Bad Kind of Love

by Remi Rose

  Me: Can I come over?

  Seconds later she responds.

  J: Duh, what kind of pizza do you want?

  Me: Doesn’t matter. Whatever you get is fine.

  Sending over a quick text to Aunt Claire to let her know I’m staying the night at Josie’s, I toss my phone into my cup holder and speed off. Ten minutes later I’m pulling up to the neighborhood gate. Josie’s parents were high class rich folks, her mom was a model while her dad was a big shot lawyer downtown. They lived in a gated community with other affluent families, and apparently money wasn’t an issue to any of these people. To put it in perspective, their garages were bigger than the house I grew up in.

  “Hello Miss O’Connor.” Tom, the guard tipped his hat.

  “Hey Tom.” I smile as he presses the button to open the gate. Like heaven’s gate, it majestically swings open welcoming me in.

  “Have a good night.”

  “You too.” I roll up my window and continue driving. My eyes wander over the ritzy houses like it’s my first time seeing them. I’ve always wondered what my life would have been like if I grew up in a home like Josie’s. But the minute I pull into the extravagant driveway, I realize it’s pointless to imagine a life other than the one I’m living.

  An hour later, I’m lying on her bed, stuffed to the point I can barely move. The pizza arrived about ten minutes after I did, and we both devoured it in one sitting.

  “You should really make a facebook account.” Josie mutters from her computer.

  “Social media’s for people who like to make it seem like they have it all going on but they really work at McDonalds and live in their parents’ basement. It’s an allusion.” I argue while trying my hardest to not get sick. “No offense.”

  “None taken.” She says completely unaffected. “I agree with you. I just like to read everyone’s drama and see the occasional shirtless picture of Nate.”

  Josie has had a crush on Nate Hawthorne since freshman year. Football player, head of student council and the star pupil of Westwood. He was the all-American boy. Smart and respectable when he needed to be but behind closed doors, he was anything but.

  “Gross.” I pretend to gag as I sit up. “Can’t you crush on someone other than him? How about Jake who lives down the street from me? He’s nice.”

  She swivels in her chair, shooting me a disgusted face. Like she couldn’t believe what I had just said. “Jake? Are you kidding me? Out of all the guys in school, you choose him? First of all, he smells like he hasn’t showered in weeks. Second, you don’t think Nate would be interested in a girl like me?”

  Okay, she was right. Maybe choosing Jake wasn’t the right choice. I didn’t know who to say, so I just randomly thought of him and rattled his name off. Anyone, literally anyone was a better choice than Nate. “You could do so much better than Nate Hawthorne.”

  “Like who?” She rolls her eyes, twirling in her chair again to face her computer. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not, but guys aren’t really lined outside my door to date me.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with that. Guys our age are pigs.” The memory of Travis fucking the brunette in the classroom soon filtrates in, reminding me exactly why I don’t date.

  “How about golden boy?”

  My ears suddenly perked at the mention of Wes. “Huh?”

  “I’m kidding.” She teases. “There’s no way I could compete with the way you two were eye fucking each other at school.”

  “What?” I chuckle like it’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. “I have no clue what you’re talking about. If you want golden boy, go ahead and have him.”

  As soon as the words flew out of my mouth, I felt a strange sensation of regret. I wanted to take it back immediately, but if I did, Josie would think it meant something, when in reality it didn’t.

  He was just really nice to look at.

  “Uh huh… Well, I found him on facebook.” She points to her screen causing me to rise to my feet and scramble towards her. Peering over her shoulder, I watch as she scrolls through hundreds of pictures of him. Stopping at a shirtless picture of him at the beach which leaves us both speechless.

  “Damn...” Josie mumbles under breath.

  The air in the bedroom shifted, and my stomach ache was all forgotten about. Placing a hand on her desk, I steady myself as I take in the picture. His body was on full display, flawless tanned skin, a six-pack showing every dip and curve of chest and his pearly white teeth smiling through the screen, almost as if he’s looking at me. Luckily, his hypnotic eyes were covered with a pair of sunglasses or else I would have melted into a pile of goo on the floor.

  “He might be better looking than Nate.” Josie sighed as we both drooled over him like a piece of meat. He was a billion times better looking than Nate, but I’d keep that tidbit to myself.

  She continued to scroll through his pictures, every now and then she’d stop on one and we’d both gawk at him dreamily, until she landed on a certain picture that made my arm hair stand up.

  “Is that Mr. Fitzgerald?” She swallowed before asking.

  “Yah.” I nod, bewitched by the picture. It appeared to be taken a few years ago. Wes looked younger as he stood next to his dad in front of a house. Mr. Fitz’s hair was hanging down past his shoulder in a wavy mess, the only way I’ve seen his hair is tied back. I guess it made him look more professional for school, but here, he looked completely different, more rugged and mysterious. Dangerous even.

  “Jesus. I don’t know which one is hotter.” She moved her eyes back and forth over the both of them. “What do you think? Father or son?” She stares up at me mischievously.

  “Neither.” I shake my head with a smile.

  “More for me then.” She grins like she just hit the imaginary jackpot. Squinting her eyes, she observes the bottom of the screen. “Jack Fitzgerald.”

  “Jack.” I taste the word on my tongue, weirdly liking how it sounded. Lingering over his face, I could really study every rough feature. At school, it was nearly impossible to look at him for too long without getting an evil scowl from him. A sharp nose that appeared slightly bent to one side, likely from a punch to the face. His beard was overgrown and scruffy, giving off a biker vibe. Not only was he dressed in dark clothing, a black tee with jeans but he had on black boots that laced up past his ankles. Everything about him was unconventional, yet I was still drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Even if he was an asshole.

  Lord help me.

  “You good?” Josie studies me with a raised brow.

  “Yah.” I quickly back away from the computer. “I just... every time I look at him, I feel like I know him?” I confess, sounding like a crazy person.

  “Where the heck would you have met him?” She watches me with a confused expression before pushing out of her chair.

  “That’s the thing, I don’t know.” I plop down onto her bed and lie back till I’m staring up at her ceiling fan. “It’s probably nothing anyway.”

  “I have a feeling you’d remember if you saw him.” She chuckles as she falls onto the bed beside me.

  She was right. There was no way I wouldn’t remember a face or eyes like his. “Yah, you’re probably right.”

  The rest of the night we lay in bed and talked about the most randomness of things. Our conversation soon led to me telling her about Wes getting a job at Cool Times, and of course she freaked out. Telling me that Wes “definitely” had a thing for me but all I could do was deny it.

  “Wes totally wants in your pants.” She giggles while kicking her feet under her blanket covers like an excited toddler.

  “No, he doesn’t.” I shove Josie who’s still laughing like a hyena. The thought of Wes and I having sex… no, I couldn’t even think about that because that was the most ridiculous thing I ever heard. Guys like him are never and I mean never interested in me.

  “Travis does too.”

  My eyes immediately fly to hers. “How do you know about Travis?” I don’
t remember telling her anything about what I saw or the night he came into my work.

  “He was bragging to his friends in class how he was gonna fuck you this year.” Josie admits. “I overheard him in Calculus.”

  What an asshole! I mean, I already knew he was an asshole, but this took him on a whole other level.

  “The only thing he’s gonna get is a kick to the groin.” I mutter.

  “And you said guys don’t think you exist.” She chuckles, trying to lighten the mood.

  We soon get to the point where we are both not talking anymore, our eyes are closed and the lights are off. As I’m drifting closer and closer to sleep, a pair of cold dark eyes enter my thoughts. Their dreariness pull me deeper into a peaceful slumber.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Becca

  The weekend flew by like it didn’t even happen. Monday morning crept up on me quicker than a wink of an eye. Ever since arriving late my first day, I made sure I got to school extra early so I couldn’t make a fool of myself again in Mr. Fitzgerald’s class. At six thirty on the dot, I was strolling through the empty halls with my headphones on, blasting Blink 182. I wish school was like this everyday day, no students around to bump into, just a vacant quiet hall to walk through with little to no worries.

  A flash of dark hair caught my eye as someone rounded a corner. Picking up speed, I glanced around the corner and saw it was Mr. Fitz with a phone to his ear as he entered a random classroom. Curious, I slowly removed the headphones till they were hanging around my neck and tiptoed down the hall. Once I was close enough, I peered through the small window on the door only to see his back was to me. I couldn’t make out what he was saying, it all sounded muffled but by his arms flailing in the air, I could tell he was upset. I know I should walk away and mind my business, but before I could stop myself, I was reaching for the door handle. As slowly and quietly as I could, I pushed down till I was able to crack the door open a sliver.

  “I told you not to call this fucking number again.” He roared causing me to jump in my boots. I could hear his heavy footsteps pacing the room as he listened on the other end of the phone.

  “He’s my son, my responsibility. Last time I checked, I have full custody and the right to say what he can and can’t do.”

  Wes. He was talking about Wes.

  Pressing my ear a little closer to the door, I’m eager to hear more.

  “For fuck’s sake Hannah.” He groans close to the door. The mention of another woman’s name has me tensing up and with my hand still on the door handle, I feel my grip tighten.

  “Becca?” I hear a voice call out from down the hall causing the door handle to slip from my hand, making a loud noticeable creak.

  Shit.

  As I’m about to run off, my eyes connect with Mr. Fitz’s cold stare. His eyebrows lowered and a look of pure anger mars his face. But before he could confront me, I scamper off down the hall.

  “Are you okay?” Mrs. Turner asks, the same voice who called my name.

  “Yup.” I scurry past her, and enter the nearest girls’ bathroom. Resting both hands on the sink, my head drops as I try to catch my breath. My heart feels like it’s about to burst out of my chest, pounding to the point it feels like it's vibrating. Lifting my head, I gaze at my reflection.

  Flushed cheeks, wild hair and no makeup. I looked like a train wreck. Turning on the faucet, I splash some cold water on my face.

  I was caught once again, but this time I was worried. Not only was I caught listening to a private phone call of his, I ran away like a scalded cat before he could confront me.

  As time dwindled down, I sat on the bathroom floor waiting and dreading the moment I would have to set foot in Mr. Fitzgerald’s class. With two minutes to spare, I reluctantly pulled myself off the floor and slowly made my way to the beast's lair.

  Students' laughter rang in my ear as I trudged through the halls. Paranoid, I couldn’t help but think they were laughing at me. With my head kept down, I tried to drown out the loud chatter by focusing on my footsteps. Grasping the strap on my bag, I held on for dear life like it was the only thing saving me.

  Once I was in arms reach of the door, another student cut in front of me, opening the door and motioning me inside. I nodded in thank you. I couldn’t speak, all I could focus on was the loud thump of my heart banging against my breastbone. Stepping inside, I notice his back is to me, so I swiftly move towards my desk until my foot catches onto something, causing me to tumble forward. With fast reflexes, I latch onto the edge of my desk before I could go all the way down.

  “Oops.” I hear Vicky chuckle from behind me, along with a few other people.

  Red faced and heavy breathing, I steady myself before turning to glare at her. With her foot out in the middle of the aisle, she smiles sweetly while flipping me off.

  “Do we have a problem, ladies?” Mr. Fitzgerald interrupts, concentrating on me. His flinty eyes look me over almost as if he’s concerned.

  “Nope.” Vicky chimes in. “We’re all good.”

  Taking a deep breath so I don’t cause a scene, I lower into my chair, trying my hardest to ignore the hushed laughter. With one last glance between the both of us, he spins around and begins class.

  An hour passes by with no scowls or intense eye contact. It was like he made it his mission to ignore me the whole class. After being caught spying on him, I would have thought he would have at least done something. After the bell rang, I felt relieved to stand up and walk out of there. As I passed his desk, I was startled by a deep voice beside me.

  “O’Connor.” Mr. Fitzgerald called, causing me to slam on my brakes.

  Here we go.

  “Yes?” I managed to breathe with my back to him.

  “Stay.” He demands like you would a dog. My eyes slam closed and I instantly kick myself for snooping. As I slowly turn around, I watch the faces of other students as they filtrate out with an amused grin on their faces, like they knew I was in for it.

  Keeping my gaze focused on the torn laces of my shoes, I feel Mr. Fitzgerald’s hard stare, beckoning me to lift my chin and meet his eyes.

  Once all the students are gone, and the door is closed, he speaks up. “Listening in on phone calls would get you killed where I come from.”

  What the hell?

  My head immediately rises and our eyes connect. “I… I wasn’t...” I mumble, before he stands up out of his chair.

  “Spying?” He rounds his desk, and leans his ass against the front of it. Brushing the bangs away from my eyes, I observe the black dress shirt that molds onto his body like a second skin. His sleeves were always rolled up, and being only a few feet away from him, I saw what looked like letters disappearing under his shirt.

  “No, of course not. I was just… passing the classroom when you saw me.” I lie, but by his expression, I knew he wasn’t buying it.

  He stared at me for what felt like eternities, and once again, I couldn’t shake the feeling I knew him from somewhere. It was all too familiar, but when he dropped his eyes, so did the feeling.

  “Don’t let those girls mess with you.” He grunts as his students for the next class start coming in.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” It comes out snappier than intended and by the glower on his face, he didn’t appreciate it. Pushing himself off the desk, he brushes past me to sit back in his chair.

  “I’m neither deaf or blind. I see and hear everything that happens in and outside of this school.”

  Gulping, I stand up a little straighter. “I’m fine. I don’t need help from a teacher.”

  “I’m not offering you my help.” He bluntly states.

  The word asshole is on the tip of my tongue.

  “I’m just telling you, you don’t have to put up with their shit.”

  Did he just swear? Pretty sure that’s against the rules or something.

  “I don’t.” I stand my ground while drowning in the pool of darkness that exudes from him. “If that’s all, I have
a chemistry class to get to.”

  He watches me for a moment like he has more to say, but with a simple nod of his head, I’m dismissed. Twirling around, I march out of his class and immediately feel like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders.

  I hurry to my next class, still feeling the effects of my conversation with Mr. Fitz. It was an indescribable rush that coursed through me, like I was capable of doing anything at that moment.

  Fearless, but as the day passed, the feeling soon dissipated. After my last class, I scurried to find Josie who was standing at her locker.

  “Hey.” I lean against the locker next to her, while digging in my bag for my car keys.

  “Hey.” She answers, quickly snatching her swim bag. “Sorry, I would talk but I’m running late. We have a swim meet today at Jefferson.”

  “No biggie, I’ll text you tonight. Good luck.” I smile as she slams her locker closed.

  Grinning, she gives me a small wave before sprinting down the hallway. Since Josie’s locker was at the complete opposite end of the front entrance of the school, I exit out of the athletic side that leads you to the football field. Once I’m outside, I notice all the footballs either huddled in a small group talking or tossing a football back and forth. I swiftly make my way towards the parking lot with my head down, trying my best not to get noticed. My attempt at walking by unseen soon backfires.

  “Hey, wait up!” A voice shouts from behind me. They were gaining on me quickly as I continued to walk, ignoring them completely. But in a matter of seconds, Wes’s large frame cuts in front of me. Almost bumping into him, he gently places his gloved clad hands on my shoulder to steady me. “You tryin’ to run away from me?” He jokes in a serious tone.

  “Actually, yes I am.” I take a huge step back away from him. His puzzled eyes look me over before removing the helmet on his head, revealing his sandy beach hair.

  “Why?” He runs a hand through his damp hair while keeping his eyes glued on mine.

  Resting my hands on my hip, I scoff. “You seriously don’t know why?”

  With his eyebrows drawn together, he appears confused until a small grin pops up like he’s figured it out. “You’re pissed about me getting a job with you.” He states matter of factly.