"Daisy, Randy and Lynn saw that kiss," I said at lunch.
"Well, what'd you tell 'em?" Zach asked as he shut his locker.
"I told them it was a kiss between friends, but I don't think they exactly believe me," I said.
"Then I guess we'll have to be more careful in the future," Zach replied.
"*Yeah*," I agreed as we sat down at our group's table.
"Hey, you guys. Wanna come study over at my house after school?" Audrey asked.
"I'm game. I've got a huge test tomorrow in history," Zach said.
"I'll come. I've got an English test coming up soon," I added.
"All right, cool. See you guys there then." Audrey smiled when she saw Zach's arms come to rest on my shoulders. "You guys are so cute."
"There is *nothing* going on between us," Zach said.
"Sure there's not. Don't worry, you guys. It won't get around to Jesse, believe me," Audrey assured us.
"What won't get around to me?" Jesse asked as he took a seat next to me. Zach's arm immediately dropped from my shoulders.
"Nothing, Jesse." Audrey smiled sweetly at him.
"Okay," Jesse said.
I scooted closer to Zach.
Jesse frowned. "What's wrong Nora?"
"Nothing." I moved away from Jesse's hand coming down on my arm.
"There *is* something wrong. Tell me," Jesse said.
"No. I've just had a bad day," I lied.
"That's not all. Tell me, Nora," Jesse said.
"Look, that's *all* Jesse!" I exclaimed.
"Nora, tell-"
"Jesse, just back off!" Zach said.
"Who do you think you are, telling me what to do?" Jesse's voice was growing louder.
Audrey cut in. "Zach's being supportive of his friend, that's who he is. Try being supportive of your girlfriend when she's having a bad day."
Chaz set his tray down. "Jesse, I haven't see *you* doing much supporting lately."
"What is *with* you guys? Is it Beat Up On Jesse Day or something?" Jesse said.
"No, we just think you should be there for your girlfriend once in awhile," Daisy said.
"Well I'm *sorry*, but I've been busy with relatives," Jesse said.
Brad snorted. "I *doubt* it."
"Hey! You guys, just stop it!" I exclaimed. "I wanna eat. I'm hungry."
Everyone shut up about the situation for awhile and began talking about other things. Because Zach's arm wasn't around me, I was very aware of his knee touching mine and the brush of his arm against mine every time he shifted or moved.
After lunch, Zach pulled me behind the curtains of the stage in the auditorium. "You know what I *really* need right now?" Zach asked.
"I *think* so. I think you might be needing one of these," I said and pulled Zach's head down for a kiss.
"You were *so* right. That's exactly what I needed," Zach murmured and began kissing me in his soft, sweet, gentle way until I thought I would scream from so much longing.
I pulled away hesitantly. "Time to stop. We're gonna be late for class."
"You're right. Let's go," Zach grabbed my hand and we jumped off the stage and out of the auditorium.
I was putting things away at my locker after school when Jesse came up to me.
"Nora, will you tell me what's wrong?" Jesse asked.
"Jesse, I told you. I'm having a bad day and you're just making it worse," I said.
"There's something else, isn't there?"
"Maybe the fact that you were at the mall kissing Jessica yesterday bothers me," I said sarcastically.
"But that wasn't me, Nora," Jesse said.
"Whatever," I muttered, shoving a binder into my backpack.
Jesse grabbed my arm. "You have to believe me Nora."
I tried to pull my arm free of his grasp, but his grip only tightened. "Jesse, let go!"
"Just say you believe me, Nora," Jesse pleaded.
"No, Jesse, I DON'T believe you. Let me go!" I struggled to pull free. Where was Zach or Brad or Chaz or Alan or Audrey?
"Not until you say you believe me," Jesse said.
I was getting frantic and scared. Couldn't anybody see what was going on here? "Jesse, please, just let me go. *Please* let me go."
"Say you believe me."
"Jesse, I'm not gonna lie and say I believe you cuz I *don't*," I said.
"Then I guess I won't let you go," Jesse replied.
I was seriously freaked out and close to tears. "Please Jesse, just let go. Please let go!"
His grip on me somehow tightened even more. "Just say you believe me and I'll *let* go."
I was a pathetic mess. My voice was shaking, my eyes were red, and I was frantically trying to pry Jesse's fingers off my arm. "Jesse please please please let go." He was starting to hurt me. "Jesse, let *go*. You're *hurting* me! Ow!" I whimpered.
"Hey! Let go of her, Jesse!" Zach had come to my rescue.
I must've been weak or something because all Zach had to do was run up and yank Jesse's hand off my arm.
"What are you *doing*, Jesse? You were hurting Nora," Zach said.
"*I* thought she was enjoying it," Jesse replied.
"*I* don't think she was. She was practically *begging* you to let go," Zach said.
"Well, sorry. It's not like she's *your* girlfriend or anything," Jesse laughed.
"She may not be, but I'm still her friend and I have a right to be worried about her-especially when her boyfriend gets scary," Zach said.
"Whatever. Bye Nora." Jesse walked away.
"Oh gosh." I fell into Zach's arms. "I thought he was gonna really hurt me, but then you came."
"But he *did* hurt you. Look at those bruises on your arm, Nora." Zach softly brushed a finger over the fingershaped markings.
"That's okay. I just have to stay away from him for awhile." I smiled up at him.
He didn't smile back. "I don't want him even *touching* you."
"He *won't*, trust me," I assured Zach.
"Okay. You ready to go?" Zach asked.
I nodded. "Yeah."
I shut my locker and we were off to Audrey's house. |
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