The Best Thing for Me

by Lauren Jackson

  "Jason!" I screeched, grabbing the back of his shirt. I pulled backwards with as much strength as I could muster. He fell backwards, his hands drenched in Chase's blood. My mouth watered and I resisted the urge to puke. "Don't!"

  "He. Kissed. You." he growled, his whole body shaking.

  "My cheek! He kissed my cheek!" I persisted, sinking to my knees. I put my hands on his shoulders, trying to shake some sense into him. "He's trying to get you worked up. He tried to kiss me but I pulled away, so he got my cheek. We didn't kiss on the lips!"

  "I don't care. The thought was still there!" he hissed. "He's a dead man."

  "Stop it." He clenched his jaw. I slapped my palms to his face. I leaned forward and pressed my lips briefly to his. I pulled back and stared at him in the eyes, his fierce blue eyes, staring back at me. "You're the only boy I want, Jason."

  My body may want Chase's attention, but my heart and mind didn't. Jason was the only one for me. I knew that. My body was just being stupid and betraying me. Jason moved to hold my hand but I jerked backwards.

  "I want to hold your hand, but I'm not coping well with the blood right now."

  "Oh."

  "Now Chase." I said, looking over at him. "Apologise to Jason."

  "But he hit me!"

  "Chase." I warned, pointing at him rudely.

  He sighed. "Sorry Jason. That was a line I shouldn't have crossed."

  "Yeah, that's right." Jason muttered. I stared at him warningly and he frowned. "And... I guess I shouldn't have retaliated. Sorry."

  "Good good." I said, nodding in approval. "Now, we need to sort this out properly. Chase, I'm with Jason and plan to be with him for a long time. You need to respect that."

  He didn't respond.

  "And, since you admitted to only trying out for the relay to upset Jason-"

  "I knew it!" Jason cried out angrily.

  "-are you able to apply for any other positions, to avoid further disagreements?"

  "I don't really want to be on the team." he admitted. "I just did it to be a jerk."

  "Oh."

  "Damn right you did." Jason muttered, earning a frown from me.

  "Are we all okay now?"

  "No-" Jason began but I silenced him with my hand, slapping to his mouth.

  "Chase?"

  "Fine. Yeah, we're good." he spat.

  "I'm not suggesting us all have sleepovers and do each other's hair now, okay?" I said and Jason snorted. "But I'm saying we should be respectful and polite to each other. How does that sound?"

  "Pretty deece." Jason said.

  "Yeah, good." Chase agreed.

  "Good." I grinned, getting to my feet. "Sorry, I hit you. It was wrong."

  "You can kiss it better if you want." I just stared at him in exasperation, throwing my hands up in the air. Did he literally not listen to anything I just said? "Oh, sorry."

  I just shook my head at him. "Let's go, Jason. See you around, Chase."

  "Yeah, see you."

  Jason didn't respond back to him and just grabbed my hand. I flinched. I didn't want Chase's blood on me. Ick!

  "We can wash it off." he rolled his eyes, noticing my expression. "Oh and did I tell you look extremely hot when you're taking charge?"

  I smiled at him and bumped our shoulders together. Well, today has been one eventful day! I turned to talk to Jason, but was cut off.

  "Last one back to the house has to cook dinner!" he declared, ripping his hand from mine and began to thunder down the beach. My mouth fell open as I saw him sprint away.

  I groaned. Not again!

  52

  Melanie Stewart

  I rolled my lips into my mouth as I fought back the tears that were threatening to spill down my face at any moment. My bottom lip was quivering as my eyes got more and more moist. I let out a sob, sinking to my knees.

  I ran a hand over my face roughly as I hiccupped into my hand. I had been sick all day. I love how they label it 'morning' sickness. Hah. I wish. More like 'All Day' sickness. Ugh. I hung my head, feeling defeated. I was not ready for this baby.

  "Mel?" Luke's voice floated through the doorway snapping me out of feeling sorry for myself. I cleared my throat and took a deep breath. I quickly scrambled onto my bed and shoved the covers over my legs.

  "Oh, um, yeah?" I asked, furiously wiping at my cheeks. He rounded the corner, staring at me curiously. I looked away and trained my eyes upon the T.V, pretending to be absorbed in it. I felt the bed dip beside me, but I didn't make any intentions to move.

  He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and I automatically leaned into him, seeking his warmth and comfort. "Are you okay?"

  "Yeah fine, this movie is just sad..."

  "You find White Chicks sad?" he asked me, quirking an eyebrow. Amusement flashed in his eyes and I mentally slapped myself. What sort of genius response was that?

  I ran my tongue across my teeth in irritation. "Um, yes?"

  "Talk to me about it."

  "Well... these two girls have to go to this party thing, but then they have this crash, so these guys-"

  "I mean talk about what you're crying about, not the movie."

  "But-" I tried to protest but he turned, looking at me with narrowed eyes. His eyes gave me the impression to not muck around. I sighed deeply through my nose and gritted my teeth. I hated anyone seeing me cry. But more importantly, I especially hate when I have to explain why.

  "Talk to me." he murmured, caressing my cheek.

  "I feel as though I'm not ready."

  He stiffened beside me, knowing exactly what I meant. I felt a weight be lifted at my shoulders as I admitted that out loud. I rested my head back, my eyes drifting closed. He was completely silent beside me. After a few moments, I squinted at him. His face was blank and I internally cringed at the sight. I shouldn't have said anything.

  "So..." he trailed off, looking lost. He averted his eyes and stared down at the bed. "You don't want to keep the baby?"

  "Of course I do you moron." I snapped, causing him to look back up at me in confusion. "I just don't feel like I'm ready."

  "Oh."

  I sighed again, pinching the skin in between my eyes. I was stressed out to the max right now. I need to talk about it, but I don't want to. Especially not to Luke. He just... frustrated me. Where was Emma when I needed her?

  Why was it so difficult to admit I was scared?

  "Ugh."

  "Babe..."

  "Look, it’s okay." I said, shrugging off his arm and getting to my feet. I felt my usual walls go up. I didn't look up at him, but stared fixated to the door way. "I'm going for a walk."

  "But-"

  I marched out and slammed the door before I heard the rest of his sentence. I opened the door and was met with a big wave of salty air. I let my legs carry me down a little of the way, coming to the beach. I felt the sand squish in between my toes. I walked over and down the golden sand. I flinched slightly when my feet met the cool water. It washed over my feet and splashed onto my legs.

  The tears that rolled down my cheeks were simultaneous to the waves crashing in. I licked my lips and slowly wiped the tears from my cheeks. I ran a hand through my messy hair and exhaled deeply. I had never cried so much in my life then I had in the past few weeks.

  My stomach was so swollen now that it was inevitable to hide it anymore. My last day at high school was over a week ago and I never thought I'd say I'd miss it. I was going to start 'home schooling' next week. Dad had hired a tutor, unfortunately.

  Could you picture me being tutored? What a joke.

  "Um, are you Melanie Stewart?" a voice asked me.

  I jumped in fright upon hearing him. During my mental rant, I hadn't even realised someone had come and stood beside me. I gulped, my eyes instantly wandering down to my belly, which was sort of obvious with the outfit I was wearing. With a slow, tight-lipped smile, I turned. I raised my eyebrows when it was a boy I hadn't seen before.

  "Who's asking?"

  "Uh, my name's Ben. I
'm a friend of Emma's." he muttered, not looking at me in the eyes. I frowned at him. He was wearing a tight, black shirt and dark, black jeans. Did I mention he had black hair and nail polish?

  He eerily reminded me of Professor Snape...

  "You're a friend of Emma's?" the words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them. I mentally slapped myself. Jeeze, that was rude.

  "Well, I was." he bit out. "I just wanted to ask you something."

  "And what would that be?"

  "Is she still with her boyfriend?" he asked tentatively.

  "Jason? Yeah."

  "Oh." he said, running a hand through his muchly-needed-to-be-washed hair. "Okay then."

  "Sorry bud." I said, turning back around to the waves. It took me a couple of moments to realise he still hadn't moved. Slightly irritated, my eyes flickered back to him. When I stared at him, he still didn't say anything. I sighed deeply. "You're still here because?"

  "Could you give her this?"

  I glanced down to his pale hand and noticed he was clutching a piece of paper. I looked up at him, trying not to frown again. "Sure."

  "Thanks."

  This time, when I turned, he did leave. Without so much as a thought, I opened the piece of paper. I blinked a couple of times at the two words written there.

  ' I'm sorry. '

  Emma Ross

  "Sit. Sit boy." I cooed. Once Charlie obediently sat, I leaned down and gave him a biscuit. He gobbled it up instantly. "Okay, lay down. Lay down Charlie."

  He did as he was told. I grinned when I didn't even need to say roll over. He just did it automatically. I patted him on the head and gave him a hug. He looked up at me, with his big, brown eyes and I melted. This concluded in me tipping half the box of biscuits onto the floor. He was a growing boy, okay? (Well, Dad continually joked growing outwards).

  I lay back down on my back and just sprawled out. It was a humid day, perfect for the beach. My phone began vibrating and I fished it out of my shorts. I smiled down at the screen as it read 'Jasey Baby'. (I'd like to add that he put that in there, not me).

  "Mmyes?" I answered.

  "I'm finished."

  "Okay, I'll be down there to pick you up. Are we still going straight to Mel's?" I asked, slowly getting to my feet. I searched for my wallet as I awaited his reply.

  "If you want."

  "Okay."

  "You're cooking dinner."

  "Argh." I groaned, resting the urge to face palm myself. "I was hoping you forgot."

  "Not a chance." he snickered. I made a face to him over the phone, very well aware that he couldn't see me. I hung up and ran a hand through my hair, before adding on some lip gloss. I re-checked my reflection and headed out. I slipped into the car and a scream tore from my throat.

  "Woah!" Chase cried as I flung my handbag back, connecting it with his head. He ducked down and wrapped his arms around his head protectively. "Hold the fire!"

  "What the hell are you doing in my car?" I cried out, my heart rate beating furiously in my chest. Well, technically it wasn't my car, but you know. I drove it more than Jason did anyway. I slapped my hand to my chest, feeling over-whelmed. I had seen this scene many times in horror movies, but never would have thought it would happen to me.

  "Sorry!"

  "Get out!"

  "Harsh."

  "No I mean it." I bit out, turning around and narrowing my eyes at him. "I'm late."

  "You think you're pregnant?"

  "No you idiot!" I almost screamed, banging my handbag down onto his head again. "I'm late to go pick up Jason!"

  "Oh... ha ha." he laughed awkwardly.

  "Seriously, why are you in my car?"

  "Well, I saw you coming out, so I thought I'd hop in and we could go for a road trip."

  "I'll walk then." I said flatly.

  "Oh come on. I thought we were all good now."

  "Why were you even near my house? It's not like you casually walk up hills for the fun of it."

  "I actually was going to ask you if you wanted to hang out with me."

  "No."

  "Aw."

  "I'm busy." I sighed. "Sorry. Maybe text me next time, so you don't have to walk all this way. Then I'd be able to make sure I'm free."

  "Hmph."

  "Okay, I really have to go." I said, jerking my thumb over my shoulder.

  He pouted. "Emzie."

  "Chase." I warned.

  He sighed and slowly got out the car. "Goodbye kiss?"

  I reached over and slammed the door shut. I started the car and took off without a backwards glance. He was starting to get on my nerves now. Who on Earth just randomly jumps in other people's cars? I eventually reached the pool and Jason was already on the side of the road waiting for me.

  A grin stretched across his face and he jumped in. He leaned over as soon as he entered the car and pressed his lips to mine. I felt little butterflies erupt in my stomach at his touch. He leaned back but I put my hand behind his head and kept him there for a little longer.

  When we broke apart, he stared at me in surprise.

  I smiled at him. "Hi."

  "Hey."

  "How was your swim?" I questioned, pulling out and heading off towards Mel and Luke's new place. I slipped my sunglasses on, attempting to protect my eyes from the fierce sun. You never realise how much the glare affects your vision.

  "It was pretty good. The team is working better together now. How was your afternoon?"

  "Oh cool. Yeah okay. I hung out with Sir Charles and spent some time with Dad."

  "Oh yeah."

  "When's your first actual competition?"

  "In a couple of weeks, so that gives me time to shave off a few more seconds of my time." he declared smugly.

  "Oh, that's good."

  We reached their place and I pulled into the driveway, cutting the engine. With his arm around my shoulders, we just walked straight in, knocking wasn't necessary. I found that Luke was in the lounge room playing 'COD', where Jason took off to and I rolled my eyes. I began my search for Mel and located her in her bedroom, just sitting on the end of her bed in silence. Now that was weird. You rarely found that girl without her headphones in or music blaring from somewhere or rather.

  I went in and sat beside her. I nudged her with my elbow and gave her a small smile. "Hey there."

  "Hi."

  "What's up?"

  "I've just had an emotional day." she shrugged, drawing her knees up and wrapping her arms around them. "Talked to Luke about some stuff I don't think he wanted to hear."

  "Ah..." I nodded, biting my lip. "The baby?"

  "Yeah."

  "Hum."

  Silence lapsed and I raise my hand, rubbing her back soothingly. I really didn't know how to comfort her. I didn't have any words that would magically make everything okay. If anything, I'd probably just blurt out some awkward thing that doesn't make sense.

  "Oh. I have something for you." she said suddenly, reaching into her pocket. After fumbling around, she slowly emerged back up with a folded note. I stared down at it, blinking a couple of times. A note? I just stared at her blankly.

  "Why did you write me a note?"

  "It's not from me." she scoffed. "I got given it for you."

  "Don't tell me it was Chase." I said urgently, my eyes widening.

  "No, some guy name Ben?"

  "Ben?" I echoed stupidly. "Did he have black finger nails?"

  "That would be the one."

  I furrowed my eyebrows together in utter confusion. Why on Earth would Ben write me a note? I hadn't spoken to him in literally months. With stiff hands, I snatched the note from her and opened it.

  ' I'm sorry. '

  I cocked my head to the side. What exactly was he sorry for? I bit my lip, contemplating. The more I thought about it, the more confused I got. Maybe for when him and Jason got in that argument? I still didn't get it though.

  "I don't get what he's sorry for. Or why he'd try to contact me. He was just someone I sat with in my grou
p."

  "Maybe you should be asking him, not me." she pointed out.

  "Okay, grumpy pants."

  "Sorry." she sighed, rubbing her hands over her face. "Sour mood."

  "I noticed." I laughed, smiling fleetingly. "Anyway, I better go start cooking."

  "Sucked in."

  "Bite me."

  She chomped her teeth down and I rolled my eyes at her. With a groan, I got up to my feet and padded out towards the kitchen. I glanced over and the boys were standing, going over some weird fight thing in slow motion. I shook my head at the two. I'm glad they got along now. I entered the kitchen and planted my hands on my hips.

  Let's hope I don't burn their kitchen down...

  As soon as I got to school, I stormed straight up to my old table, where I'd spent too many lunch times, playing on my phone, pretending I had someone to talk to, when really, I had been so lonely that I occasionally cried myself to sleep.

  I rolled my lips into my mouth at the sight of them. With an encouraging breath, I strode over there. I saw Ben, a joint in his hand. I wrinkled my nose at him. How did they not get caught? I wonder if I was ever categorised a 'smoker' because I hung out with these people. Still to this day, I'd never had one single smoke.

  "Hello, Ben." I said quietly, my eyes trained upon the smoke.

  "Emma." he turned, giving me a smirk. He gave me the once over with his eyes, which caused me to shift my weight from foot to foot, slightly uncomfortable. "You've finally sunk back down to our level."

  "I didn't sink down to any level."

  "Yeah. You did." he snapped, taking a drag. "As soon as that idiot looked at you, you were head over heels for him and ditched us the first chance you got."

  "Firstly, his name is Jason and he actually is a really nice person. Secondly, I never ditched you since I wasn't ever apart of this group. I sat here, but no one even acknowledged my presence."

  "Wow. You have changed. Emma Ross never spoke back."