I think it's right, Scott," she stated. She walked away, and I grabbed the rest of my books from my locker. Now I had Bailey on my mind.

"That's rough what Bailey's going through," Drake said to me while sitting on the bench at lunch. He held a wooden pass from Mr. Troy, the English teacher.

"This John Adams place must be where all the cheaters are at," I observed.

"Well, from what I hear, there's a lot of hot girls there, and they know their way around a guy," Drake explained.

"That sounds like a dream place for you, doesn't it?"

"Well...none of those girls would amount to Candy Wilson."

"When was Drake Lehman ever into Candy? I thought he was into Jess," I questioned.

Drake looked away from me. I laughed. Bailey came back into my head again.

"I'm worried about her, bro," I said.

Drake raised an eyebrow, "There's no need to worry about Bailey. She'll be fine."

"Drake, you have no idea what she's gonna do next. Trust me."

"What are you talking about Scott?"

I took a deep breath in. I never thought I'd ever have to tell this story to anyone in my life.

But I couldn't. It was almost as if someone glued my mouth shut. I wasn't ready to come to terms with Adelaide.

"Look, I can't tell the story Drake. I'm sorry," I stated.

He gave me a disappointed look, "Bro, it can't be that bad."

"It's very bad. And you gotta understand that I can't tell the story. Not right now, at least."

"Scott, I won't tell. I promise. I swear on my-"

"Drake, goddammit, I said I'm not ready to tell the fucking story!" I roared.

He backed up, holding both hands in the air, "Woah, chill Scott!"

"You keep on fucking pushing me to tell the story," I replied.

We sat on the bench in silence for a while, "Damn, for a guy who has the last name 'Wynter', you definitely have a hot head."

I chuckled a little bit, "Now, that's something I've never heard before."

We laughed at his dumb joke for about two minutes. Then I look at him.

"Look, I'm sorry for yelling at you about the whole story thing. I shoulda kept my cool," I explained.

Drake nodded in understanding, "It's all good, Wynter. I understand." He got up from the bench, "I better go. Mr. Troy's gotta be wondering where I am."

As he was walking away, he turned around, "Hey, are you still coming to Michelle's bonfire tonight?"

"Yeah, of course. Why? Are Cameron and all them gonna be there?"

Drake nodded. I shrugged my shoulders, "Hell with 'em. I'm still going."