The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 11
JUNIPER
If I chewed on my lip anymore, I’d chew right through it. Moira stood in the middle of the cafeteria, talking to her group of friends, like the queen bee she was. Everyone in the cafeteria looked at her, as if her eye contact would be some kind of blessing.
She looked completely different from the person I once knew. When we were still in middle school, we were each other’s only friends. We played together every day, and neither of us cared about what others thought. Moira slowly changed over the years. Part of me knew it was happening, but I chose to ignore it. I was afraid of being left alone.
t the Moira sitting in the cafeteria was
t going to hid
g to block my way. “Leave now. Moira doesn’t need you tainting her reputation.”
gy to waste on her. “Moira, this needs to stop.”
I can’t afford to be seen with you.”
ill don’t understand. We were friends. Even if we had grown apart,
was getting to her. But then her face lightened, and then she placed her hand on her chest. “The only issue I have with you is how you cheated
as supposed to be the person I built up not tore down, but she started this. I had to find a way to push her buttons. If I could get her to admit the truth in front of this crowd, it would clear my name.
ut clearly I was wrong.” Moira frowned, and her voice sounded genuinely upset, but her eyes held a knowing glint.
ed them into her own. If I said any of that now, it would only look like I was copying her. She was better at this than me.
your popularity really worth the fake friends surrounding you now?” I asked, grasping at straws. I felt like I was on the defensive instead of on the attack.
’ve known you, I can’t stand b
hing I could say would break her. This only made everything worse.
ve before you upset her more,” Ashley said.
l at her, tell her she was following the fakest person in existence, but i
t you can’t win against me. Trust me when I say you’ve just made things a lot worse for you.”
t little girl.
t.
undamental flaws. I would like to discuss this with you tomorrow if you have some time.”
Ethan spoke to her. “Professor Burrell! Yes, I have some time
I have a meeting in the science building.”
e only one who could woo a girl.
h about the rumors.
y from the cafeteria, needing to get away from the crowd as soon as possible. Confronting Moira had been a mistake, and if Ethan hadn’t swooped in when he did, I didn’t know wh
led out to me, surprising me. He had been waiting for me to emerge from the cafeteria.
ow him without question.
ved on their own, and
thinking, confronting your bully like that?” Ethan asked. His tone was that of a protective older brother.
the truth.
still thought I cheated my way to my grades, my life here for the next year would be miserable.
urled his fingers into a fist. “I only want to help, Juniper.” His voice was softer than what I was used to.
r me.”
t understand why. I hardly knew Ethan. We only had two conversations since he arrived here, but there was something about him that drew me to him.
s soft—almost like someone who was in love. “I can and always will protect you.”
protect me in a way no one had in a long time. “Why?”
lings down. “Because I’m one of your students.”
”
sentence, but instead he took a step back, and I knew the moment was ruined.
’s name on the screen. “Hello?”
.
ed up to stop them from coming, not wanting to cry in front of Ethan.
?” Asher asked.
rings. “I’m near the science building.”
’ll be right ther
clicked off, and I looke
s Asher, wasn’t it?” Ethan asked.
e. I was excited to see Asher, but I didn’t want this moment with Ethan to
n’t hesitate to reach out, okay?”
ugh my nerves. I smiled and said, “Thanks. I will.” Even though I didn’t know if that was true.
you in class,” Ethan said. He turned and walked away, and I couldn’t
passed before footsteps rang out against the sidewalk. Asher jogged towards me, stoppin
d just dropped everything to rush to my aide.