CHAPTER 89: THE LIVE SHOW

Chapter Eighty-Nine

**OLIVER WEST**

My lips were clenched tight as I limped toward my locker, each step sending a sharp reminder of this morning’s encounter with Kieran up my leg.

Stupid Kieran. Stupid me. Stupid everything.

My hip throbbed with a dull ache as I tried to walk faster, I was pretty sure there was a bruise forming on my butt already.

"Ollie!" Kieran’s voice behind me, resurfaced the memory, making my face burn all over again.

I walked even faster, wanting to get away from him, I could hear his amused chuckle behind me.

"Are you still mad?"

He knew damn well not to ask me that!!!

I turned around to glare at him, only for my head to hit his chest.

Ow, when did he get this close? Was I going to lose everything called personal space? This morning was a sure example.

I stumbled backwards, scowling at the insufferable smirk plastered on his face.

How dare he look perfectly fine with his perfectly styled hair and cool outfit while I was practically hobbling down the hallway like an injured animal?!

"Do you need the nurse?" He asked again and this time, flames sizzled out of my ears and nostrils.

"I’m walking stiffly because of you!" My voice was high with indignation at his mock concern and I realized with horror how it echoed in the hallway like I’d announced it with a mic.

The effect was immediate and devastating.

Conversations in the hallway stopped mid-sentence and heads turned in our direction like flowers following the sun.

I watched in mounting horror as Raya’s eyes went wide as saucers, and then she whispered something to her friend.

Oh no. Oh no no no. Not this again, I thought I’d overcome this phase!

I looked at Kieran as the whispers started and suddenly, I could hear my name in every conversation.

"Oh my god, they actually did it."

"Already? Didn’t they get together like . . . yesterday?"

"Poor Amanda, they must have been together even before Kieran broke up with her"

"No! That’s not. . ." I began to say to no one in particular only to stop. Explaining things to anyone would only prove I was guilty. AND IT WASN’T EVEN THEIR BUSINESS!!!

But even as my mind flared up defensively, I couldn’t ignore their talks and knowing faces like they’d just witnessed the scandal of the century.

I glared at Kieran again, this was all his fault, why did he provoke me into raising my voice? And why the hell did he look completely unbothered by the chaos he’d helped create?

If anything, he seemed amused by the whole situation, which only made my mortification burn hotter in my chest.

And then, he shot me a wink.

I’m going to murder him. I’m going to actually commit homicide right here in this hallway.

I gave him a look that told him that, and then, my shoulders slumped dejectedly. Talking was easy. Maybe I ran my mouth too much and made too many empty threats that I never fulfilled.

I didn’t even take myself seriously, no wonder Kieran didn’t feel threatened even when I was upset.

Kieran looked about to say something, but his friends suddenly made their way over.

Vince and Claude.

No, I wasn’t going to stand here and receive Claude’s taunts.

I turned and half walked and half ran into the classroom, ignoring the sharp pain shooting through my hip and the way my face felt like it might actually combust from embarrassment. Behind me, I could feel Kieran’s stare, and it made me want to scream into the void.

The bell hadn’t even rung, but I simply wanted to avoid everyone for now.

I slipped into the empty classroom, William was already there, and the moment his eyes landed on me, his eyebrows shot up.

"Why are you limping?" He asked quietly as I carefully lowered myself into the chair beside him, wincing as my bruised hip protested.

At least, he was asking instead of assuming.

No wonder he was my best friend, I gazed at him with stars in my eyes, "You know I would die for you right?" William scoffed, he scooted his chair closer and his eyes were suddenly observing me with deep scrutiny.

"So what happened to you?" He asked again.

"Just had an accident in the bathroom–"

"Liar! How dare you lie to me!" He suddenly twisted my ears and I squirmed in both surprise and pain.

"No, I’m not! It hurts, it hurts!" I squeaked, bouncing on the tip of my toes.

"William, you’re going to tear it off, can you stand your best friend having only one ear?" I blinked at him with the best pitiful expression I could muster.

Kieran had already traumatized me this morning, why was William suddenly aggressive too?

William released my ear, but he was still glaring at me.

"What was that for?!"

William lifted a brow as though I’d just asked the most absurd question and then he fired.

"No, I should be asking you. You’ve been a busy little whore, haven’t you? No wonder you didn’t return my calls last night!"

"William!" I hissed, my face burning even hotter than before. "Just because I was limping didn’t mean I did anything, get your mind off the gutter!"

"But you did do something, didn’t you?"

I blinked at him, completely shocked.

How does he know? Why is he so sure?

"Did you even listen to my warning at all? I told you Kieran was dangerous and he may only want you for your body, and what did you do?" William said in that same quiet but exasperated tone, genuine concern mixing with frustration in his voice.

"I didn’t do anything with Kieran, we were just bathing and!"

"Oh, you still dare to lie?" William’s eyes hardened into a glare once more and he suddenly shoved his phone in my face.

My eyes widened at the screen, "This is .. T-his is..." I couldn’t even let out the words.

KIERAN POSTED A PICTURE OF ME IN HIS BED LAST NIGHT????!!!

My panicked eyes flew to William’s, I thought he was asking about what happened between me and Kieran in the bathroom this morning, but I was completely wrong.

In the picture on Kieran’s timeline, my face wasn’t visible or anything, just the silhouette of someone on a bed in a dark room facing the moonlight, but it wouldn’t be hard for anyone to guess.

I palmed my face, feeling the embarrassment creeping further. So, now, everyone knew that I slept in his place.

I’m an idiot. I’m a complete and total idiot.

"Now, do you care to explain why you were in Kieran’s house in the first place?" William’s eyes suddenly widened as though he had found a piece of a puzzle. "And I’m damn well sure I heard you right. WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT BATHING TOGETHER OLIVER LEVI WEST?

I froze like a deer in headlights, not even my mom used that forsaken middle name.

Poor William doesn’t know I live with him now. How do I even begin to explain this mess?

William was still gazing at me expectantly, he didn’t even look upset anymore, more like he couldn’t wait to hear this new gossip.

"Our house was broken into, so I’m sort of staying with Kieran for now," The words fumbled out of my mouth rapidly.

William’s mouth dropped open, "You house?... No wait, what? YOU ARE LIVING WITH KIERAN MORRISON?!!" The voices made me wince.

Wait, Voices?