Chapter 17 - I Know How You Feel
Author's Notes: I own nothing, but the storyline, the mistakes, Dahlia, Bryce, and Frida. The song used in this chapter is Clarity, covered by the Glee Cast. This chapter is written entirely in Simon's point of view!
I wasn't sure on the words that came out of Bryce's mouth, because what? Just what? "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
Dahlia just sighed in return. "Yeah, that's what I said when he told me a few months ago."
"But, what proof do you have?" Clary asked them both, looking between her roommate and her gay best friend.
Bryce just shrugged in response, playing with his fork for a few seconds. "I don't have much, other than a gut feeling. And, at first, it didn't even seem like that's what was really going on. I mean, I'd see him out and about with a bruise on his arm, looking like someone grabbed him too hard, and then there were other days where I'd see him in clothes that weren't appropriate for the weather, if you get my drift."
"Long sleeves when it's clearly too hot for long sleeves." I took a guess, watching as he nodded.
"He came to me, and I'll admit it, I didn't believe it at first." Dahlia picked up where her best friend left off. "Honestly, it just sounded like this one's gay boy hormones were flying all over the place and seeing things where there was nothing to be seen. But, I watched him, just because I promised Bryce I would, and I started to notice those things he mentioned...and that he'd start to flinch when Frida would touch him. Like his shoulder, his arm, an arm around his waist, things like that."
"One time, she did it, and he actually hissed, like it hurt. He covered, saying some sort of klutzy accident, but from her little smile, she touched him there on purpose. Reminded him who's in control here." Bryce's voice dripped with nothing but disdain for the younger girl.
"But, why would she do it? What motive does she have to do that, keep him under her thumb like that?" I asked them both curiously.
Bryce just scrubbed his face with his hands, clearly not wanting to answer. After all, this was the guy he was in love with.
"Because he actually bats for the home team. And, knowing her, she'll outright destroy him with the information if he breaks up with her for guys." Dahlia told us both.
"Think about it." Dahlia told us a while later, now in a coffee shop (thankfully, not Amanda's) over coffee, hot chocolate for Bryce, and four thick slices of their triple chocolate cake. We came here for dessert, and because Bryce told us there'd be a karaoke night here tonight. And any excuse Frida had to sing, she'd take it. "She hits him now, when she claims to 'love' and 'adore' him." Her distaste was clearly evident for the exotic girl. "What do you guys think she'll do if the time comes when he dumps her for what he really wants and who he'd be truly happy with?"
"She'll destroy him entirely." I answered for the both of us. "Like Amanda wants to do with Clary."
"Or Dipshit." Dahlia supplied, clearly talking about Jace.
"Who's Dipshit?" Bryce asked all of us collectively, clearly confused.
"The pretty-boy blond you threatened to beat into next week because he was harassing these two. And Amanda Swan." Dahlia told her best friend, not even looking over at him.
"Oh." It was all Bryce said, but judging from his facial expression, it wasn't all he wanted to say.
"Yeah..." Clary agreed with them both quietly, picking her slice of cake apart with her fork.
"Amanda's obsessively in love with me and won't take no for an answer. And Jace is just an asshole who's sole mission in life is to destroy others." I supplied to the both of them.
"I wonder if Jace boned her yet." Dahlia muttered under her breath with a snort, and I shuddered at the images that very sentence brought forth.
"Don't even go there!" I protested honestly, staring at my best friend's roommate with wide eyes behind my glasses. "Just, seriously, if you feel any affection for me, you will not give me the images of Jace and Amanda going at it like rabbits."
Next to me, Clary ended up choking on her coffee, though thankfully, it was far from scalding or even hot, so it didn't really cause any sort of permanent damage. Other than her hacking up a lung and sounding like she was about to die at any moment. "Off the subject." She managed to get out between hacks, sending ineffective glares to all of us. Dahlia just smirked, Bryce looked about to laugh, and I was too concerned for her well-being to actually be frightened by her glaring.
"Then, what do you suggest we talk about?" Dahlia asked her in reply, a challenging eyebrow raised.
But, before my best friend could answer, the lights dimmed considerably, revealing a smiling Frida Moreno, clad in a pair of strappy heels and a glittery red dress that hugged her top and flowed to barely above her knees. She was positioned in front of a mircophone, and looked about ready to bust into song at any moment.. She looked...honestly, happy.
And then I heard Bryce and Dahlia snort loudly as the opening strains of Clarity open up, though it was more of a piano version than the actual version, which led me to believe it was a remake. "Of course she picks this." The statement came from Clary's roommate.
And just after it was spoken, I felt a warm hand land on my shoulder, squeezing tightly, obviously her gay best friend. "Welcome to Steel City, you two. Courtesy of the singing bitch."
I dive into frozen waves where the past comes back to life
Fight fear for the selfish pain, it was worth it every time
Hold still right before we crash 'cause we both know how this ends
Clock ticks 'til it breaks your glass and I drown in you again
Busting into the chorus, she walked off the stage, taking the mircophone with her. Honestly, anyone else before I wouldn't have even noticed, and I didn't notice, unless I was paying special attention. However, this girl was clearly different, she wanted to be noticed, needed to be noticed, and made her presence clear.
'Cause you are the piece of me I wish I didn't need
Chasing relentlessly, still fight and I don't know why
If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy?
If our love's insanity, why are you my clarity?
(Hey-ay, hey-ay-ay. Hey-ay, hey-ay-ay. Hey-ay, hey-ay-ay. Hey-ay, hey)
She had no one to back her up, so the background singing was recorded. It was just as well, she was the star here, no one else. All eyes had to be on her. I know Clary and I were watching her, as were a few people in front of us. And I could almost feel the distasteful expressions on Dahlia and Bryce's faces behind us, so I knew they were watching, too.
If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy?
If our love's insanity, why are you my clarity?
However, not everyone was paying attention to her, and she knew it, too. There were people more focused on the work they were doing, or their companions to be bothered with the singing and the obvious call for attention going on. And, Frida got the hint, because she walked right over to them and started singing, as if she was far more important than anything they were working on or saying.
Walk on through a red parade and refuse to make amends
It cuts deep through our ground and makes us forget all common sense
Don't speak as I try to leave 'cause we both know what we'll choose
If you pull then I'll push too deep and I'll fall right back to you
Dimly, I heard Bryce and Dahlia snort, because the students who clearly weren't interested grew tired of her pestering and left as the verse continued, and though she tried to dance it off, tried to show it didn't bother her, it clearly did. Her steps faltered a bit, her singing dropped a pitch, and her smile looked just the slightest bit forced.
'Cause you are the piece of me
I wish I didn't need
Chasing relentlessly, still fight and I don't know why
I saw Clary turn out of the corner of my eye, and I did the same, Dahlia and Bryce already looking at the both of us. "I love the irony in the song choice..." Bryce said with a disdainful snort. "Since she's what he doesn't need, and he doesn't know why he holds onto her."
"At least you and I know exactly why we keep each other around." I whispered to the shorty next to me. I felt my heart warm a bit as she smiled and gave me an affectionate punch...like she knew exactly what I was thinking.
"Well, you need someone to love you. Sometimes, when you're not getting on my nerves." She retorted, making me scoff and dig my fingers into her tummy quickly. Her yelp gathered everyone else's attention.