“It’s alright. I really don’t care what the they think of me. Or what the whole school thinks of me, for that matter.”
“Well, that’s good, because Serena has managed to turn just about the whole school against you. There’s some stuff that she posted online… You know what, don’t even look. In fact, just stay away from the internet all together.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Unfortunately. I’m so sorry, Bri.”
“Thanks Lay. But really, I’m okay. I knew this kind of crap would be coming, and I can’t let Serena get to me. If I start crying or screaming, she wins. And I refuse to let her win. She thinks she can scare me away from Cole, and she needs to see that that isn’t going to happen.”
“From the sound of things, I think it’s more like she’s trying to scare Cole away from you. There aren’t any rumors going around about him at all. Just you,” Layla said hesitantly.
“Well, just more reason not to let her win.” Bri worked on keeping her anger in check.
“That’s my girl,” Layla said proudly. “You keep your head up above all this crap, and leave the fighting to me.”
“Layla, no! I don’t want you to get drug into this mess, too!”
“What? You’re my girl! This is what best friends do, they protect each other. So, don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. You and Cole just keep doing your thing. I’ve got your back.”
“Thanks, Lay. You’re the best, you know that?” Bri couldn’t suppress the emotion in her voice.
“Of course I do! And that’s why I only hang out with the best! Alright, babe, try not to worry about this too much, and I’ll see you tonight at practice, okay?”
“Okay. Bye, Layla.”
“Bye, Bri.”
A couple of hours later, Bri was getting ready to head to dance when her phone rang again. She smiled when she saw who was calling.
“Hey there!” she answered. “How was practice?”
“Good, I guess,” Cole replied. “Coach Davies went on and on about the scouts that are going to be coming, and how we really need to not suck in front of them. How was your afternoon?”
“Eh,” she sighed. “Considering that I spent it trying not to seethe in anger, not the best.”
“You talked to Layla.” Cole didn’t sound too happy about it.
“How’d you know?”
“Because she called me after practice.”
“She did?” Bri was shocked. “What did she say?”
“She told me about the rumors and stuff going around. Which does not make me happy. Then she threatened my life, and my manhood, if I fell for any of that crap and hurt you. I think her exact words were “I will hunt you down, and chop off the protruding parts of your body”. That girl can really be scary when she wants to be.”
“Did she say anything else?”
“Just that you were taking this all way too well, doing the whole it-doesn’t-bother-me thing, when in fact you were really upset. So she wanted me to call and reassure you that I don’t believe any of the rumors, and I have absolutely no intention of breaking up with you. But, I think you already knew all that.”
“Yes, I did. But it’s still nice to hear you say it. Layla really wanted you to tell me all that?” It was official, Bri loved that girl.
“That, and she made me promise that I would treat you like a queen, and not do anything to screw this up.” Cole chuckled. “Layla is definitely someone you want on your side.”
“Yes, she is.”
“So, how are you really feeling about all this? I don’t want the sugar coated version.”
“Ugh,” Bri groaned. “I’m angry, hurt, and embarrassed. But mainly, I’m really pissed that everybody just believes all this crap! I mean, seriously! It’s all so asinine.”
“I know. You’re taking it better than me. I want to start bashing people’s faces in for saying those things. But we’ll get through it.” He paused. “Do you wish we hadn’t gone public? That we had kept us a secret?”
“What? Of course not! We shouldn’t have to hide from anyone. We knew this would happen. I didn’t care then, and I don’t care now. It was absolutely worth it!”
“You really feel that way?” Cole sounded a little awed, and it made Bri’s heart swell.
“Yes. Serena can try whatever she wants. I refuse to let her come between us.”
“Me, too,” he agreed softly.
“Good.” Bri felt warm all over. “Well, I’ve got dance tonight, so I’d better go.”