They were all whispering as Kian walked through the halls...alone. Lucy was granted a few days to tend to her studies at home, trying to cope with all that happened. Some girls looked at him with disgust as if he hung up the pictures himself. And some guys kept their distance, knowing that if they were in his shoes, they'd be in the doghouse forever. But Kian kept his head up, even with his inner dialogue trying to put pieces together to no avail.

There was a knock on the classroom door that broke his concentration.

"Mr. Lawley," the teacher called out, motioning for him to come to the front of the class. The student that walked in, handed Kian the paper. It was a slip beckoning him to the principal's office.

Kian gulps and goes back to his desk to grab his things. His classmates saw it was a blue-colored slip and they know what that means.

Principal Sampson waited outside the main office as Kian approached him. He points Kian in the direction of his office and Kian takes a deep breath before doing so. When he walks inside, there's a woman leaning against the wall, checking her voicemail but putting her phone away as soon as she sees them. She had a very serious and stern look across her face. It was enough to intimidate Kian.

"Have a seat," Principal Sampson cleared his throat as he closed the door behind Kian. "This is Detective Rodriguez. She was hired by Lucy Durant's family to help get to the bottom of this."

Kian nodded to her. "Am I in trouble?"

"Not that I know of, Mr. Lawley," she answered as she & the Principal took their seats. "We need to know your side of the story as far as the pictures go."

"Well, wait, do you have any leads?"

"I'll let you know," she folded her arms. "Talk and I'll listen."

Kian sighed. "All I know is, I brought them with me to the beach--"

"Which beach?" Detective Rodriguez wrote in her notebook.

"Venice Beach," he answered. "They were in my bag, it's a Nike pullstring bag. I put it underneath my beach chair when we arrived. I went to get drinks and..."

"And?"

"There was a girl," Kian thought. "I had met her before at the skate park on Briar Avenue. She tried to flirt with me both times."

"And her name," she asked.

"Mahogany. I don't know her last name. She has curly reddish brown hair, like, huge hair. Freckles. Shorter than me. But she doesn't even go to West Bev, I don't see why it would be her."

"We like to get any information we can," Rodriguez informed him. "Continue."

"Anyway, after the drinks. I go to sit back down & my bag is right where I left it. Lucy's friend Jack gets hurt while surf--"

"Jack who?"

"...Gilinsky. And I- I go see what's going on. I left the drinks and my bag in the sand. But when I get back, I realize that it looks different. Like someone picked it up and put it back differently. My wallet was still in there, all my money was still there but when I go looking for my wallet, I realize the photos are gone. And...that's it."

"And you have no idea who it could be?" She scribbles more in the notebook.

"Not really. I mean, at first I thought maybe a pervert got a hold of them. But once I hear it's all over the school walls, then I know it's an isolated attack or something. They didn't want money, they wanted to be cruel. It's someone in this school."

Rodriguez closed her book. She nodded at Principal Sampson and he turns on the TV to the surveillance footage.

"We found out that someone had came into the school one night and made copies," Rodriguez informed him. "This is someone that was being smart about it, keeping a hoodie on, wearing gloves, and a plain baseball cap. If they would've made copies at a store, we would've gotten them already considering you have to use a credit card. But no, they come here to do it."

Kian keeps watching the footage on a loop. He can't make out if it's a girl or a boy.

"Now," Rodriguez continues. "There were no signs of breaking and entering which means--"

"They had a key," Kian speaks quietly.

"Precisely. We have more footage of the courtyard but not the science wing. Principal Sampson told me the cameras there haven't worked for weeks. As you can see, the day of the incident, the suspect has on sweatpants, a hoodie, and a cheap halloween mask. Do you know of anyone who wore sweats like this to school that day?"

"N-no, I stayed at home that day."

"The only people that have access to a key that aren't faculty are Nadia Ortega, Cameron Dallas, and Vanessa Jones," Sampson spoke. "Do you know if any of them ever wished harm on Lucy?"

Kian shook his head. "Nadia and Lucy don't really talk much. Vanessa is her best friend and my stepsister. And Cameron is practically in love with her, pretty much protective of her before I started dating...her... wait. Do you think it would be Cameron? Maybe he's angry she's with me and not him."

"Well we already talked to Mr. Dallas," Rodriguez replied. "The night the copies were made, he was at work and around the time they were taped up, he was speaking with one of his teachers. We verified and he checked out clean."

Kian shrugged as he thought harder. "I really don't see why the other two would do this to Lucy. Especially Vanessa, she's been shacked up at her boyfriend's house nursing him back to health. And Nadia...she just looks like she's dealing with her own emotional turmoil. Maybe someone made a copy of the key or something. Check with all the Home Depots."

Rodriguez chuckled. "Leave the detective work to me, Mr. Lawley. Don't worry, I'll get to the bottom of this. In the meantime, try not to touch anymore cameras."

. . .

"Where are you," Nadia shouted into her phone.

The halls were clearing and she was about to be the only one there waiting to be picked up.

"You said you'd be here."

"Yeah well I got held up on some business," Derek said on the other end.

"So you're just gonna leave me stranded, cool. First you cuss me out this morning, now you abandon me last minute. If I would've known this, I would've driven to school myself!"

"...Shoulda took your car then. I'll hit you up later."

"Don't bother." She abruptly ended the call and was about to send herself an Uber. Then John drove up.

"Do you need a ride?" He called out from the car.

"Aren't you busy hating my guts?" Nadia rubbed her eyes.

"I don't hate you, Nadia. But I don't exactly have to be very fond of you to notice you got stood up. Get in."

Nadia was hesitant at first but then she gave in & got in the car.

"Don't worry," John grinned. "We don't have to say a word."

. . .

Kian rings Lucy's doorbell. He bounces on his toes while he waits. Anxious, he rings it again...and again. Suddenly, Ty swings the door open.

"The hell are you doing here?" Ty asked with attitude.

"I came to give you the word of God-- why do you think I'm here?"

"I don't think that's the best idea, Kian." Ty blocked the entryway.

Kian rolled his eyes. "Are you really trying to act brotherly right now? I just need to see my girlfriend."

"Fine...I'll go get her. I'll wake up my father from his nap, too. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to see you."

"Ty," Lucy said behind him. "It's okay. Let him in."

Ty's jaw clenched before he moved out the way. The boys exchange glares before Kian gets to Lucy, slipping his arms around her waist for an embrace. He goes to kiss her and she slightly moves her face, making his lips land on her cheek.

"How was school?" She cleared her throat, letting him go.

He couldn't make sense of her awkward behavior; the way her fingers fidgeted with the bottom zipper of her jacket & how she couldn't hold eye contact for too long.

"Fuck school, I'm here to make sure you're okay." He held her face in his hands.

"Haven't you heard?" She spoke quietly. "I'm a Tumblr model now."

"What?"

"Someone posted the pictures online," she nodded. "I'm a star. Just like I wanted when I was a little girl."

Her sarcasm was obvious from the sadness in her voice.

"Baby I'm so sorry," his voice trembled.

Lucy forced a smile, biting back her tears. She walks over to the hallway table to grab her purse.

"I, uh, I have to go," she took a deep breath. "I have to pick up Nate for therapy."

"Oh," Kian looked around. "I didn't know you were still doing that."

"I never stopped. It's just, his parents are always stuck at work and hiring someone to take him would just be another expense. They already have the hospital bills, so..."

She tried to walk past him but he reached for her arm.

"Kian, I have to go," she said, still barely looking him in the eye.

"What's going on with us, Lucy? Talk to me, this isn't like you."

"You think I don't know this isn't like me?!" She tried not to yell considering her father was asleep upstairs. "I've been crying all day, even more when I went online and found out. It's been hard to breathe. And I'm trying my hardest not to blame you, babe. Trying. I know it wasn't you who posted them anywhere but I can't look past the carelessness."

"I made a mistake!"

"I know! And I forgive you. I just need time, okay? I can't get over it with the snap of my fingers." Lucy is finally able to walk past him and leaves the house with him trailing behind.

"Are we breaking up? Are we on pause? Is that what you're telling me?" He shoves his hands in his pockets.

"I didn't say that." She opened the car door and got in. "I just need time alone. Couples do that sometimes, you know."

Kian belted out a sad laughter. He nodded, trying not to show his emotion but he was failing at it.

"Well enjoy your time being alone. In fact, tell Nate I said hello, while you're alone."

"Kian, wherever you're going with this, I suggest you stop before you say something you'll regret."

Lucy closes the door, starts the car, and backs out of her driveway. Kian didn't have anymore room for regret but he wasn't exactly having peace of mind right now.

"Alone time," Kian said to himself. "I can do that."

Kian scans through his phone and decides to call up Myles.

. . .

Sammy, Gilinsky, Nash, and Johnson were hanging out at a new vegetarian restaurant to grab a bite to eat. They looked over the menu while they waited in line.

"I love this place," Nash stated.

Sammy looked at him with a quizzical brow. "Yeah, I still think we should go to In-N-Out."

"I'm tellin' you bro, you gotta eat how you want to feel. It's better for your body and for the environment. After vegetarianism, veganism is the next step," Nash explained. "Just think about it...all the establishments in L.A. that serve meat, then all the places in the state of California alone. Think on a scale of the whole world, guys."

"Here he goes," Johnson shook his head.

"That's a lot of slaughtered animals. They pump them with some shit to make then reproduce quicker, I'm serious. And you wonder why people have all this shit wrong with them. It's in the stuff we eat."

"Holy shit, fine. I'll get a veggie burger if you just...stop," Sammy gave in, making Gilinsky laugh.

After they get their meals, they take a seat at a table outside.

"Have you guys made any prom plans?" Gilinsky asks as he puts sugar in his iced tea.

"Going with Taylor," Nash stated.

"Caniff?" Sammy was confused.

"Taylor Giavasis, you idiot." Johnson shook his head again.

"Oh," Sammy thought. "Oh! That makes sense now. She's the hottie all about the environment, right?"

"Careful," Nash warned. "That's my girlfriend."

"Well obviously." Sammy observed his veggie burger and yuca fries, trying to figure out where to begin. "Anyway, I think I'm riding solo for prom. Serenity hates my guts ever since I broke up with her."

"You don't say?" Gilinsky joked.

"I'm not even gonna bother asking Stassie. There's always Orion." Sammy scratched his chin.

"You can cross Orion off the list," Johnson spoke. "I already asked and she's going with someone else."

"Dammit. Who are you taking?"

"Only the best date ever," Johnson wiggled his eyebrows. "Myself."

"On the contrary, my friend," Gilinsky smiled. "I have the best date ever. I planned a perfect night."

"Go on," Johnson took a forkful of his pasta.

"My Dad was able to help hook me up. So, check it, I pick her up in my Dad's vintage red Mustang convertible he's gonna let me borrow. Then I'll surprise her with a charm bracelet I got custom-made for her. Next, it's dinner for 2 at Napoli's. Then after we dance the night away at prom, I got us a cozy room at The 54 hotel. A night to fuckin' remember."

"Is this prom or a wedding anniversary?" Nash spoke with his mouth full.

"Wait," Johnson said. "How were you able to afford all this?"

"Easy," Gilinsky shrugged. "The car is obviously free, my sister works at Napoli's: easy discount. And for the room, I just..." Gilinsky mumbles the rest.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Sammy asked.

"I pawned the gold chain Madison bought me," Gilinsky cringed.

"Holy shit," Sammy laughed.

"That's cold," Nash bit back a laugh. "Don't tell that to Vanessa, she'll have a field day."

"This information isn't leaving this table, got it?" Gilinsky stated.

"Whatever man," Sammy took a bite of his burger. "Your prom night better be worth it after all that."

. . .

John pulled up to Nadia's home and parked. He glanced over at her as she gathered her things.

"For what it's worth," he began. "You deserve better."

Nadia kept her eyes forward but really inside, her heart was softening.

"Thanks," she said quietly.

"I overheard you were interrogated about the Lucy thing," he continued. "You didn't...do it, did you?"

"Of course not. I have way too much shit to deal with and I don't have a problem with Lucy."

"Okay," he nodded.

"...Thanks for the ride."

"See you Monday."

. . .

Cameron was working on some paperwork at work. He sat at one of the tables of his pizzeria since business was slow at the moment. The door ringed open but he didn't look up. It turned out to be Madison and she took a seat in front of Cameron, nearly startling him.

"Don't just pop up like that," he grabbed his chest.

Madison giggled. "My bad. Just wanted to drop something off." She reached into her hoodie's pocket and dangled a set of two keys before him. He quickly took them from her.

"I should've never listened to you," he quietly snapped.

"Will you relax?"

"I was relaxed until a detective got involved. What if they find out? That would be the end of our high school careers. I'm graduating soon," Cam panicked.

"Then keep your mouth shut through graduation," Madison chuckled. "I was just doing Mahogany a favor. She said she needed to break them up. It all works out. She wants Kian for some unknown reason, I wanted to get back at Lucy, and you just want Lucy. You're welcome."

"I still feel your reasoning is invalid. What you did to her at first was fucked up now this is even more fucked up," Cameron nervously fidgeted. "I don't know what I was thinking, this doesn't make me any better than you. I should've never given you the keys."

Madison reached for his hand and squeezed a little too tight.

"Remember, honey...if I go down, so do you. So keep playing dumb until this blows over." She abruptly lets go of his hand and leaves the shop.

. . .

It was now nightfall and the town became alive as it usually does on a Friday night. While Lucy returned home from Nate's therapy & decided to stay in for the night, Kian was returning to his home as well.

"Hey," Vanessa called out before Kian could ascend the stairs.

"What," he groaned.

"Where were you after school?" She put her hands on her hips.

"Minding my business, Mom," he mocked.

"Uh huh...while you were minding your business, you forgot to take me to go get my car out the shop. Which, in turn, made me miss my job interview!"

"Pfft," Kian shrugged. "There will be other jobs lining up soon, I'm sure."

"Are you drunk?"

"No!" He bursts out laughing.

"You're high? That's perfect. You're such a fucking pothead."

Kian raises his arms up. "I didn't even... you know what? Forget it, Hillary Clinton."

"What does that even mean? And no! Finish your sentence."

Kian got closer to her and lowered his voice. "I didn't even smoke. I just, you know, revisited my ex flame, Molly. She's still pretty and Lucy said she needed time alone."

"Ohhh," Vanessa replied in a disappointed tone. "And does your new flame know that you're using again?"

"Shh," he placed his index finger on Vanessa's mouth. "Nope. And you're not gonna say anything because it's not your business. I'm just gonna head on upstairs and mind my business in my room. M'kay?"

"Grow up." Vanessa stormed off.

Kian, keeping up with his childish antics, proceeded to go upstairs while chuckling to himself.

"I just need time alone," he mocked Lucy. "Yeah right. Time alone to fuck Nate behind my back, I bet. But since I'm- since I'm such a fucking loser for love, I'm gonna still be here acting like nothing hurts. Fuck it."

Kian got in his room and locked the door, listening to music in his headphones for the rest of the night.

__________________

Author's Note:

Now we know all those involved in this Lucy scandal! Pretty messed up if you ask me.

Thoughts on Kian?

Thoughts on Madison & Cameron?

Thoughts on Gilinsky being a romantic?

Talk to meh :0)

vote & comment! xx