Right There with You

by R. J. Sable

I grinned as I read his e-mail. Unfortunately, I had absolutely no idea what either word meant.

  From: Jamie-Lea Carter

  To: Jason Reed

  Sent: 16:47 23/10/2012

  Subject: Linguistic leniency for the first year

  Hi Jason!

  Glad to hear from you, I was worried. For your information I only had to look up two of the words, although the ampersand did stump me momentarily.

  Sorry to hear your meeting didn't go so well. I can't imagine why, photovolcanoes sound fascinating.

  I'm sat in the library with Adam (who says hello) whilst he plagiarises my essay. You'll be happy to know that I've almost caught up with the stuff I was behind on. Unfortunately, I got tonnes more work to do from my lectures today. One step forwards, two steps back.

  I'm going for a long run with a few people from running club at 6pm. You got anything fun planned?

  I miss you too, and I miss you making me blush ;-)

  Jamie

  xxx

  When I’d returned from my run and showered I had an e-mail response ready and waiting for me.

  From: Jason Reed

  To: Jamie-Lea Carter

  Sent: 18:55 23/10/2012

  Subject: Lacking Linguistic Leniency

  My leniency reaches its limits at terms such as “stuff”. Surely you can do better than that?

  You mean to say that you looked up 100% of the words? I'll cut you some slack since I had to look up ampersand ;)

  Tell Adam that the University takes plagiarism quite seriously and that you could both face disciplinary action if he copies your work.

  Photovolcanoes do sound fascinating. Maybe I should change my thesis topic... Sounds more like an arts degree though.

  How was your run? What constitutes a long run? I hope you weren't staring at any more lycra-clad behinds >:(

  I'm meeting up with an old friend for dinner, I'm heading out in a bit. Did you eat something when you got back from your run?

  I'm pretty sure I could make you blush via e-mail. In fact, we may have to work on that when I get back from dinner ;)

  xxx

  Make me blush via e-mail? My mind raced with possibilities, trying to figure out what he had planned. Unfortunately, my lack of experience held me back somewhat.

  From: Jamie-Lea Carter

  To: Jason Reed

  Sent: 20:53 23/10/2012

  Subject: Bewildered by bashfulness

  Stuff is an awesome word. You can hardly criticise my language. Are you going to use that many emoticons in your thesis?

  Adam would never really copy, I was just kidding. We both sat through the (mind-bogglingly boring) compulsory anti-plagiarism lecture so I think we're covered in that regard.

  Are you implying there's something wrong with an arts degree? If so, my future BA and I take offence.

  My run was good, we ran 20 km. We were out for 1h50mins. Was pretty nice, we chatted the whole time and the minutes flew by. A long run is a run over an hour in my book. My book was written by Karl.

  The only lycra-clad behind I'm interested in is yours and you should know that by now. A mighty fine behind it is as well!

  I hope you had a nice dinner with your friend. I did indeed eat something, or rather I am eating. I'm sat with my peanut butter sandwich as we speak.

  I am now worried what you are planning...

  xxx

  I curled up in bed, putting the laptop on the bedside table and choosing an episode of ‘Scrubs’ to watch. I stretched out under the covers, feeling the tension in my legs and rotating my ankles gently to ease it. I was pretty tired but too curious about what Jason was up to. I was determined to stay awake.

  When the episode finished I put on the next one. I didn't manage to finish watching it before the e-mail alert popped up on my screen. I sat up and pulled the computer onto my lap.

  From: Jason Reed

  To: Jamie-Lea Carter

  Sent: 21:24 23/10/2012

  Subject: Neglecting nutrition

  You can rest assured my thesis will be a smiley-free zone.

  There's nothing wrong with an arts degree per se. They're quaint. ;)

  20km is good, not a bad pace either. That's my girl! How come Karl wrote your book?

  A peanut butter sandwich is NOT enough food after running for almost 2 hours. I bet you didn't eat much all day. You really need to take better care of yourself baby.

  xxx

  Is he mad at me now? Before I got his e-mail I was all giddy, wondering what he had planned. Now, I was just depressed. I felt full from my sandwich, it was delicious. I normally just ate whatever I was given after a run, I'd never really thought about it before. I usually got a protein shake or a smoothie from my brothers but I couldn't afford stuff like that on my budget. I replied instantly, apologising profusely. I don't want him to be mad at me. I explained that Karl worked with elite military training and apologised some more for good measure before hitting send.

  From: Jason Reed

  To: Jamie-Lea Carter

  Sent: 21:38 23/10/2012

  Subject: Sorry science student

  I may have been a bit quick to castigate you, sorry baby. I just know you lost quite a bit of weight last week and I know it's partly my fault. A peanut butter sandwich is not a bad choice. It's a good ratio of carbs to protein. You should have had two though.

  Elite military training? That makes it much less embarrassing to have had my ass kicked by him ;) Will be much more fun to win next time as well. :P

  Now, back to the blushing... I have some homework for you.

  xxx

  At least he's not mad. He was right, I guess, I did lose some weight. I didn't think I looked that bad though. I did not like the idea of him fighting with Karl again, or any of my brothers for that matter.

  From: Jamie-Lea Carter

  To: Jason Reed

  Sent: 21:45 23/10/2012

  Subject: Hesitant for homework

  I promise I'll try to do better.

  I really hope you're joking about there being a next time. It's really not something I'd want to see again. I also find it interesting you think you'd win. Even if (hypothetically) you did win, one of the others would step in just to prove a point. Can't you just try not to provoke them? Pretty please?

  Homework? Do boyfriends give homework? I know you're my first, but even I think it sounds dubious.

  xxx

  I nipped into the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea. What is he up to? I wasn't enjoying being away from him. I was missing the contact, the gentle touches, the hugs and the feel of his hand holding mine. Face-to-face I could tell when he was serious and when he was joking. When all I had was words, I found myself reading everything over and over trying to unravel layers of non-existent hidden meaning as if I was analysing a literary classic. My laptop pinged just as I returned to my room and I cringed as I read the subject line.

  From: Jason Reed

  To: Jamie-Lea Carter

  Sent: 21:52 23/10/2012

  Subject: Erotic exploration

  The best boyfriends do :P Think of it as an assignment set by a university lecturer if that makes it easier. I do teach a course so it's not entirely untrue.

  You're not very comfortable with your body. I'm not criticising, it's just a fact. It's understandable considering your experience. Again, not a criticism, I'm glad I'm your first.

  That being said, I want you to become more comfortable. I want you to be comfortable being naked around me. It's completely natural. Therefore your assignment is as follows:

  -get naked

  -turn off the lights

  -get into bed

  -explore every inch of your body, top to bottom

  -make yourself come with your fingers

  -text me when you're done

  I'm not checking my e-mails again tonight, baby. I know you're not going to like what I'm asking of you. I want you to do this for me. I know what you'd say if you were here: “I don't know how to do that”, “
it's embarrassing” etc etc. Just think about the way I touch you, what you like, what causes you to make those cute little noises ;) You can do it baby.

  xxx

  P.S. Try to be quiet, I don't want Adam hearing you ;)

  Oh. My. God. Is he serious? There was no way I could do that. I closed my laptop with an exaggerated flourish and grabbed my cup of tea. Nothing better than tea to calm your nerves when your boyfriend is demanding weird perversions. Was it weird though? I assumed Jason had a pretty large appetite when it came to sex and I guess 'pleasing yourself' was something that most people did. I just never felt the urge personally. I knew my brothers must do it. The twins had once walked in on Jake with a less than classy magazine he'd stolen from Matt and made a point of humiliating him about it for days.

  I sighed as I finished off the tea and put the empty cup on the side. What's the problem, really? Nobody would be able to see me. It's not like it was going to hurt. Jason would know, and that would be embarrassing, but he was my boyfriend. He was more familiar with my body than I was. I decided I was being childish. Jason's right, he's not asking much. If he wants me to do this, then I can do it - for him.

  It took much, much longer than I'd thought it would. It was nowhere near as good as it felt when I was with Jason. It was good, and I'd enjoyed the release immensely, but there was none of the excitement and suspense I felt when Jason was touching me. All he had to do was gently graze my skin and my whole body burst into goose bumps. My own touch didn't quite elicit the same reaction but knowing that I was pleasing Jason by pleasing myself was enough to keep me focussed.

  Assignment complete :-$

  xxx JL

  I grimaced as I hit send. This is so humiliating. I didn't need to check the mirror to know that my cheeks were blushing red, and not from the fallout of my homework. Jason's reply was almost instantaneous.

  Good girl. I'm proud of

  you. If you behave I might

  let you do it again ;)

  Sleep tight baby. Jason xxx

  Let me do it again? Does he mean I needed his permission? I grinned to myself, he's such a perv. The good kind, not the bearded creepy type who drive white vans. But at least he was my perv.

  Chapter 28

  Monday, 5th September 2005

  “Please, Aunt Megan, please don't make me go!” I pleaded.

  “That's enough, Jamie!” she scolded. “I know you're scared but you'll make lots of new friends and your brothers will be there to look after you.”

  That's exactly what I'm afraid of. I'd had two years of school free from Jake and Duff, I was not looking forward to starting secondary school and being back with them again. Aunt Megan passed me a bowl of bran flakes and a glass of orange juice and I sat at the breakfast island with Jake and Craig.

  “We're off to work,” Rick said as he and Danny stuck their heads round the door. “Behave,” he said looking pointedly at the three of us. “Enjoy your first day of big school, Jellybean.” He stuck his tongue out at me and they went to hug Aunt Megan.

  Rick and Danny had another month before term started for them and they'd both taken summer jobs.

  “Thanks for giving us a hand,” Danny said to Aunt Megan.

  “It's no problem, Richard,” she said smiling. “Have a good day now.”

  Danny didn't bother correcting her. He was used to her getting them mixed up by now. I waved the twins off and returned to staring grumpily into my cereal bowl. I really don't want to go to school today. I'd spent most of the summer holidays trying to avoid Jake and his friends and now I was going to have to be around them all day at school. I was too worried to eat, but I tried to force my food down anyway. I assumed I wasn't going to get any lunch today if Jake got his way.

  “You three best get going,” Aunt Megan said. “Craig, dear, keep an eye on your sister.”

  Craig nodded and put his dishes in the sink. I followed suit and trailed after him into the hallway. Craig handed me my bag and I put my new shoes on. Jake came in behind us and shoved me out of the way so he could get to his shoes.

  “Jake,” Craig whispered in a low voice so that Aunt Megan couldn't hear. “Leave her alone.”

  Jake scowled at Craig but Craig ignored him. I was grateful that Craig was sticking up for me. The only positive thing about going into year seven was that Craig would be in year thirteen. I didn't expect Craig to be able to protect me all the time but maybe Jake would be a little cautious knowing that he was around.

  The walk to our school was only fifteen minutes. Craig walked in-between us and talked to Jake about some band they both liked. I was too distracted to listen. I was really nervous about starting in a new school. I knew that there'd be some people from my old school there but there'd also be lots of new people. I'm not very good at making friends.

  “You remember where your form room is, Jelly?” Craig asked as we approached the main doors.

  I looked around at all the students around me, every one of them dressed in the same white shirt and red-grey, striped tie combination. There are so many people. The school was so big; I'd seen that on introduction day. I'm going to get lost all the time.

  “I... I'm not sure,” I stuttered. I huddled closer to Craig, worried I'd lose him in the masses.

  “I'll take you, but only for today, okay?” He sighed with exasperation.

  I nodded and followed him though the corridors. He opened the door to a classroom and motioned me in.

  “What are you doing here, Mr Carter?” The stern looking lady with grey hair said from behind the teacher's desk.

  “Just dropping off my sister, Miss,” Craig grinned. “See you, Jelly,” he whispered as he squeezed my shoulder and left me standing alone by the door.

  There were around fifteen students already sat around the room. I grabbed the closest seat and sat down as quickly as possible, noticing their eyes on me. I blushed and tried to focus on the graffiti on the desk.

  “Miss carter?” The lady said. Mrs Harris was her name. She was my new form tutor.

  “Yes, Miss?” I said, looking up from my desk.

  “You're not going to be as much trouble as your brothers I hope?” She smiled kindly.

  I shook my head, not really sure how to respond.

  “I taught all of your brothers at some point or another,” she continued. “Richard and Daniel were in my form group when they were your age. They were quite a handful.” She smiled as though reminiscing. I knew the twins had gotten into trouble quite a bit at school but it was usually just for tom-foolery.

  When the rest of the students had arrived and the bell had gone, Miss Harris took the register. I recognised a couple of people from junior school but nobody I knew very well. I couldn't decide whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. The kids at my old school had steered clear of me for the most part, scared they'd get the same treatment from Jake and Duff if they were friends with me. Nothing had changed after they'd moved to secondary school, they'd already made me a laughing stock.

  The morning passed quickly. The teachers helped us to find our next lessons after each class. After third period, the teacher let us out for our lunch. I followed the crowd out of the room, trying to remember where the cafeteria was. I figured that's where most people would be headed so I followed the general flow. My plan paid off and I found the packed room, chock-a-block full with tables and chairs. The bell had only just gone off and the room was already almost full. The lunch queue appeared to go all the way out of the cafeteria.

  I found a seat at a mostly empty table in the corner and pulled out my lunch box. It was so intimidating being surrounded by this many people and not knowing anybody. I still hadn't really talked to anyone. I wished I was more confident but there were always advantages to not drawing attention to yourself.

  “Look who it is!” Somebody exclaimed and I felt hands grabbing my shoulders. I didn't need to turn around to see who it was. I recognised Duff's voice. Why me? I didn't acknowledge him. I tried to focus my attention on my s
andwich.

  “What you got for us, Jelly?” Duff said as he sat down next to me and grabbed my lunch box away from me.

  I didn't bother asking for it back. I knew there was no point. I watched as Jake sat down opposite me.

  “Ugh, Philadelphia?” Duff complained as he took a bite of my sandwich. “That won't do, Jellybean.” He tossed the rest of my sandwiches into the bin behind him and my empty stomach rumbled in response. I refused to react, I knew it wouldn't get me anywhere. I just ate the half a sandwich I'd been holding in my hand whilst the two of them split the rest of my lunch.

  “Cheers, Jelly,” Jake grinned as he slid my empty lunchbox back to me.

  I took it silently, putting it back into my bag. I kept my eyes on the table and stood to get up, wanting to get away from them as quickly as possible.

  “Where you going?” Duff frowned, grabbing my wrist.

  “Bathroom,” I mumbled.

  “You need to pee, Jelly?” Jake asked in a mocking tone.

  I ignored them and waited for Duff to let me go.

  “You ignoring us?” Jake said, pushing his chair away.

  I backed up a little, wary of Jake, but I didn't answer.

  “That's very rude,” Duff frowned, tightening his grip on my wrist.

  My other hand automatically flew to my wrist, trying to free it, but that gave Duff opportunity to grab that one too.

  “Please,” I said quietly. “I need the toilet.”

  It's my first day, can't they give me a break? I knew it was pointless to think they might take it easy on me.

  “She's desperate,” Jake said, grinning at Duff. “She might not be able to hold it.”

  I saw Duff grin as Jake grabbed his water bottle from the table. I tried to squirm away from Duff but he held my wrists even tighter. I glanced around the room, desperately hoping to see a teacher or dinner lady looking our way but nobody was paying any attention. I contemplated calling out for help but I didn't want to draw the attention of all the students. I watched in open-mouthed horror as Jake squirted my skirt with his water bottle.