I'm shocked at what I hear. It wasn't the first time I saw Gia and Jake together. But Jake was spewing nonsense that was so mean, so terrible.
"You were just some dumb bitch that I used to make my real girlfriend jealous." He says angrily.
I watch Gia's face and have never felt so bad. "I feel so bad for this Cassia-girl that you love. I don't hate her, I pity her. Because she has to deal with you."
My heart drops with her words. My heart drops because I know she's right. It took talking to Max for me to realize that Jake was too possessive and that we weren't right for each other. I shake as my phone pings. Shit. He wants to meet me after school.
I go to my locker feeling uneasy. I can't help but feel guilty for how Gia is feeling. She's probably heartbroken, hurt as fuck, make that angry as fuck, and it's all because of me. And it's there where I make a decision: I am going to meet Jake. And maybe I'll forgive him for how he treated me.
But I won't forgive him for how he treated her.
I see the familiar tuft of brown hair and my heart seems to leap up into my throat. God, what is wrong with me? The thoughts of Jake and Gia all melt away when I see Max. There's comfort in his stupid grin and when I ask him to walk with me I almost want to let him grab my hand.
He shakes his head as I pull away. "Let me carry your bag at least, please."
I hand him my book bag reluctantly. "If that's what gets you to stop holding my hand, then sure. You're doing me a favour anyway."
He smirks at me and whispers in my ear. "You didn't mind sleeping with me, why can't I hold your hand?"
"Max." I say with wide eyes.
"I'm just wondering." He walks in step with me. "Do you want to come over after school?"
Yes. Wait, no. I have to meet Jake. "Actually, I'm going somewhere." I say quickly.
"Where?" He asks dramatically.
I have to meet my ex-boyfriend whom you hate "Nowhere that concerns you." His eyes drown me in sorrow. I want to come over so bad. "I'll come over after, okay?"
He's like a puppy. The minute the words are out of my mouth it's like his tail wags and his ears turn up. "Don't look at me so cynically. I like when you come over." And with those words, the realization hits me: I don't want to be friends with Max at all. I want more.
I feel guilty as I sit at the bleachers, waiting for Jake. Guilty for one too many things, all the time. I see him approaching and my heart falls apart. Why in hell is he smiling? Why does it still pull at my heartstrings? Why? It must be pity that controls me because I don't pull away when he goes to hug me. "Jake, I-"
He cuts me off. "Cassia, I love you. I tried dating Gia to get my mind off of you and it didn't work. I love you so much, do you wanna start over?"
My jaw slacks open. "I- No!" I blurt out. I look at the ground so that I don't see his pained expression. "I saw the way you treated Gia. You hurt her! Y-y-you used her! You treated her like some disposable wrapper!"
He looks taken aback. "I did that for you, Cassia. I did that to make you jealous. It was all for you! So please, Cassia. Won't you say you love me?"
"No."
