My breath hitched in my throat as my face grew red. "W-what?" I asked, coughing lightly.

"Oh, come on. Telling Natalie Seth in the bathroom at the mall? Very private, Kiya. Not to mention you were just whining into the groom's arms. Ruining his perfect day and all." She mocked a pout. I glanced over to see Michael, Nat, and Pete beginning to walk our way.

Natalie hated Ashley almost as much as the next person, and her along with Pete knew our bad blood. I mean, Pete was there when I got into that fight with her at school, so of course him seeing her next to Teddy and I when I was about to tell him caused warning bells to go off and for him to walk over here.

"Ky, is that true?" Teddy asked. My chest was tight, and I looked frantically from him, to Ashley, to the three people walking toward us.

"Oh, wait. Was this a secret?" Ashley asked, acting innocent.

"It's not a secret, just not your business!" I exclaimed, before turning and running out of the reception. It wasn't a fast run, but it was fast enough for me to get out of the building completely. I jumped into my car and drove off before anyone could catch up to me.

Where am I supposed to go now? The first place that Teddy and the others are going to think of going is my house, and I'm too scared to go back to the place the incident happened. That rules out going to the girls.

I realized that this was one of the first few times I've actually gone somewhere by myself, at least somewhere that isn't work or home. But then again, there was no way I was going to stay and get into another fight with Ashley, it was Pete's wedding. It was bad enough he encouraged me to tell him at the wedding and I had no idea how Teddy was going to react but it wouldn't have been big because it's still Teddy's job technically, and if he wants to keep that job he needs to look the part. And getting into an argument with a pregnant woman is not the way to do that.

Pulling over to the side of the road I made sure that the doors were locked and windows were up, turning the AC on. I gathered my thoughts before pulling my phone out of my clutch. Beginning to go through my contacts, I found someone that nobody would really expect me to call.

Nash.

He didn't pick up, and I groaned before calling the next possible person.

"Kennedy- oops I mean Kiya, sorry, what's up?" Beth asked. "I'm still used to calling you the other name, sorry."

"No no it's fine," I spoke. "I need someone, can you and Shelby meet me somewhere?" I sniffled.

"Uh, yes, yes of course! I'll get her now. Where do you want to meet?" She asked, and I heard shuffling on the other side of the line.

"Actually-" I stopped, making sure I was okay with my decision. "I can just pick you up. I don't want to stay there but I want to pick you guys up if that's okay."

"Are- are you sure? I mean, after everything that's happened-"

"No, it's okay Beth. Please, I'll be there in fifteen minutes." I hung up the phone, not wanting to hear her try to change my mind. As long as I don't go in, right? I mean, just going down the road is going to bring back memories of not only that night but of everything that's happened in that house, but I'll never get over it if I never try, right?

The drive to the sorority house was quicker than expected, but then again my thoughts were all over the place as I quickly drove, ignoring the sounds on my phone showing I had multiple missed calls and texts.

Soon enough I got to the house, pulling up to the curb and texting Beth I'm here. Afterwards I turned my phone off, not wanting to sit and listen to the phone ding repeatedly, let alone repeatedly light on and off.

I would go up to the door as it's a nice thing to do, but just staring at the house caused me to get memories I didn't want. Not only of that night, but of Teddy.

"God, he probably hates me." I let out a groan, leaning my head against the steering wheel. The sound of someone trying to get into the car made me freeze, before I heard tapping on the passenger side window. I looked up hesitantly to see Beth and Shelby standing there, concerned looks on their faces.

Letting out a relieved sigh, I unlocked the door and Shelby got into the passenger seat, Beth getting into the back. Once they were in I immediately locked the doors out of habit, although I felt slightly better that I wasn't alone anymore.

"You're dressed pretty," Shelby complimented.

"And different, but I like it!" Beth exclaimed. They were obviously trying to make me better, as my makeup was smeared down my cheeks and my eyes red and puffy, it's obvious that I've been crying. But they didn't care, they didn't ask. They knew I'd explain sooner or later when I was ready and they were just trying to be a friend and make me feel better.

Quickly driving away, I drove as far as I could. I'm making it hard for them to find me, because Ashley literally just ruined everything for me. She knew it was a secret, she knew if she heard me talking to not only Natalie but also Pete. She knew it would be hard for me to tell Teddy, and now him and who else knows.

Literally anyone could have heard, I wouldn't have been this pissed if Teddy himself heard, but the fact that out of everyone it was Ashley Swift to hear me? That's fucking ridiculous.

"So... Where are we going?" Shelby asked after a few moments, turning the radio down. I let out a sigh, trying to collect my thoughts.

"I don't know." I pulled into a diner. We were in the town over at least, but it was far enough for the others not to find me.

"Guessing we're getting food?" Beth asked, a small smile on her face. I know she's only looking to be positive, and I can't help but admire how well she's dealing with me right now.

I didn't say anything but grabbed my clutch and got out of the car, making sure to lock it once the others were out. We walked in and were taken to our seat, where the waitress kindly offered me a napkin for my face. I gratefully took it, wiping my cheeks as best as I could.

Beth was sat to my right in the booth, the window to my left and Shelby sat across from us. The waitress kindly took our order before walking away, and I tried to think about what I wanted to say.

"That day... at the party." I put the napkin on the table.

"You don't have to tell us everything that happened," Shelby said before shaking her head. She rested her hand on mine, over the table.

"Yeah... I mean I already feel bad enough because that guy lied straight to my face. I shouldn't have went and found your parents I should've just knocked the door down or something and I could have stopped him," Beth spoke.

"It was too late, Beth," I said. "When we were at the party he'd already had his way with me once, then when you came I was just trying to get out. But he wouldn't let me, but I don't want to tell you guys about the details. What happened, happened, what's done is done."

"Then what are you wanting to say?" Shelby asked, taking her hand away from mine.

"He didn't use protection that night and when I was in the hospital they informed me that I-"

"No!" Beth gasped, knowing what I was about to say.

"Seriously?" Shelby asked.

"Yeah, seriously. I've hid it for three months now, I didn't know how to tell anyone. But I finally told Natalie and ended up admitting it to Pete at the reception after his wedding and he urged me to tell Teddy," I quickly explained. "I went to tell Teddy and this girl I went to high school with - Ashley - ruined it for everyone and told him for me. She hates me, has since who knows how long. Used to be my best friend, but ruined our friendship."

"What a fucking bitch." Shelby leaned back, crossing her arms.

"I know, she just- she ruined everything and now Teddy probably fucking hates me and I can't- I can't do it." I rested my head in my hands. Tears were building up again, and I hated myself eternally for being such a crybaby.

"This isn't your fault, and I highly doubt Teddy hates you," Beth stated.

"He might, I don't know. I just ran," I said. "I know running isn't the answer but I just didn't want to ruin Pete and Darren's special day so I needed to get out of there."

"Well I'm glad you came to us," Shelby said. "It shows you trust us, especially after our past. But wanna know something?"

"What?" I mumbled.

"Knowing this Ashley bitch was your best friend and back stabbed you, gives a lesson. Our most dangerous enemies are the ones we didn't even know that we had." She then leaned up. "But, I am not going to sit here and let her continue to ruin your life. She has what, her three minions she probably paid to continue to be her slave after high school? You have us, the entire sorority, not to mention your other friends like Pete and Natalie and Teddy and all."

"What are you saying?" I asked, wiping my cheeks again.

"I'm saying we're going to get this bitch back so hard, she's going to ever regret dumping you as a friend."

--

if i'm being honest i always dread coming to write this story bc i think that nothing's happening then i read the last written chapter and i start writing new ones and all these ideas pop up out of nowhere and i'm kind of lowkey living for it rn

what are your thoughts on the story so far?