The Best Thing for Me

by Lauren Jackson

  "No, not really."

  "I think you are." He said so bluntly that I sat there, stupefied for a second, just processing his words through my slow mind.

  Huh!?

  "Really?" I asked in surprise.

  "No, I was kidding?" He said with heavy sarcasm. "Anyway, don't come crying to me when he humiliates you."

  I wanted to point out that I would never going ‘crying to him’ since I hardly even knew but, but decided against it. Scowling, I ate the rest of my pizza in silence. Pfft, he doesn't even know him. But, technically I didn't really either.

  Was he just using me?

  "Hi," I smiled. I reached up and gave him a quick hug. He planted a kiss on my cheek that left me all tingly. I couldn't help grin widely.

  "Hey," he replied. "I can't hang out today, have swimming practice, but I'll text you this afternoon?"

  "Okay."

  I hugged him again before departing. I rounded the corner. Oh, I had to tell him I couldn't hang tonight either, Dad was coming home. (They stayed an extra two days which was both annoying but good, so I could spend more time with Jason without unwanted questions).

  I turned back around and paused, muffled voices meeting my ear.

  (Just to make it easier for you to know who is who, the six 'It' boys are; Jason, Jeremy, Daniel, Joshua, Jake and Jesse. Lots of J's, I know. The six 'It' girls are; Jamie, Rose, Aliza, Britney, Ashley and Chloe).

  "Who was that?" I recognised the voice of Jeremy.

  "Emma Ross." Jason replied.

  "Since when do you hang out with her?" Jesse asked.

  "Have been lately."

  "She's a bit..." A voice, Daniel I think, began, "Well, not in the social clique you usually go for."

  "Yeah. I like her though."

  I smiled. It did hurt a little that he hadn't mentioned me already. Like, it took them to see us together for him to bring it up? I had poured my heart out to Mel at the first word he said to me.

  "Have you two...?" Daniel asked.

  I could only imagine what hand gestures he was making.

  "No," he laughed.

  "Be careful man, guys like us don't normally go for lower-class girls like her."

  "I think she has potential..." he trailed off, actually sounding slightly dubious.

  "Maybe, but you know, your last girlfriend was one of the 'It' girls. Think about it."

  "Yeah. Okay. I will, thanks guys." Jason said.

  Oh. Great. So because his friends told him I wasn't good enough, he was going to consider not even being friends with me?

  So. Low.

  I stormed off in the opposite direction, anger welling inside my chest. I was so distracted by my own racing thoughts, I didn’t see Britney until she had materialised in front of me. They had a habit of doing that which was becoming awfully annoying.

  "Emma."

  "What?" I snapped, not even caring the way I spoke at the moment.

  She looked taken back. No one talked to her that way.

  "Where are you going?"

  "Class. Where are your little minions? You don't normally go anywhere without them."

  "Don't ask me questions."

  "I could say the same to you."

  "Whatever, stay away from Jason. He is too good for you, and we're planning on getting back together." She said, narrowing her eyes warningly at me.

  "Well if you were, you wouldn't be saying anything to me." I growled. "And anyway, he's all yours."

  I pushed past her and strode to me class without a backwards glace.

  No doubt I would regret my words later...

  13

  I cheered loudly, fist pumping. I had scored, yet again, another strike in Wii Bowling. Boo-yah, I was on a definite roll tonight.

  "Okay, that's it," Luke deadpanned, looking seriously ticked off. "I'm out."

  "Just can't handle losing, hey?" I turned it off and followed him.

  "Whatever."

  "You know it's true."

  "Mhm. Bye now."

  He disappeared into his room, which was not unusual. He spent about 95% of his time in there and the other 5% in the lounge room. What a party pooper. Jason had texted me. Twice. I haven't replied. I have nothing to say to him. Whatever, I wasn't going to dwell on thoughts about him. It just sucked that I had got to taste a bit of life with him in it to have it drastically taken away before it really even began. Sighing, I pushed all thoughts of him into the back of my mind, to a file that I didn’t plan on opening any time soon.

  I waltzed into the kitchen, stealing a pretzel from Dad's hands.

  "Hey!" he protested, swiping for it, his hands enclosing on air.

  I was just too quick for him.

  "What?" I asked innocently, shoveling it in my mouth.

  He shook his head, ruffling my hair. "You little rascal."

  I slapped his hand away, scowling. The hair ruffling was a pet hate of mine and he definitely knew it. A song blared from my room, it took me a few moments to realise it was my phone. I sprinted in there, performing an army roll across my bed. I pressed it against my ear.

  "Helloooo child...” I said in a super creepy voice, sound like an old man, expecting it to be Mel, as she was, apart from Dad, the only one who ever rang me.

  "Er- Emma? Hi, it's Jason."

  I sat up abruptly. "Oh. It's you."

  "You're mad."

  "Really?" I asked, bluntly. "I didn't realise."

  He sighed. "Really?"

  "Yep."

  "What's wrong?"

  "You."

  "What did I do?" He asked, confused.

  "Don't worry, it's not important. See ya."

  I hung up.

  I hadn't realized my hands had begun shaking slightly until I threw my phone down. I exhaled slowly, biting my lip.

  Why did my body go into super strange mode whenever I spoke to him?

  It's like all my awkwardness bubbled to the service, making my body shake and my words come out in weird ways. My phone rang again. Sighing, I answered. I didn't say anything this time, just waiting for him to make the first move.

  "I can't fix it if you don't tell me what's wrong."

  "Look," I began. "It's cool. Whatever this is, if it is anything, is over. Finished."

  "What?" he asked, genuinely sounding confused. "Why?"

  "We're from different worlds almost. Different social standards, different cliques. May as well stop it before anything starts because I don't want to be played. Or hurt, or whatever you're planning, so let's just stop, yeah?"

  "What are you talking about?" He asked, sounding angry.

  "I heard you today." I snapped. "Talking to your 'friends'. 'Guys like us don't go for girls like that.'" I quoted. I impersonated his voice and continued. "Oh-er, thanks guys."

  He sighed. "I said that get them off my back."

  "Uh huh. Sure you did."

  "Stop blowing me off!" He almost shouted. "It's like you're just picking for reasons to not like me."

  Well, I just didn’t want to get hurt, but his words did make me pause. It was a little true. Of course I wouldn't admit that though, I had too much pride.

  "Don't give me a reason to then."

  He groaned. "Honestly. It hasn't been a good night, I just needed to talk to you."

  I stopped being rude and bitter, my voice instantly softened. "Why, what's happened?"

  "Never mind. You don't care."

  "It's pretty obvious I do. Now who's picking on who-"

  "Please stop. I just can't tonight."

  I took in a deep breath, my immature fighting coming to an abrupt halt. "Sorry for getting up you and not giving you a chance to explain."

  "I'm sorry for agreeing with them and getting mad." he mumbled.

  "Are we cool?" I asked gently, biting my lip.

  "Yeah. Can we meet up? I really just need to get away."

  "Uh... I guess I can. Where?"

  "The park?"

  "Okay. In twenty?"

  "Yep."

&nbs
p; I hung up. I smoothed my hair, threw on a jacket and a snug pair of jeans. I made sure I looked decent. Calling something out vaguely to Dad that I was going to Mel's and left before he had a chance to reply. I skipped down the hill and slowly walking to the park. How I went from disappointed with him to dying to see him within a few seconds was beyond me, but I decided not to question it.

  It was a dark night, the moon shining brightly overhead. It was cool, the wind breezed past me. I shivered, despite my warm jumper snuggling me.

  I made it there, just as he entered. I didn't even say anything. I just strode over and wrapped my arms around him, surprising even myself. We held each other for a long time. Well, it felt like that. I started getting a cramp being in the one spot for so long.

  "Thanks for coming."

  "It's okay."

  He grabbed my hand, entwining our fingers together. His skin felt warm against mine, making me want to curl up beside him and extract all his body heat into mine. We walked to the bench and sat, our hands clamped together.

  "Your Dad?" I questioned quietly, already knowing the answer.

  He nodded. "He wasn't drunk. If possible, he's almost worse sober."

  I winced, imagining it. "How is that even possible?"

  "Yeah. He acts like he's top crap. Like no one is better than him. He's such a dic-"

  "Hey," I said gently. "Despite who he is and what he's done, don't go calling him names like that."

  He sagged back on the bench. We sat in silence. I watched his chest rise and fall. His blond hair in his eyes. He was blinking furiously. He turned suddenly, facing me. He lifted my arms and place them on either of his shoulders.

  "W-what are you doing?" I stuttered, confused.

  "Don't move." He ordered.

  "Why?"

  He shifted and placed his hands on my hips.

  "Don't even move forward. It doesn't end well when you do."

  I was confused, until he leaned closer.

  My heart felt like it stopped and plummeted into my stomach.

  I closed my eyes.

  Our lips actually managed to meet for the first time. His soft lips pressed against mine. His arms tightened around my body, pulling me towards him. I half ended up on his lap, in an awkward position. I melted against him anyway. I entwined my hands around the back of his neck and kissed him back.

  It was the best kiss I'd ever had.

  Well, the only kiss I'd ever had but I'm sure even if I'd had heaps, this would have topped them all.

  I never ever, ever, ever wanted it to end.

  Too soon, it did though. My breath was caught in my throat, making me pant unattractively.

  "Wow." I breathed.

  He shifted me so I was more comfortably perched on his lap. He buried his face into my shoulder. I rested my cheek on his. We just stayed like that. Our breathing slowed back to normal, but my heart was still pumping rapidly. I could bet you anything he could hear/feel it, which was embarrassing. I didn't overly care though, at the moment. I was just so happy.

  I couldn't help beam brightly into space, just replaying the previous scene repeatedly in my mind.

  What a great night it turned out to be.

  "Are we a couple?" I found myself asking. I wanted to take back the words. That was very forward and not like me.

  "Do you want us to be?" he said, answering my own question with a question. So I did the same in return.

  "Do you?"

  "Yes." He answered, the answer muffled by him being still tucked into my shoulder.

  "I do, too." I whispered, my words slightly shaky. I blinked, my heart hammering inside my chest as if it needed to break free.

  "So... it's official."

  "Wow." I breathed again. "This can't be real."

  "You better believe it," He said, sitting up, smiling. "Because babe, it's definitely real."

  14

  So. Jason and I had totally been a couple for an entire three weeks. I couldn't help share the news. Mel approved, which was good. Not sure what I would have done if she didn’t, I liked him too much already. He'd come over for dinner a few nights ago, Dad and him got along, phew. Luke was, you know, his usual self. I wasn't worried about him.

  We'd been hanging out a lot, and he took me to the movies last Tuesday. We got along really well, surprisingly enough. Who would have thought? I was actually really, really happy.

  But I was worried today.

  Let me explain why.

  "Hello," Jason smiled down to me, his eyes shining extra bright today for some reason. I stood on the tips of my toes and pecked his lips.

  "Hiya."

  We hadn't been sitting together at school, but we still hung out. The talk of us being together was simmering down. Slightly. We didn't want to rush into anything, which I was more than happy with. Frankly I was scared to sit with him. His group is rather... intimidating.

  "Want to come back to my table?"

  I shook my head, sending my hair swirling around me like I had every time he had asked me this week.

  "Come on, you haven't even tried."

  "No."

  He sighed. "Fine, can I come to yours?"

  "Pardon?" I asked stupidly.

  Surely I hadn't him right.

  "What's wrong?"

  "You want to sit at my group?" I asked, dumbfounded.

  "Yeah?"

  "Wow.” I said, a little speechless. Shaking my head, I sighed. “Come along then."

  I tugged his hand and he fell in step with me. I felt a little smug at us holding hands. I still couldn't get over the fact that we were together. Even though it had only been three weeks, it had been one of the best three weeks in my life. I really enjoyed his company.

  "Don't judge, kay'?"

  He rolled his eyes. "Like I would."

  "We'll see..." I muttered, ducking my head, my nerves beginning to kick in.

  I didn't overly want him to meet my group. No offense to them but they weren't really 'cool'. They were actually a little strange... Well, some of them anyway. Some members could do some rather alarming things. I tended to keep to myself quite a bit. We reached the group a little too quickly. They didn't look up at our arrival. I frowned at them slightly. I soon got over it and plastered a bright, false smile on my face, trying to remain positive.

  "Yo, this is Jason."

  A few responded, by either giving a small smile or grunting an incoherent response. I sighed. This was probably not going to end well. I didn't want Jason thinking I was a loser! Ben just stared eerily, causing me to look around nervously. I bit my lip, fighting the urge to wipe my palms.

  "So he finally comes."

  Jason raised his eyebrows at him in question. "What do you mean by that?"

  "Just saying it was sooner or later you'd sink down to our level. Took your time though."

  He narrowed is eyes at Ben until they were practically slits. He stared at him coolly. I swallowed a dry lump that had lodged itself in my throat. I didn't have the confidence to speak up though.

  "You lot think you're so much better than us. I'm surprised you came at all." Ben sneered, cockiness coming from him in waves. My frown deepened as I grew more disappointed with his behaviour.

  "You don't know what you're talking about," Jason growled, tensing up. His jaw began ticking. My mind went into slight overdrive. Oh no... what if he thought less of me now!?

  "Sure. When your fling is over, we'll talk about it then, yeah?" Ben continued, his upper lip curling up. He reminded me of some sort of animal. A Tasmanian Devil maybe?

  "Maybe it's because I like to actually have friends and not paint my nails black." Jason retorted. How did I know he would say something about the nails? "Come on Em, you shouldn't be sitting with someone like that."

  "Someone like me?" He snapped, standing up, puffing out his chest stereotypically. If I wasn’t so nervous I would have rolled my eyes and laughed at him. Jason still had height on Ben, so it really didn't make much of a difference. I guess it was just for drama
tic effect. "See? You think you're so much better."

  "Whatever." Jason said dismissively, not taking the bait to ‘fight’ him or whatever Ben was trying to achieve.

  He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me away, his eyes still narrowed. I stumbled after him, tripping over my own feet. I glanced over my shoulder where Ben was shooting daggers with his eyes at the two of us. I gulped.

  Great...

  "So. That didn't go well." I commented, after a few moments of silence.

  "Mm." he mumbled, still not impressed.

  I then realised where he was leading me and I planted my feet. He tugged me but I refused to budge. I refused to go be anywhere near those people.

  "Sorry, but no."

  "Oh come on." He pleaded. "I tried yours."

  "I didn't ask you to." I argued back, panicking slightly. No way did I want to go to his group! I didn't have the guts to go there.

  He sighed. "Please? For me?"

  I gave him my grumpy face which made him laugh. "Fine, I'll carry you."

  "No, no, no!" I flailed as he wrapped his arms around me, preparing to lift. "Please don't! We're at school! That'd be so embarrassing!"

  He lifted me anyway, but not over his shoulder. He slowly let me slide down his body and he met my lips in a rush. I just wanted to melt into a pool of pure happiness. I let him kiss me for a few moments, before I pushed away. I felt my face flood with heat. I looked around, hoping no one had noticed our public affection.

  "Will you come?" He stared at me with those gorgeous eyes. I stared right back, furrowing my eyebrows together. Using those eyes and his lips to persuade me. He was good; I had to give him that.

  "Ugh."

  He grinned, wrapped his arm around my waist again, pulling me with him. I dragged my feet and set my mouth in a line. Great. I really, really, really didn't want to sit with his group. Like come on, he sits with the 'It' boys, located only a little way from the 'It' girls.

  Not a good combination.

  I had hardly any time to mentally prepare myself for what was going to happen and soon we were there.

  "Hey guys, this is Emma."

  He introduced me to all the boys via pointing and saying their name. (Well, I knew all of them obviously, but half of them probably didn't realise I'd been going to school with them for the last five years). They just stared back. None of them moved. I felt my face flood with heat and I clung closer to Jason instinctively, feeling embarrassingly pathetic.