I know you know, everything
I know you didn't mean it
I know you didn't mean it...
What if you had a once in a lifetime chance to do something so unthinkable, yet so remarkable, you knew you wouldn't be able to resist? No matter how many people you hurt, or how much your life changed after the fact?
Well, that was the decision I faced one chilly October evening.
It was getting cooler and the festival was dying down by the time I decided to walk home. I was done watching Jo treat Danny like a king and me like a peasant. If I couldn't get through to her, no one could. Even though my feet were killing me, I knew if I didn't get home by ten I was dead. It was a school night and I was barely ever allowed out of the house anyway. Jo had said her father could drive me home, but if I had accepted the offer, I never would have gotten the opportunity to flip Green Grove High School on its head.
There they were, in a tight embrace, their lips moving heatedly together. Goodness, I thought, get a room for crying out loud! Anyone could walk past and see. When they didn't immediately stop, I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture. It was kind of dark so the quality wasn't top notch, but I could definitely do some editing in Picasa. As they moved apart, I quickened my pace. I hoped they hadn't seen. I didn't dare look over my shoulder as I heard Lacey asking if he'd heard something.
I couldn't believe it. Danny and Lacey, who would have thought? Now I had the proof. All I had to do was show Jo who her knight in shining armor really was. Then she might rethink abandoning me for him. I know I sound like a jealous brat, but who did Danny think he was? Swooping in as a child criminal, only to steal my best friend who he hadn't had any contact with in half a decade? I'd be a dead man before I allowed him to break Jo's heart all over again.
The phone glowed bright in my hand. It hurt my eyes to stare at it in the dark, but I had to make sure it was really them. Two jet black heads basically fused together. His arms wrapped around her waist, her fingers tangled in his hair. This was unbelievable.
Slowly, a grin crept across my lips. Not ten minutes ago, I was basically mad at the world. Now I had more than enough reasons to smile.
/
Once at home, I entered through the back door and raced upstairs to my room. I dove onto my bed and grabbed my laptop from the nightstand. I connected my phone to its USB cord and plugged it into my laptop.
As soon as the photo had been uploaded, I clicked the Picasa icon. I brightened the picture, adjusted the contrast, and gave it a thick, white border.
A flashbulb suddenly went off in my mind. I wasn't just going to show Jo; I could out them to the entire school! Lacey would be pushed off her pedestal, losing her boyfriend in the process. Danny would become even more of a pariah than he already was. This was too good to be true.
I had to get to school at least thirty minutes early tomorrow so I could make around one hundred copies. Tonight was my lucky night! I was going to go from zero to hero because of a picture of two people playing tonsil hockey.
Rico Suave, indeed.
/
There was an extremely outdated copy machine by the teacher's lounge that only charged a penny per copy. I knew it would take longer than the newer, high efficiency models in the library. However, if I wanted to remain anonymous, I was going to have to sacrifice my time.
I had to make the copies and be my own look out, which wasn't an easy job. Since the building opened for students at 7:30, I had to be the first one in the door. As the clock edged closer and closer to eight, I pulled my hood over my head and stacked the copies into a neat pile. Once I had made one hundred copies, I inserted a dollar bill and ducked into the hallway.
Classes didn't begin until 8:15, but I couldn't post the pictures all over school in only fifteen minutes. Plus, the hallways were starting to fill up pretty quickly. I either had to skip first period or wait until lunch to do the dirty work.
As I made my way to my locker, the sound of my phone chiming startled me. If anyone found out what I was about to do, I would be ruined. It was a text from Jo. Can we talk? It read. Not now, I'm busy. I replied hastily. I still had a bad taste in my mouth from last night's revelations. At least now I had all the power in my hands. I was going to kill more than two birds with one stone. Lacey would be labeled a slut, Jo would realize why she shouldn't trust Danny and never should have in the first place, and Archie, well…Archie was bound to do some serious damage. Plus, all of Lacey's little friends would no longer want to associate with her. And me? Well, I didn't even have to reveal myself. Pictures are worth more than a thousand words these days.
/
As soon as the bell signaling the end of third period sounded, I was the first one out the door. I had the copies and the tape in my backpack. After the halls cleared out, I was going to make my move.
"Rico?" Jo approached me. "What are you doing?"
"Ahem. I just, uh, I was about to…" I shoved the copies and the tape back in my bag. "The Mathletes have to do another fundraiser. You know, because of what your friend did at the festival."
"You're posting ads now? What about lunch?"
"Go on without me. Wait, I mean, aren't you eating with your new best friend?" I stared her down head on, daring her to cross me again.
"Not cool, Rico," she spat, turning away. "Get back to me when you stop acting like such a girl!"
As soon as she disappeared around the corner, I taped the first picture to Lacey's locker. Then I began to tape one onto every locker in sight.
I filled up almost every inch of empty wall with a picture. Then I decided to head outside and post some on the front and side doors of the school. Next was the gym, a few other hallways, and finally, the double doors leading into the cafeteria.
It was pretty full, but I had my hood pulled tightly over my head and I kept looking over my shoulder to make sure no one saw me.
After all one hundred copies were posted, my arms were feeling extremely tired. I collapsed onto the patio where some students were eating lunch, waiting for someone to notice the picture on the door.
"What's up, Rico?" I turned around, all the color draining from my face. It was Archie and Scott.
"What?" Why were these guys speaking to me? How in the hell did they even know my name? Did they know what I had done? But how, I mean, I was positive no one saw me putting up all those pictures….
"Have you seen my girlfriend anywhere around here?" Archie rolled his soccer ball down his arm and then passed it over to Scott, who headbutted it right into my lap.
"Why would I know where Lacey is?" I scoffed, desperately trying to maintain my cool.
"Whatever man, who needs you anyway?" Archie and Scott stalked off, leaving me to wipe the sweat from my brow and try to collect myself.
I stood up and walked into the cafeteria, hoping to find Jo. Much to my chagrin, I bumped into Danny instead.
"Whoa, Rico! Looking a little pale there, buddy." He smiled, and I wanted to sock him in the eye. Who did this idiot think he was, acting like we were friends?
"Feeling a little under the weather," I mumbled. "Just heading to the nurse's office."
"Feel better amigo." He clapped me on the shoulder and then walked towards the exit.
Then, I heard a blood curdling scream. The one I had been waiting for all afternoon. The scream I knew solidified all my hard work had paid off. I had to watch. Slowly, I turned and sat down at an empty table in the back.
Suddenly, the entire cafeteria was abuzz. "What the fuck is this, huh?" Archie gripped the paper in his hands, practically shoving it in Lacey's face. "What the fuck is this?" All went quiet as everyone stopped chatting and eating to watch the drama unfold.
Lacey whimpered, her shaky hands trying to wipe away forced tears. She didn't feel any remorse. When she had Danny's tongue down her throat, she looked…triumphant. As if Archie was right there watching, cheering her on.
"Archie, I don't know-"
"It's you in the fucking picture, Lacey! You with that fucking freak I told you to stay the fuck away from!"
"Calm down already!" Sarita shouted, stepping in between them. It looked like Lacey was actually crying real tears now.
"Not until she tells me what happened while all of us were out of town!" Archie threw the picture to the floor. "Is this what you do while I'm not around, Lacey? Make out with murderers in the street?" He pounded the table hard with his fist.
Scott clapped him on the shoulder and leaned in to whisper something to him. Phoebe and Sarita gathered their belongings as well as Lacey's and led her out of the cafeteria before Archie had another chance to make a scene. Little did they know, they were going to face another confrontation in the hallway.
I wondered where Danny had gone off to. Then I looked up and saw Jo glaring at me. It was as if she already knew. Maybe she did know. Who else had reason to do something like that? Certainly not a girl who wanted Archie for herself. The least obvious targets were nowhere to be found. So that pretty much left…me.
My phone chimed. What the hell Rico? I deleted Jo's text and rose to my feet, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.
I rushed out into the hallway to see what other damages had been done. Lacey was distraught. Then I saw Danny rush toward her. "What's going on? Why are pictures of us all over the school?"
"What are you talking about? You know that I-"
Scott and Archie came out into the hallway at that exact moment. I'm not even sure if Archie noticed all the pictures plastered over every visible surface along the hallway or Danny's stricken face first.
"Man, if you know what's good for you," he stepped closer, so they were nose to nose, "you would skip town now."
"Your relationship with Lacey is none of my business. And for the record, I didn't even do this."
"Then who did?" Sarita piped up. Lacey turned and ran.
"Lacey, don't." Danny ran to catch up with her, as did Phoebe.
"Watch your back, freak! I know where you live!" Archie shouted. He then began ripping all the pictures off the walls. If only he knew there were at least another fifty posted.
I smirked. The calm had already passed. This was the storm.
/
At the bike rack, after the last bell, Jo and Danny approached me.
"Rico, did you hear what happened?" Danny asked, looking more than a little defeated.
"I know exactly what happened," I said without looking at him, concentrating on unlocking my bike.
"Look, Rico. I don't know what happened the other night at the festival after you decided to walk home…." Jo let her words hang in the air, like she couldn't bear to think about completing her sentence.
"You think I did it?" I chuckled and shook my head. "Come on, Jo. You know me better than that."
"Do I, Rico?" Jo's eyes questioned me more than her voice did.
Danny turned away and sighed. "I have to figure out who did this."
"I mean, what's the big deal? It's not like you're making any friends here. Why does this even bother you?"
Both Jo and Danny were shocked, I knew, but I couldn't care less. This was what they both deserved. He needed to be hauled off to an actual jail this time and she definitely needed a reality check.
"I thought we were all friends."
"You're Jo's friend. So am I. When did we become friends?" At that, I hopped on my bike and rode off. They would put the pieces together eventually. Just not with my help.
/
I decided to skip the diner, figuring Jo and Danny would already be there when I showed up. Instead, I decided to head to the local library. Halfway there, my phone rang. It was Jo. Of course. I heaved a sigh and almost pressed ignore, but then at the last minute decided to answer it.
"Rico speaking."
"I want to talk to you. About today."
"Of course you do, Jo. You think I sabotaged your little trio."
"No, I just…do you know anything about who could have taken that picture?"
"Look, if your friends want to do soft core porn and advertise it at school, what am I supposed to do about it?"
"Rico! I can't believe you right now!"
"Look Jo, this is ridiculous."
"If you are, then what am I?"
"See, you're being immature."
"Don't turn this around on me, Rico. I know it was you."
"How are you going to prove it?"
"I'm sure the principal isn't too happy about it. This isn't something a future valedictorian would do now, is it?"
I swallowed hard. I hadn't thought this all the way through. What if she squealed? Would it go on my permanent record? I had to change the subject.
"You're just jealous," I sneered, knowing all too well how to pull Jo's heartstrings.
"What are you talking about?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about Jo. Danny was kissing Lacey in that picture. That didn't bother you at all? Not even the slightest bit?"
"Rico, I want to prove Danny's innocence. He's been my friend way longer than you have. What he does in his…personal life is…none of my business."
Yeah right. I knew Jo was feeling more than just disappointed for Danny, she was also disappointed in him. "Jo, it doesn't matter whether or not you're in love with him because obviously he's not in love with you." Our friendship wasn't important to her. She'd already all but chosen Danny over me.
Instantly, she hung up. I knew it. Jo was developing her first official crush…and it wasn't on me. She was going to pay just as much as her two lovebird friends were.
/
As I walked to school the next morning, I passed Danny's house just as he was stepping out the front door. He looked up and saw me, so I started running. Running usually equals guilt, but of course I couldn't outrun a madman.
"Rico! Hey!" He shouted, easily catching up to me.
I was panting as I slowed down, having barely ran to the end of his street. "Danny, hey. What's up, man?"
"Uh, nothing, just headed to school."
I gritted my teeth as I tried to regain control of my breathing. I couldn't avoid him now. I was going to have to improvise. "Shall we walk?"
"Lead the way."
We walked in silence the first few minutes, and then Danny stopped abruptly. "I know what you did."
"And what would that be?"
"You took that picture and decided to share it with everyone at school. Why? You could have just used facebook, twitter, tumblr, Instagram…."
"I don't use those websites, okay?" Shit. Shit. Shit. He trapped me. That cunning, conniving, clever criminal.
"Ah, so you did take the picture. Why Rico? What was in it for you?"
I swallowed and thought about breaking into a sprint. What was the use? Danny was already a star soccer player after being on the team for all of three weeks.
"You know what, Danny? Lots of things. I want Jo to stay away from you, don't you get it? You're poisonous. You suck the living daylight out of her. She's my friend, and I can't sit back and watch you do that to her."
"Somehow, I don't think you realize how much trouble you could get into." Danny studied me, waiting for my next move.
"Whatever. Tell whoever you want. They probably won't believe you anyway. I'm a nobody who spends all of his time studying and doesn't even have a facebook. But you? You're even more pathetic."
I left him standing there, because there was nothing left to do.
/
Sitting in homeroom, I wait for the morning announcements. The principal comes over the intercom, a rare occurrence.
"Good morning students of Green Grove High. As of late, there have been numerous disruptive behaviors flooding our usually peaceful institution. The latest incident has forced my staff and I to take drastic action."
I sunk further into my seat. "Thus, the staff and I have decided to block all social networking sites and disallow cell phone usage on campus. Anyone who violates this new rule will face suspension. We are also investigating each case separately, but the perpetrator or perpetrators of the video and picture fiascos will face dire consequences. Meanwhile, please rise for the pledge of allegiance."
As I stood up, I managed to knock all of my books over onto the floor. I placed my hand over my heart and recited the pledge along with the rest of the class, trying my best to keep from hyperventilating.
Jo leaned down to help me after the announcements ended. "Are you going to confess? Danny told me you two talked this morning."
"We didn't talk. He accused me and manipulated me into confessing to something I didn't do, Jo. Your friend is a sociopath."
Jo sighed and took her seat. I was glad she was finally letting it sink in. She still had time to extract herself from the situation.
/
On my way to lunch, I always take the long way. I enjoy walking through the deserted hallways because I fear crossing paths with the boisterous athletes who used to give me wedgies and push me against the lockers for fun. Today my long, lonely walks to lunch proved to be my lucky charm.
"I'm so sorry, Lacey." It was Danny's voice.
"Don't be." I hid behind a bank of lockers. When I thought it was safe, I peered around the corner.
He was rubbing his hand along her back, and although she was turned slightly away from him, she wasn't objecting. Boy, wonder what Archie would think of this?
"I'm trying my best to figure out who did this, okay?"
"It doesn't matter anymore. My reputation is ruined."
"Good thing I didn't have to worry about that in the first place." He chuckled. "Ah, good ol' high school."
"You wouldn't understand, Danny." She was standing apart from him now. "My boyfriend, my friends… they all hate me now. Ever since I told them all that it was me in the picture, kissing you of all people, they all flipped."
"I guess that explains why I saw Archie and Sarita holding hands in the hallway this morning."
"You're just making it worse."
"Lacey?" I peeked around again. It was Phoebe standing there, her mouth agape. "It is true! I can't believe it!"
"Phoebe, no." Phoebe speed walked in the other direction and Lacey followed. Perfect. Now everyone thought Lacey was in cahoots with the person suspected of killing her best friend.
Damn. Danny was coming right this way. I quickly pulled my phone out of my pocket.
Just as he was about to pass me, I stepped in front of him. "Holy-"
"How's it going, Desai?" I smiled, hoping he would return the favor.
"Not too good. I'm in even deeper shit than I was before. Looks like I dragged Lacey down with me, too."
"The girl from the picture, right?"
"Rico, I don't have time for this."
The intercom crackled. "Would Lacey Porter and Daniel Desai please report to the main office."
"Good luck." I pocketed my phone and walked down the hallway.
/
By the end of the day, I figured all the commotion about the pictures had died down and I could move on to the next phase of my plan. Frame Jo before she could go to the principal.
Unfortunately, my luck had run out. "Rico, the principal wants to see you in his office immediately," the secretary informed me as I closed the door of my locker.
I entered, my legs turning into weights as I moved. No matter how much I wanted to delay this meeting, it was happening.
"Have a seat, Mr. Rodriguez." The principal motioned towards the chair in front of his desk.
"Good afternoon sir." I cleared my throat, prepared to answer any questions he might have.
"Mr. Rodriguez, do you have any idea why you are here?"
"Why, no sir, not the faintest clue." Play it cool and act oblivious.
"A student has informed us that he or she knows you were behind yesterday's photo scandal."
"Sir, I assure you, I have absolutely nothing to do with that."
"Mr. Rodriguez, may I please see your cell phone?" No. No, no, no. The picture. I hadn't deleted it from my phone yet. My tragic flaw.
"How is this legal, sir? My cell phone is my personal property."
"I'm afraid there's no such thing as personal property on school grounds in such a situation." I swallowed hard and took a deep breath.
Calmly, I reached into my pocket and removed my phone. I handed it to him and waited for him to scroll through my gallery and find the picture. If he even knew how to find it.
"Would you care to explain this, Mr. Rodriguez?" He turned the phone around to reveal what he already knew was there.
I felt eyes burning holes into the back of my neck. I turned and saw Jo standing just outside the doorway, talking to the guidance counselor. I couldn't actually believe this was happening. I knew what she was capable of, but I didn't think she would actually have the audacity to choose him over me.
"Sir, you have to understand, I-"
"Mr. Rodriguez, I am quite shocked and disappointed. As one of Green Grove High's best students, I thought you were above this trivial adolescent melodrama. I'm afraid I'll have to-"
I hung my head. This was it. There was nothing else I could do. Getting caught didn't have to be the end. I could make a twitter and expose all of Jo's secrets, become a gossip girl of some sort. If I was going down, she was coming down with me.
"Sir, I didn't take the picture."
"Pardon?"
"I didn't take the picture. It's my phone, but I didn't see the picture until yesterday at school. Like everyone else."
"Then who, by chance, did take the photo?"
"It was Jo. She decided to race here and pin the blame on me. She borrowed my phone that same night. I wasn't in possession of it when the picture was taken."
"Why, Mr. Rodriguez, I don't know who to believe." That's the whole point though. Who do you believe when everyone lies?
Once more, I turned to look at Jo, who was now leaving the main office. She caught my eye, and I smirked. Maybe I was the Socio.
A/N: This idea came to me after I realized Rico could have a dark side. It would have been so interesting if he'd seen them together instead of Karen throwing the necklace into the river. It was inspired by Taking Back Sunday's "This Photograph is Proof (I Know You Know)." Give it a listen. I hope you enjoyed, and please review!