The Host Club

Tension and Jealousy

When Tatum saw me, he was quick to wrap his arms around me tightly. "I heard about the incident..." He said quietly. "Are you okay? Did they..."

"Nothing I can't handle." I cut him off.

He pulled away, holding me at arm length. He looked me over briefly and then looked to Haden. "They stopped by." His face was hard. "They made it clear that we were to stay out of the ministers sons 'affairs' from now on."

I could feel Haden tense from behind me. "Anything about the suspension?"

Tatum waved his hand as he let go of me. "You're all off the hook. I talked them out of it. The quicker you all graduate the better for them." He barked a laugh. "Even though the host club holds the most eligible and, frankly, most intelligent students in the school." Tatum turned on his heels, looking at Haden over his shoulder. "You think I would let them take away your schooling?" He snorted, sitting Down on a couch.

I looked over at Haden who was wearing a large smile on his face, "I'm in your debt once again, boss."

Tatum looked from me to Haden, "I'm just glad you were there to fend off those pigs." He said in a low voice. "No matter how much I want- those boys will never get in trouble for what they do..." He sighed heavily and folded his hand over his face.

The door jingled as Tanner and Beth walked in, arms looked together as they laughed. I noted that Tatum had put a bell on the door, then looked at my friend who seemed to be her happiest yet.

"Oh hey guys." Beth beamed us a huge white smile.

"Glad you're doing much better." I said with a small giggle.

"Agreed." Haden muttered quietly, looking his arm around my waist.

I looked up at him, his jaw clenched tightly as his arm tightened around my waist. He still didn't trust Tanner, honestly I didn't blame him.

"Well, I made her better." Tanner said with a strained voice.

That was different. He sounded off, and it sent chills of worry through my body. I looked at Beth, who was smiling up at Tanner. But Tanner was locking eyes with Haden, tension rising in the room.

"You two are together now?" Asked Tatum. "I can't say I saw that coming. I'm genuinely surprised."

Tanner blinked hard before his hard face lifted to one of joy. "We got to know each other last night." He said happily. "I wouldn't have pinned her for having such amazing taste."

She narrowed her eyes at him, "rude." She muttered.

"Sorry, it's true." He smiled down at her and kissed her forehead.

I mentally vomited, shaking myself and looking to Haden. "Why don't we go? I'm hungry."

Haden nodded, "sounds good." He put his finger up to me and disappeared into another room, before coming back and ushering me out the door. I said a quick goodbye, and then we were gone.

Haden wrapped his arm around my waist, his hand snaking into my back pocket. "Hey." He said quietly.

"Hi." I smiled up at him, fully aware of all the people around us, but I didn't care.

"Wanna go out for lunch?" He asked quietly, a hopeless grin on his lips.

I nodded, hugging him tightly with one arm. I loved the way I felt around him; the way he made me feel. I loved everything about him, really.

"What?" He asked, a smirk bright on his face.

"What do you mean, 'what'?" I asked, puzzled.

"You're looking at me funny." He raised his brows at me, his smirk growing.