Chapter 27: Dragged Through The Pits Of Hell

I hurriedly follow Wyatt to the front door, grab my shoes and shove them on. "How can you be so sure? Everyone will see photos of me modelling, Wyatt, and since it's with you I'll get even more attention, you know I can't stand that," I tell him as we walk to his car, my breathing rate increasing. "I never even considered that they'd go public. God I'm such an idiot," I groan.

He pauses when we reach the car and turns around to face me. "Green eyes," he starts, placing his hand on my shoulder and looking me dead in the eyes. "It's okay. Screw everyone and screw the attention. If they want to stare, let them. Just be yourself and ignore them. If they're starting it's only because they've nothing better to do with their own lives than talk about you, take it as a compliment."

"But...but," I stammer as I think of what to say. I mean, he's right. Why should I care if others are staring at me? Because they'll be judging you. I try to ignore the voice in the back of my head as I start to speak again. "I guess you're right," I breathe out. "But I hate the attention. Sure it doesn't do anything per say but the thought of it just frightens me," I admit.

He sighs and takes his hand off my shoulder. "Come on, let's go, I know you don't want to be late for school," he says opening his car door. I comply and slip into the passenger's seat, closing the car door softly behind me. After starting the drive to school he continues the conversation.

"Didn't you get attention when you started dating James?"

"Well, yes b-" I start but Wyatt cuts me off.

"And you knew that would happen but you did it anyway. Why? Because you wanted to. You can't put your life on hold out of fear of judgment or whatever it is that makes you so shy. You have to live your life, even if that means standing out," he concludes.

I sigh. He's right and I know that. "I'm a shy person, Wyatt, I can't do much about that, it's who I am."

"But being so shy is holding you back. Try being confident, put yourself out there and if people don't like it screw them, they're not worth it."

I give him a hesitant look which I'm sure he sees out of the corner of his eyes. "But that's not who I am."

"I know, green eyes, but you have to try new things. I said to you that you will be fearless and careless. If you can't do this that'll never happen."

I know I'm going to regret this. "Alright, I'll try."

I see Wyatt smile out of the corner of my eye and it doesn't leave his face for the rest of the ride to school.

~*~*~

Due to the family meal we were slightly late for school which, honestly, was a good thing. It meant no one saw Wyatt and me come into school together, I don't want people getting the wrong idea.

Luckily, I made it into the classroom just before the teacher so my attendance record wasn't damaged. I've never skipped a day of school in my life — if you don't count that one time when I did with Wyatt — the only time I've ever been off is when I'm sick and even then I still try to come in.

The day flew by quickly and before I knew it lunch rolled around. Annoyingly, I was let out of my last class late so had to wait in the queue for fifteen minutes before I could finally go and sit down and of course I was the the last one there.

"Hey guys," I say as I sit down between Ava and Jess.

They all greet me back and continue with their idle chitchat. Jess and Ava decided to catch me up on all the latest gossip, they always do that — Ava in particular — I've never been one to immerse myself in such hobbies but it can be quite humorous to hear some of the things they come out with. One time they told be that Maria Sanchez made out with someone else's shoe for ten full minutes at a party — she was definitely shitface drunk.

Apparently, gossip has been spread about Wyatt showing up to school with a girl but no one knows who — thank hell for that. People have been speculating that it could be Chloe Summers — as if — but apparently she came to school with James so that throws that theory out of the window. The thought of James getting close with Chloe sends an uncomfortable feeling to my stomach but I do my best to ignore it — he's moved on, I need to respect that even if it is with a she-devil like Chloe.

When they asked me who I thought it was I just shrugged, not really knowing what to say, I didn't want to directly lie to them.

"Ari," Jordan calls from the other side of the table a few minutes before the bell rings.

I hum in response, turning my attention to him.

"We've collectively decided that we're all hanging at your place tonight. Me, Jess, Chase, Oliver, Max, Mason and Ava."

"Don't forget about Rebekah," Oliver chimes in.

"Yeah and Rebekah," Jordan grumbles, clearly not wanting her there. It's not that he doesn't like Rebekah, we all do, it's just that her and Oliver always fight and everyone hates it.

"Don't I get a say in this?" I ask, already knowing I've lost.

"Nope. Your house is the closest to everyone's so it's only fair we hang out there. Last time was at mine but that was a party, this time it's just us lot but I'm still bringing some alcohol, always livens us all up," Jordan concludes.

I sigh in defeat. "Fine. See you guys there at half six."

~*~*~

After school I had art class so I headed up to the art department and grabbed an apron. I'm so glad it was today, after finding out about James and Chloe this is exactly what I needed. It's not even the fact that she's a bitch and bully it's because James knew all of this but chose to ignore it. Is that the kind of girl he likes? Nah, James isn't like that.

Ava has cheerleading at the same time as I have art so it works out really nicely and she drops me home and decides to stay because she'd have to leave her home as soon as she got there in order to come to mine.

I quickly change my clothes so I can give Wyatt Aria's clothes back tomorrow. I throw the clothes in the washing machine and by this time Max, Mason, Jordan and Jessica are here.

As he said he would, Jordan has brought lots of alcohol: beer, vodka, gin, tequila and brandy. Luckily, mum doesn't mind this kind of thing, sure we're underage but we're doing it under her roof and she's the one who wanted my to go to more house parties and live my teenage life — basically, she's a pretty cool mum.

About twenty minutes later, Chase, Oliver and Rebekah arrive.

"Great, now we're late. I told you this would happen, why did you take so long getting ready? It's only Ari's house," Oliver exasperates as they walk inside.

"Well I'm sorry. I don't like showing up to places like I've just gotten out of bed after being hit by three hurricanes and dragged through the pits of hell," Rebekah bites back.

"Yo-" Oliver starts but Chase cuts him off.

"Can you guys just go one evening without fighting? It's bad enough that Rebekah's been staying over for the last few days. It's constant fighting coupled with extremely loud noises from something I don't want to think about my twin brother doing. I'm sick of it."

Oliver sighs in defeat and Rebekah looks down at her feet.

"You're right, sorry," they both say at the same time. They smile at each other after realising what they did and give each other a quick peck on the lips. They're such a hot and cold couple I tell you.

"We won't fight, sorry bro," Oliver says and him and Chase do that man-hug thing.

"Right now that everyone is here," Jordan starts with a clasp so if his hand. "Time for some drinking games."

"Slow down Jordan, it's not even seven o'clock yet. Let's watch a movie first," Ava suggests.

Jordan groans but complies. "Fine but I'm not watch any of Ari's Disney crap."

I gasp at his words and put my hand on my chest in an over dramatic fashion—these boys have been rubbing off on me too much. "I'm wounded, Jordan. I truly am."

He scoffs and gets up from his position on the sofa to choose a movie.

After much debate and some blackmail we end up choosing a random action movie. I decided to sit next to Max so I can lie down on his lap for most of it and hopefully get a nap in.

I'm woken from my peaceful slumber by both Max and Jordan yelling at the TV. I groan but get up, guess my sleep is over.

A little while later I hear a knock on the door. Since I haven't been paying much attention to the film I decide it's best if I go answer it. I'm not sure who it would be though. Mum left about ten minutes after everyone got here and said she wouldn't be back until three in the morning or something ridiculous and Alice and Hugo are upstairs.

I open the door to reveal four faces looking directly at me: Aria, Hunter, Eli and, of course, Wyatt.

"What are you guys doing here at," I pause to look at the clock on the wall beside me, "half eight in the evening?"

"The twins said they were having a sleepover with Alice and Hugo tonight and Anna made me drop them off," Wyatt answers.

"And I was already over and didn't want to be left alone with Anna," Eli shudders.

I nod, letting them all in. Aria and Hunter rush up the stairs to the twins rooms after sending me a polite 'hello'. There's something about those two that's undeniably different from the rest of their siblings but I still can't out my finger on it.

"Well, green eyes, since were already here do you want to go out and do something?" Wyatt asks.

"Sorry, no can do, I've got friends over."

"Whatcha doing?" Eli asks.

Before I can answer I hear two people walk up behind me. One speaks up from where she's standing and the other puts a hand on my shoulder — Max.

"Ari where have y-" Ava cuts herself off when she sees the two boys in front of me. "Eli? Wyatt? What are you two doing here? Ari since when are you guys friends?"

I'm about to say that he was just dropping off his siblings but Wyatt speaks before I can and there's a smugness about his features I don't like. "Oh, I was just dropping by to say hi to my girlfriend."

~*~*~

So that's another chapter finished. We're almost at chapter 30 and I'm freaking out like damn I've been working on this for a while.

Also the next chapter may or may not be in someone else's POV *wink* *wink* I'll just tell you right now so I don't get your hopes up that it's not Wyatt but I still think you'll really enjoy it.

💙💜 Please don't forget to vote and comment 💜💙 (it really helps me out and I love hearing your opinions and thoughts on things💜)

Well that's all for now. Until next time, byeeeeee.