Hiya! I know this chapter is really short, but hopefully the next one should be longer.

Italics are thoughts or writing.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 29 - Problems

Johnny's POV

Johnny,

$30

Here's your evidence. It all looks pretty innocent, if you ask me.

Jimmy.

As I examined the first picture, I couldn't help agreeing- smiling down at their books, it was impossible to imagine Cornelius as anything but Beatrice's friend. The second picture, showing the two nerds dawdling across the playground with the rest of their clique, laughing at some silent joke, brought me to the same conclusion. The same went for the rest of the photos. I rested my forehead on my knuckles, quite tempted to punch myself.

"Johnny, you prick! How could you seriously let Lola take you for a ride again? She's not even dating you anymore and you still let her mess with your head! You really are an idiot. Beatrice is never going to speak to you again if she finds out. Seriously, you finally rid yourself of that tramp and she still has you still drink in her every word like beer!"

"You could have ignored her." Reason's voice whispered, somehow making me feel worse than the self-abuse had."Even Russell could see that Lola's nothing but trouble. Beatrice would've told you the truth if you'd asked instead of sticking your nose in her private life. Sure, it might have been a bit awkward, but at least you'd have got the truth and probably could've been dating her for a week by now. Perhaps, if you can keep this quiet, you can have a chance with a woman other than Lola... a better woman..."

Normally I would have heard every step on the floor, each note blaring from the old radio. Sadly while I was wrapped up in remorse , I didn't notice the footsteps behind me, the dull thud of a schoolbag on the bench, the soft strands of blond hair dangling by my ear, or the soft, high gasp until it was far too late.

"What the hell is this?" a confused, offended voice asked . I spun around to discover Beatrice staring at the photos, a look of confused rage on her face.
"Lola was right!" she half-asked, half realised, grabbing her bag and darting gracelessly out of the Auto-shop. Lola? Shit, what have I done?
"Wait!". Instead of listening to my plea as I ran after her, she sped up, almost tripping over her own feet by barely stopping to touch the floor. Eventually I managed to catch up just outside of the library.
"Listen, I know I shouldn't have done it, but I didn't know if you two were dating. I felt weird asking you..."
"So you paid someone to find out for you! Why do you even care? Johnny, in case you haven't noticed, I am not exactly Cornelius' type. I have never been his type. In fact, if I was the only woman alive on the Earth, I still wouldn't be his type!"
"Why not?"I demanded, as she grabbed the handle of the library.

The scene in front of us was not the empty library I was expecting. I'd known very well that Vance had a new boyfriend, but he had yet to tell us who. However, the fact that his lips were pressed against Cornelius' cheek was a pretty big giveaway. Looking at Beatrice's expression, I had never felt more of a bastard in my life.
"Well, I guess that answers your question." she choked, the hurt in her blue eyes threatening to overflow. The guilt twisting in my gut, I put a hand on her shoulder, starting to apologise.
"Bea , I'm so sor..."
"Don't bother." she mumbled, jerking her shoulder from under my hand before darting out of sight.