I’m starting to come around when I hear two guys arguing.
“Is she alright?”
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have left. She said she was fine though!”
“Why did you leave her?!”
“She told me to help you! And I couldn’t just watch you get beaten to death!”
“Right, thanks by the way.”
“No problem.”
“What do we do?”
“I don’t know.”
This might be a good time to move or something. So I flutter my eyelids open and look around. Jason and Dawson are staring down at me. Dawson looks fine but Jason’s bleeding. I quickly sit up and take his face in my hands.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
He laughs then winces. I examine his face; his nose is bleeding, but it doesn’t look broken. There’s a bruise starting to form on his cheek though.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. The question is, are you?” He looks at me, his eyes full of concern.
The previous events all come rushing back to me and I start to shake.
“Y-yeah. Yeah.” I say, clearing my throat in an attempt to make my voice steadier. “Just a little shaken up.” I try to laugh but it comes out as a whimper.
Jason then envelopes me into a hug and I willingly cry into his shirt.
Once I’ve calmed down a bit, I sniffle and pull back. “I’m sorry. You didn’t need to see that.”
I try to stand up by supporting all my weight on the wall but I nearly collapse back to the ground. If Jason didn’t catch me, I probably would’ve. He laughs and swoops me up in his arms. I squeal in surprise.
“Here,” he says, chuckling, “let me bring you home. It’s getting late out.”
“We can take my car.” Dawson says, while picking up my stuff on the ground.
“Thanks.” I say, “But I can walk.”
“Doesn’t look like it.” Dawson says again, cutting off whatever Jason was going to say. I don’t think they know how thankful I am. I open my mouth to something but no sound comes out.
We’re almost to Dawson’s car when I just blurt it out, “Thanks for your help. How’d you guys find me anyways?” I ask, curious.
“Well,” Jason starts, while carefully placing me in the back seat. Dawson hands me my stuff and continues on for Jason.
“Vander’s little brother was late. So we had to wait for the bastard. Right before we were about to leave, Jason and I heard a scream but the guys just thought we were dreaming. We ditched them and came back to see what happened.”
“Well, I’m glad you guys did. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you guys didn’t come.” I say.
They nod and get in the seats up front. An unsettling silence fills the car and Jason turns the radio on. I’m silently grateful he turned it on and I feel more relaxed.
I look at the clock; 5:30pm. I’ve never been late coming home in my entire life. My parents would be worried. I take my phone out and notice the numerous missed calls and texts. They’re all from Alison, Melody and my parents.
I curse out loud and remember that we were supposed to meet up at my house after school. They’re all probably worried sick.
Jason turns around, “everything alright?”
“Great, just thinking of my parents. Plus my friends, who are all probably worried sick.” I reply.
“Ah, I see. We can explain to them what happened if you like.” Jason offers.
“No. That’s alright. I can tell them what happened.”
He looks at me unsure if he should believe me or not. I smile to reassure him and he willingly returns the smile.
“Hey, I hate to ruin the moment you guys are having but I have no clue where we’re going.” Dawson says, from behind the steering wheel. We turn red and reply at the same time.
“Turn right here.”
I’m not shocked that Jason knows where I live. Our parents are so close that we’ve been to each other’s houses numerous times already.
Dawson makes the turn and I say “143, the blue house.”
He nods and parks in front of my house.
Immediately, my Dad walks out, face red from anger.
I went back and re-read my previous Chapters (1-3).. I did notice some things that bugged me and I went and fixed them.
I suggest you go back and read those Chapters again because I did add some important details.
Anywhoo, thanks a bunch! iloveyouall. Enjoy! (:
When the final bell rings, signaling the end of the day, I pick my bag up from the floor. I take my time at my locker and wait for the hallway to clear out. I never liked trying to shove people out of my way just to get out of school, so I usually wait it out. Melody and Alison said they’d pass by the mall first anyways.
“I wonder why…” I say, thinking out loud. I take a minute to ponder on the possibilities but nothing comes to mind.
Once the hallway is deserted, I head to the door. I don’t get very far before a freshman bumps into me and makes me drop my bag, along with all my books. He looks at me then quickly runs out the door, probably towards his friends.
I scoff, “You’d think when you’re older people would treat you with a little more respect. But, no.”
I pick my books up and turn the corner. I open the doors and walk out into the bright sunlight. It usually isn’t this nice in the winter, so I savor the warmth around me.
I put my hand up, making it easier to see, when suddenly someone grabs me from behind. I scream and their hand clamps against my mouth.
I try to breathe but all I can smell is his hand, it smells of cigarettes and sweat. He then roughly pulls me behind the school where no one can see. I may have been dreaming but far down the road, I think I saw the sun reflect off of that beautiful brown. I hold on to that tiny piece of hope.
“Hey babe, where do you think you’re going?” a deep voice says.
I struggle to get out of his grasp but he’s too strong.
“Stop squirming will you?” he says, starting to get annoyed.
I try to think of all those presentations we had if we ever got into a situation like this, but I can’t remember anything. I result to the only thing I can think of. I bite down hard on his palm and taste blood. His grip falters but that’s enough for me. Luckily I’m small and I’m able to wiggle out of his grasp. I try to run but he catches me before I can.
He roughly pushes me against the brick wall.
“Get your hands off of me!” I yell at the top of my lungs.
“Shut up sweetheart. We wouldn’t want anyone to hear us, now would we?” He says, then he laughs and spits on the ground.
“Go to hell.” I spit through my teeth.
“Oh, feisty one, now are we?” He grabs my butt and I slap his hand away.
“Don’t touch me!” I yell.
I know he’s frustrated at me and I pray to God that nothing happens.
He starts to take my sweater off. I kick and I scream. I scream in hopes that maybe someone would hear me. No one will. I know that because everyone leaves the school as soon as the bell rings. I start to regret waiting for the halls the clear out. Alison and Melody would be on their way to my house by now. Too bad I’ll probably never come home again.
Tears start to fall down my cheeks and I whimper. I compose myself and kick him in the shin, but that just angers him even more.
Next thing I know, I see stars and my cheek is starting to throb. I cry out.
“Bitch. You’re going to pay for that.” he snarls.
I can feel more tears flowing down my face. I mentally slap myself and urge myself to not give up. I won’t let him have that satisfaction.
With all the strength I have left, I try to squirm out of his grasp. But it just makes it easier for him to take my clothes off. My sweater lies behind him and I feel the crisp air around me. He unbuttons my shirt and I whimper, waiting for it to be over.
I’m left with only my tank top on when he’s roughly pulled away from me. I collapse onto the ground in fits of hysteria. Someone catches me and I fall into their arms. They embrace me and they start telling me comforting words. I look up and I’m staring into someone’s clear, blue eyes.
Dawson. Dawson Steinfield? He’s one of Jason’s friends. What’s he doing here? I hear a thump and look around. The moment I see him, I feel a bit calmer. Jason has come to my rescue.
I scream as I watch Jason get punched square on the nose.
“Go help him.” I muster out to Dawson with a raspy voice. He looks at me, conflicted. Jason’s on the ground now.
“Go help him!” I yell, “I’m fine! Trust me. Just go help him! Please.”
He nods, gently leans me against the wall and goes to help his friend. Dawson punches him in the gut and turns around to help Jason up. It’s two against one now and my attacker looks scared. What a coward. He looks from Jason to Dawson and his gaze flickers to me for a second. He turns around and eyes a car, just across the street.
My eyelids feel heavy and they start drooping. Right before the darkness takes over, I watch as my attacker runs to the car and drives away.
Immediately, I’m bombarded with questions.
“What’d he say?!” screams Alison and Melody, my two best friends.
“Okay! Would you all just calm down for a sec?” I laugh. Then see their anxious expressions urging me to go on.
“He just…he asked me out.” I mumble.
“He asked you out?!” they both scream.
“Quiet down! I don’t want the whole school to know!” I say, as I attempt to cover their mouths.
“Oh, please.” Melody says, pushing my hand away to be able to talk. “Did you not see the crowd of people around you guys? The whole school probably already knows by now.”
“Word travels fast around here.” agrees Alison, “especially when two, totally perfect for each other, people hook up.”
“Yeah, I mean the whole school knew you both had a thing for each other.” Candice pipes in, from across the table. “It’s so predictable that you’d both go out sometime.”
I give my two friends a look and look at Candice. While we all share brown hair and brown eyes, Candice had bright red hair and green eyes. She’s beautiful and always stands out, especially out of the four of us. I’ve only known her for two years and there’s still something about her that I don’t quite like. Unlike with Melody and Alison, who I’ve known since grade one. I would trust them with my life.
I glance over to where Jason is standing with his friends. They’re all laughing and patting him on the back. Then they all catch me looking in their direction and smile. I smile back and turn back to my friends saying,
“Seems to me that the whole football team knows.”
Then we all burst out laughing as we watch the football team tackle Jason to the ground.
“Okay, when is it?” they ask, turning their attention back to me.
“Tonight,” I reply, matter of factly.
“Tonight?!”
“Yes.”
“He’s a little eager isn’t he?” Alison says and I laugh.
“Maybe.” I reply.
“Anyways, we’re coming over to help you get ready.” Melody says.
“But-”
“No buts.” they all say at the same time. I sigh, there’s no point in arguing with them.
“Alright. Come over to my place after school.”
“Yay!” they squeal.
“Darn. I just remembered that I’ve got swimming after school.” Candice says, “maybe next time?”
“That’s alright.” I say, trying not to sound too eager. In my mind, I’m actually really thankful. That’s one less person to bug me tonight.
“oh uhm, yeah…. Melody and I have to quickly pass by the mall.” mumbles Alison.
“But we’re still coming over!” Melody exclaims.
-RIIIINNG!-
“There’s the bell. I’ll see you two,” -pointing towards Melody and Alison, “after school!” I hug them all and make my way to class.
I’m looking around the school yard trying to find my friends when I hear someone calling out to me.
“Hey! Jocelyn?”
I don’t even have to turn around to know who’s behind me. It’s Jason Delaire. I crane my neck over my shoulder just to make sure and sure enough he’s jogging right towards me.
“Yes?” I reply, fully turning around to look at him.
“I-I…” He stutters while nervously looking around. He then clears his throat. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something for a while now…”
He keeps fidgeting and his cheeks are starting to turn a beet red. I flash him my winning smile and reply, “well I’m all ears.”
I don’t know why but that gets him to relax a bit. He pushes his glasses up and squares his shoulders.
“I think you’re really great. You’re beautiful, smart and I love to be around you.”
“Thanks Jason. That-that means a lot.”
Now I’m starting to feel nervous and I can feel my cheeks heat up. Aside from that, the stares of people around us are making my face burn even more.
He smiles even wider and looks around at the crowd of people gathering around. “I’ve liked you for a long time already and I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go out sometime?”
I’m frozen with shock. Did Jason Delaire just ask me out? Jason, who’s crazy cute, funny and happens to be on the football team. Jason, who I just happen to have had a crush on since the 7th grade, is asking me out? I’ve known this boy for years and he’s never shown any interest towards me. This cannot be real.
So I say, “Is this a joke? Because I swear to-”
He laughs, cutting me off. “Do I look like I’m joking? I’m serious. I honestly and truly do like you.”
I search his face and look into his brown eyes. I decide to go with it. Jason’s not the kind to be joking about this.
“When and where?” I say cautiously.
He smiles and says, “Tonight? I’ll pick you up at 6.”
“Okay, sounds good to me. See you then.” I reply and then slowly make my way through the crowd of people. But before I get to my friends, he grabs my wrist and pulls me back.
“Uh, Jocelyn?” he asks, with an unsure voice.
“Yes?” I ask, confused. He laughs nervously.
“Um… never mind. I’ll see you tonight.”
I smile, “See you.” I say. Then walk the few meters to my friends.
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