❝ Some days, things just take way too much of my energy ❞

- Ariana Grande, Breathin'.

"We need to talk," Tanner said to me the moment I walked into the house.

"Sure, what's up?" I dropped my backpack on the couch and quickly went to grab a cold bottle of water from the refrigerator.

"I've told you many times, you don't have to say anything to Kendall."

I rolled my eyes, "Are we talking about Kendall?"

"What is your problem, Renée?" He asked me in the softest tone.

"What is my problem? I didn't do anything wrong!" I threw my hands up in the air.

"I did not bring you up to be rude-"

"Did she tell you about the part where she called me a brat?"

"Renée, I know you don't like Kendall, but she's my girlfriend, okay? And you're gonna have to respect that."

I looked at him in disbelief, "Did you hear what I said? She called me a brat, and why? Because I told her I already had dinner, which I actually did have at Kaleb's."

Tanner rubbed his temples, not saying a word.

"You should be on my side," I looked at him. "At least that's what I think. If you're going to accept that she called me a brat, then you're accepting that you raised a brat. If you're cool with it, then okay," I shrugged before going to my room.

I was so upset.

When it came to Kendall, it felt as though Tanner was so blinded, and that wasn't a good thing especially since he was the guy. When he was with Zee, nothing seemed forced between them, but with Kendall, it was another story entirely.

The rest of the week passed briefly and I congratulated myself for making it through the week. From boring classes to so much work at the bakery to giving Tanner a somewhat silent treatment to accepting that River just didn't care.

After me and Kaleb's little show in front of the bakery, I hadn't seen River against for the rest of the day. He'd come back the next day, though, but he looked totally unbothered, and that bothered me. He wasn't jealous, and I couldn't explain how I felt knowing that the plan didn't work.

It was all a bad idea.

Monday morning came and I didn't even want to get up from bed.

"Hey sweetie, wake up, it's time for school!" Tanner called from outside the door and I didn't say anything back.

I made my way into the bathroom and freshened up and in minutes, I was out and fully dressed.

"Aren't you going to have breakfast?" Tanner asked me as I walked to the front door.

"No, thanks," I shut the door behind me and let out a breath.

Now, time to wait for that idiot.

Kaleb pulled up to my house about ten minutes later.

"Sorry, I'm late. Mom wouldn't let me leave until we had a Skype session with Hudson," he rolled his eyes.

"Skype is still a thing?"

"Apparently. Hey, you're out. That's off. Am I that late?"

"Nope," I got into the car. "I was just trying to avoid speaking to Tanner."

"Isn't that impossible?" He chuckled. "Why though?"

"He literally had a go at me yesterday because of Kendall and he was taking sides with her."

"My man doesn't deserve this treatment," Kaleb chuckled, starting the car.

"He does, though. Do you have any food?" I looked at him.

"Let me guess, you didn't eat because of the silent treatment?" He laughed. "I dont even know who has a bigger ego between me and you."

I rolled my eyes, "Food or no food?"

Turned out it was no food.

We walked into the school building and Kaleb just felt the need to make me trip over his foot, causing me to jerk forward while he laughed maniacally.

"Kaleb, why do you have to be such a case?" I pushed him while he kept laughing and i had no choice but to join him in laughter. My laughter reduced to chuckles and I noticed students gathering around one of the notice boards inthe hallway.

"What's going on there?" I looked at Kaleb, whose eyes darted to the notice board.

"I don't know," he shrugged. "Do you have any interest in going to see what it is, because I don't."

I whacked his arm, "What if it's something important, dummy, let's go. "

Getting there, I started to realize heads were turning to look at me. Something didn't feel right, but I shoved it away. I heard chuckles, laughter and murmuring but I couldn't tell what it was about until I saw it.

My heart raced, and the feeling I got when I watched River kiss that girl returned.

There on the board was a picture of me coming out of the bakery, another picture of my hand in who's hand I knew was Kaleb's, but then it appeared like I was pulling him to me-

Wait. This was stupid. How could that be done? Psh, no one would fall for this. I mean, Kaleb's face didn't show in any of these pictures, it could have been another guy.

That's what I thought until I heard a girl say to her friend, "Did you read the full story in Twitter? What a slut."

My stomach churned. There was something put up on Twitter?

"She needs to leave this girl's boyfriend alone. She's embarrassing herself," I heard another girl say.

Then, I knew what this was about.

I looked at Kaleb briefly who stood with wide eyes, swallowing. He looked at me and started to say, "Rae-"

But I backed away and stormed off to class. I knew that somehow, Sydney had everything to do with this. Looking at those pictures, one wouldn't fully understand and I needed to know what was posted on Twitter, so I decided to open the Twitter app immediately I got to class.

"Don't, Renée," I heard Harper say to me. "Don't open it. I have no idea what's written in there, but I wouldn't advice you to open it. Give me your phone. "

I looked at her, "Why?"

"Just give it to me."

I ran my fingers through my hair and handed it to her. She took it, her eyes running though the screen while swiping. In no time, she handed my phone back to me, "There. I deleted the app."

I didn't know whether to thank her, so I just let out a breath and nodded.

"I saw what was on the board," she said softly.

I closed my eyes, "It's so, so stupid. I can't believe people would believe that."

"People will believe anything," she was quiet. "If it makes you feel better, I don't believe it."

"What exactly is it? The only things I could see were pictures it makes no sense..." My voice trailed off.

"Whoever did it simply made the school believe you're trying to get with someone's boyfriend."

My head ached and I could feel anger surge through me. I knew it was Sydney who did this. It had to be her. One, she was bitter about me and Kaleb's friendship. Two, she had threatened me before. I just couldn't believe she went this far.

I managed to get through school with a brave demeanor. I didn't say a word to Kaleb, neither did I try to confront Sydney.

"Renée, are you fine?" Sky asked me.

"Yeah," I nodded, honestly trying to keep it all together but it was getting so hard. I turned to Sky, "Actually, I dont feel too good. Can I just stay in the cooling room for a bit?"

She looked at me in concern and then nodded, "Yeah, it's fine. Take all the time you need."

"Thanks," my voice came out in a whisper.

I used to think I would be one of those people in high school who wouldn't have to face this kind if stuff, but I guess not.

All the tough act I'd been putting up ever since I got to school in this morning came down and I felt a tear slip from my eyes. I furiously wiped it away and sniffed.

Texts from Kaleb were getting too much, I didn't reply any. No, I wasn't mad at him. I just didn't want to talk at the moment. I hugged my knees to myself and rested my head against them.

It wasn't long till I felt a presence in the room and a scent I once used to be so familiar with. Tucking my hair behind my ear, I looked up to see River seated next to me on the floor.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him.

He shrugged, "Skylar said I could come in here," he paused. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I nodded.

We were quiet for a while, until he asked, "Rough day at school?"

I shook my head.

"Well, you know that if you want to talk about it, I'm here."

"Thanks," I sniffed.

He placed his arm around my neck and drew me close to him so my head rested on his chest. The gesture was so sweet and calming, I felt so comfortable and then, I burst into tears.

Feeling him run his fingers through my hair, I sank even more into his arms and let myself cry until they reduced to sobs. At this point, I didn't care if he had a girlfriend or not. I needed this. His comfort and it left me with the safest feeling in the world.

"I'm sorry, I just..."

"It's fine. It's okay to cry. It's okay to let your guard down. I understand. "

I nodded, my head still on his chest. "It's just that there's drama and i can't deal with it. It has me in the centre and it just makes me seen to be what I'm really not... I hate it."

"Like a rumor?" He asked softly and I nodded.

"Rumors suck, but hey, don't let it reduce your confidence. I know you are, I mean, you were confident enough to ask for my name in the most sneaky way-"

I couldn't help it but I laughed and it oddly felt good.

He chuckled as well, "Also, don't let it affect your self esteem. Be confident. if you're not, the rumor starter will gain power. While walking in school, be yourself and wall with your head high. People will think otherwise than what they're heard through rumors. That's it. I know it's hard but things like this happen. You'll be fine."

"Thank you River."

"One time I went on a three week vacation and by the time I was back to school, I was hearing I'd died from blood cancer."

I burst out laughing, "How on earth...?"

He laughed, "That's just how stupid and untrue rumors can be. You have no negativity. The person who started it has all the negativity."

I looked up at him, "I don't know how to thank you."

"Want to know how to thank me?"

I swallowed, "How?"

"Stop trying to make me jealous." He had a smirk on his face.

As soon as he said those words, I turned red then shook my head, "I'm so stupid. Th- that was my best friend."

"I know," he smiled, nodding.

"How?"

"Skylar told me." Then I remembered how she had thought me and Kaleb were dating until I told her we were just best friends. "I- I asked her if she knew who he was to you and she said you were only best friends."

I felt so dumb right now, I buried my face in my hands.

"Come on," he chuckled, pulling my hands away from my face. "The truth is, best friend or not... I didn't like that he was with you. "

My eyes widened and then I looked at him.

"Yeah, it did work," he nodded.

I looked at him for a while before saying, "River, you have someone, don't you?"

He swallowed, "Things with-"

My phone vibrated, indicating I had a text. Hoping it wasn't Kaleb, I saw it was a text from an unknown number.

**

"Oh my God," I immediately sat up.

"What's wrong?" River seemed as startled as I was, concern etched in his voice.

"River, can you please, please take me to Woodley and Bunny?"