Chapter 7 - He is not a jock
--ANNA--
My first day at school gave me mixed feelings.
I don't know what made me cry for so long. Sure, I was upset that I became a laughing stock in front of the whole class when I haven't done anything to the guy who picked on me.
Adding to that, Jason saw me in my most vulnerable state. In spite of his comforting words, I didn't go to my next class; worried that something bad might happen again.
If it wasn't for Emily who dragged me out of the ladies', I would've stayed there all day sulking.
When I reached the cafeteria, I was shocked to find Jason kissing a girl passionately.
Of course he would have a girlfriend. With the way he looks, every single girl here would call dibs on him if he broke up with her. But that didn't stop me from being hurt.
However, it amused me knowing that he mistook my silence as being dumb.
At least, he didn't judge it as arrogance or bitchiness. That's a relief.
Lunch was awkward with Emily's confession and Jason's expression suggested that he knew we were talking about him.
Finally, it was over and Emily pulled me to the ladies' room strolling towards the farthest cubicle.
"I remembered something. I know a certain green eyed boy who is very attractive" she said, smirking at me.
Shit. I dug my own grave. Someone, please do the honor of burying me.
Putting up a strong facade, I asked innocently "Who?"
"Jason. Right? He was the guy you met" she said excitedly.
"No" I said, trying to sound firm.
She snorted in disbelief "I may not have known you for a long time but I am sure you are lying right now"
"No, I am not" I scowled.
"Yes, you are. I saw the looks on your faces when we discussed the boy. So, don't deny"
"Fine, it was him" I admitted unwillingly.
"See, that was easy. Now confess that you like him too, because I know you do"
Why are we discussing about him?
Yeah. Because I was stupid enough to tell her about a guy I met and developed an instant liking.
She looked at me expectantly waiting for an answer and I said calmly "He has a girlfriend; a sexy one. Why is it important if I like him or not?"
She sighed "Because he is not serious about her. Their relationship is more---physical"
Ugh. So, he is with her for s*x?
"Since when are they in a relationship?" I questioned coolly.
"More than a year. Almost one and a half, I guess" she replied, shrugging nonchalantly.
WHAT?
They're in a relationship since almost 18 months and this stupid girl tells me they aren't serious.
How can that be??
Maybe they're in love and didn't confess to their friends. The way they were sucking each other's faces a while go makes my argument plausible.
"It's not what you think. They are not serious. Well, may be Jason isn't; because sometimes I wonder Cheryl is secretly in love with him" Emily said, looking at me.
"Do you mean they are friends with benefits?" I asked with a frown.
"No. It isn't like that. They may be committed to each other but they are not serious"
They are committed but not serious. What the heck is that?
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, genuinely interested.
"Because I want him to be happy and you two make a great couple" She responded, looking honest.
"What? Are you serious?" I yelled at her in disbelief.
"Positive. So, what are you going to do about him?"
"Nothing. I am not a bitch to go after a person who is in a relationship" She tried to say something but I cut her off "Serious or not, I don't care. I am not going after him. And that's final."
She didn't say anything and walked along with me to our next class.
After school, she offered me lift to the store as it's my first day and I complied.
On our journey to the store, she told me all about their group--err--my soon to be friends group.
I still can't believe I let her take me to their table. But what shocks me the most is that we are actually talking like friends; like normal friends which is definitely not normal to me.
I am surprised to find out that Jason and Elle are siblings since they are very different from each other. Elle is a junior and is dating Kyle, who is of our age. She is in the cheer-leading team along with Megan and Cheryl.
Kyle is in the school's soccer team while Blaise is in the basketball team. Hunter on the other hand is the only person in the group who is almost like me. He isn't a nerd or a jock and talks rarely; like very rarely.
Gabe, the person who is with Jason the whole day is the quarterback and captain of the school's soccer team.
However, I received the biggest shock of my life when Emily told that he is gay.
I bet half of the girl population at school was heartbroken knowing that. I don't blame them. He is freaking hot.
When asked about Jason if he is in any team, Emily replied that he is not interested to be part of the team though he is really good at soccer. She said he is interested in the game rather than playing it.
I don't know what the heck that means but it definitely proved my theory wrong.
He is not a jock.
In fact, he is similar to me, Hunter and Em in a way. We do not belong to the team of populars or jocks or nerds or even geeks. We are almost like nobody.
Emily also said that, though the group consists of jocks and cheer leaders, they do not belong to the populars. They have tried to keep their social life low and are very good at it.
But is that even possible?
Maybe they don't give a damn about popularity and ignore other people around them apart from their friends.
That's a good sign since I don't want to be tagged as a certain someone's friend at school because they're popular.
Though its obvious they are good people, I am still scared to accept new friends into my life.
Though I was refraining myself from making friends all these years, I've always wanted someone as my BFF.
Someone who'd help me pick my prom dress, who'd watch chick flicks with me, who'd bring ice cream on my period when I am at home sulking, who'd discuss about guy problems and would dress me up on my dates.
All these years, I kept telling myself that I don't need one or maybe can't have one.
But seeing Em's friends made me realize what I am missing; knowing how much they enjoyed being with each other.
My best friend's name back home was Emily. We were almost like sisters. But what happened that night tore us apart.
And here, sitting beside me is also a girl named Emily which makes me wonder if it is fate that wants to give me a chance to live life.
I have always believed in destiny and after everything happened today, I feel like I am meant to be here.
Maybe, I can find my BFF in Emily who's nothing but nice to me and took care of me today.
Though my mind is warning me not to do the same mistake again, I am ready to take the risk if it means I can be happy again.
I am sick of trying to be invisible and alone. If having a bunch of friends can make my life different and colorful, accepting it would be the best thing to do.
I will have to be careful though, not to slip any personal information of mine.
I didn't know I was thinking deeply without a care in the world until I felt a pair of hands shake me violently; breaking my thoughts.
"What are you thinking woman?" Emily asked, glaring at me.
"Wh-What?" I mumbled, not understanding the reason behind her anger.
"I have been calling your name since the past 5 minutes and you are in your la-la land" She growled.
"I am sorry. Why?" I asked casually. Not my best move definitely.
"Why?" She shrieked, looking at me as if I've gone mad "We reached the store. You have to work, remember?"
Crap. I looked around to confirm if she is telling the truth.
"I am sorry Emily. I spaced out, I guess" I admitted, embarrassingly.
"Fine. Just be careful" She huffed.
After she drove away, I went to Tom who guided me to a couple of boxes and told me to unpack and arrange them in their respective shelves. For more than an hour, I am immersed in unpacking and carefully setting them up when people started coming in.
When Liam who is also a helper like me couldn't get what an old lady asked, Tom ordered me to go to the billing section while he went to help the woman.
As the store got busy, I stayed at the counter while Tom helped customers. I continued billing for another hour when I found a familiar person at the end of the queue line.
Jason.
He is in a white shirt with black hoodie and track pants and looked amazingly cool.
With head phones latched to his ears and closed eyes, he swayed his head left to right enjoying music.
After giving change and thanking the lady for visiting, I turned to the last person who is still engrossed in his own world.
I patted his shoulder which is when he came out of his senses and dropped a couple of boxes on the counter; still not noticing me.
What do we have here?
Ugh..Flavored condoms..
"That would be 3.50 sir" I said, trying to act professional.
No reply.
I patted his shoulder again and thankfully, he removed his head phones when I repeated "3.50 sir"
"Yeah, thanks" he said giving money, finally noticing me.
His expression changed from shock to confusion and finally grimace.
Eyeing up the condoms, he quickly said "They're not for me"
Does he think that I am stupid?
Of course it's for him. He must be heading to Cheryl's house or she must be coming to his' to have fun.
I cocked an eyebrow up and gave a 'I-don't-believe-you' look to which he quickly blurted out "They are for Gabe"
That's when I couldn't take it anymore and cracked up. I laughed for a few seconds, clutching the desk for support till tears poured out of my eyes and I don't remember, the last time I laughed like that.
Once I controlled myself, I turned to Jace who is looking at me in awe and said "Since when do gays use condoms?"
His cheeks turned a shade of pink with embarrassment and I repeated "3.50 sir"
He handed me money and walked away, taking his stuff without meeting my eyes.
Much to my surprise, he came back again after a few minutes and asked "What are you doing here?"
I thought of saying 'duh' instead replied "Job"
"Oh.. Since when?"
"Um—Today"
"Wow. Good.. Lets celebrate" he said excitedly.
WHAT?
Why would I celebrate with him?? It's not even my first job.
My face must have given my answer as he added "Come on. Please.. It's your first day at school and job as well"
He has a point. I didn't realize it myself.
"Okay, my treat" I quickly added.
"What? I am a guy and guys are supposed to pay" he retorted.
"And why is that?" I scoffed.
"Please. Can't I give my friend a treat?" he whined.
A friend. Wow.
That sounded so good and he looked adorable saying that.
"Fine" I gave in, not able to resist his puppy dog eyes.
Fifteen minutes later, we are in a cafe, a few blocks away from the store. Having given our order, both of us waited in silence, not bothering to start a conversation.
Sensing his gaze on me, I began awkwardly "Yeah?"
Way to go. What a way to start a conversation!
"What?" he asked, looking confused.
"You—You were—sta—staring?" I said, unsure of myself.
"What made you think that?" he said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Nothing" I mumbled quietly.
After a few more seconds of silence, he said "I was—um—trying to figure out who you are"
"Why did you come to this town? Not that I don't want you to; just asking" He added.
"Moving on" I blurted out.
"From what? Or whom?" he asked in concern.
Luckily, the waiter came back with our order and I took it as a cue to keep my mouth busy. His phone beeped while we are eating and he quickly checked before sliding it back into his pocket.
"Looks like a certain someone is waiting for you" I said bitterly.
"No, it's oka—— Wait!! Are you jealous?" he asked with an amused look.
"Why would I be?? I don't even know you" I retorted, praying to God he doesn't see that I am lying.
"Yeah" he said in disappointment.
I shouldn't have said that.
He looked hurt. He called me a friend and I said I barely knew him.
"I am sorry. I should not have said that. I didn't mean it that way" I whispered softly.
"It's okay. You are forgiven" He said with a small smile.
"Really?" I beamed.
He chuckled "Yes"
After we are done, he drove me to Emily's house in his car. I thought of giving directions but quickly stopped myself, realizing they are friends since a long time.
Though we haven't talked the whole ride, it's not awkward and gave me time to think about everything.
It's quite shocking how comfortable I felt being with him when this is the first time we actually had a conversation.
Once we reached, I opened the door and got down the car only to find Jason coming out as well.
"You can come inside if you want to. But then, you will have to take the responsibility of answering Emily's questions" I said, smiling a bit.
He grinned taking a step back "No way I am doing that. See you tomorrow"
"Thank you Jason" I said remembering what happened in the morning.
He turned around and cocked an eyebrow, looking surprised "Why?"
"For sending Emily. I needed someone and you sent her. Thank you" I admitted.
He frowned "How did you---Emily told you?"
"No, she didn't. I knew it was you"
"How?" he said, looking amazed.
"The same way you knew I was in the loo" I responded.
I knew it was him because apart from him, no one knew what state I was in.
After saying good bye to a still confounded Jason, I went inside the house and inhaled the heavenly smell of freshly cooked lasagna awaiting me.
Though I wanted to grab food first, I resisted the urge and headed to my room to freshen up; scared that Lily might complain that I stink.
However, I saw Emily standing at my door with a smug look on her face which can mean only one thing.
She saw me with Jason.
We stared at each other for few seconds before I broke the silence "Okay, I give up. I know you saw us together"
She grinned "You bet I did. So? What does that mean?"
"What does what mean??" I said, trying to sound confused.
She glared at my pathetic attempt of lying "You know exactly what I mean"
Fully aware of what she is implying, I answered "It means, he accidentally bumped into me in the store and offered me lift since my shift was over"
I didn't say anything about the cafe part because knowing her, I am sure she would start freaking out that he took me on a date though it wasn't one.
"It means he likes you too, idiot" she scowled.
I shrugged nonchalantly "Yeah, as a friend. He would do that to any friend of his. Don't assume too much from simple matters like this"
She muttered something like 'naive' under her breath and later added "Sure, if you say so. But if Jamie finds out that you like Jason, you are going to be in hell"
"Who is Jamie?" I asked anxiously.
"Gabe's sister"
And that's how I knew about her obsession with Jason and how unlucky of us to share the same lunch period with our juniors this year.
She mentioned about the cat fights she has had with Cheryl and Elle and how her showing up would turn out to be disastrous for all of them.
Is she that bad?
I mean if she's not, then why is the whole group afraid of her.
Though I know I should not judge someone who is a complete stranger to me, I can't help but think I have to be careful whenever she's around.
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Thank you for reading. Please Vote, Comment and Share.
-Janaki
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