Chapter 68: School Day

- Molly's POV-

I sat in the front seat of Scott's sports car and stared at the tiny receipt in my hands. It wasn't a terribly important one. Just a piece of paper proclaiming that Scott had bought himself a small coffee from a well-known fast food place at some point in the last week.
I had found it discarded on the front seat when I opened the door to slide in. I must have read every inch of it at least ten times without absorbing any information until the last few times of going over it. My mind raced through everything that could be said once Scott finally joined me in his car.
Would he talk about last night? Make up some lame excuse why he didn't say anything? Or would he just pretend like nothing had happened? There was also the need to consider what I wanted him to say. I couldn't say which one I wanted more.
I didn't know... if I was being honest with myself. Worse, I didn't know which scenario I was more afraid of.
I was so deep in thought that the sound of the car door opening made me jump and let out a startled squeak.
"Sorry," Scott said with an amused chuckle. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's okay. I was just deep in thought," I replied.
"Feel like sharing?’’ he offered.
Absolutely not! I thought to myself silently. "Not much to share. Can we get going? I don't want to be late."
Scott raised an eyebrow at me but just nodded and started the car. I stared out the window as he drove, still fiddling with the tiny receipt. My mind still played our imaginary conversations over and over again. Despite my desire to bring the imaginary conversations into reality just so I would know what he would say, I wasn't brave enough to say anything.
"Molly, you can't ignore me forever," Scott finally spoke up.
"I'm not ignoring you, Scott," I lied, my voice raising an octave higher.
"Don't. Don't do that, Molly," he warned. "We need to discuss this, and honesty is the only way to do that."
"I think everything that needed to be said... was," I said coldly.
"Molly-"
The piercing shrill of Scott's cell phone interrupted his admonishment. We both glared at the offending metal box. I felt relieved and annoyed by being saved by the bell. I could read the caller's name on the screen as plain as day.
It was the name of Scott's secretary. She was a curvy redhead with an inviting smile and smoldering eyes that always seemed to linger on Scott for a little too long. Which was something that never failed to irritate me. Her name was Francesca, and she didn't abide by any nicknames. She always made sure to let everyone she met know that.
Scott reached over and hit the answer button, allowing the overly sweet, all too fake, southern twang to fill the car.
"Mr. Monroe," she purred. "Your pa wanted me to call ya and see if y'all can get together for a bit of lunch today, and I plumb forgot."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes as she spoke. Francesca was not smart enough to understand that it takes more than an overuse of southern colloquialism to make one a genuine southern belle.
"Yeah, I'm sure we can set some time aside for that. Put it on the calendar and make the reservations," Scott told her.
Francesca quickly agreed, but before Scott could hang up she launched into a detailed discussion about Scott's schedule for the day. Their conversation lasted throughout the rest of the ride to the school. I didn't even look at him as I flung the door open and left him to the semi-flirtatious conversation with his secretary.
I stomped through the courtyard, snarling and practically baring my teeth at anyone that dared to say hello. I whispered snide insults towards a certain woman(and man) who seemed determined to drive me crazy.
I was content to swim through the storm over my head and drown in misery until I saw Becca. She looked like the physical representation of my internal conflict.
The moment Becca saw me, desperation filled her eyes, and she reminded me of a scared doe ready to run. As soon as the thought floated through my head, Becca raced over and grabbed my arm like it was her only lifeline.
"I need to go home," she croaked out. "Now!"
I didn't argue with her as I grabbed her things, and we raced outside. I had no idea what was going on, nor did I care. My best friend was upset and almost looked like someone had attacked her. Not only was I worried about her, but I felt rage starting to simmer in the pit of my stomach. Someone had hurt Becca, and I was not about to let them get away with it.
By the time I managed to grab our stuff and get a hold of Scott, Becca had disappeared from the front of the school.
"Damn it!" I snapped as I gathered our things to hunt her down.
Becca couldn't have gotten far. At least I hoped she was on foot, but I couldn't stop all the horrible scenarios that rushed through my head when I couldn't find her.
Just as I made it to the sidewalk, Scott was pulling up. He barely had the car in park before he threw the door open and rushed over to me.
"Molly! Are you alright?" he asked frantically, looking me over as if to find evidence of an injury.
My heart melted slightly. Despite how angry I was at Scott, it warmed my heart to see how deeply he cared for me. When I had called, he hadn't hesitated to turn around to come to get me, even though I knew he had a meeting in ten minutes.
"I'm fine, Scott. It's Becca. I don't know what happened, but she looks awful. Something happened, and I'm worried about her. I need to get her home," I told him as I looked up and down the road, trying to spot her.
I caught sight of a familiar car as it pulled hastily to the side of the road. Noah jumped out of the vehicle a second later and raced toward the sidewalk. He quickly became obscured by a giant bush, but I knew exactly who was behind those leaves with him.
Becca.
I raced towards her, leaving Scott to follow in the car. Becca came into view, and she looked almost like she was shrinking away from him, which bothered me even more.
"Becca!" I called to her.
The sense of relief on her face was evident even before I made it up to her. I saw Scott pull up on the other side of the street and race toward us. I reached out for his keys, which he handed me without hesitation.
Wrapping my arms around Becca's shoulders, I hurried her towards Scott's car, leaving Scott to speak to Noah.
"I'll be right back, hon," I told her softly.
Becca didn't answer, which did not help my concerns at all. I hurried toward Scott and Noah, stepping into the midst of a serious conversation.
"I'm telling you, Scott. She looked terrified, as if she was afraid someone would jump her. I want to know what is going on and whose ass I need to kick," Noah growled as his eyes flashed with rage.
A humorless smile touched my lips as I silently echoed Noah's sentiment and was only sorry I couldn't help him.