Different Sides To The Same Story

Chapter twenty - Jason Dalton

   "Aw you look so cute." Lily coos, looking over Jaimes shoulder as she paints on my face.

I move a bit, causing Jaime to grip my cheek harder, "Stop moving." She growls, the cold paint touching my cheek.

"I wanna see, Lil pass me the mirror." I tell her, trying to squirm again.

"Oh my god stay still or it'll look terrible." Jaime threatens.

I roll my eyes slouching back, "I'm just saying I don't think I'm supposed to be in the girls washroom." I tell them.

"Relax dude." Seth says, despite the fact that he, too, isn't supposed to be here.

Callie pushes off the wall checking her phone, "Five minutes left Jaim." She calls out.

Callie, Lily, Seth and Jaime all have coloured flags on their cheeks to match the theme of the walk out. Ms. Decker got fired because she brought her partner to a teachers meeting, the principal called it unprofessional despite the fact that almost everyone else brought their partners.

Lily wore the plain pride flag, just in support. But Callie, Seth and Jaime wore their proper flags, matching their sexuality. Jaime and Seth wore the bisexual pride flag well Callie had the lesbian one painted on her cheek. Callie had a rainbow flag, Jaime bought off ebay, wrapped around her shoulders.

We let out the memo to everyone involved to do the same, wear pride pins, or shirts, some even painted their faces like us.

Lily checks her phone, "Guys it's time." She tells us.

"Y'all ready?" Jaime says, finally backing up from my face and laying her brush down.

We all share nods or 'yeahs' as we hear movement outside the door.

I lead the way as we exit, everyone matches the dress code as they start walking out the front doors. I smile back as Lily takes my hand.

We join the group as we all leave the school, creating a crowd outside for the last period of the day. Someone pulls out a hand held stereo as they start playing 'sweater weather' making me laugh. I find myself alone as the crowd moves faster, I feel a poke in my back while I'm looking for Lily.

I turn around to see Miles, he's not wearing any pride stuff instead just flowing with the crowd. "Can I speak to you for a second?" He asks.

I roll my eyes as I nod, leading him around the school so I can hear him. "What is it now?" I ask, kinda pissed off that he has the nerve to show his face again.

"I can't believe you. How are you so fine with everything she's giving up for you?" He half yells at me.

I shake my head, "Bro I don't even know what you're talking about." I tell her, crossing my arms over my chest.

"I mean UCLA!" He yells.

I give him a confused look, "I still don't follow." I inform him.

"I mean how she turned down a full ride from UCLA to stay here with her shitty boyfriend." He growls, in a low threatening tone.

I squint at him, there's no way he's telling the truth, "Seriously? How the fuck do you know that?" I question.

"Her mom talked to my mom when Lily informed her that she was turning down UCLA, her dream school." He tells me.

"No, she'd tell me." I argue.

He grinds his teeth, "She's worked her whole life for a chance like this, and she's giving it up for some dumbass stoner." He tells me, making me swallow thickly, "Do you even understand what she's throwing away for you?" Miles asks me. I look at the pavement, "If you care about her, half as much you say you do, you'll get out of her life for good." He tells me, walking past me and bumping into my shoulder roughly.

She wouldn't do that, if she wants to go so bad why doesn't she? Why wouldn't she tell me? Why am I holding her back?

Lily surprises me, appearing out of thin air and kissing my cheek, "Hey Jace." She greets, beaming at me, "What's up?" She asks.

I force a smile on my face, pushing down the tears, "N-nothing." I tell her, "Actually I'm getting a headache, so, uh, I think I'm gonna head home."

She frowns, bringing her hand up and pressing it against my forehead, "Are you sure?" She asks.

"Yeah," I say, pushing her hand off my face, "I'll see you tomorrow morning." I tell her, slinking away to the parking lot.

I can ignore her till the morning, when we all leave for the cabin. I'm taking Jaime, Callie, and Lily, and Seths bringing Lucas, he claims he doesn't wanna be alone in his loneliness.

I just need to gather my thoughts and figure out what to do. 

Why wouldn't she tell me? I mean we've done long distance- maybe she doesn't want to. What if she's scared I'm too mentally fragile? What if she really wants to go but she's afraid of what I'd do if she ended it with me?

Oh my god, I'm holding her back.