chapter 3

Okay, so Stan gave me some time to think about his offer. I didn't know if I should do it. It was wrong. It was deceitful. It was not something I would ever do. Or at least I thought I wouldn't.

"Stan," I said lowly. I felt like a criminal. I was essentially agreeing to be an extortionist.

"Have you made your decision?"

"I don't know..."

"It's up to you...I'm sure Kurt would help me." Kurt? I couldn't let Kurt take my place. He was so...ugh.

"I...I'll do it."

"Good." Stan looked at me. "Plus, you'll get something you want too." Oh, but it was wrong! Was it really worth it if I had to hurt people in the process to get it?

"But it's not right Stan," I said.

"You said you would help."

"But it won't work unless Lucas isn't the perfect boyfriend."

"That's why we have to make it look like he isn't." He narrowed his eyes on me. "It's just espionage, not rocket science."

"Okay..." I had to know. "How do you know Lucas is into guys? How does anyone know that?"

"Oh, that's old news. Everyone knows that."

"Uh, I don't."

"In ninth grade he made out with Kurt Von Kimmel at a party. He was pretty drunk."

"Stan...do you honestly believe that makes him bi? Does anyone believe that?"

"He's never denied it, and he's always had that bi feel, no?"

"You're an idiot!" I was willing to do something wrong for a rumor!? I was scum.

"It's your best shot Roman. I'm sure Kurt would do it. I can always ask him."

"No!" I couldn't lose Lucas to Kurt. "I'll do it! I said I'll do it."

I saw Lucas walk out of the locker room. Violet Brown was crying as she walked pass. She was the captain of the cheerleading squad. She was almost as pretty as Dianna. Stan promised Violet a larger budget for the squad if she got Lucas to do something someone in a relationship shouldn't do. I had to get the photo to Dianna.

"Violet, what's the matter?" he asked.

"Oh Lucas!" she bellowed. "It's just AWWWWFUL." Holy Shit! She was a bad actress.

"What's awful?"

"I...I didn't get my period." Lucas' face flushed bright red.

"Well, uh..."

"I could use a friend right now." Stan was at an angle to get a photograph.

"Okay, I can be a friend." No Lucas! I wanted to scream. It was wrong. I wanted Lucas for myself, but it was wrong.

He walked over to her and gave her a hug. She moved her body into a way to make it all the more romantic. For a slight moment his hands grazed her butt and I knew Stan got the picture.

We finished and made our way to an empty classroom. I looked at the picture. Damn that girl was good at making something innocent look downright slutty. I wished I was Violet. I wished Lucas' strong arms were wrapped around me. I would love to feel his belly press into me. I had to get it into Dianna's locker.

Wrestling practice had just ended. I heard they were going to all hang out together at some pizza place. It was Friday. The student council was having its executive meeting and I could get the picture to Dianna before they went home for the weekend. I dashed to her locker and shoved it in.

I wanted a crowbar so I could take it back, but it was too late.

"Let me grab my books!" Dianna strutted down the hall like it was a runway. She entered her combination. She opened her locker. The picture fell face down onto the ground. She picked it up and stared at it. "Violet..." I heard her grumble. "What a goddam tramp." She threw her books into her bag and pulled out her phone. "Lucas, we need to talk."

That Monday everyone knew about Lucas and how he broke Dianna's heart. Lucas didn't even try to deny it.