The Arrangement

Argument

The 'fight' that went down was being replayed over and over in front of Tyler. I kept my gaze on the table and Victoria was going off about it. Tyler had yet to say a word but his parents sure shared their opinion.

I was equally at fault. That was the verdict currently.

No one had asked for my side of the story yet, but Tyler was watching the video for the sixth time now. I'd been counting. Jake was sitting at the other end of the table, grinning. He kept sending me stupid texts.

I'm proud of you
Way to fight like a girl
Victoria had it coming
You stepped out of your bubble
You looked really hot in that video
Stop ignoring me

I was continually shooting him glances to tell him to stop but he wouldn't. So I just kept trying to ignore his stare. Tyler was now on his eighth time watching it.

"How many times do you have to watch it before you'll say something?" Victoria demands. She had a black eye and that was only because when we fell my hands came up and her eye was in the way. Her lip was busted and I think she twisted her ankle. I didn't raise a fist to her but she ended up more hurt than I was.

All the guys there thought it had been fantastic. I think all the unidentified numbers blowing up my phone were those boys. I blocked them. Tyler pauses the video and slowly looks up at Victoria. She's angry.

"I will watch this as many times as it takes Jasmine to get angry." He says lowly. Victoria's face goes white. Tyler's parents were silent as they watched the exchange. "All I know Victoria, is that Jasmine doesn't get angry quickly. She doesn't patronize people because she can. Jasmine can get along with anyone." Tyler's eyes stare straight into Victoria and she takes an involuntary step backwards.

"I didn't do anything to her! I was nice." She says it quickly, scraping the bottom of the pan for something to defend herself.

"Is that true?" Andrea asks. Tyler's mother was getting angry with Victoria, so when she asked me her tone infliction was harsh. I reminded myself that her anger was not at me.

"Yes, Victoria was nice." I murmur through a busted lip, my only 'major' injury. Other than that I just had a bruise from where Victoria grabbed me. Andrea frowns and looks to Tyler. Richard looks me over.

"To who?" Jake asks. Everyone's eyes move to him and I silently beg him not to keep questioning me. "Who was Victoria nice to?" Jake continues.

Tyler looks at me, waiting for an answer. I wasn't going to snitch on Victoria, even though she didn't know I knew.

"I don't have an explanation for my actions but-" I begin.

"Lies!" Tyler slams his fist on the table and Jake jumps. I was expecting it. Tyler's anger was now directed at me and my throat closed. "I know you're not to blame. So explain! Defend yourself!" He demands. I can't speak.

"Oh, so this is all my fault?" Victoria snaps from across the table. She's infuriated with Tyler's recent statement but her eyes are blazing on me. "I was nothing but nice to her all day!" My eyes hold hers at that statement and she knows what I want to say. "Oh my gosh with Trent? That's what set you off?" She sits herself down and Tyler closes his eyes.

"Victoria."

"Tyler." Victoria mimics, taking on a childish tactic. I look back at the table.

"Alright, Victoria, since I've heard your story five times already, you won't mind Jasmine saying her side of the story. Because apparently you're innocent." Tyler isn't taunting her, but it feels like he is. Victoria goes to protest. "Or is there something you need to add to your story?" He offers a way for her to fess up. She doesn't take the bait.