by E. K. Blair
I didn’t know where things between us were going, but I wanted to find out.
I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to act around Emma at school. I knew that we had to keep our friendship quiet from her mother, so I assumed that we had to act like nothing had changed over the weekend. It sucked, but I understood why she needed to keep things quiet. She was trying to protect both of us from her mom. I’d never met the woman, and I didn’t want to. Emma was the type who liked everyone, and the resentment she had for her mother told me all I needed to know about her.
I pulled into the parking lot and stepped out of my Jeep right as Emma was pulling in. I started walking slowly toward the school, giving her a chance to catch up to me if she wanted to. Sure enough, I heard footsteps behind me a few seconds later. I looked over at her as she caught up to me.
“Hey.”
She grinned. “Hey. How was your weekend?”
“Kind of boring.”
“Oh, really? Nothing exciting?”
“Nope, just the usual. I took some hot girl to the beach and tried to teach her how to surf, but she was just like all the others. She kept getting distracted by my abs, so she kept falling off the board. It was actually kind of funny just how clumsy she was. She did have one thing going for her though.”
“And what was that?”
“She looked way better in a bikini than most girls.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear she had that at least.”
This teasing was fun. I was always stressed with school or my mom’s money situation, and Emma could make all of that disappear with just a smile.
“So, how was your weekend?” I asked.
“It was fun. I met this hot surfer guy, but he ended up being this egomaniac who I couldn’t stand. He even kissed me without my permission.”
“What a douche bag.”
“He was.”
I pulled her off the sidewalk to a spot where it wasn’t so out in the open.
I looked around to make sure no one was watching. When I was sure that we were safe, I leaned in closer and whispered into her ear, “It’s too bad that you think he was a douche bag.”
“Why is that?” she whispered back.
I ran my tongue along her ear, and she shuddered.
“Because if you liked him, he could do that and so much more.” “What else does he have in mind?” she asked breathlessly.
I stepped back and grinned. “He can get pretty creative when he wants to.”
I wasn’t one of those guys who was with a different girl every night, but I did have experience when it came to sex. I’d been with a handful of girls since I started high school, and I’d learned a lot about girls and what they wanted. I had no idea how experienced Emma was, but I knew that I wanted to find out.
“Emma! What are you doing over there?” a voice shouted from a few feet away.
I stepped away from Emma just as Lucy was walking up to us. Her eyes widened as she noticed me standing there, too.
“Oh, hi, Jesse. I didn’t see you there.”
“Hey, Lucy,” I said casually. That girl has the worst timing.
“We were just...talking,” Emma said lamely.
She needed to learn to lie better if she planned to keep me as her dirty little secret.
Lucy grinned. “What were you talking about? It must have been something good because you’re blushing.” “Uh...” Emma started.
“I was asking Emma if she could help me with an assignment Ms. Mason assigned to us,” I lied flawlessly.
Lucy studied me carefully. “You know, you’re an excellent liar. If Emma wasn’t six shades of red, I would have believed you.”
I grinned. “Maybe she was blushing because she was nervous around me.”
Emma snorted. “Ego much?”
“We’d better get to class.” I stepped back onto the sidewalk and started walking toward the school.
Emma and Lucy followed behind me, and I could hear Lucy whispering to Emma.
“When we’re alone, you’re so telling me what just happened.”
I rolled my eyes as I made my way through the doors and down the hall to the classroom. There was no way that Emma could lie to Lucy. Hopefully, Lucy could be trusted not to blab to the rest of the school.
I ignored Emma through first period since Lucy kept watching us. I didn’t want to make Lucy anymore suspicious than she already was in case Emma was going to try to lie to her.
Emma was forced to ignore me in second period because Todd was keeping her attention on him as he passed note after note to her. I gritted my teeth every time one fell on her desk. I was sitting right beside her, and I couldn’t do a damn thing about it.
She wasn’t mine to claim—at least, not yet. If something happened between us, she would need to get used to the idea of me protecting what was mine. Mine? Shit. I was already thinking that she was mine when she wasn’t.
I had no idea what the hell was wrong with me, but this wasn’t how I normally acted. People came and went in life, and I refused to form attachments to any of them—with the exception of Ally and Andy. I was safer that way. No one could hurt me if I didn’t care. I mean, look at my mom. Even now, years after my dad had left us, I knew she still missed him.
There was no way that I would give someone that kind of power over me.
When the bell rang, I grabbed my books, and I all but ran from the room.
I did not want to see Emma and Todd talking together. It would bring out jealousy that I didn’t even know I had inside me. It was one of those things I was better off not knowing.
I was one of the first people in line for food when I got to the cafeteria. After I paid, I walked to my usual table. Sean and Charles weren’t anywhere to be seen, and I was glad. Even though I’d been sitting at this table since my first day, I rarely spoke to either of them. They were nice and all, but we had nothing in common.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see a text from Emma.
Emma: Where’d you run off to so fast?
Me: I was hungry.
Emma: Oh, okay. The way you left class, I thought you were mad at me or something. Do you want to sit at my table? I don’t think anyone would mind.
Me: Do you think that’s a good idea? I thought you were hiding me.
Emma: I guess you’re right. I didn’t even think.
I put my phone back in my pocket, not bothering to respond. I was irritated, and I didn’t want to yell at her, so it was better if I stayed away. I finished my food before Sean and Charles even showed up.
I dropped off my tray and walked out of the cafeteria, passing right by Emma’s table. She was sitting with a few of the other cheerleaders, and of course, Todd was sitting in the seat beside her. She gave me a small smile, but I ignored it. I walked through the hallways, trying to kill time before my next class.
The school was small enough that everyone had lunch at the same time, so the halls were completely empty. I was enjoying that simple little pleasure when I heard footsteps behind me. I had wandered to the opposite side of the school from the cafeteria, so I assumed it was a teacher.
Two hallways later, the footsteps were still behind me. Feeling slightly annoyed with my followers, I turned to see who it was. Todd and two of his friends were at the other end of the hallway.
“You guys need something?” I asked, not bothering to hide my annoyance.
Todd waited until they were closer before answering. “Yeah, actually, I do. I want you to stay the hell away from Emma.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’ve seen the way you watch her,” Todd growled as he stepped closer to me.
His two buddies followed him, and they surrounded me. This wasn’t going to end well for any of us. I doubted I would win a fight since I was outnumbered, but I’d be sure to get in a few good hits before they took me down. The Todd I’d seen with Emma was gone, and a raging asshole was standing in front of me. I knew there was a reason I didn’t like him.
He was finally showing his true colors.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said casually as I tried to figure out which guy I should hit first if they came at me. I wanted Todd, but that would be the obvious choice. I needed to take out his buddies and go for him last—if I could make it that far. Judging by the size of all three guys, my chances were slim.
“Don’t pretend that you don’t want her. I can see it every time you two are in the same room. This is your one and only warning, trailer trash. Stay away from Emma. She’s mine.”
So much for my plan to go for Todd last. As soon as I heard the words trailer trash, I saw red. I drew back and threw all my weight into a punch. I hit my target, and I heard a sickening crunch as his nose broke.
He howled in pain as he clutched his face. “You son of a bitch. You’re going to pay for that.”
One of his friends charged me. The guy was big, but he had no idea how to fight, and I dodged him easily. He turned to charge me again, but before he could, I slammed my fist into his face. I didn’t break his nose, but I definitely slowed him down. Before he could recover, I grabbed his head and yanked it down as my knee came up.
When he dropped to the ground, I turned to the other guy. He didn’t look as sure of himself as he had just a few minutes ago. He hesitated for a split second before turning and darting down the hallway. Coward.
Since the first guy was incapacitated on the ground, that left just Todd and me to settle things. I turned back to him, and he started walking backward down the hall, trying to escape me.
“Where are you going?” I taunted. “I thought I was going to pay.”
“You’re fucking nuts!” he shouted.
“What is going on here?” a voice screeched from behind me.
I cursed under my breath as Ms. Mason ran toward us. I am so screwed. Unlike these assholes, I was here on a scholarship, and they could take that away from me any time they wanted to.
“Ms. Mason! Thank God! My friend and I were walking down the hall, and he just attacked us. He’s crazy!” Todd yelled.
“You’re fucking lying. Your two friends and you tried to corner me. You’re just pissed off that you couldn’t take me down even though you outnumbered me.”
“Enough!” Ms. Mason yelled. “Both of you, follow me to the office now.”
We followed her as she hurried through the hallways. The secretary looked up and gasped when she saw us.
“Call an ambulance immediately. James Thrones is knocked out in the English hallway!” Ms. Mason yelled as she stomped past the secretary.
She knocked on the principal’s door before throwing it open. “We have a serious problem, Principal Thompson. These two and another student were brawling out in one of the hallways.”
Principal Thompson was older, probably in his mid-sixties, but he had an air of authority about him that made him seem younger and even a bit scary. He was around six feet tall with a lean build and a thin mustache that was as white as his hair.
“Son, I think your nose is broken,” he said as he looked Todd over.
“I believe it is, sir,” Todd said as he grabbed a few tissues off the desk to wipe away the blood.
“I had Lauren call an ambulance for the other boy. He’s knocked out cold,” Ms. Mason said.
“Todd needs looked at, too. Why don’t you take him out so that he can get that taken care of? I’ll deal with him later,” Principal Thompson said.
Great. That meant that it would be just the two of us to battle it out. Ms. Mason herded Todd out the door. Principal Thompson waited to turn to me until she closed the door behind her.
“Want to tell me what happened?” he asked.
“We got into a fight. There were three of them and one of me. Imagine their shock when I actually won.”
“Who started it?”
“They did. I left lunch early, and they waited to approach me until I was on the other side of the school.” Maybe if I stayed calm and told the truth, he would believe me. I wasn’t holding out much hope though.
“And what was the reason they started this fight with you?”
I hesitated. If I told him it was over Emma, he might call her in or call her mom. I decided to go with the truth, but I’d leave her name out of it. “It was over a girl. He thought I was interested in the same person as him.”
“And who is she?”
“I’d prefer to keep her out of this. He had his facts wrong. I have no interest in her.”
He watched me carefully for a moment. “Fair enough. Now, here is my problem. There are two of them—”
“Three. There were three, but one ran when he figured out that his friends weren’t doing too well.”
“Who was he?”
“I have no idea.”
“I see. Well, if Todd and James both say they were the only two involved, there’s nothing I can do about the third one. Anyway, here is my problem. There are two of them and one of you, and I’m sure they will have the same story. Do you see where I’m going with this?”
“Two against one, so I’m automatically the bad guy. Why did you even ask me what happened? What I say doesn’t matter anyway.”
“It always matters, but in this case, it won’t be enough. Was there anyone else around?”
I shook my head. “Nope. They waited until we were completely alone.”
“This looks bad for you. You’re here on a scholarship, and you fought with two private-pay students. Both of those students are on the varsity football team, and they have never been in any kind of trouble.”
“Look, I know I’m in trouble. Just tell me what my sentence is,” I said, not bothering to hide my anger. I didn’t see the point in staying calm when I was going to be persecuted anyway?
He stared at me. “You’re telling the truth, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, I am.”
“I believe you, but it doesn’t change anything. Todd’s father gives several generous donations a year, and the board will have my head if I don’t punish you. I’m going to suspend you for a week.”
That wasn’t as bad as I’d expected. I’d walked into this room assuming that I would be expelled. I could live with being suspended for a week.
“Thank you,” I said.
“I just suspended you. Most students don’t thank me for that.”
I laughed. “We both know you could have done a lot worse. Will either of them get in trouble?”
He shook his head. “Doubtful. I’ll have to talk to the board before I do anything to either of them.”
I’d assumed as much, so his words hadn’t surprised me. I stood and walked to the door. There was no reason for me to hang around here. Maybe if I were lucky, Rick would give me a few extra hours at the shop since my schedule had just opened up.
“Jesse...” Principal Thompson called as I opened his door.
“Yeah?”
“I grew up in the same park where you live in now. Don’t let your roots control where you end up in life.”
I was speechless for a minute. The principal was from my trailer park? I didn’t see that coming.
“Thanks.”
I kept my head low as I walked down the hall. There were students everywhere, and they were all giving me the same cold glare. I ignored the whispers as I walked by. I knew they were talking about me, but I really didn’t give a fuck. I’d never belonged here, and this just solidified it to everyone. I walked outside and down the sidewalk to the parking lot. I tensed as I heard footsteps approaching rapidly from behind me.
“Jesse!” Emma called.
“Go back inside, Emma.”
“What happened? Everyone is saying that you attacked Todd and James.
I told them all that they’re wrong. You wouldn’t do something like that.” “Just go back inside!” I yelled as I turned to face her.
“Kiss my ass! I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what happened.”
“Fine. You stay right where you are, but I’m out of here.” I wa
lked to my Jeep and got in.
She ran to the passenger door and jumped in beside me. “Oh no, you don’t!”
“Emma, just let it go.”
“Please talk to me. I want to help,” she pleaded.
“Fine. You want to know what happened?” She nodded.
“Todd and two of his buddies attacked me. I won, but it’s my word against theirs. Of course, they’re going to lie, so I’m suspended.” “Why would they do something like that?” she asked. “Apparently, Todd doesn’t like the way I watch you.” “What?” she shrieked.
“Yep. They attacked me over you.”
“Oh my god, I don’t even know what to say. You’re okay, aren’t you?”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m so sorry, Jesse. I have no idea why Todd did that.”
“Because he wants you.”
She looked down at her lap. “I didn’t know. I mean, I think I knew he was interested, but I never thought he cared enough to do something like this.”
“I don’t know how you missed it. I even knew it.”
“It doesn’t change anything with us.”
“Who said there was an us?” I asked. I winced at my words. That was harsh.
“Do you want there to be an us?” she asked.
Do I? I had no clue. I just didn’t want to leave this beautiful girl alone. I wasn’t even sure if I could. Didn’t I try to ignore her at first? For some reason, I couldn’t, and that worried me. I didn’t want to get attached to her.
“Your silence says everything that you aren’t,” Emma said as she started to open the door to get out.
I leaned over and grabbed her wrist. “I don’t know what I want. I don’t do this.”
“What is this exactly?” she asked.
“Fuck. I don’t know.”
“Are you scared of me?”
I shook my head. “No, I’m not scared of you. I just don’t get close to people.”
“You’re afraid to get too close because you don’t want me to hurt you. Let me tell you something though—I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Maybe not on purpose.”
She shook her head. “Nope, not even by accident. For some reason, we’re under each other’s skins, and I want to find out why. I think we should try this and see where it goes.”