Unproven Chapter Forty Six "Skipping Class"

If you're loved by someone, you're never rejected, decide what to be and GO BE IT
-The Avett brothers

Recommend Reading Introduction to Unproven

DEFINITELY READ Prologue

Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three

Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six

Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two Chapter Twenty Three Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Five Chapter Twenty Six Chapter Twenty Seven

Chapter Twenty Eight Chapter Twenty Nine Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty One Chapter Thirty Two Chapter Thirty Three

Chapter Thirty Four Chapter Thirty Five Chapter Thirty Six

Chapter Thirty Seven Chapter Thirty EightChapter Thirty Nine

Chapter Forty Chapter Forty One Chapter Forty Two

Chapter Forty Three Chapter Forty Four Chapter Forty Five

Chapter Forty Six

When she climbed into Andie’s car the next morning her stomach clenched. Tell her, tell her not. Of course she’d find out soon enough, but…

“Feeling better?” Andie asked, glancing at her in the rear view.

Sonya turned around in the passenger seat anticipating her answer.

Ary bit her lip, “Yeah. About that.”

“You were with him.” Andie said flatly.

Ary looked away guiltily.

“Okay, for the record, I understand.” Sonya piped in.

“Seriously?” Andie asked, “You understand why one of your closest friends would spend the day with a guy who tried to wreck our friendships, succeeded with Amanda, and smashed both of their hearts into pieces in the end?”

Sonya frowned. “She told us she’d planned on playing his game,” she pointed out.

“Oh shut up, Jesus,” Andie spat. “I can’t do this, can’t pretend it’s cool when it isn’t. There’s no way that she could possibly win a game with Grayson Teller, don’t you see that?” She demanded of Sonya. “Don’t you get that she’ll be in worse shape than before?”

“You’re wrong,” Ary said.

Andie stared daggers at her, shifting her gaze between the road and the rear view with manic movements.

“I know you don’t understand and I’m not gonna ask you to. But I can handle this thing between him and me.”

Andie locked eyes with her for a second before sighing. “Fine. Whatever.”

They rode the rest of the way in silence. Ary knew there wasn’t anything she could say that would change her friend’s mind. Time would tell.

They pulled into the parking lot and Ary spotted Grayson immediately, leaning on the back of his car, surrounded by his groupies. As soon as she exited the car he pushed off his perch, and strode toward her. When he reached her he slung an arm around her shoulder, steering her toward the building as his followers trailed behind. She could feel the weight of the stares in her direction, aware that her name was on the lips of many as they made their way inside and down the hallway. He pulled her close to him as they approached her first class and she looked up at him in surprise. “How did you-

“I made it my business to know everything about you from the time you walked out of my life.” He interjected, turning her to face him and gripping her chin. “I’ll see you in the lounge,” he said before kissing the breath out of her.

It took her a second to shake off the daze, but she managed to give him a brief wave and walk into the class. She felt like every eye in the room was on her and she wondered if she were being paranoid. But a quick glance around told her nope, she wasn’t, everyone was definitely looking at her.

By lunchtime she’d had her fill of people whispering and staring. She waited for Andie and Sonya outside the senior lounge which had reopened that morning, and when they walked up to her she gave them a look of long suffering.

“Being the center of attention is not all it’s cracked up to be.” She winced, regretting the comment immediately as a look came over Andie’s face. She held up her hand quickly, “I know it’s part of the package, I was just wondering why people like being in similar shoes.”

Sonya grinned, “Because it makes them feel special and most people need others for that. Unlike us who feel that way naturally!”

Even Andie had to smile at that, until she spotted Grayson’s table in the back. She looked mildly irritated as she took in the wraparound booth, the largest one in the room of course. Her expression changed to one of resignation as he waved Ary over.

“Please say you’re coming with me,” Ary pleaded.

Sonya nodded emphatically and Andie sighed, throwing her arm out in a ‘lead the way’ gesture. When they reached it Grayson ordered a couple of people to move out to make room for the trio.

“Actually I’ll probably need to get some lunch first,” Andie began.

“No you won’t, we ordered pizza,” he interrupted, directing the comment at Ary.

“Sweet!” Sonya exclaimed.

Grayson glanced at her, his lip quirking. Not one to hold a grudge, he thought, good to know. He slipped his arm around Ary’s shoulder and he was caught by her expression. There was love in it as there always was, but it was more than that. Light exuded from her beautiful eyes, broadcasting to the world that she was happy to be alive. He returned her smile, fully aware that every eye at the table was on them. He leaned down and brushed his lips across hers.

“Oh. My. God.”

Grayson and Ary turned toward the source of the horrified statement and found that Kara wasn’t commenting on them, she was pointing at the front of the lounge. It was Amanda, and she was wearing a very short, very tight red dress, with lipstick and six-inch heels to match.

A millisecond later the lounge filled with the sounds of whistles and catcalls. Their ex-friend seemed pleased with the attention until her gaze landed on their table. Ary cringed and glanced up at Grayson who was wearing a look of disdain. He stroked her arm and very deliberately slid his hand up her shoulder and onto her cheek, his eyes on Amanda who seemed rooted to the spot. He caught Ary's chin and brought his mouth to hers.

“Bye-bye now!” Brooke sang out, which was followed by more cruel laughter from her cronies.

Ary watched Amanda hurry from the room feeling slightly sick, and a glance at her friends told her they felt the same.

Dori leaned across the table. “Don’t you dare feel sorry for her,” she admonished. "I should have recorded the horrible things she said about the three of you over the past few weeks, I bet that would wipe the looks of regret off your faces.”

“Like what?” Sonya piped up.

“No,” Andie interjected, “don’t answer that. We know what she’s become. That doesn’t stop us from mourning the loss of who she was.”

Ary nodded and Grayson gripped her chin. “Who she pretended to be.”

“Oh that’s rich coming from you,” Andie retorted.

Grayson slid his gaze to her and cocked his head to the side, his eyes blazing into hers, part challenge part warning.There was virtual silence at the table as everyone watched the exchange.

“Okay you two, enough,” Ary commanded nervously. Andie frowned, but looked away without replying.

“Dude, I don’t think she likes you!” Mark guffawed.

“I’m devastated,” Grayson deadpanned which of course was followed by a round of snickering.

Andie rolled her eyes and Ary worried she might decide to leave, but fortunately the pizza showed up and provided a distraction. Just the smell of it, New York style greasy and delicious, was enough to divert everyone’s attention.

Once they'd finished eating Andie leaned in and asked quietly, “Are you going to hang out here after lunch?”

Ary lifted shoulder, “I don’t know..why, what do you want to do?”

“I was thinking of going to the library.”

Ary frowned, feeling torn.

“If you want to stay that’s fine, I just don’t think I can stomach much more of them.”

Ary gave her a look of commiseration.

Grayson leaned into her from the other side, “Do you have to go to your last class, or can you skip it?”

She turned toward him, “Um, well it’s just an elective so-”

“Good, let’s bounce.” He grabbed her hand and stood, pulling her to her feet.

“I guess I’m leaving,” she told her friends.

Andie cocked an eyebrow but said nothing.

“What about Intro to Comp?” Sonya asked.

“I’m skipping.”

Sonya grinned, “Rebel!”

She grinned back and let Grayson tow her out of the lounge and down the hall to the side entrance. Just before they reached it, Ary heard muffled sobbing coming from behind the staircase to the left.

“Shit,” Grayson breathed in irritation as they caught sight of red. Ary tried to tug from his grip but he tightened his hold. “Don’t, she’s not worth it.”

Amanda’s head whipped up and Ary winced at the sight of her mascara smeared cheeks.

She swiped at her eyes and got to her feet. “Why? Why am I not worth it? What did I do?” She demanded of Grayson. “I did everything you wanted me to!” Her voice rose and she took a step toward him.

Ary watched Grayson’s face which held the same icy look he’d bestowed on her not long ago.

“Amanda,” she started.

But her ex-friend didn’t even look at her as she cut her off, “TELL ME!”

He turned away without answering and slipped his arm around Ary’s waist, guiding her toward the door. As he opened it Ary glanced back. Amanda was staring after them, her face contorted, her hands clenched so tightly her knuckles were white. And still she didn’t even acknowledge Ary, her gaze not wavering from Grayson’s back.

Ary turned away feeling disturbed as the door fell shut behind them.

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