Chapter Three
“This looks amazing!” Lucas said as he looked over the front of the school building. “You guys really brought this all together.”
“Thanks,” Orion said gruffly.
“There are just a few things,” Lucas went on, digging in his pocket and handing Orion a piece of paper. “Just make sure that you take care of this before teams start arriving.”
“Whatever.”
“Are…are you alright, Orion?” Lucas asked, looking him over. “You don’t look so hot. Are you ill?”
“So what’s going on?” Devony asked Lucas, trying to keep things light. “Are things over at the college set up?”
“As well as they can be. You know I run a tight ship.”
“That’s what makes you a great president,” Archer said.
“Where’s Micah?”
“He’s around,” Archer said.
“He’s alive,” Orion muttered.
“Huh? What’d you say?”
“Oh it’s nothing!” Devony said, smiling. “Micah and Orion just had a little fight but it’s all getting worked out.”
“Is that so?” Orion asked.
“What?”
“Do you even know why we’re fighting?” Orion challenged.
“I know I don’t,” Lucas said, frowning. “Is there something going on I should know about?”
“It’s just a small fight,” Devony said. “I’m trying to help them work things out. Micah means so much to me.”
“I’m sure he does.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Devony asked.
“Nothing.”
“Did I say something wrong?”
“On a night like this, we’re all on edge,” Lucas said, watching beads of sweat roll down Orion’s face. “Orion, do you want to go home and take a shower?”
“Why? I’m clean. What about you, Dev?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Are you a clean girl or a dirty girl?” Orion asked. “Do you even bathe alone?”
“Orion!” Devony sputtered out with a red face. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’ve heard word that Micah’s going to run for replacement editor-in-chief for the newspaper for the remainder of the school year,” Lucas said, trying to change the subject.
“That’s great,” Devony said.
“I bet you think it’s great,” Orion muttered again.
“Orion?”
“Micah’s just so perfect, isn’t he? I’ll have to ask him what it feels like to have the mayor’s daughter backing his every move.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t talk to me like I’m a moron, you know what I’m talking about.”
“I know you’re being crazy.”
“I know you’re acting like a bitch,” Orion said. When the words came out, Devony looked like she had been slapped.
“W-why would you say that? I haven’t done anything!”
“Indeed,” Lucas said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Why are you acting like such an ass, Orion? You’ll make her cry.”
“So let her cry,” Orion said. “I bet you like that, don’t you, Dev? Another man touching you? Who hasn’t touched you lately?”
“I don’t have to listen to this,” Devony said, pulling away. “I’m going home to get ready and I hope you’re in a better mood when I get back.”
“No, Dev, don’t go,” Lucas said, taking a step towards her. “Orion, apologize to her.”
“Like hell I will. If anything I’ve been too kind. She deserves it.”
“What have I done?”
“Do you want to sleep with her?” Orion asked Lucas.
“Are you actually asking me that?” Lucas asked, his hazel eyes growing wide. “Are you kidding?”
“I’m not kidding. She’ll sleep with anything, just ask around.” He pointed a finger at Devony. “You’re a cheater and a liar and I can’t believe I ever trusted you. Get out of my face before I do something I’ll regret. As for Micah, he doesn’t need to work for the paper because he can replace me as president! I’m done!” he shouted, throwing up his hands and storming out.
“What…what the hell just happened?” Lucas asked. “Is he sick or something? He looks like he hasn’t slept in days with those bloodshot eyes.”
“I think the pressure of being a student body president has finally got to him,” Archer said as sympathetically as he could. “I mean how many people were at his old school? Ten? Twenty?”
“Don’t be ignorant,” Lucas said. “He’s acting like there’s something wrong with him. I hope he’s not drinking energy drinks to stay awake. Those things plus no sleep will mess you up, big time.”
“I don’t know what he’s taking to help him deal with things, but that’s how he’s been lately,” Archer said.
“Calling his girlfriend a bitch? That’s new to me.”
Archer shrugged. “So he overreacted. I’m sure he’ll apologize for it later and show up with a dozen roses.”
“Does he talk to her like that all the time?”
“That’s their business,” Archer said vaguely. “I don’t pry. Just stick around if you’re curious. Despite what he said earlier, Orion will come back for the tournament. He’s not about to make the school look bad. Just watch him and make your own decisions.”
“He seemed so calm before. Do you really think he’s on something?”
“People can change,” Archer said.