<
୮
So, my heart squeezed without even thinking.
I guess old habits die hard.
I didn’t look at her, just “okay“-ed her.
“Jake hit me. His team lost today, and
another girl gave him a drink, and I asked
about it, and he just blew up, slapped me.
Everyone was laughing.”
Amy was pitiful, her tears falling on her
textbook.
“Then dump him,” I replied casually, flipping
through the pages. “The SATs are coming up,
your parents want you to go to a good
school.”
<
Amy was quiet.
I pointed to the board, where “Twenty–eight
days until the SATS” seemed like a mountain pressing down on everyone.
Amy looked at it, and finally nodded. “Okay,
school. I’m done with Jake! I want to go to
college with you!”
My heart skipped a beat, and a small smile
crept onto my lips.
I still wanted the best for Amy, even after all
this time. It was just one of my bad habits.
I smiled to myself, focusing on a calculus
problem, and lost myself in it.
When I finally solved it, there were only a few
<
people left in the classroom, and it was
getting dark.
Amy was gone.
I let out a breath of relief, wiped the sweat
from my brow, and headed for the restroom.
One problem had kept me stuck for two
hours.
The restroom was empty. I went inside and
heard some rustling from the last stall.
It sounded like someone was undressing.
A familiar, shocking voice drifted out.
“Jake, you’re so bad… why did we have to
come here… I haven’t forgiven you yet!”
L
“Don’t be mad, baby. I was just upset
because we lost. I’m sorry. Kiss me.”
“Ew!”
My body went cold, my limbs stiff.
The shock brought on a wave of confusion
and sadness.
It shattered my last defense, and trampled all
my years of kindness and affection into the
dirt.
Crushed, ruined.
I backed away, nauseated, the bitter taste in
my throat mixing with the pain in my eyes.
It hurt, but I couldn’t explain it.
Jake’s voice again, “What’s wrong, baby? You
okay? Wanna hear something nasty?”
“No! Gross!” Amy’s voice was small, reluctant.
“Tell me Tom likes you. He’s such a nice guy!
He’s totally whipped!” Jake said mockingly.
Amy didn’t answer.
Jake squeezed her throat. “Answer me, or I’ll
choke you.”
Amy gasped, ashamed and excited. “I love
you! I’d rather be used and abused by a loser
like you than treated like a princess by Tom!”
<
“Haha! That’s what I wanted to hear!”
Jake crowed with glee. “The school
valedictorian’s girl is mine! That’s awesome!”
Amy protested, “I’m not his girl…”
“It’d be even better if you were his girl! Quick,
say it! I’m going to kiss the valedictorian’s
girl!” Jake demanded, slapping her.
Amy relented, “Okay, okay, I’m Tom’s girl!”
“Haha!”
