The Boy and His Ribbon (The Ribbon Duet 1)

I didn’t understand what the hell was going on, and Della refused to make eye contact with me.

I’d been forgotten about as Tom gulped and hung his head. “It was me, Ms. Sapture. I started it. I wanted to make life difficult for Della.”

The principal gave him a harsh stare. “What do you mean?”

“I mean…” He flinched as Della dug her nails harder into him. “Della and I were going out, but then she dumped me, and I got jealous and made up the lie that she broke up with me because she was in love with her brother.”

Holy shit.

I stumbled backward, dragging a hand over my mouth.

Della flicked me a glance, then fixed her stare back on the principal. “As you can see, Ms. Sapture, my brother is as horrified by this as I was. I couldn’t think of a more terrible thing to say.” She glowered at Tom beside her. “Jealousy makes us do strange things.”

Ms. Sapture slowly sat down in her chair, her witch-hunt game-face fading in favour of the truth. The only truth. That Della and I weren’t blood, but we were family through and through.

Aren’t we?

Della let Tom go but not without a heated, warning look. “So you admit it? You and Tina have been spreading lies about me?”

Tom gritted his teeth as if he wanted to argue but nodded stiffly. “Yes.”

“And you have no evidence to back up this lie? No photo or video revealing the vile things you said?” Della’s eyes glittered a ruthless blue. Her blue hair matched, contrasting with the auburn and browns of her school uniform.

“None.” He blew out, his tall frame sinking. “I made it all up.”

Della crossed her arms, nodding once at Ms. Sapture. “You see? Stupid student gossip. I don’t know why it started, but it’s over now. Not a word of it was true and I’m sorry to waste your time.”

Ms. Sapture looked put out, struggling to get control of the situation that Della had so successfully commandeered. Finally, she waved at the door with bored impatience. “I’ll accept your explanation for now, Ms. Wild. However, I wasn’t born yesterday, and I’ve been around enough students to understand rumours usually start from some kernel of truth.” Her gaze found mine as she leaned forward almost in a threat. “One more sniff of such a thing and I’m calling CPS, regardless of your dramatics.”

I glowered back, refusing to let her intimidate me.

Della brushed past me, opening the door and letting Tom step out before her.

“Oh, and one more thing, Ms. Wild,” Ms Sapture clipped. “I want that colour gone by tomorrow, do you hear me?”

Della didn’t answer, and with a flick of blue motioned for me to follow her.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

DELLA

* * * * * *

Present Day

I KNOW, I know.

I was stupid. Incredibly stupid. So stupid it almost meant we were separated again, but if it hadn’t have been for detention with my blue hair, I would never have heard the rumour until it was too late.

I’d been under the illusion that Tom was trustworthy, and my minor slip after our kiss didn’t bother him too much—not enough to tell people about. Yes, were dating, but he was wanted by a lot of girls, and I was nothing special.

Saying the wrong name after kissing him had been my error, but I’d apologised and believed him when he said it didn’t matter. I stupidly accepted his assurances and didn’t think anything more on it.

Turns out, he started making out with Tina, my so-called best friend, and she decided to rat on me. We’d gotten close over the few years, Tina and I, close enough for me to slip occasionally and reveal things I shouldn’t about me and Ren.

I never came out and said I wanted him or that I was in love with him, but I supposed she read between the lines.

And yes, I know you’re calling me names, and I totally accept them because it was idiotic to confide in someone, but…I had no one to talk to. No one to help settle my nerves every time the overwhelming desire to kiss Ren pounced on me. No one to be a shoulder to cry on when the wanting became too painful. And no one to offer advice on how to move past such a horrible situation and just accept that things would never change between us.

All I told Tina was there was a boy I liked.

A boy who liked me but not in the same way.

When she asked if it was one of Ren’s friends, I hesitated. Tying Ren’s name into any of this was dangerous but making it be an older guy who was no longer at school and who couldn’t be researched made sense.

So I gave in.

I found myself spinning a tale of unrequited love with one of Ren’s friends—not that he had any—and how I’d kissed him once but that was it.