The gang was out on the bleachers at lunch, the murder of a fellow student on their minds. Everyone was curious about it and rumors were rampant. Some people, having witnessed Jack's arrest claimed that he was still the main suspect, while others went on to more likely options like Derrick or Tommy, both having ties to Cal's victim Annabelle. Some thought it a crime of passion and that Rose did it in a jealous rage, having seen Hockley escort Constance to the dinner dance, which was ridiculous. Each rumor was more outrageous than the other. Jack and Rose for their part were ignoring it all, just going by their day as if that morning hadn't happened. But by lunch, they had to admit that they were curious. Who else had a motive to kill Cal? Who had the means and the opportunity?

"Okay, let's talk about the murder of Hockley. We know Jackie boy didn't do it, despite giving the bloke a good arse kicking," Tommy ripped into his bag of lunch. "Would have done it myself if I had been there."

"I still say Derrick is a suspect. I hate saying that...but...well...he had plenty of motive."

"Yeah. If I had the chance to off Lisa's rapist, I definitely would have," Jack shrugged, unapologetic for the lack of guilt he felt over beating the deceased within a inch of his life. If he could have, he would have freed Hockley of the weapon he used against girls like Rose and Annabelle and left him there to die.

"Here is Derrick anyway? They didn't arrest him next did they?" Julie frowned. "In fact, where is Annabelle?"

Everyone looked at each other, not knowing the answers. Rose hadn't seen Annabelle since they had left the principal's office together. She reminded herself to thank the girl for coming to Jack's defense so quickly. She knew that it must have been hard on her after what had nearly happened again. Annabelle was a lot braver than she gave herself credit for.

"Here they come," Tommy moved over, making room as Derrick and Annabelle arrived on the scene.

"What are you guys talking about?" Derrick asked, letting his sister sit before taking a seat himself.

"What else but Hockley's murder. Jack here didn't do it, so who did and where would he like his party of the year?" Tommy sipped at his can of orange soda.

"He died at twelve midnight. Jack was home in bed at that time," Rose scooted closer to her boyfriend, shivering at the thought of him being carted away in handcuffs, all because of Cal. "Thank you so much, Annabelle for coming to defend Jack, by the way."

"He saved me yesterday. I couldn't stand back and let him be railroaded..."

"Where were you at midnight, Derrick?" Julie asked, still a little suspicious of him.

"Not off killing Hockley, if that's what you're asking," Derrick said, digging into his own bag. "I was in my room nursing the bruises on my knuckles. Fucker had a hard face."

"Don't I know it," Jack snorted.

"This isn't funny you two. Jack, you had almost gone to jail for this. If it weren't for my father...if some lesser attorney had taken your case...you wouldn't be here right now," Rose scolded, not liking how nonchalant Jack was being. Did he get that she could have lost him? That she would have been left alone again? Did he not even care?

Jack must have sensed her distress because he suddenly looked guilty. He placed his bag to the side and pulled her onto his lap and hugged her close. "But your father came through and I wasn't carted off to jail. I'm right here."

"It's just not funny. It's serious and I wish you two would take it seriously," Rose continued to rant. "Cal already had taken too much from me. I don't want him to take you too."

"He won't. I'm sorry. I'll try to be more serious for now on."Jack kissed her cheek.

"Has anyone seen anymore of his cheer squad?" Julie asked. "I haven't seen that Madeline since homeroom."

"Who knows where she had disappeared off to," Rose shrugged. "I haven't seen Constance all day either."

Annabelle reached for her lunch, then paused when she spotted someone that she had hoped not to see here at school. Her stomach dropped and she grabbed Derrick's arm. "Derrick, it's father...he's here with a police officer...again."

Derrick took his sister's hand and squeezed it. "Don't worry, sis. I'll be fine."

"But they'll try to take you away and I'll be alone with mom and dad and who knows what they're planning to do..."

Derrick sighed and looked at Tommy. He knew the guy cared about his sister and entrusting him with her was hard, but he had to protect his sister some how. "Watch out for her, will you?"

Tommy just nodded.

Relieved, Derrick got to his feet. "I guess it's my turn to face the firing squad. I'll see you guys tomorrow hopefully."

With that said, Derrick walked over to where his father and the police officer was waiting. Annabelle wanted to run up to them and plead for her father to stop this insanity. That Derrick had done nothing wrong. He had said that he hadn't killed Cal and she believed him. But she knew it would be useless. Her parents would never believe her. The only thing cared about was appearances and keeping the family name as free of scandal as possible. They cared about that more than they had ever cared about her and Derrick.

"I'll call my father," Rose reached for her cell, but Annabelle shook her head.

"Don't bother. My parents won't let him take Derrick's case. They've been itching for a reason to send him away. They were furious when he took my side about Cal raping me," Annabelle sniffed. "I don't know what I'm going to do and if Derrick's in jail...he won't be there to stop them from sending me away again..."

"Rose, why don't Annabelle stay with you for a few days, until Derrick gets out?" Tommy suggested, not even knowing if it was possible, just knowing that he wanted to protect her somehow. He didn't want her parents to send her away.

"That's a good idea and maybe Katarina can help her as well, you know...like she helped you," Jack suggested, wanting to help protect Annabelle as well. He felt a little responsible for her since saving her from Cal the day before. He wanted to help her somehow.

"It wouldn't hurt to ask," Rose shrugged. "It's not like we don't have the room. Father knows how the Watsons are."

"See there. That problem is solved. Now what to do about Derrick?" Tommy frowned as they watched the police officer put Derrick in handcuffs and lead him away. Things were not looking good for their new friend. "Why are your parents so hard on you guys? You'd think your father would protect him from arrest, not turn him in."

"High society comes first with them. It always has," Annabelle sniffed, wiping away her tears. "This is awful. He didn't do it. He wouldn't...he would know that doing so would mean leaving me to our parents mercy."

"Don't you worry, Anna. They'll figure out that he didn't do it, just like they figured out that Jack couldn't possibly be guilty," Rose reached over and squeezed Annabelle's hand. "Derrick will be out soon. In the mean time, you come home with me."

…..

Derrick Watson looked out from behind the bars, glaring at the man that had raised him. How could he do this? Be so sure that he had done the deed? Yes, he hated Caledon Hockley more than anything. Yes, he would have done anything to protect his sister, but he wouldn't have done anything that would have gotten him taken away from her. Someone had to protect her from their money hungry parents who cared about nothing but high society and prestige. They would throw their own son under the bus if it gained them approval from Nathan Hockley. He just hoped that Anna had found some kind of protection from them. He doubted that Tommy Ryan could do much to protect her from their parents, but maybe one of their new friends could do something to keep her from going back to that house. He didn't care what happened to him. He just wanted his sister taken care of and in a safe place. That was what was important to him. So let them frame him for a murder he didn't commit. Just as long as they kept their hands off of his sister.

…..

She sat in her dark room, her knees pulled up to her chest, rocking back and forth as the horrific scenes of that night played through her mind. His lust-filled eyes. His alcohol scented breath. His strong hands, ripping away all her defenses and him roughly taking her, not caring how bad it had hurt. The sting as he slapped her as she screamed no. The guilt for her part in bullying others that he had done this to, for ever believing in him, for taking his side. Now she was paying for that blind loyalty. Now she was his victim and she knew that she wouldn't be believed. It was her karma. No one will believe that it had been an accident, that she hadn't meant to push him. She couldn't even feel sorry, she just felt scared. She had gotten rid of a monster, but no one will believe her reason why. They'll believe that she was the one that was the monster and after all she had done, maybe they were right.