Prepsworth Academy

Chapter 90 - "Becca."

TomIt wasearly morning, the kind where sunlight softly streams in through the window andthe air is so cold you can see your breath, turning your cheeks red. The rainpattered softly but constantly against the window, and the beach was, onceagain, covered by mist, crawling slowly along the beach. Rose had summonedeveryone to the main living room, the one with the massive glass walloverlooking the beach, and had allocated us seats that were set up in a widesemi-circle, to face away from the glass wall and towards the large and emptycentre of the room. There were only ten chairs set up, and already we'd alreadybeen ushered into them, which made me nervous. If only the main ten of us weremeant to hear the "truth", then what had been the point of bringing Rae, Millieand Natasha along? Was it to throw us off guard, make us think about everythingbut what Rose was going to confess? Or had it simply been to muddy the trail,so that no one could destroy Rose's final dramatic moment of madness? If it hadbeen the former, it would have worked. With the absence of Natasha clear in myhand, and the lack of sleep, I'd turned into a panicked, jittery nervous wreck,my fingers tapping against my leg so quickly that they were a blur. I lookedup to see Rose walk into the middle of the room, wearing a sophisticated whitepantsuit. She'd obviously thought to dress up for the occasion, and Lukasincidentally matched her in a normal white T-shirt. She stared at all of us,before taking a deep breath, and I had to will myself to stop fidgeting. Thiswas it. This was the truth – all of it."When Iwas ten years old I discovered a secret. Something I shouldn't have. And itdestroyed everything." Rose began, before stepping back, and shaking her head."I'vestarted this all wrong. I suppose I need to explain some things to you. A lotof things actually. The first thing I should start with is my brother. His nameis Aiden Miller, and he is five years older than me. When he was in about tostart Year Ten, he brought home a girlfriend, to stay with us for the rest ofthe summer holidays. Her name was Becca Williams, and from the moment I sawher, I knew she would ruin everything. She was like a mirror of me, of what Icould become. She liked power, loved it. I saw it from the way she'd pit myparents against me, against each other, against anyone but her. This went onfor a while, her destroying everything, ever so subtly. Everyone who she deemed"not perfect", she'd push away. Anyone who was a threat against her, she'd turnAiden away from. And I was a threat for Aiden's affections. He was my bigbrother, the one person who'd always protect me. But, she poisoned him." Rosesaid, her voice shaking, lost in her memories. We all were. Rose paused, beforetaking a shaky breath."Shedidn't like me. I knew what she was doing, and I tried so, so hard to get heraway. We used to play these games of chess, each of us desperately trying towin. Sacrificing whatever we had to in order to beat the other. We playedalmost obsessively, as the stakes got higher and higher and higher. First itwas money, and then it was secrets and then, if I won, she'd spit out lie afterlie about me to Aiden, and to my parents. But if I lost, she seemed happy. Iwanted to defeat her, but it wouldn't be in chess. So I used her words, hersecrets, to find out some of my own. Some things she'd never deign to tell me.Things like how two girls from Prepsworth Academy were in a psychiatrichospital after what she did to them. Those girls names were Eliza Adams andAdelaide Guerrero Esperanza. Icouldn't contact them, I didn't even want to. But I found other people. And Italked to them, and they told me everything. They told me how Becca had turnedeveryone against them, isolated them, haunted them and twisted their realities.She'd left them alone, scorned, only to befriend them, before pushing themaway. That was what happened to Maria Godedell, Theo Godedell and Ashley Lee.They were too much of a threat to Becca's power, so she destroyed them. Butwhat happened to Eliza Adams and Adelaide Guerrero Esperanza happened later, andwas so much worse." Rose stopped again, looking towards Elle and Dylan, whowere ashen faced. Dylan had grabbed Elle's hand, and they had both shuffledcloser, like if they stayed alone, they'd sink in the memories."Go on."Elle said hollowly, her voice echoing through the room."Theywere Becca's friends. I knew, because Aiden talked about them sometimes. Theywere both full of life, vibrant and happy. I remember one time Becca and Aidencame back to our house after a party, and Becca was seething. She screamed atAiden, pushing him and smashing all of his things. She was crazy with anger,and I just sat there and watched. Afterwards, I saw here, and walked up tohere. I remember saying, "Your grip on him is slipping. One day,whoever you're talking about will steal him away from you, and it will be yourfault. And on that day, I will sit there and laugh." I said that to spite her,but I never knew how much it was true. And what lengths she would go to stopthat from happening. After that first term was almost done, I reached out to Maria Godedell, Theo Godedell andAshley Lee, and asked them if they knew what had happened that term. And – Iremember them telling me in most heart breaking voice possible that she'd puttwo girls in a psychiatric hospital. Because they couldn't be trusted alone. Becausethey'd die if they were left alone. I knew who it was. Eliza and Adelaide. Theytold me that they had developed an eating disorder, one so bad that they didn'teat for weeks until they collapsed. And then they'd start over again. They toldme about how they'd developed depression, how they wouldn't do anything but cry,how they wouldn't be able to do anything but that. About how they felt likethey were worth nothing, like they didn't deserve to live. Like they didn'twant to live. I didn't want to know more, and I didn't want to be burdened withthe knowledge. It killed me, tore me apart. " Rose's voice caught in her throatas she stared sadly at Elle and Dylan, their faces stained with tears.When Aiden came homefor the holidays, Becca in tow, I told Becca I was going to tell Aiden what shedid. She leaned forward, and she threatened me. Said that she could make anyonefall – that she could make me fall. But I didn't care. I told Aiden anyway, pouringmy heart. He was angry, so incredibly angry. He screamed at her to leave, thathe never wanted to see her face again. And then he left. Just walked out andnever came back. And before he left, he screamed at me. He told me I wasexactly like Becca. After he left, my parents told me the same thing. Andwhenever I tried to talk to them after that, they brushed me off. I'd fracturedtheir perfect family, or at least the illusion of their perfect family. Theyhated each other, hated me. But we had to stay together. So at parties, we allsmiled and performed for the crowds. But at home, we avoided each other, notinteracting but for glares filled with hatred. I was ten years old, and allalone." Rose confessed, breaking downin tears. I moved to comfort her, but she waved me away, wiping a hand acrossher face."Nothinghappened for a long time after that, but every day I was haunted, and thenightmares tormented me, and when I woke up, it only got worse. I had to put ona brave face, but inside, I was hurting, all of the time. There were happytimes, with my friends, or at parties, but sometimes I felt so alone, so lost,it was crazy. Even though she was gone, Becca Williams was still haunting mylife. And then it came time for me to go to Prepsworth Academy, and I was soglad to escape my miserable life. Becca had been expelled, Aiden had quit, andno one who Becca had tormented had returned to school. It felt like a freshstart, and for a while, it was. I met Lukas, who was someone I could alwayslean on. I met Katie and Saya, and rejoiced in the fun we had. I was the queenof our year, and even the years above me knew me, and even liked me. Everythingwas perfect. But, of course, nothing ever stays perfect. InYear Seven, about halfway through the year, Becca Williams came back into mylife. I remember, I was dating Tom. And Lukas was dating Millie. It'd beenabout a week since we'd broken up, and I was still slightly mad at him, forwhatever stupid reason I had. And when I was out, at a party somewhere whenBecca texted me. She told me she had secrets about someone I loved, secretsthat would truly destroy someone if they ever got out. She said that what hadhappened to everyone else would look like nothing next to the backlash of thenext secret. I laughed at her, brushed her aside. I told her that Lukas doesn'thave any secrets.The nextday, word had circulated Millie, who was still dating Lukas, was bi. And, justlike that, Millie's world was turned upside down. She was bullied relentlessly,and she got drawn out of school for weeks. And then, I got another text fromBecca: Ready for me to share the secret?I remember realising, with a horrifying jolt, that Millie had been ademonstration of what would happen to someone I loved. Something to get meafraid, dreading when the secret would come out. It was easy to figure out who.In the entire world, there was exactly three people I loved. One was Lukas, theother was Aiden, and the third person was Lily, my best friend. She was likethe sister I never had. And, I knew that if the secret got out, Lily's lifewould be over. Everyone would avoid her, and judge her for sexuality. So, I hadto push her away. I told her I didn't want to be her friend, that she meantnothing to me, that she was stupid and ugly and exactly the kind of person Ididn't want around me. It hurt, but Lily immediately stepped away from me,avoiding me as much as possible. I knew exactly what would hurt her the most,and I used it against her." Rose said, struggling not to cry, emotion fillingher voice. I saw everyone's faces as they pieced it together, watching the painin Lily's eyes as she realised what had happened to Millie. "But, howcome no one remembers when Millie got outed?" Elle asked, frowning. Jakeshrugged. "It was along time ago, and people at this school have done so many horrible things toeach other that it's hard to keep track." Jake offered. Harry shook his headsadly."I can'tbelieve I never knew that was how it happened. Millie never talked about it."Harry murmured. "That waswhy you stopped being friends with me. To protect me from a school full ofprivileged, entitled teenagers." Lily said, a hysterical laugh in her voice."Youknow, none of this would have happened at a normal school. Everyone would justnod and move on. But of course theschool that Millie and I go to just happens to be the worst one in Australia.You can really tell how accepting everyone is." Lily babbled, a sarcastic notein her voice. I smirked at Lily'sinsult, before looking up at Rose."If youdid all of that to stop Lily from being outed, how come you literately did thatsame thing yourself four years later?" I asked, annoyed. Rose seemed todeflate, and I immediately felt guilty."Becauseyou asked me, and I wanted power, and control, and I thought I could get thatthrough you. And now we're both idiots." Rose replied, although not coldly. Inodded, accepting the insult. It was the truth, not matter how harsh it was.And I deserved every insult I got, after what I did to Lily. I was just luckyit wasn't worse for Lily. I still felt guilty, immensely guilty and awful. Ididn't have time to apologise again to Lily, because Rose started talkingagain, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear."I wasfine, completely fine until this year started. I was happily living my life asa cruel queen bee, rejoicing in it even. Hurting people made me forget aboutall the pain tucked away deep inside of me, and made me feel powerful. Like Iwas anything but some small ten year old who'd been left alone. When we movedinto our dorms, I found something, a diary. The DiaryOf Adelaide Guerrero Esperanza. Itdetailed everything that Becca had done to her, bullied her, isolated her, madeher hate herself so much that she couldn't bear to live. Whatever she did, Beccawould scream at her about how bad she was. Becca would tell her that she didn'teven deserve to live. And eventually, Becca's voice merged with one at the backof her head, one that never left, no matter where she was. And no matter whatshe did, whether she starved herself or worked hard, the voice never went away.Do you know how much that broke me inside? Hearing about how Adelaide washaunted by Becca. But, amidst the sadness, there was always something happy.Something funny her little sister said on the phone, or something exciting shedid with her friends, or a fun TV show she watched, but, as time went on, theydrifted away until there was nothing. And that was what really broke me. Andthen, I decided that I should get revenge. For me, for Adelaide, for Eliza, foreveryone's lives she ruined. And then we come tothe next version of events – the party." Rose explained, before ending herspeech a flourish. I looked around, seeing everyone perched on the edge oftheir seats, Elle and Dylan were crying, tears silently streaming down theircheeks, a mixture of happiness and sadness, drying on top of more tears. "Lukas had this idea.Have a party, off campus, maybe renting a house, a completely trash it.Knocking down walls, smashing furniture, everything like that. After the party,if we'd trashed it badly enough, we could blame it on Jake, have him pay thefines and everything else. It wasn't a goodplan, but it was good enough to turn into what was the party. I wanted to have the party at Becca's house,and I needed to do something more destructive, more final than smashing a fewwalls. I knew enough people in order to find out where she lived, so near toPrepsworth Academy. She often held parties, had lots of people around, and shehad roommates too. No one batted an eye when I got someone to ask if they couldborrow the house for a party while they were away for a couple of nights. Imade sure everyone knew about it, and that I got the equipment necessary. Andthen, I planned to set fire to the house. I needed a diversion,and that came in the form of everyone here. We'd play a game of truth or dare,and I'd get Elle and Dylan to finally confess their feelings to one another.That way, all of you, arguably the smartest or most cynical people in theschool, would be too busy gushing about love and all that crap, and youwouldn't notice whatever was unfolding right in front of you. It didn't work,but got you distracted enough anyway. I needed help, an alibi, you could say,so I told Lukas, knowing I could trust him not to say anything. Immediately, hehated her so much he didn't hesitate to lie to everyone about the fireworks andset the house on fire. When I set the house on fire, it was like saying goodbyeto her, and freeing everyone from Becca's hold. That day, I wore my oldPrepsworth uniform. And on it, I wrote the names of everyone she had hurt. Itwas like a homage to them, so that they could be with me when I got my revenge.It was like everything had ended, a chapter closed in my life. But, at Prepsworth, secrets never stay secretfor long." Rose finished, eyes shining with finality. "When we asked you tohelp, you agreed. Anything else would be suspicious. And we cared so much thatyou decided tell us everything, hoping you could trust us but knowing it wasjust a matter of time before we found out through someone else, and you werepainted as the villain." I said,finishing what Rose was going to say, knowing she could never bring herself tosay it."But – Jake knew.Didn't you tell him? Or did you forget that part?" Amy butted in, stillsceptical."Lukas told me. Thatwas what he held over you, wasn't it? That I was a part of this?" Jakeanswered, speaking to Amy. Amy responded with a curt nod. "You knew?' Dylan asked incredulously. Amyand Jake both shook their heads."Not everything. Justabout the fire, and that Rose set it." Amy replied quickly. I leaned back in mychair, my mouth wide open."So that's it then?This is the end?" I exclaimed, not daring to say what I wanted to. That itdidn't add up. Why invite Millie, Natasha and Rae if you're not going to doanything about it? There were still too many loose ends, despite Rose'sheartbreaking story. "Not quite." Thewords were clipped and cold, and Rose stepped aside and turned around, her faceflashing with confusion. Without her blocking the door, I could see a figureleaning against the doorway. The figure walked forward, and into the light,leaning against the wall with an assured kind of ease. I didn't need to ask ifit was Becca Williams, I knew from Rose's face, horrified and afraid all atonce. Becca Williams was beautiful, undeniably so, with gleaming black hairshimmering around her face and sharp, cold green eyes, uncannily similar toRose's. She wore a elegant red dress, vivid against her pale skin. She slunkforward, her eyes drifting over all of us, her lips curling into a sneer as shelooked at Rose. "Remember chess? You'd always think you were incontrol of the game, but I was controlling it behind the scenes, manipulatingyour moves, pushing you in a certain direction. You never realised it until itwas too late." Becca drawled."So thisyour what, final showdown? Your chance to get even with Rose?" Emma scoffed.Becca even flinch, merely nodding slightly."Is thatso? Then why are we here?" Dylan asked coldly. "Collateraldamage." Rose answered emotionlessly, still glaring at Becca."She doesn'tcare about anyone but herself and she'll drag you all down with me." Rosecoutninued. Becca tutted, like she was scolding a toddler."Wrongagain. Haven't I already told you I planned this all?" Becca said scornfully."Likeyour house being burnt down?" Elle offered, her voice sickly sweet. Becca shookher head again."I cansee you're all going to be a bit of a nuisance. Now, unless you want me to goto the police with information about arson and obstruction of justice andwhatnot, I'm going to need you to, take these handy little rags I preparedearlier, and tie your legs to your chairs. Do you understand?" Becca asked,equally as sickly sweet. Everyone looked at each other, not moving."Let merephrase that. Do what I say now, or I get all of you thrown in jail for a variety of crimes that are going to bejust great on your resume's." Becca exclaimed coldly. I blinked, and stood tomove. What was the worst that could happen? Fiveminutes later, we were all in the same semi-circle, our legs tied to our chairsso we couldn't move. I would've laughed at how ridiculous the whole scenariowas if I hadn't been so nervous. The next thing we needed was for Becca tostart monologuing like an evil villain and twirling her (non-existent)moustache. In fact, I almost expected it. What I did not expect, however, wasfor Becca to look around at all of us, before her gaze settled on me."You areall here for a very important reason. Rose Miller has wronged you or hurt youin some way. Now, she wants your pity, and you sit there and give it to here.Elle. she broke apart you and Dylan and you know it. Dylan, she used you tomake Lukas jealous, and to break youand Elle apart so she could have Elle. Harry, she would have let you go toprison for everything she did, and Emma, she let you take the blame. Jake, shebroke your heart and rejoiced in it.She strung you along again and again, before pushing you away. Amy, how couldyou not think for a second that she didn't plan for you to be used by Lukas?Because of her, you faded away to nothing, to no one but a puppet. Lukas,another victim of Rose. She hates you, and no matter how much you love her, shewill never love you back. She destroyed you in front of everyone, insulting youagain and again. What kind of love is that? Lily, she was your best friend, andthen she left you, for popularity, for attention. Then, years later, she outedyou on purpose, as a prank. Like you meant nothing to her. Because, and make nomistake, you are nothing to her. Tom,she used you like she used everyone. She used you to hurt Lily, and then tohurt Lukas. She made fun of you, acted like you were disgusting and nothing.She turned you into a disgusting person, the type of person who repulsespeople. No wonder you didn't get Rae." Becca said sharply, turning to each ofus, before her eyes landed on me again. Her final barb hit hard but left meconfused and hurt. How did she know about Rae? I didn't blink as I stared backat her."I'm notthat person anymore. And like you haven't done all of those things. If Rose issuch a "bad person" then so are you." I replied sceptically. Becca raised anyeyebrow."I am abad person, I just don't hide it. I know who I am. Do you?" Becca asked. "I do. Iknow that I want to be a police officer, and that I have friends that I'd trustwith my life. I know I've never been that good of a person, but that I'm tryingto be better. I know that I'm falling in love, and how stupid that sounds." Ianswered boldly. Becca's eyes turned amused, her lips curling up in somethingthat resembled a smile."Tell me,do you know who you're falling in love with?" Becca asked."Ofcourse!" I answered, confused. Becca smiled more."Do you?"She asked sharply. What did she mean? There were so many questions bouncingaround my head as I desperately tried to figure out what was going on. How didshe know about Rae, and that were here? How did she know about us, and all oursecrets. How on earth did this fit together? "Millie got outed bysomeone, and left school for a couple of weeks". "I've just got to finish thisarticle!" "Tell me, do you know who you're falling in love with?" "See you,private school boy!" "And that's all you need to know about me." "You see, Tom,I'm in love."Suddenly, the random words in my head slotted together, all to create theperfect piece of the puzzle. Becca saw my expression and clapped her handstogether, smiling."Lovely!I see you've figured it out. Let's see if anyone else has?" Becca exclaimedwith an almost child-like elation. Becca beckoned to someone standing outsidethe room, and I heard footsteps walk in. Everyone watch on, their eyes drawn tothe doorway, not daring to breath. It was silent, the intensity hanging in theair.WhenMatthew walked in, I wasn't shocked. I'd expected it. But it still hurt.Matthew leanedagainst the pillow, his mouth spread in a wide smile."Well, I'm a changedman. You see, Tom, I'm in love." He exclaimed. I laughed."Sure. With who?" Iasked incredulously. Matthew raised his eyebrows, bringing a finger to hislips, which were curled into a mischievous smile."That's a secret."It fit.Of course it fit. All of Matthew's questions, probing me move, on to make afool out of myself. He knew I'd go for Rose, and when she rejected me, it wouldonly make my dislike for Rose stronger. He'd been instructed by Becca the wholetime. Because Becca had never given up on beating Rose, on destroying her life,and everyone else's with it. She just waited until Rose had the most to lose."How did Matthew help you with all of this byhimself? He can barely tie his own shoelaces." Lil exclaimed. Becca didn'treact, merely looking to me."Care toexplain?" She asked pointedly. I sighed, looking down at the carpet."Becausehe wasn't alone." I murmured. "What?"Jake blurted out. Emma's eyes were wide as she fitted it together, grippingHarry's hand. Everyone looked around in shock. Who had betrayed us? I kept mygaze firmly on the floor as Matthew dragged someone in. I didn't want to lookup, but I glanced to Lily, a look of pity cross my face. Lily frowned at me,before looking up when Matthew dragged someone in through the door. Milliedidn't meet Lily's eyes as Matthew pushed her towards Becca. Lily let out agasp of surprise, and everyone traded confused, hurt glances. "Millie?"Harry asked, his eyes crinkled with sadness. Millie's face was bitter as shelooked towards the door, Becca following her gaze."Tom,what's going on? Why are they looking at the door? Isn't this over?" Lily askeddesperately. I felt tears prickle in my eyes as I shook my head, staringintensely at the carpet as Rae walked into the room, gripping onto Millie'shand, her eyes grave."What thehell?" Jake exclaimed. Rae avoided everyone's gaze, holding onto Millie as thoughshe was a life raft and she was sinking. There was an expectant wait in theair, and Becca didn't move as she waited for everyone to understand. Emma wasthe first to figure it out again, her face going pale. She glanced at me, anapology clear in her face. "I'm sorrythis happened to you.". I didn't return her glance, didn't look at anyoneas the final piece of the puzzle walked into the room. Natasha joined Millieand Rae, the three of them linking hands. Becca's smile was wide at my misery,as she took in the shock of the room."Surprise."She exclaimed, her voice so happy, so haunting as my world crumbled away.