Chapter 7: Incriminating Evidence
As Cheyenne sat on her bed studying for an algebra test, someone knocked on her door. Opening the door, she saw Noelle standing there holding a cell phone in her right hand,
"Can I talk to you alone?" Noelle asked, casting a significant look at Ivy sitting at her computer.
"Sure," Cheyenne answered. She followed Noelle out into the hallway.
"I have something I want to give you," Noelle began. She showed Cheyenne her cell phone. On the screen was a picture of Damian kissing a girl. Although the girl's face was partially obscured, Cheyenne could tell it wasn't Ivy.
"What is this?" Cheyenne asked. "How did you get it?"
"It's a picture of Damian making out with Paige Ryan," Noelle told her. "I took it at the Legacy last month."
"Where was Ivy while this was going on?" Cheyenne wondered.
"Playing video games with a bunch of guys, where else?" Noelle said with an exasperated snort.
"Why are you giving this to me?" Cheyenne asked.
Noelle smiled. "So you'll owe me a favor in the future. I know you're really good at politics, and you could be useful to have at my side when I launch my campaign to become queen of Billings." She laughed, an innocent little laugh that belied her intensity of purpose. "I know it's a little premature, since I'm not even in Billings yet, but I believe in planning ahead."
"That's fine," Cheyenne agreed. "If you'll help me break up Damian and Ivy, I'll help you out when you need it."
Noelle punched a button on her cell phone, and suddenly Cheyenne's phone vibrated, letting her know she had a message. "There you go," Noelle said with a tinge of satisfaction in her voice. "Now all you have to do is show this picture to Ivy and watch the sparks fly."
When Cheyenne returned to her room, Ivy was sitting on her bed studying for an English exam. Cheyenne walked over and sat down next to her.
"I have something to show you," Cheyenne announced. She brought up the picture of Damian and Paige onto the screen and handed the phone to Ivy.
"Who is this girl?" Ivy asked after staring at the phone for a long minute,
"Paige Ryan," Cheyenne told her. "She's one of the Billings girls." Cheyenne took her phone back and sent a copy of the picture to Ivy's phone.
"Where did you get this?" Ivy asked.
"Noelle took it at the Legacy while you were playing video games," Cheyenne answered truthfully.
"Why are you doing this?" Ivy demanded, a hard note of suspicion creeping into her voice.
Cheyenne took a deep breath. "You're my best friend, and I thought you deserved to know the truth."
Ivy began to cry, and Cheyenne hugged her. "Don't worry, Ivy. You'll find the right guy, I promise."
"But Damian is the right guy for me!" Ivy sobbed. "In every way. I can't believe he did this to me!"
Actually, Cheyenne didn't think kissing someone else was that big of a deal (especially at the Legacy, where such behavior was encouraged), but she knew Ivy took it seriously, and she pressed her advantage for all it was worth. "He cheated on you, Ivy. You can't let him get away with that."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Ivy conceded. "I guess I better go have it out with him."
"Do me a favor," Cheyenne said. "Don't bring up my name when you talk to him. Just tell him Noelle gave you the picture. Or better yet, don't tell him anything about where you got it."
"Why not?" Ivy asked.
Cheyenne shrugged. "I just don't want to get involved, okay?"
"Okay," Ivy agreed. "You're the best, Shy!" She stood up and walked over to the door. "Thanks a lot. I really appreciate you helping me out like this."
"No problem," Cheyenne said warmly. 'We can talk when you get back if you want."
Ivy smiled and shut the door behind her. Once she was sure Ivy was gone, Cheyenne lay down on her bed, her algebra test forgotten. For propriety's sake, she'd have to wait a few weeks before making her move on Damian, but at least she had succeeded in splitting him and Ivy up. Cheyenne rolled over and closed her eyes, imagining herself and Damian together at last.