Chapter 11: Chapter 11

She took some time to herself. She didn’t use her phone, she didn’t go out. She had actually gone back to her former routine to heal. School then back. Weekends, library and church. She kept her phone for a while, and went back to hanging out with her mum. Catching up on the soaps that they used to watch together, but it was different.

Her mum looked like she was waiting for something.

“So I guess it has finally happened for you to be back”.

“Such little faith” she murmured. “Nothing happened. I thought you’d be happy I’m here” her eyes didn’t leave the screen. “I’m not like you or Adriana”.

“What does that mean?!” her mother snapped turning her neck.

“It means are you speaking from experience? Because what is that ‘it’ you’re referring to?” and she turned to her mum.

“You’re obviously a smart child” she stood up going back to aloof. “Hopefully you don’t keep making dumb choices”.

She rolled her eyes. Her mum walked away, and she kicked her legs onto the couch. Yes she would take her mum’s advice. That was what had kept her so far. And it will help her in what she was about to do. When she came back to her room her phone stood out.

She hadn’t turned it off. The entire time it had been on, and she had seen every message. Jason still hadn’t texted and her, but Chad was trying to reach her. After that day she refused his offer to take her home. He had texted.

Not a lot, but twice maybe three times a day. He knew calling would be futile. She wouldn’t answer it. Did he think just because she liked him that she would just ignore him choosing her, just exactly as he had said to prove a stupid point.

And Jason asshole. Stupid Jason asshole.

She sat on her bed and rubbed her hands together. When she noticed what she was doing she stopped. Why she was doing that she didn’t know. Looking like a TV villain. She got her phone and opened her messages. She wouldn’t make it easy for Chad. But her heart still beats for Sterling.

‘I heard you’ that was all she said.

She opened Jason’s messages. She had a lot of time to think. A week was enough.

‘Asshole’ she texted. The warm feeling she always got when she texted her ‘friend’ was gone. For his sake he better answer. There was nothing she could physically do against a six foot, five foot eleven mass of lean muscles. Nothing.

She wasn’t an expert at reading people.

Life of a shut-in. But that day that they had talked, she couldn’t place the emotion for sure. But it wasn’t desperation that she knew. It wasn’t desperation of a guy that wanted to win his side of the bet for five thousand dollars. Could it have been guilt?

He had talked about a girl, but now she couldn’t believe it. Maybe to have her sympathize with him. Everything out of his mouth was a stupid lie. She was so mad. She would make him pay for everything it did.

She scratched her burning eyes.

Her phone vibrated.

‘Finally talking to me’ Jason texted back.

‘I’m not going to apologize. I did nothing wrong’.

‘I did nothing wrong also’ she rolled her eyes at the reply. He did everything wrong, but there was no need to worry about that now.

‘You’re texting me. So either you’re stuck with your Chad agenda, or everything went to shit’.

‘Wasn’t it Chad that made us stop talking? I didn’t bring him up so don’t do so’ she tapped her thumbs against the keys angrily.

‘Are you through with him?’ he ignored her earlier request.

She sent an angry face.

‘Did anything happen between you two?’

‘Jason shut up. Or this time that not coming near will be permanent’.

‘Okay alright. I’ll lay off’ he conceded. ‘You need a ride for school tomorrow?’

‘Yes. She was tired to taking the bus. And her mum stopped dropping her off beginning of sophomore year. She wouldn’t ask the woman right now’.

‘Yes’ and she sighed physically.

She would be able to tolerate him till she did what she had to do. It wouldn’t take long. She had research and she had experience thanks her blondie. The feeling that she had right now was exhilarating. She had to be careful not to draw it out too long and make him move on.

The feeling of her having that sort of power over him right now, was really thrilling. That she had such a tiny sort of power that would make him seek her out. She had to be smart. She had been oblivious for a while but now was the time to open her eyes.

‘Same time tomorrow?’ he added a smiley face.

‘Yep. Goodnight’ and she dropped her phone.

She wouldn’t say so easy. It was just the beginning. This was Jason’s turf. He was bound to see through any of her lies. She fell back and screamed into her arms.

Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.

Anastasia dipped her teabag continuously into her mug.

Had she made a mistake?

She had tried raising them right so they wouldn’t make mistakes. Adriana had snuck around and she knew. She didn’t say anything because she was an adult. She didn’t need her mum stepping in to tell her no and yes. She had given her all the lessons she needed to know for life, and then she had disregarded everything all for a guy.

Got pregnant.

She didn’t tell her to leave. She just did so. And now Kelly was following in her sister’s footsteps. Bought a phone, bought clothes, leaving the house to who knows where and lying about it. Who was she meeting? What was she doing out all the time? What kind of parent was she that her child couldn’t talk to her?

She had been dipping the bag continuously that there wasn’t a point anymore.

She heard Kelly’s footsteps coming down. When she saw her, she was in a shirt she hadn’t bought her, also the pants, also the shoes. Her hair was down.

“There are nice clothes that doesn’t expose the body. Good morning” she walked up to her and picked up a bunch of grapes. “I’ll try to be back on time”.

“What are you up to now?” she asked curiously.

“Nothing dangerous. You’ll see” and she walked out of the house.

She didn’t have an appetite for the grapes anymore. She just needed to do something to quell the nervousness that was inside her. She had gotten up pretty early to look for clothes, and then getting the confidence to go downstairs and face her mum.

No more lying.

She still held onto the grapes. She would have to busy herself with it when she would meet Jason. Now that she knew everything, she would have to act like she didn’t. It would be hard. She just had to stay hopeful.

She saw the car in the distance.

Her confidence was running away.

Jason couldn’t stop bouncing his feet. He had not expected her to text. But when she did, he was relieved. Happy even. But he was certain that something must have happened between her and Chad. But Kelly had a plan. She was smart. She wouldn’t just do that so quickly. She didn’t even know how Chad fell about her.

Heck he didn’t know how Chad felt about her.

And Chad was suspiciously quiet. He had been really tightlipped about Kelly. He wouldn’t call the guys his friend, but at least they had a common interest which was Kelly. Chad did his things fast…so he would only get answers if she told him. She already had a lot on her plate, getting burned by Chad, the guy she claimed to love would be much for her.

She opened the door.

“Hey” she didn’t sound so enthusiastic. Seems before things could get back to normal, they would have to walk on eggshells around the other.

“Morning” he said. He smiled at her, she didn’t. His eyes went to the grapes in her hand. “Cool. Can I have some?”

“They’re mine. No”.

“Well that was expected” and he reversed.

They didn’t talk to each other. Well it was better than her completely focusing on her phone. That didn’t put him at ease at all.

“I would like us to forget that argument that we had” she said plucking a grape from the bunch.

“You’re still thinking about that?” he tried to be casual about it.

That was actually a wrong move because she turned to look at him. “Not surprised that you forgot it. I said the truth, while you said a complete lie. You’re obviously used to hearing it so I really shouldn’t be surprised”.

She had grim smile on her face.

He groaned. “Alright I’m sorry”.

He felt like he was always the one apologizing for these types of argument.

“I won’t apologize” she huffed. “Like you had said yesterday and see who’s apologizing now” and she began to laugh. He couldn’t fight the smile.

“So was this a trick?”

“How do you feel? Do you feel tricked?”

“Smart” he commented.

“Yes. Now you can have a grape” she leaned closer and elevated the bunch above his head. “Eat before we get into an accident” she said with exaggerated franticness.

He took some grapes into his mouth.

Boys were good pretenders she would have to admit that. Then girls had to be experts.

They arrived, but before she should get out he stopped her.

“What is it?” she questioned uncomfortable that he was holding her wrist. She hid her anger by furrowing her brows.

He opened the glove compartment and he handed her the perfume he had kept there. “If this was here all the while, I wonder what you’ve been using to improvise”.

“Are you trying to insinuate…..never mind” she wouldn’t bother. She sprayed herself, then she twisted her wrist and sprayed him too. “Now you smell nice too” she smiled widely then she walked out of the car.

She ignored his calling after her. She played the bashful girl running away from the boy she liked.

This disgusted her.

Opening her locker a card fell out. She sighed.

Should she read it?

It could be someone telling her to lay off Jason and Chad. It could also be Chad. Did he really think sweet gestures would work on her?

Then he was smart.

She closed her locker and opened the letter. Yes it was from Chad. She wondered the site he went to for the poem he wrote her. Or was he secretly a poet? Either way it was beautiful. Who knew he would actually do something like that? Putting a letter in her locker. Downright cheesy, but she wouldn’t complain.

But there was no way she was going to make it easy for him. But she knew that when class ended today, and also before it started he wouldn’t be there.

Why couldn’t he just be the perfect guy, so they could have the perfect relationship? That was just wishful thinking. Her plan now was how to get Jason. She had told him everything she knew about flirting. So she would have to take a different approach.

She had made Chad at least have some feeling for her. He wouldn’t be doing this if he didn’t feel anything. Well he would. The bet was still on.

How would she get Jason? And there was a girl he liked. How would she compete with that? She couldn’t do what she did with Chad obviously. But both boys were alike. So there was a chance that he really hadn’t experienced that. So sympathy. They were in the same boat. She didn’t know how Chad felt about her, and the girl didn’t know how he felt about her.

All the girls that flocked round him never got to know him for him. Well that was what she knew. He could have lied about all of that.

Just as she sat down, he phone lit up.

Looking at the screen it was a message from Jason actually.

‘How’s after school going to be like for you?’

‘Hmm?’ she asked in confusion.

‘Are you waiting for anyone or you want to come with me to do homework like before?’

Looks like Chad hadn’t told him anything. She would use that to her advantage. Because the way everything came out had been so unexpected, so it could come out that way with his friend.

‘Sure. I have nothing to do’.

The teacher walked in and class had begun. She really dreaded the end of class. Jason didn’t feel anything at all. Didn’t see the harm in what he was doing to her. Did teenage boys have no feelings of remorse? No conscience?

School ended and they both walked to his car. She had been telling herself act normal the entire time in her head. Because if she didn’t, she’d blow up and ruin all her planning. Ten dollars on the line. No problem. It was just her virginity she was going to play with.

Something she didn’t want to give up to Jason asshole.

“You seem to have your head up in the clouds” he observed.

“Yeah” she sighed. “I took your advice. You didn’t notice that I didn’t change in your car today” that was really a good excuse.

“Well my mind was on other things”. And it was the truth. He had been too nervous that he didn’t notice that their normal routine had been broken.

He smiled pleased. He was happy for her really. “You told her? So now she knows everything”.

They both got into the car.

“Not really. I told her the things that she needed to know. I didn’t tell her about Chad…..or you” she added softly and she hoped she put a lot of emotion in his name.

“You’ll get there eventually, One thing at a time”.

“When I eventually tell her about you, then you can stop in front of my door instead of hiding” she promised. She had no idea what that did to him. Saying that she would introduce him to her mum and not Chad. Well they were closer compared to her and Chad.

But she was so quiet about it. And she also said not to ask. Had they done it? Was that why Chad was quite. Already done the deed and was acting like she didn’t exist. But Chad would tell him. He would brag about it no doubt.

“That sounds nice” was all he said.

“You’d like that wouldn’t you?” she said caustic.

He just laughed.

They arrived at the special place and got to their homework.

“I know that you said not to ask about Chad….” He got out quickly. “But I’m curious, what happened? Why aren’t you talking about him?”

She glared at him for a while. She closed her books. She couldn’t concentrate anymore. “Nothing happened. I’m just taking a break from him”.

That was odd. She li-loved him. She wouldn’t stop texting him every day if she could. So if the fault wasn’t from her, then it was from him. He was suddenly enraged.

“What did he do?!” he got out like he was going to do something.

That she noticed. “Calm down”. “He didn’t do anything. My mum was getting suspicious, she found out about the clothes and the phone. I had to tone it down a little” she narrated in a bored voice. “What did you think?” she narrowed her eyes. “That I would do what you thought I would. Like every other girl” she placed both elbows on the table.

“That’s not fair” he said softly.

“Life’s not fair” she grit her teeth.

“What?” he asked confused. He shook his head. “You won’t ever forget that, will you?” he asked defeated.

“Depends” she shrugged. She looked amused.

“On what?” he was curious. He liked this side of her.

“Tell me about the girl you like”.

His eyes widened. “Why?” he didn’t even compose himself before he did that.

“We’re in the same boat don’t you think?” she looked him in the eye. She had already removed her glasses. “I like Chad, I’m not sure if he likes me or not. There’s this girl you like, and she must know you exist but doesn’t know how you feel about her”.

“W-th-well that’s because….” He stammered. He couldn’t think of anything to say.

“I already told you about Chad. So tell me about her”.

“What do you wish to know then?” he relaxed. A huge contrast from earlier.

“How you know her? Does she school with us? Your current relationship with her? All that stuff. No one will understand more than me” she said smug.

“Well I wasn’t expecting to fall for her. We are polar opposites. I’m social, she’s an introvert. She loves the quiet scene, I love the party scene. Yes she goes to school here. We are close and we are friends. She doesn’t know I like her. It’s not her fault though, I haven’t really made my intentions known”.

“And what are your intentions with her?”

“To be with her. To be her boyfriend, and if she wants she will be my girlfriend”.

“You’ve never said anything about a relationship before. Is the lady killer in love?” she was teasing.

“I wouldn’t call it love like you” he corrected her. “I really like her a lot. Shame she doesn’t know it” he still had a smile on her face.

She could see why the girls went gaga over him. But he still had nothing on Chad. She’d pick a blonde over a redhead any day. And no it wasn’t because she was also a blonde.

“Why won’t you tell her?” she had already told Chad but she didn’t need Jason to know that.

“I could, but don’t want to. She’ll reject me” he said looking down for the first time since they started talking.

“No one can reject you” she didn’t know about any girl that could reject him. They went to Chad for him didn’t they?

“You too?” that question took her back. Her eyes were the one to widen this time.

“Uh-Uh I like Chad” she wasn’t feeling the conversation again. They were treading on dangerous waters. She wanted to find out the girl he liked. How did it come back to her?

“That’s not the answer to my question” he was holding eye contact, and the more she tried to look away he followed.

“Well back to her then. We hang out a lot, it’s mostly arguing because she takes everything I say the wrong way. But we both enjoy each other’s company. She might try to act like she doesn’t enjoy me, but she does. I enjoy her company also. I look forward to her texts even if she’s not nice to me there”.

Kelly gulped. She needed to stop this.

“C-can we….”

“My feelings just came like being hit by a ton of bricks. No matter how I tried to deny, I couldn’t. I think it turned from sympathy to love. She trusted me a lot to tell me deep stuff, so I guess I am lucky. O want to be there for her. To protect her from everything. From herself if it’s needed. I want her to come to me for everything like she always does. To be a rock, to be a shoulder for her to cry on”.

Kelly just stared. She had to make sure that she hadn’t swallowed her tongue.

“Well I’ve answered all your questions. Can we go back to our work now?” he still had that smile on his face. Like he hadn’t told her all that about a girl he liked. She didn’t expect that from someone like Jason. He didn’t need try normally. Did he?

Was this how the girls fell?

She was finding it hard not to blame them.

“Sure” she didn’t know how she completed her work, but she did.

When they were done, she didn’t want to waste any more time outside. She had told him that she promised her mum that she’d be home early. She didn’t want to have an argument with her.

The ride back wasn’t quiet. He told her to play some music, but she didn’t listen. Her mind was still on what he said. She didn’t know what to think. What he said was all so familiar. She glanced at him discreetly.

Had she rushed into this?

The car stopped and she wanted to get out of the car quick, but again Jason stopped her. She would have hit him, but everything was so uncoordinated.

“In case you didn’t know, because you’re so oblivious….” He leaned closer, their lips almost touching. “It’s you” and he kissed her.

She inhaled sharply, her eyes wide, and her held wrist just up in the air. She was so shocked. This was her plan right? To do it. To offer herself on a silver platter, but she was frozen.

Jason stopped kissing her.

She was literally frozen.

Jason just chuckled thumping her head. She hissed rubbing her aching forehead. She narrowed her eyes pouting.

“Do your lips get swollen when you get kissed?” he joked.

“Such an asshole” she grumbled and opened her door.

He didn’t stop laughing. “Same time tomorrow?” he called as she ran away.

She wasn’t running like she acted in the morning. She was running now to get away from him. Because she was so overwhelmed. He had kissed her. He had confessed to her in such a sweet way…..and it was a lie. A huge stupid one.

She opened the door with her key and slammed it shut. She sat on the steps and sobbed into her hands. The first guy to confess to her and it was a lie.

She was more determined than ever.

Jason still stayed there. His head against the wheel. Ha hadn’t planned on that at all. On doing that, confessing and kissing her. He hoped he hadn’t scared her, but he knew that wouldn’t scare her off. She was tough and she was wild.

She would tell him how she felt when she was done being flustered. It was a pretty spontaneous thing to do. He knew he might have complicated their relationship by kissing her, but he didn’t say outright that he loved her.

He was her ride anyway.

They’d get to talk tomorrow.