Chapter 44 - The Wolf In Sheep's Clothing

For some reason I can't shake the feeling that some of you are upset with me. As I have said before I apologize for not being able to update more often, but I have other things I enjoy doing and some things I HAVE to do. I don't want to force myself to write when it was only supposed to be a side hobby of mine. I really don't want this to become something stressful. I mean, maybe in the end I could just be receiving it the wrong way, I don't know.


I would also like to point out that the things that may seem unnecessary to the story/plot have a reason for being there. It may not become relevant or apparent immediately but the little things form the plot down the line. This is something I do when telling/writing stories. It probably isn't the greatest thing to do with the pace I update at but I still feel its necessary.


[spoiler removed for future suspense]




-Picture of Kevin (Furukawa Yuki)(I might have used this picture already but whatever)




Keegan's POV




With all thats been happening over the past week I feel like giving up. What's there to live for? If I'm never going to be happy why should I keep on living? Even though these thoughts kept on reoccurring in my head for some reason I kept trying. Today I'm going to to get my answer, I don't care if Stacie is hanging around someone I'm just going to ask. And if that doesn't work I'm going back to step one, Theo.




When I arrived at school I saw Nicki, Stacie and Alayne chatting near the entrance. I marched over to them and pulled Stacie to the side to speak with her. She looked over to the others, probably scared.




"Hey what are you doing?" Nicki called out.




"I just want to ask her something." I responded before turning back to Stacie.




"Can you please tell me what's going on with all of you?" I asked, desperately.




"Y-you should really ask Alayne." She responded in a valley girl accent, chewing bubblegum. I almost pulled out my hair in frustration. Why Alayne? I've already asked her and she didn't tell me a word. I just marched off into the building, again noticing all the prying eyes. Just as I was turning a corner I bumped into Charlie.




"Hey man." He whispered. Well at least someone was talking to me.




"Do you know why everyone is acting this way towards me." I asked, hopeful that he'd give me an answer.




"Not really, just some stuff about you targeting people in the school." Great, now I'm even more lost.




"Targeting people?" I inquired.




"Yeah, like breaking stuff or stealing homework or whatever." He continued to whisper. I can't believe I didn't think to talk to him earlier. Now I finally have something to go off.




"Do you believe them?" I nervously asked, twiddling my thumbs.




"No... not really, I'm still on your side dude. Its just..." He paused.




"Its just what?" I asked, tilting my head to meet his gaze.




"I can't be seen with you..."




"W-why?"




"My new friends might think I'm a traitor. I've tried convincing them that you're innocent but they think otherwise. The people of this school just want drama. Its been awhile since a rumor of this caliber has been started." He explained, with a sad look.




"Alright well I have to go." He voice going even quieter this time, looking side to side. I understood why he didn't want to be seen with me but I still felt heartbroken. It was crushing knowing that no one was willing to stand by me.




On my way to class I thought about what Charlie said. If Theo was mad at me for destroying something then what would it be? What could it be that he thinks I've destroyed? The only thing that came to mind was his locker, but if that were the case wouldn't Alayne have backed me up on this? She knows I'm innocent since we were doing Operation Theo together. I'll just confront him about it when I can find him.




During lunch I sat away from everyone else like I'd been doing the past couple of days. I mean, its not like anyone from school would've wanted to sit near me anyway. But something caught my eye... Kevin was up to something. Not Theo's Kevin, but Kevin Shokai, the guy we met during the trip. He always seemed focused and concentrated, that hasn't changed but now he's moving around, a lot. I've seen him cross the school from point A to B. I would've liked to ask what he was up to but with the rumors going around I knew that wasn't something I'd be able to do.




Before my final class I waited near Theo's locker in hopes of catching him. I waited for at least ten minutes, and wasn't planning on leaving until our break was over. People gave me strange and threatening looks as I stood there suspiciously. I could tell not everyone believed the rumors but it definitely seemed like the majority of the school did. Theo eventually arrived but with Alayne in tail. They both came to a stop and eyed me awkwardly.




"What do you want?" Theo asks with his expression deepening.




"I want to know what's going on... What was so important that you turned your back on me?" I raised my voice.




He went silent for a moment. "One of the few belongings I have left from a dead friend, a special picture of my deceased grandma, hundreds of dollars worth of equipment that I now have to replace, possibly my future in football, I dunno nothing too severe, right?" He flared with sarcasm. So that's what he thought? He really thinks I did all of that?! And what's this about is future in football, how was I involved in that?




"I'm telling you that wasn't me!" I shouted back desperately. I looked over to Alayne to see a worried look cross her face. "Alayne, tell him!" I said, waiting for her to respond.




"Keegan, I'm not on your side." What?...




"W-what do you mean?" I asked, giving her a crazy look.




"I'm not helping you make peoples lives miserable." She replied in a cold tone. Wait... I don't get what's going on? Alayne knows I'm innocent, what's she doing? Unless... it was all her. That couldn't be possible though, right? I mean she's been such a good friend to me. She couldn't have been planning something like this from the start could she? I was feeling beyond confused.




"I-I don't understand?" I stuttered, backing up.




"She's telling you that she wont help with your little schemes." Theo repeated.




"Alayne, did you set me up?" I asked, scrunching my eyebrows. An unreadable look disappeared faster than it appeared on her face. She then started acting like she had no idea what I was talking about.




"Fine, if you're so innocent can you explain this?" Theo said before whipping out his phone. A video played. It was me? I walked into the coach's office looking really suspicious.




"I-I can explain! Alayne asked me to get her bag from the coach's office." I said, hoping he'd believe me, I could already tell he didn't just by his expression.




"Why would Alayne leave her bag in coach's office?" He asked, suspicious. I figured if Alayne was going to do this to me I'd just out her little secret of being offered a position on the cheerleader squad.




"The coach offered Alayne a position on the cheer leading squad and she forgot her bag in his office before leaving." I explained, hopeful that this would at least prove some sort of innocence. Theo looked to Alayne and she shook her head dismissively.




"Why don't you ask the coach?" I suggested hastily.




"You know, I really want to believe you Keeg." He used that nickname again. My heart strings almost snapped. "And for that reason I'll speak with coach." I would have been relieved by that but Alayne didn't look phased one bit, almost like she had something up her sleeve.




On our way to find the coach I thought about when I asked Theo how he got the video. He told me Alayne recorded it and sent it to him, that means all of the times she's mysteriously disappeared she'd record me just so she could set me up. I just can't wrap my head around it, all of the time we spent together, all of the moments we've shared, all the games we've played, all the meals we've eaten, all the movies we've watched, they were all part of some long term plan? That seems really sadistic. Even with all that was wrong in my life I had hope I'd even be able to make one friend like her, but no, I was being played. The moment I lowered my wall all the things I feared came rushing in, destroying everything in their path. Walking down the hall with both of them was a difficult task. I felt as if my heart was going to crawl right out of my mouth with the pressure it was feeling.




"There he is." Theo notified, snapping me from my thoughts. He stood next to the door to his office, though I couldn't tell what he was doing. My heart pounded as we approached the coach.




"Hey coach." Theo greeted casually.




"Need somethin' Martin?" He asked, giving us a strange look, especially me.




"Yeah, I want to ask you something." Theo started. "Did you offer Alayne a position on the cheer team?" The coach gave him one of the craziest looks I've ever seen.




"Why in the hell would I do that? That isn't even my job." He raised his voice. Theo stayed silent for a moment, looking disappointed.




"Why, are you interested in becoming a cheerleader?" The coach asked.




"No, not really. Keegan was up to another one of his schemes." Alayne shook her head. Theo sighed and walked off without saying another word. The look Alayne wore was that of pure satisfaction. She ran after Theo and stuck close to his side. It looked as if she was comforting him.




I lowered my head, feeling defeated. I heard footsteps approaching. I lifted my head to meet the coach's eyes.




"So, I heard what you did." He started, lowering his voice as much as possible. "You know, pulling stunts like that could end my career." He said, closing the space between us. "I could teach you never to interfere with such important manners, but that could also be a way to end my career. If you keep this up kid you'll be out of the school in no time." He jabbed at my chest before storming off. I failed to keep my tears concealed. I just let them run, I needed this.




What is Alayne after, why is she doing this?... Now that I think about it she didn't start getting chummy with me until she found out I liked Theo. Now she's closer to him than ever. She hurt him so she could comfort him. Does this mean she likes him too? It would explain everything that's going on. She had no reason to go this far though, she's hurt a lot of people.




School was terrible, work was the only place I had to relax as funny as it sounds.




"What's wrong with you?" Shaine asked nonchalantly after catching me teary eyed. I hadn't considered her or Sandra finishing early so I figured I had time to let myself go, I couldn't hold it in.




"Nothing..." I lied, trying to dismiss the conversation.




"Is this about school?" She pressed, leaning up against the counter. It was a little odd that she was suddenly talking to me since she'd ignored most of the things I said over the past few days.




"H-how could you tell?" I asked after a long silence.




"We go to the same school idiot." She sighed, pushing her self off the counter. Now that she mentioned it her face does look familiar. I might have seen her in the halls a few times.




"I've been hearing all of the rumors about you, are they true?" She continued with another question.




"No." I mumbled.




"I know." She let out a sigh.




"Y-you do?" It was a little surprising that I had someone who believed me, or doesn't believe the bogus rumors that is.




"I do." She chortled. It was the first time I'd heard her laugh.




"T-Then why'd you ask." I questioned.




"Dunno." She shrugged with a smile. That was also another first. After all that's happened in my life I really doubt I could trust another person, but Shaine was different. It seemed as if her personality was out there for anyone to see, she didn't care what anyone thought of her. I envied her a little. Having a personality like that would make my life a lot more bearable, with the way that I am now I don't think I'll last much longer.




The rest of the day went well. After that conversation with Shaine I was able to focus. On my way way back home I saw several people out and about, which was really strange since the neighborhood is usually silent. I spotted the guy who took my money the other day. I can't say he stoled it since I practically handed it to him. Him and his friends were dressed up very clean and casual, which lead me to believe they were alright to approach the first time I saw them. It was a dumb mistake, but it was also a moment of weakness. With everything getting so hard and stressful I found myself slowly gravitating towards things that gave me excitement, thing that made me feel like I had control over my life. I probably would've become a drunk null the pain like my father if it weren't for the awful taste of alcohol.




The guy continued watching me with a smirk on his face. I shuddered as I hurried off towards my house. He had the looks but I didn't like his personality. From what I've gathered he's a big headed creep.




When I entered the living room I saw my father passed out in his chair. I tip toed off to my room as silently as a mouse. I would've taken a shower but I didn't want to risk the possibility of my father waking up. Instead I just used that time and sat next to my window, watching the moon. It reminded me of the time Theo and I snuck out of the cabin park and ran off to the playground to watch the moon.






I spent the next couple of weeks trying to convince Theo that I was innocent, but Alayne always had something up her sleeve. She got the whole school believing I'd attack them if they spoke to me. Every time I tried to convince anyone otherwise they'd back away from me, not uttering a word. Alayne even went as far as to fake an attempt on her locker. Charlie would still talk to me whenever everyone was out of sight though. He seemed a lot more cheerful than he previously had, I guess he was getting along with his new group. Not me though, I fell back into depression, just like before... I needed something to keep me afloat, something to remind me that I was still here, so... I started cutting. I didn't know what else to do.




One day I was called into the principal's office. I had no clue what was going, and had several prying eyes.




"So..." The principal began, turning around and sitting down in his chair. "I've been hearing some "things" around the school. People are telling me you've been causing a lot of problems." He narrowed his eyes at me leaning over on his desk.




"I'm a nice guy so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, however if these complaints persist you might get suspended, or worse." He warned in a serious yet patient manner. I was definitely screwed. Alayne won't stop until I'm completely out of her hair.




I knew that if I didn't do anything I'd miss my chance since summer break is right around the corner. And Theo would be graduating soon.




Theo's POV




These past few weeks have been extremely hard. I have to force myself not to look at Keegan. Even after all that he did I still catch myself eying him from time to time. I feel like he's taken a piece of my heart with him. With all of Keegan's pleading and begging I considered the possibility of him being innocent, but if that were the case what would that mean for Alayne? She's been really supportive throughout all of this, I think its cause we were both really close to Keegan. That's one of the reasons I can't doubt her. She's handling it way better than me though.




Waking up every morning began feeling meaningless, school felt dreary, and the only thing on my mind was him. I would like to clear the air and find out the truth, but I'm afraid if I find out he's lying I could really hurt him. When it comes to situations like these I find it hard to control my anger.




I tried talking to a bunch of girls to help me forget the pain I was feeling, but all I could do was put on a hollow smile and pretend I was listening to them go on and on. Life was feeling sucky.




Back home Charlie kept trying to convince me Keegan wasn't the one behind all of this, but he didn't see the situation like I had, everything seemed to fall into place perfectly when Alayne told me about his schemes. The fact that he was still targeting people at school was also unsettling. The day after I confronted coach about him offering Alayne a place on the cheer team she had he locker vandalized, not to the extent of mine though cause Alayne says she caught him before he destroyed it all. She also told me he was about to attack her until someone else besides the two walked passed the hall. I still cant understand the reason behind why he's doing all of this, did I do something to him that I'm not aware of? I suppose... I should just ask him.




Keegan's POV




When I got home my father turned to me, arms folded. He was wearing a familiar look on his face, the one he wore when he went all out on mom. I had a feeling I knew where this was going, but hoped to god I was wrong. I was quivering in my spot like a frightened kitten.




"So... I got a call from your school." My father said in a deep rough voice. Crap, did they actually call my father?!




"They said you've been acting up, and that they're worried about you." He continued, folding his arms even tighter as I stayed silent in place.




"The man on the phone also mentioned this "trip" you went on? He said you started to changed ever since then, and decided to express his concern?" Oh s*** why?! I felt myself getting teary eyed. "Care to elaborate?" He muttered as he approached. My heart raced with every furthering step he made.




"D-dad, I'm sorry!" I apologized, breaking out into tears, hoping he'd forgive me.




"I asked him if you had your own room, and he told me you were bunked in one of the boys cabins?" Why does he even care what I do? Its not like he even sees me as his son anyway.




"I bet you f***** every one of them you were bunked with, right?" He growled.




"No dad, no I didn't!" I cried, backing up into a corner.




"You're an abomination of a child." He shouted before lunging at me.




---The story is focusing on one plot point at the moment so it probably feels a little redundant but I can assure you it will change focus and become light hearted eventually (as stated above). I just had to get this part out of the way.


This one took a little more time to edit, so I hope I didn't make too many spelling errors ^-^;









Comment