Hardest Pill to Swallow

Chapter Twenty-Two

It could've been anyone, but it had to be Axel. He's been MIA since Wednesday, no one has heard from him but he decides to show up at my graduation, looking absolutely breathtaking. Dressed in a blue button up and black jeans, his hair still shagged over his face as usual but he tamed the sides. Despite how great he looks, he looks scary right now as he stares at Campbell with those darkening grey eyes, the smile on his face is less than friendly, it's a warning of what's to come.

Axel had to be the one to confront Campbell regarding the drugs. Tucker apparently sends Axel to do his dirty work, because I know Axel doesn't actually give a fuck about my well being. I'm just someone for him to pass the time. He has Mary, that's why he doesn't want me to do anything to him. Why would he want an inexperienced girl try to pleasure him when he has a notorious whore on her knees for him whenever he pleases?

I don't know why it matters so much if I took some drugs at my graduation, if anything it made it go by a hell of a lot smoother than if I were sober.

"I-I was just uh, leaving. My mum is waiting for me." Campbell stammers, avoiding eye contact with Axel. Axel's grin grows wider as he senses Campbell's unease, stepping closer so his towering frame hovers over Campbell. Fuck.

"Go find her." I intervene, stepping between Campbell and Axel. Campbell nods, his curls flying everywhere before he literally sprints away. Axel attempts to follow but I fist his shirt to make him stay put, no way in hell I will allow Axel to hurt Campbell, he's the only good friend I have. Axel slowly turns his head, the smile has disappeared, an even more frightening expression taking over his face. I watch as his stormy eyes turn dark, jaw taught as he grinds his teeth together, the vein in his neck prominent, obviously pissed that I got in his way from beating up Campbell in front of this large crowd.

Axel pulls away from me abruptly, his eyes lowering as he sucks in a sharp breath. He mouths 'just wait' before turning back towards Tucker and Aria. I can't help but laugh to myself at his empty threat. He isn't going to do shit.

Mum wraps her arm around my waist, completely oblivious to the situation and I am thankful, at least I have one person who isn't pissed at me. Even though, no one should be pissed at me. I never do anything remotely bad or illegal, unlike those three who are standing a few feet away having a pissing contest.

"Let's go home, maybe we can grab dinner later?" She suggests. I don't answer, my harsh gaze focused on Aria who is staring right back at me with disappointment. She's done far worse than I have, she has no fucking room to judge me. I can write a fucking a thousand page novel about the shit she's done and I never once have judged her or thought differently of her.

Until now. She can go to hell for all I care.

"Actually, I think I'm going over to Campbell's later. His family is throwing a grad party for him." I tell her. She smiles while nodding. "Do you have sunglasses, it's fucking bright out here."

I watch as my mother digs through her purse, retrieving an extra pair of glasses and hands them to me. I thank her, pushing the frames on my face and instantly feel some relief, blocking my massive pupils from the bright sun, and her. I follow behind mum as we walk through the crowd of my old peers taking photographs with friends and family. Everyone has such big smiles on their faces. Then you see my family and all of us besides my mom are scowling and pouting. I brush pass the pissing crew on our venture towards mums car, my shoulder knocking into Aria's. I hear her gasp but I don't look back, continuing my stomp to the parking lot.

"You coming, Tuck?" Mum questions.

"Nope, catching a ride with Aria." He grumpily replies. Despite his tone, I am thankful. Tucker would make the entire ride home unbearable, so would Aria.