The mafia's bride (On Hold)

Chapter eight: curious bonds

"No, absolutely not honey," flat as dead, Lila holds her hand up and shakes her head towards me. I haven't even spoken yet she somehow read my mind. Or because she knows what my plans are. Either way this isn't good. I know, asking Lila behind Miranda's back is cruel but she's not really leaving me with much to work with. And neither is she. I mean why do they fear Jonah so much? Yes the guy's in a gang but he's different from them. A whole lot different from Wade, that's for sure. Still when I look into my friends's eyes I only see regret, pain, and most of all torment. That's not something I want them to go through just because of me but trying to save myself the tears at my future funeral seems more important at the moment.

"Okay if you can give me one reason, I'll drop the issue right now." Sneaking behind our chemistry teacher's back, she looks up at me and rolls her eyes. "You're one stubborn cookie, you do know that right?" I smile and rise my eyes like I've won the world cup or something. Dimming her eyes to her ring again, Lila licks her lips and sighs. "I'm sure Miranda told you that her cousin is part of a gang right?" I nod my head and fold my arms at the weird excitement of my heart. It's beating so fast, staying in my seat's probably going to be murder.  Closing her eyes, she drops her head to the desk and murmurs something to herself. "I know I'm going to regret this so badly...." Impatiently I shake her shoulders until she lifts her head back up. "I swear I won't tell a soul, please Lila?" Giving her the puppy dog eyes along with my lips unfolding like a real whiny dog, she moans and shields her eyes.

"Alright already as long as you promise, I guess it's fine to tell you. But don't ever tell another soul. It could starts some trouble around here, got it?" Scanning me, she arches a suspicious brow at me. I gulp and hold up my pinkie to her own. "Pinkie promise." Smiling again, she sighs heavenly and this time with more confidence. Our teacher, still walking around with a small book in his hands eyes the class making sure we're paying attention. Or trying to find at least one person who doesn't think his class is the more dullest of them all. Not me included by the way. Gazing into the warmth of the light, Lila lets out a breath of air and grins. "Miranda and Jonah are cousins. Been going to  the same school since they were babies."

My eyes freeze at the response. Not the most amusing answers I've gotten before in my life but it sure did a good job of adding some dramatic effect. My heart literally skips a beat every time the word "cousins" replays back in my head. Dimming my eyes, I take in the polluted, damp air in the room and try to coop with what had been said. Not that I don't trust Lila, It's just that cupid shot me with the wrong arrow! I'm not supposed to feel guilty or selfish for asking this of them. I'm supposed to be the loyal friend that I want to be and listen to them. They know the real him, I don't. His personalities, favorite foods, favorite places to go on date nights, everything's practically stored away in their tiny litte minds. And me? I'm not even friends or remotely close to him. Walking me to class, giving me this smile that washes away my body doesn't mean crap, well not anymore.

After class everything was made clear to me. Stay away from Jonah, no matter how much seeing him brings happiness into my new life. No matter how he protects me even if we're strangers. I hate Wade. He's the one who ruined the moment. Even it it's a small one. Seeing him smile at me like that made me think.....we could have actually been something. And yes I know I said dating a guy is absolutely out of the question until this whole shooting me on the sidewalk thing clears up but still. It wouldn't hurt for Jonah to steal my first kiss. But like I promised Lila, I drop the issue like it doesn't even matter to me anymore.

When 2nd period's over, going to lunch leaves knots in my throat. Why, cause Miranda's probably going to eye me the whole time. Lila's good under pressure but not me. Oh hell no, that's not the real me at all. I mean dodging a few questions here and there is easy, but questions that need some explaining is kind of my weak point. And damn it if I don't know that Jeanna would just love to see me crumble at her feet. Like hell that'll ever happen. She may be a ruthless queen with Joe following her around like a sad puppy but not me. The girl hates me. I get that. But to try and hurt one of her own and to deliberately try to get me in trouble with my own mother is going too far. (Not saying that I'm not terrified of my mom or anything. She has the face of an pure goddess but the eyes of a beast, just saying).