Chapter Eleven: True or Not True?
"Lori, what's wrong?" Jessica asked that same afternoon.
"Jesse----he----he----" Lori stammered. She was so upset about what happened over at Jesse's house. She couldn't believed that Jesse could do that to her. She looked around and noticed that Jesse's friends were sitting there all staring at her, including Matt.
Angrily, Lori asked, "Who the hell is Ashley?"
"Oh no." Lori looked over at Chris with a puzzling look. "Let me guess----Ashley's his girlfriend?"
"Well....." Greg began.
"I can't believe he told me that he couldn't stop thinking about me when he said the same thing to Ashley like an hour ago," Lori said furiously.
There was a knock at the door which made Jessica get up. She walked over to the door and opened it. She saw Jesse standing there.
"Jessica, is Lori here?" He asked.
"She is, but she's really mad at you. Jesse, you told me that you liked her. How could you invite her over or whatever then spend all that time talking to some girl on the phone? Were you just lying or something?" Jessica's voice grew louder and louder, which made the guys get up to see what was going on. Lori followed them.
"What the hell is Jesse doing here?" Lori inquired. She looked at Jessica then at Jesse, who was staring at her. "I don't want him here. Make him leave. He's nothing but a liar. No. Wait. Let me correct that. He's nothing but a PLAYER!" She stormed out of the foyer and ran upstairs to her bedroom.
"That's real good Jesse," Matt said sarcastically.
"Matt, I came over here to apologize, OK?" Jesse said looking at him.
"You sure did one hell of a job apologizing," Chris said.
"I can't believe you Jesse," Jessica said. "You lied to me and you're leading Lorr on. She doesn't deserve that. Then again, NO girl does."
"Jesse, why'd you say that stuff about Lori to Jessica if you didn't mean one word of it?" Matt questioned.
"How do you know that I didn't mean it?" Jesse looked at his friend and said, "And for your information, Ashley's just one of my best friends. She's not my girlfriend."
The guys stopped talking when they saw Lori walking down the stairs. She heard what Jesse said so she asked, "Who says 'I love you' to a 'best friend?" She paused and said, "I know I don't."
"Ashley and I are just really close. We've known each other forever," He told her.
"Whatever. I knew it was too good to be true anyway, because what teenage would actually think that I'm pretty? It's just a joke and I want to say thank you to Jesse. I have more confidence in myself and my self-esteem level just rose," Lori said sarcastically."I don't even know why I care."
"It's OK to care Lorr. Just don't let Jesse hurt you. Don't give him that power," Jessica told her.
"Lorr, I never meant to hurt you," Jesse said looking at Lori.
"Too late for that Jesse. You already did. I was dumb to actually believe that a guy like you could like a girl like me. I was so dumb. This is all my fault. If I didn't go over your house to hang out this never would have happened."
"Can I talk to Lorr alone you guys?" Jesse asked his friends.
"I'm leaving. I need to go to the mall to get a pair---I just need to go. Bye," Lori said as she brushed past the guys. She didn't get very far though because somebody grabbed her hand. She looked to see who had grabbed her hand and was surprised when she saw that it was Matt's.
"Matt, let go of me."
Matt let go of her then disappeared into the living room with his friends, including Jessica, which left Lori and Jesse alone. It made Lori cringe at the thought of being alone with Jesse. Jesse was just about to open his mouth to say something when his cell phone rang. He took it out of his pocket and answered it. "Hello. This is Jesse speaking."
"Hey sweetie. It's Ash."
"Hi Ashley."
As soon as Lori heard the name ASHLEY she freaked out and went into the living room. She sat down on the couch next to Matt and Chris and they looked at her.
"What's wrong Lorr?" Matt asked.
"Ashley's on the phone. I'd figured I'd give those two lovebirds some peace and quiet. I didn't want to get in the way, like I always do."
Matt put his arm around her and said, "You don't get in the way sweetie."
"Yeah. Jesse's just----" Chris broke off.
"Inconsiderate?" Lori finished for him.
"Lorr, they are just friends," Frankie assured her.
"Yeah. I'm sure they are," Lori said sarcastically.
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"So, baby girl, what are you up to now?" Jesse asked Ashley.
"Thinking about you."
"Aww. I'm thinking about you, too."
"You are?"
"Yeah. I really miss holding you in my arms."
"I miss being in your arms. I miss the way you used to kiss me."
"So do I."
"When will I see you again?"
"Well, we're going on tour next month."
"You and the guys?"
"Yeah."
"Awesome. I'll have to be sure to buy tickets."
"I'll give you backstage passes and front row tickets to all the shows if you want."
"You don't have to do that for me."
"You're my girlfriend, Ash. I'd do anything for you."
"Aww Jesse. I love you so much. You're the sweetest guy I've ever met in my life."
"I love you too sweetie. I always will."
Chapter 12