it was worth it

chapter 2

You've gotta be kidding me. I see a familiar back profile in the second row, a white shirt with red print on the back, and dark brown hair. I'm probably overthinking it, I mean out of all places he's gonna be here? Everyone here is supposed to be like older anyways. So, I walk confidently over to the sign in sheet, I mean first impressions right? There's another kind looking lady sitting down behind the table. I grab the pen to write my name down but before I could even put it down I see the name James Walker, my eyes slightly widened.

"Are you alright sweetheart?" The kind lady asks. "Oh, yeah, I was just gonna take a seat." I said nervously, as I started to walk to the nearest bench to me, the back row. It felt kinda cold, so I put on my green oversized hoodie. All I could think about was the fact that James is here, and how much I'm going to dread seeing his face every week. I mean it won't be that bad right?

"Wait!" The lady called out, "fuck" I mumbled under my breath, she said it loud enough that made people turn their heads. I walked fast towards her to avoid more embarrassment. "There's a young man here, he's in the second row. I see here," She points to her clipboard, "that you guys are close in age. And as a counselor, it's my job to help people connect and let them know that they're not alone," She said with a huge smile on her face, she then put her hand in the direction of the "young man" in question. I look at the direction that she's pointing at and of course, I see James looking back at us. "This is the first meeting of the month, which means meeting members are supposed to catch up with each other. But since you're new, have a seat next to him."

You know some would say "it's a sign" when they bump into someone twice in one day. But when it comes to HIM, it's a sign to just turn around and leave. But I made a commitment to my mother, so I just nodded, I didn't t wanna create an unnecessary scene.

And with that I made my way over to the second row bench, and sat like 3 feet away from him. But of course, he came closer. I got a whiff of cologne, which meant he was too close. I kept looking in front of me, making sure to avoid contact but I say, "Ever heard of personal space?"

"You know I don't bite right" I can feel his stupid smirk on his face as he said that. I roll my eyes, I honestly just want to get through this meeting. "Who knew that the straight A student would be at an AA meeting," He chuckled, in a sarcastic way. "Why are you here? Did mommy and daddy find you drinking a white claw" He laughs. God, he doesn't even know half it.

I wanna stand up for myself for once. "Do you ever take a fucking break?" "What's that supposed to mean?" He chuckled, sarcastically making me feel slightly annoyed at myself for even saying anything in the first place. "You know what I mean, you're an asshole. You say shit that isn't even true not knowing what people go through." He rolled his eyes with a smirk on his face, "Whatever."

Last year, someone made up these awful rumors about me, and obviously teenagers love drama so they believe it. That someone was James, well he never said it was him but Ryan and Evelyn suspected it. I mean would I be surprised? No, he likes to bump into me in the hallways and make me drop my books. I mean once he "accidentally" bumped into me making me drop one of my most sophisticated paintings on the floor that wasn't even done drying. It took me a month to make that painting. I would say I'm being overdramatic but that painting was dedicated to my late sister, the least he could've  done was fucking apologize . But nope, he just continues to bother me.

"Oh and we have that history project to work on." He stated. I looked at him confused. "After you practically ran out the door in Mr.Fitz class, he announced partners and the project." He explained, in a serious tone. Weird. "Since when do you care about school" I asked with a smirk. "Since when were you an alcoholic?" He asked with his eyebrows raised. "You know nothing about me" I said, as that smirk faded and I looked around to see that people were starting to leave. "Well it looks like this meeting over" I start grabbing my bag from the floor until I feel a hand on my thigh, close to my knee.

"Wait, uh don't you think it's getting dark, you shouldn't walk alone out there." James says as his cold big hand is on me, I feel butterflies in my stomach. Sage no. I look into his deep eyes with confusion as I move over a little, he takes his hand off. "oh sorry-" he says yet again, with a smirk. "What makes you think I'm gonna be out alone?" I say cutting him off. He points at my metrocard, "That" "Well why do you care" I said in a confused but sarcastic tone, as I start to get up. He got up too, and leaned over which caught me off guard "Well in order to pass a project," He whispered in my ear, "i'm gonna need you, well, alive right?" He pulled away, looked deep into my eyes and smirked and moved away. I got so flustered "Uh well I, uh I think i'll manage thanks for the concern though" I awkwardly laughed, grabbed my bag and walked away quickly.

Oh. My. God. What just happened. I'm on my way to the train trying to process what just happened. Actually, like Evelyn would say, he's a walking STD, he probably does that with a lot of girls. Not a big deal. I got to the subway, passed my card and went to take the A train. It was just a few stops to get home. I put on my airpods and play "Apocalypse" by Cigarettes After Sex, then 'Friends" by Chase Atlantic, and finally "Sign Of the Times" by Harry styles, until I heard my stop was next. I quickly put away my airpods and got up to the nearest doors. I leave the subway and head up the stairs to the nearest exit. It did get pretty dark outside, it's fine I can just call Evelyn to pick me up, I'm sure she just finished volleyball tryouts.

S: hiii

E: hey, whats up

S: i was just wondering if you could give me a ride home

E: ohh yeah ofc, i just got out of volleyball tryouts send me your location

S: tysm, *location sent*

E: k ur like 2 minutes away, i'm getting in my car

S: k see you soon

2 minutes pass by and I see Evelyn's white range rover, pulling up to the curb. I quickly walk towards the car feeling the cold wind against my face. I open the car door, and hop in, we drive away.

"So where'd you go?" Evelyn asked. "Oh it was just this painting event thing." Ugh I hate lying to her, I know she's my best friend but I don't feel that comfortable saying it out loud. Evelyn looked at me as if she knew that I was lying "Sage i've known you since we were 11, you don't think i can't tell if you're lying or not?" She said as she took a right turn, getting closer to my house. "Ok so you obviously know that i had a drinking problem, so my mom is making me go to these AA meetings in Downtown Manhattan" I embarrassedly admit. "Sage, you shouldn't  be embarrassed to tell me anything, we're best friends, basically sisters." "You're right" I gave her a faint smile, "But you won't believe who was there." I wanted to desperately tell someone about what happened with James. "Yeah? Who." She says as we parked the car in front of my house. "James Walker, it was literally all so weird, like we had small talk, then he put his hand on my thigh, an-"

"Woah slow down, HE PUT HIS HAND ON YOUR THIGH" She squealed with, for some reason, excitement. "Dude yes, and I was like woah what?" After that I explained every single detail on what happened. "Holy shit Sage, he totally likes you." I look at her with wide eyes "Ew dont even, you know what he did." "Oh c'mon Sage that was last year and plus we don't know for sure it was him." I don't know Ev, the stuff he does is questionable. But anyways see you tomorrow, bye!" I say blowing her a kiss and jogging to my front door. I get inside and notice it's 6:30pm, mom comes home at 8.

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After I took a long bath and put on a face mask I walked to my room and got comfortable. As I got in bed I heard my phone buzz, unknown number?

UN: did you get home safe

S: Who's this?

UN: I saw you

Okay what the hell, I'll just ignore it

UN: im fucking with you, its james