Page 39 of My Rules for Revenge (Twisted YA Mysteries #1)

Eddy swiftly pushed the backpack from the desk onto the floor and tried putting it out with his feet.

Jacob and Manny grabbed water bottles and poured them on top of it.

I pulled the fire alarm, and it started blaring.

Soon after that, the sprinklers were activated.

We all got wet as we rushed out of the room.

Once we were in the hallway, every single class was lining up and quickly walking out of the school while the teachers guided them.

I thought back to what I’d done. I fully acknowledged that it was pretty crazy, but I was burning with anger inside, no pun intended.

I prepared myself mentally for the inevitable consequences as I walked out of the school.

Everyone who was in the school gathered outside in the courtyard.

A fire truck was parked out front, and a crew of firefighters was inspecting inside.

Principal Newman was waiting outside with us, and he was sweating up a storm.

He began talking to a few students to make sure they knew what the fire protocols were.

He actually stopped, dropped, and rolled to demonstrate.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. This was the man—this was the fathead who was supposed to be our fearless and inspirational leader.

I quietly waited with Vivian to return to the school. I told her what happened and what I had done. She was understandably very surprised but happy that I was okay.

“Hey, can I talk to you?”

I turned and saw Eddy. He looked concerned. I hesitated for a few seconds before I softly nodded. I walked with him towards a grassy spot under a tree, away from the crowd of students.

“First off, are you alright? You didn’t get hurt, right?” Eddy asked.

“No, no. I’m okay,” I assured him.

“Okay, good,” Eddy sighed.

“Are you alright?” I asked.

“Yeah, I’m good,” Eddy replied.

“Good. So, what did you want to talk about?” I asked.

“Look, I don’t want to tell you I told you so.”

“Really!” I scoffed.

“Look at what happened. You’ve become so destructive. You smashed Jacob’s computer and set his backpack on fire. You set it on fire . I don’t know about you, but I think you’ve gone way too far,” Eddy stated.

“Too far? Nah. I’ll never forget what he did to me. You wouldn’t understand,” I assured.

“You’re right, I don’t. It didn’t happen to me, but I still don’t think that what you’re doing will end well. It hasn’t so far,” Eddy pointed out.

“You know he tried to frame you, right? He tried to say that you were the one who leaked my nudes and Indira’s nudes. I never would have guessed that Indira would be the type to send those kinds of pictures. Also, those texts are just…weird. Did you ever hook up with Indira?”

“No, absolutely not. We never got together like that. We were acquaintances. That was it,” Eddy assured me.

“Oh, alright then,” I replied.

“Trust me, I don’t like what happened in the auditorium. I was framed, and your pictures were leaked again. It was very messed up, and I know that part of what you did to Jacob was to get revenge for me,” Eddy remarked.

“Then what’s the problem?”

“It couldn’t have been Jacob,” Eddy said with certainty.

“Of course, it was him. Who else would it have been?” I asked.

“I’m not sure, but I think he had nothing to do with it. I don’t think he deserved what you did to him,” Eddy added.

“Why the hell do you keep saying that? He does deserve it,” I asserted.

My blood began to boil, and I shoved him in frustration.

“I talked to him, Heather. He feels bad about what he’s done. He seems genuine.”

“He’s lying to you. There’s no way in hell he’s sorry. He’s certified garbage,” I affirmed.

“After everything that’s happened to him, I don’t think it’s that crazy to think he feels sorry,” Eddy explained.

“I do. That’s insane.”

“I’m telling you he wasn’t involved. It doesn’t make sense. Why would he try to frame me for leaking your nudes and for leaking those obviously fake texts?” Eddy asked.

“I don’t know. He has the brain of a sheep. He probably knew we had a thing and wanted to ruin it by apparently exposing you,” I explained.

“It doesn’t add up, Heather, and you know it.”

“Even if he wasn’t directly involved, he could have sent Carlos and Manny to do it. So, it’s his fault anyway,” I assured him.

“What if he doesn’t want to be like them anymore? What if he wants to really change?” Eddy asked.

“No! What are you saying? That’s impossible. He’s a parasite who feeds off his own cruelty. I can’t believe you’re on his side.”

“I’m not on his side, Heather. I’m on yours. That’s the only reason why I’m trying to end this!” Eddy exclaimed.

“Why?”

“Jesus, Heather, because I like you. I want a serious relationship with you. I don’t want this insane feud to be in the way of that. I want it gone, but if you don’t want that, then so be it. I’ve done and said all that I can. I don’t know what else to do,” Eddy said in frustration.

“Stop talking to Jacob. That’s what you should do,” I suggested.

“You’re impossible.”

Eddy slowly turned and walked away. It almost felt like a piece of my heart cracked when he left.

I couldn’t believe that he tried to get me to forgive Jacob for what he had done.

A few moments later, Principal Newman angrily stomped over to me and asked me to follow him.

Dang it, here we go, I thought to myself. The consequences were upon me.

Once we got to his office, Principal Newman told me to wait outside.

He talked to the others who were involved first. I was last. Once he ushered me in, he lectured me about the vital importance of safety and how I had recklessly endangered the many lives that were at the school.

I would’ve rather been placed inside a tumbling dryer at maximum capacity for nine hours.

“Now, I’ve spoken to Jacob Boruta, Carlos Estrada, Eddy Chavez, and Manny Gomez. I’ve gotten their side of the story. They all said the same thing except Eddy. You smashed Jacob’s computer and set his backpack on fire. So, I know you did it,” Principal Newman assured.

“Wait a minute. What did Eddy say?”

“He said it was a big blur and doesn’t remember anything. I think he’s lying to protect you, but it’s fine. Young lady, you’re in big trouble anyway.”

“What do you have to say about what happened in the auditorium?” I asked.

“What? What about that? We’re not discussing that right now.”

“They showed nude pictures of underage girls on a projector screen in the auditorium in front of hundreds of students. I was one of those girls. I want to discuss that right now,” I demanded.

“That will be thoroughly investigated, don’t you worry. That process is happening as we speak.”

“Really? I have a hard time believing you now since last time, nothing was done,” I replied.

“Rest assured, something will be done, and it is being investigated.”

“In that case, you should investigate Jacob Boruta, Carlos Estrada, and Manny Gomez. They were all involved in that. Your case is closed,” I assured him.

“You will know of the findings of that case when the school board finishes its investigation. You have my word. I know your photographs were involved, and there will be justice served if need be.”

“Yeah, I don’t believe you— if need be,” I scoffed. Are you freaking serious?”

“I don’t care if you don’t believe me because that’s exactly what’s happening.”

He glared at me as I rolled my eyes in my head. I didn't believe him one bit—he was just being political.

“If you say so.”

“We’re moving along now. You need to understand that your actions have consequences. What you did was absolutely unacceptable. You’re lucky you’re not expelled.”

“You’re not expelling me?”

“No, I am not. Look, I understand the psychological turmoil you’ve been through, and contrary to what you may believe, I do have sympathy.”

“You’re right. That is contrary to what I believe,” I affirmed.

“I’m suspending you for a month.”

“Holy cow, a month?” I asked.

“Yes, Heather. That’s not all. I’m giving you one hundred hours of community service that must be completed before you graduate.”

“One hundred hours? Are you insane? When will I have time to do all that? That has to constitute cruel and unusual punishment,” I pointed out.

“You set off the sprinklers and made the firemen drive over here in a frenzy. Do I have to give you the lecture about safety again? You seriously put many lives in jeopardy. I hope you understand that.”

“So, Jacob Boruta can leak my nudes all over social media, and you don’t even blink. I set a little backpack on fire, and you suddenly lose your mind?”

“Fires are not to be joked about, and you know that violence is strictly prohibited on school grounds.”

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t know that. I’ll make a note of that in my noggin: ‘Principal Newman officially says that fires are not to be joked about,’ ” I said in a mocking tone.

“Heather, I’m not in the mood for games.”

“You’re just a clown. I hope your wife finds out that you cheated on her!” I exclaimed.

“That’s enough, Heather!”

Principal Newman slammed the desk so hard with his hand that it left a red mark on his palm.

The force was so strong that his glasses flew off his head.

He breathed heavily and looked at me with the eyes of a crazed madman.

I looked back at him with the eyes of a crazed madwoman.

I slowly got up and dared to challenge him.

I placed an open palm on the edge of his desk and examined all the papers, folders, and knick-knacks he had on it.

“If you move an inch of anything on my desk, I’ll give you five hundred hours of community service. You can mark my words.”

I stayed silent for several moments as I felt a giant lump forming in my throat. My skin was on fire, and I was shaking with an unbelievable amount of anger. I didn’t like it when people yelled at me like that. I quickly took my hand away.

“Fine. I won’t do anything, but I will tell you one thing. Every single bad thing you’ve done in your life will come back to haunt you. It won’t come from me, but it will come. I promise you.”

He remained quiet as I stormed out.