“Let me go!” Amy cried, struggling to break free from Jake’s tight grip. With timing never more convenient, Chad appeared on the scene, relishing what he was witnessing between Jake and Amy. Chad smiled deviously, thinking his hard work breaking up Amy and Jake was finally reaping rewards for him.
“What’s going on, Amy? You okay?” Chad asked, with Amy reacting favorably to his presence, but Jake not as well. Jake gave Chad an irritated look, while Amy looked at him in gratitude.
“Chad, do me a favor, and butt out,” Jake insisted. “It’s none of your business, anyway.”
Chad shook his head, chuckling, and looked at Jake, fearlessly.
“No Jake, you’re wrong, really wrong ’bout that. Amy’s my friend, and I’d do anything to help her,” Chad answered in a low, commanding tone of voice.
“Really?” Jake said, with a cunning smile.
“Yeah, really,” Chad said, crossing his arms defiantly.
“Really then so would I,” Jake said and with this, Jake pushed Chad out of the way, who fell down. Jake again tried to speak to Amy, by grabbing her arm so she would pay attention to him. Chad got up, dusted himself off, and shouted at Jake,
“Amy said for you to leave her alone. Don’t you listen or something?”
Jake crossed his arms, and looked at Chad fiercely.
“I’ll decide that,” Jake said. All those weeks of rejected phone calls and attempts to speak to Amy had gotten on his nerves, and he was about to take no more, especially when outsiders like Chad became involved.
“Amy said she doesn’t want you!” Chad screamed at Jake, pointing at him.
“Well, let’s see who Amy wants after this!” Jake said, trying to throw a punch at Chad. Chad was blown away by this, and almost fell over from shock. Amy watched them to see what they would do, and once Chad got up, he tried to punch Jake. Amy stopped Jake and Chad from further harm by moving between them, her eyes wide with alarm from all that had happened.
“You two crazy or something?” Amy pleaded to her determined admirers. She watched them as they cooled off a little from their anger, indicating with her eyes that they should drop their antagonism. Jake’s face, though, was still flushed with irritation, as was Chad’s.
“I just wanna talk to you — that’s all I want,” Jake begged Amy, almost crying. Amy looked at Jake, and was affected by how he was acting, but, still, mistrusted him.
“Anyway Jake, whatever you say, and whatever you do, I’m finished with you,” Amy said, directly facing Jake. Jake was totally confused why Amy was treating him this way, and his eyes were large with shock. “I’m going with Chad,” Amy said and with this, Chad and Amy began to walk to class together. After they had walked off, Chad turned around and looked at Jake, with a sly smile on his face. Jake watched Chad and Amy walk off together but, was powerless to do anything.
“You’re making a mistake Amy — a big one,” Jake shouted to her.
Amy stopped for a moment, and turned around to face Jake. Chad watched her ardently as she did this.
“I’ll be the judge of that,” Amy sniggered to Jake’s amazement, and she again began walking with Chad. Jake was shaken by this turn of events, and kicked his bag, the force of this landing it quite a distance away. He was unable to comprehend why Amy was acting the way she was, and, in defeat, threw his hands in the air. After taking some deep breaths, and calming himself down, Jake picked up his bag, and walked off in disappointment to his first class for the day.
Chad and Amy were in the same History class this morning, and Amy felt protected just by being close to him. They walked up the stairs together to their class in silence, each thinking about what had just happened. Amy and Chad were the first ones outside the classroom, as they had gone up earlier to get away from Jake. Amy placed her bag in the rack outside the classroom, and took out her books, Chad doing the same.
Amy felt horrible for treating Jake the way she had, but knew there was no other way of dealing with him. Chad, though, was thrilled things had advanced this far with Amy and Jake, and that they were already fighting with each other. Amy and Chad put their bags away, and Amy looked at him in admiration. Chad eagerly seized the opportunity to make good in Amy’s eyes, and asked her,
“Amy, you okay now? Hope Jake didn’t upset you.”
Amy looked at Chad with a pleased expression, thankful he had saved her from any more of Jake’s talk.
“I’m okay now. I’m glad you came along when you did. That’s the last time I wanna see Jake,” Amy said boldly.
Chad was delighted with what Amy had just said, and smiled at her; he loved the sensation of being wanted by Amy.
“Don’t worry Amy, I’ll never let Jake near you again, ever,” he replied. Chad stared at Amy for a moment, and she did the same. Their quiet moment, though, was abruptly cut short by hordes of fellow students now coming up the stairs. Some of them noticed Chad and Amy seemed to be taken with each other, and were confused, as Jake and Amy were the star couple at the fancy dress gala. Chad, though, did not care at all what anyone thought; he wanted Amy, and today was a good sign of great things to come for him.
* * * *
After school had finished for the day, Jake slowly walked home. He was still upset after his confrontation with Amy, and did not know what to do for the afternoon. As he did not have basketball training today, the afternoon was all his. Jake did not want to stay at home, as he knew he would think about Amy all the time. He was not in the mood, either, to study, as he felt his brain was fried. The whole thing with Amy was preying on his mind, and he could not get Amy’s angry face out of his thoughts. After arriving at his house Jake quickly opened the front door, and raced upstairs to his bedroom.
He sat down at his desk, and took out his books, getting them ready for some later study. Jake looked up from what he was doing, and saw his costume for the fancy dress gala hanging on the front of his closet. He recalled dancing with Amy, and how they were crowned Queen and King of the Gala that evening. Jake also remembered his desperation with Amy earlier in the day, and how she told him to let go of her arm, and stay away from her.
“Why’s Amy doing this to me, why?” Jake asked, shaking his head, again picturing Amy’s angry face. “What’ve I done to her? Thought everything was great,” he pondered, unable to answer his own question. Jake’s fury again came to the surface, and he turned away from his gala costume, and left his room in a hurry. On the spur, Jake decided he was not going to stay at home, but, was going to ‘The Place’ for the afternoon, in order to get away from it all. Only there was he going to feel relaxed, and able to take his mind off things. Before he knew it, Jake was out of his room, out the front door, and onto the curb.
After a few minutes of walking, Jake finally reached ‘The Place’. He quickly found an empty booth, and sat down. There were a few people there today, who were chatting with each other in a lively manner. Being Tuesday the restaurant, though, was not as busy at the beginning of the week than it was at the end. Friday was always the busiest day, and sometimes it was difficult to find a seat there on that day. Jake was happy, though, there were not too many people around, as he was in the mood for some quiet.
Jake looked around the restaurant, hoping Mrs Page would be in, as she was always great to talk to. Maybe she could advise him what to do with Amy, Jake thought. Jake, though, did not see her in the restaurant, and asked her assistant, Damian, where she was. To Jake’s disappointment, Damian told Jake that Mrs Page had a cold, and had not been well for a few days. The doctor had told her to take a few days of rest, as the cold needed some isolation. Damian asked Jake if he wanted something to drink, and he asked for lemonade. When Damian brought over his drink, Jake thanked him, and looked out the shop’s windows.
Jake thought again about Amy, and lapsed into a daydream. He tried to work out a reason for her actions, but, after some pondering, simply gave up, not coming to any logical conclusion. Maybe this was just how Amy was, or perhaps it was a phase she was going t
hrough, he contemplated. Jake’s thoughts wandered over to Chad, and what role he played in all this. Again, he could not see how Amy had suddenly become so close to Chad, and shook his head. Unexpectedly, a pleasant, recognizable voice stirred him from his thoughts, and Jake turned away from the window to see who it was.
“Hi stranger.”
The voice belonged to none other than Francine. She was exceptionally happy to have Jake on her own after Amy had had him for so long, and looked at him with a friendly smile. Jake returned this expression, and nodded at her. Francine noticed, though, that Jake seemed preoccupied, but wanted to act the considerate friend to him.
“Interrupted you from something? I understand if you wanna be alone,” she said.
Jake shook his head, and emitted a warm smile.
“Come on, sit down,” he motioned with his hand to Francine.
“You sure? Maybe…maybe it’s not a good idea,” she asked.
“Nope, it’s a great idea. Please sit down,” Jake said, slightly begging her.
“Thanks,” Francine said happily, slipping into the booth with Jake.
Jake looked at his drink, and realized Francine had not ordered anything from the bar.
“You gonna have something to drink?”
“No, I’m okay, maybe later,” Francine replied, with a slight smile. Francine wanted to dig her nails deeper about Jake’s break up with Amy, and thought today was the perfect opportunity to start. “So, what you been up to? Thought you’d be with Amy,” Francine mentioned, batting her eyelashes. Francine saw her and Chad’s plan was definitely working to full effect, as Jake bowed his head upon hearing Amy’s name. “Oh, what’s wrong Jake? Something wrong?” Francine asked.
Jake looked at her with a pained expression.
“Oh, you wouldn’t wanna know Francine, it’s nothing.”
Francine shook her head, and saw Jake’s normally lively gray eyes were heavy with sadness.
“Try me. Maybe I can help you.”
Jake gave her an expression of gratitude, and nodded, Francine watching him keenly all the while.
“Amy doesn’t wanna see, or speak to me, and I dunno why,” he said, again bowing his head.
“You spoken to her about why?” Francine said, with fake concern. “And tried everything you could?”
Jake shrugged his shoulders, looking desperate.
“I’ve tried everything — I’ve sent her letters, emails, pounded on her door, begged her, rang her, and confronted her at school. Seems like whatever I do, she hates me even more.”
Francine flared her eyes at Jake in anger.
“What? You’ve done all that and she still won’t tell you what’s going on?”
Jake again nodded his head in disenchantment.
“Yeah. I dunno what else to do,” Jake said.
Francine looked at him, her eyes full of concern.
“Know what I think Jake?”
“What?” Jake asked, looking to Francine for inspiration.
“I think if Amy doesn’t wanna speak to you, then that’s her problem,” Francine asserted. “If she treats you that way, she’s not worth it. She may never’ve been worth your time. It’s very selfish to not tell you why she doesn’t wanna see you — but that’s her problem,” Francine said, looking at Jake intently, hoping that her words were making an impact upon him.
After listening to Francine’s words, Jake was silent for a spell, but, looked at her, nodding his head.
“Maybe you’re right, maybe me and Amy weren’t meant to be,” Jake said, harmonizing with Francine’s sentiments, but still not totally comfortable with these. Francine, though, nodded her head, happy Jake agreed with her.
“Well Jake the way I see it, if people don’t trust each other, there’s really nothing between them. If Amy doesn’t wanna tell you why she’s acting this way, it must mean she doesn’t trust you. That’s her loss, not yours,” Francine said.
Jake smiled slightly at Francine, and, to her surprise, leaned over the table, clasping her hand.
“Thanks Franci, for listening to me.”
“No problem,” Francine grinned, happy with her achievements for the day. “I hope I’ve helped you. I really hope it all works out for you, I really do,” she said.
“Thanks Franci,” Jake said, smiling at her.
“You’re welcome.” Francine beamed, and looked at Jake curiously, to which he responded by widening his eyes. “Oh, by the way, I haven’t had that drink with you,” she said. Jake looked at his watch and frowned, to Francine’s confusion.
“Damn, I forgot an appointment I have. I haven’t been with it for a few days. I…I’ve gotta go now. See you at school.” Jake quickly got up to leave, to Francine’s disappointment. He observed Francine’s face, and gathered she was upset by his leaving, but made her an offer.
“Franci, let’s make it for another time.”
“Yeah, let’s do it another day,” she said slyly.
“Whenever you like — I’ll make it up to you — I’ll do whatever it takes,” Jake said.
“You’d better,” Francine said seductively, and Jake smiled shyly at her comment. Jake, though, saw that time was running away from him, and watched Francine unhappily.
“I’ve really gotta go Franci, sorry.”
Francine was still seated in the booth, and looked up at Jake, her green eyes tightly focused upon him.
“Bye Jake.”
“Bye Franci,” he replied, looking at her in a much more innocent light than Francine was him. Jake quickly made his way out ‘The Place’, and Francine waved to him from her seat, with Jake waving back to her. Francine felt great after her time with Jake, and sank back into her seat, looking again out of the shop windows. Her attention was stolen by Mrs Page’s assistant, who asked if she wanted something to drink. She requested a cool apple and mango juice, and he quickly brought this out to her.
Francine was never into milk-based drinks, like some of her friends, and preferred natural juices and drinks which were water-based, as she found these more refreshing. As Francine sipped her luscious drink, she thought about Jake, and what her next move would be. Making herself even more comfortable, Francine sat further back into the booth, and let her imagination run wild with possibilities.
“Yes Jake, let me show you that you and Amy were never meant to be, but you, and I, are.”
Chapter Sixteen
“I can’t concentrate, I just can’t, damn!” Jake said, looking flustered. “I’ve got so much homework it’s not funny!” he said, slamming his fist on the desk.
It was now late afternoon, and Jake was at home, seated at his large, comfortable desk, doing some homework. Jake was desperately trying to keep on track with his studies, as he had fallen behind a little with them. After his recent fight with Amy at school, Jake was very unhappy, and could not focus on anything much lately.
Jake felt he had been sleepwalking through school for the day, and, unfortunately, even his favorite subjects seemed to drag. It did not help that he was also not eating or drinking properly for the past few days, as what happened with Amy had been continuously on his mind. Jake was trying to figure out Amy’s attitude towards him, why she was acting like this, and, above all, what he could do to make up with her.
Jake sensed he needed a break from study, and looked up from his schoolbooks, and surveyed the soothing light blue walls of his bedroom. Light blue was his favorite color, and a shade that seemed to provide him with much inspiration. For Jake, it was a color associated with positive thoughts; he found that darker colors only fostered negative feelings in him.
Jake used to have his bedroom painted in a light mocha tone and while it was a beautiful color, he found he could not sleep well with this color on the walls. At this time, something pleasurable twigged inside of him, as if the light blue walls provided a spark of inspiration, and a smile reappeared on his face. Jake arose from his desk, and, upon looking out the window, was faced with a pleasant sight.
The bi
rds were happily chirping in the trees, singing their distinctive, sweet songs. The tree branches, in turn, were swaying in the light wind, seemingly in sequence with the bird calls. As Jake inspected this peaceful view, he felt a little better with himself, and took a deep breath. Jake went over to the phone, and dialed Amy’s cell phone number, thinking he should try her again, as he was a tad more relaxed. As soon as Amy picked up the phone, Jake excitedly said,
“Hi Amy,” and waited to at least hear Amy’s voice again. Jake, though, was thoroughly disappointed when Amy immediately terminated the call, and, with this, he angrily whacked the receiver into its cradle. Jake’s calm mood was shattered, and his irritation returned to him like a lightning bolt.
“I’ve gotta find out what’s up with Amy, or I’ll explode!” Jake said, his face bright red. As his latest attempt to speak with Amy was again unsuccessful, Jake thought he might have to take another form of action, and decided that going through Amy again was not a good idea. There was someone else, though, who could possibly help him, and Jake’s face lit up when he thought of her.
“Carrie, yeah, Carrie, she’ll help me. After all, she’s Amy’s best friend. Why didn’t I think of her before?” Jake said. Jake felt some exercise would do him some good, and relieve some of his frustration, and excitedly raced out of his bedroom, going to the family garage. There he retrieved his bicycle, and opened the roller door with the remote control. Jake wheeled his bike out to the curb, and pressed the button again to close. He mounted upon the bike, and was off to Carrie’s.
The journey from his to Carrie’s house was a lovely one, filled with many visual delights. As he cycled by, Jake admired the beautiful homes in the area, particularly noting their well-kept lawns and gardens, which were similar to those of his own family home. With the wind in his hair, Jake felt freer than he had for days. As he had been stewing over Amy for weeks, Jake had slightly neglected his exercise regime, which he really missed. For him, there was nothing like going for a ride on his bike to break the boredom.
The Great High School Love Game Page 18