“Toby Michaels”—she jabs her finger in Toby’s direction—“is more than just a liar. He’s…he’s…”
Maybe even she can’t do something this horrible. I silently pray she’ll come to her senses. That she’ll realize this goes beyond anything she’s ever done, into unforgivable territory.
Mr. Rollar pulls her away from the microphone, but she continues to yell. “He got me to sleep with him, and then he dumped me. He used me. For sex. That’s the kind of person Toby Michaels really is.”
Oh my God. My stomach drops as she says the words to seal Toby’s fate. It could’ve been worse. She could’ve accused him of rape, but she didn’t. She just made him out to be an asshole instead. The gymnasium is dead silent. Toby shakes his head, but he doesn’t say a word. I look at him and move toward the microphone.
“My turn,” I tell Meredith.
“No. She’s just as bad as he is. They’re both trying to ruin me. Becca assaulted me at Tori’s party, and she tried to punch me at school the other day too.”
I want to do more than just punch her right now, but if I attack her, everyone will think she’s the one who’s telling the truth. I ignore her and grab the microphone instead, ripping it off its stand on the podium before one of the teachers can stop me.
“Do you want to know the truth?”
“Miss Daniels, give me that microphone and take a seat,” Davidson says.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not giving up this microphone until everyone hears what I have to say. Meredith is lying.”
“No, I’m not!” she shrieks.
Mr. Rollar still has a good grip on her, and this time he doesn’t look like he’s going to let her go. He nods for me to continue. That’s interesting, but then again, he’s always liked Toby and it’s clear I’m about to defend him.
“I did something really stupid. I went behind my best friend’s back and dated her brother. I broke her trust, and I lost her because of it. I don’t blame her for hating me. I hate myself for hurting her. But I’m in love with Toby Michaels. I know the kind of person he is.”
“A liar!” Meredith screams.
“How dare you?” I whip around and stare at Meredith, microphone still in my hand. “You couldn’t handle Toby breaking up with you so you forced him to pretend to date you just so you could be the one to end it. You blackmailed both of us, and then when people started making comments about him and me dating, you couldn’t take it so you made up this story about him forcing you to sleep with him. You’re pathetic. You’re the lowest form of life there is to make up something so destructive.” I turn back to the crowd. “She’s lying about all of it because she’s worried about her reputation. Toby would never pressure any girl into sex. He’s not like that.”
“That’s enough, Miss Daniels,” Davidson says, finally yanking the microphone from my hands.
“Hold on,” Tori says, stepping down from the bleachers and walking toward Davidson. “I have something to say.” By the look on her face, I think this is going to be even worse than what Meredith has done.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“This isn’t open mic night, Ms. Michaels,” Vice Principal Davidson says.
Tori holds her phone up to him so he can read the screen. “I know the truth, and seeing as I hate Meredith and Toby, I think I’m a pretty objective bystander.”
Davidson nods and hands her the microphone, surprising everyone.
“What?” Meredith cries. “We were hanging out. What do you mean you hate me?”
“What can I say? I learned how to sneak around and lie by watching my brother and my best friend.” She glares at Toby and me. “Apparently, I’m very convincing. Anyway, I’ll read you all a text message Meredith sent me this morning. It should clear up a few things.” She holds up her phone, reading from the screen. “‘Can’t wait to see the look on Toby’s face if he doesn’t go through with it and dump Becca. I’ll make everyone think he uses girls for sex and dumps them like yesterday’s trash.’”
Those are pretty much exactly the words Meredith used when she told us what she was going to do.
“How could you?” Meredith asks Tori. “You hate him. After what he did to you, you should want to bury him too.”
“One thing I’ve learned from all this is lies always catch up to you in the end.” Tori hands the microphone back to Davidson. “Don’t they, Becca?”
“Tori, I’m sorry,” I say loud enough for everyone to hear. “I can’t make up for what I’ve done, but I’m so sorry.”
She turns and looks at me. “So am I.” She walks out of the gym, and as much as I want to follow her, I know I have to stay to make sure Toby’s okay.
Davidson holds the microphone in front of Meredith. “Would you like to retract anything you said, Ms. Ackles? I think it might be in your best interest to set the record straight. Wrongfully accusing someone of something this severe will result in suspension at the very least.”
She glares at me. “Fine. Here’s the truth. Toby was too much of an idiot to realize I was his best option.”
I rush to Toby’s side and wrap my arms around him. He pulls me close and kisses the side of my head. “I can’t believe Tori saved us like that,” I say.
“I can,” he says, and I realize he’s right. She’s never once let me down. Even now, after I hurt her, she still had my back, and Toby’s.
Davidson brings the microphone to his mouth. “All right. I think that’s enough pep for one rally. Everyone is dismissed.”
After detention, we head to Toby’s house to find Tori. This has to end now. She’s in the kitchen when we walk inside. She eyes us for a moment and goes back to pouring popcorn into a bowl.
“Why did you do it?” I ask.
“You think I want people to think my brother is a complete ass when it comes to girls?”
“You can say that, but I know it’s not the reason.”
Toby sits down at the center island. “Whatever your reason, thanks. I owe you big time.”
“Yeah, you do.”
“Tori—”
“We’re not okay, Becca. What I said doesn’t change anything.”
“I know.”
“But you were right about one thing. I wouldn’t have allowed you two to date.” She shrugs. “You chose him. I have to deal with that, and you have to deal with the consequences.”
“So, you’re saying you can’t ever forgive me?”
She shrugs again. “Maybe. I don’t really know.”
“You’re dating my best friend, you know,” Toby says.
“What’s your point?”
“Why the double standard? You can date Ryder, but I can’t date Becca? Not exactly fair.”
“Had you said that before you two started secretly dating, I might have seen your point.”
“She’s right. We messed up.” I look at Tori. “I can keep apologizing, but it’s not going to make things right. Just know I’m here if you ever want to try giving me another chance, but I’ll be with Toby. I can’t give him up. I’m sorry, but I can’t.”
“I know. I saw the way you stood up for him.”
“Did you happen to see the way she confessed and apologized to you in front of the whole school too?” Toby asks.
“I did. But that doesn’t make me trust you again, Becca. Or you, Toby.”
“I know.” I stare into her eyes, begging her to see a glimpse of her former best friend. “I messed up, and I need to earn back your trust. But I will. I’m not going to stop trying to be your friend. I’ve known you all my life.”
“I guess I didn’t really expect you to stop trying. That’s the only reason I’m talking to you now—because I think you really are sorry. And maybe one day you’ll even prove I can trust you again.” She takes the bowl of popcorn upstairs.
I sigh. It wasn’t what I was hoping for, but it’s a start. “Do you think she means it? Do you think she’ll forgive me over time?”
“I think she needs you. She has Ryder, but who knows how long that will last. You’re her best friend.” He pulls me over to him so I’m standing between his bent legs. He leans his head back and looks up at me. “You’re my best friend too, you know.”
I lower my lips to his. “I know. Nothing would make me happier than having you and Tori for my best friends.”
“And boyfriend,” he adds. I smile and kiss him again. Just a soft kiss. He wraps his arms around me. “Give her time, and don’t stop trying.”