Blandview High Musical

52. The Valentine's Day From Hell

With Benny gone, that bleakness returned to Jade's heart. She had stayed away from everyone else, boys like Billy were of no use to her. It was love that she wanted, not just sex anymore. Her eyes lingered up to Javi who was standing at the front of the class, lecturing like usual. Desire fluttered through her heart as he looked over at her. He smiled at her.

            "Shaynie..." I sang, coming up to him as he was standing at his locker. He just looked over at me, giving a half-hearted smile. "I have something for you." I said, ignoring his dapper mood. "What is it?" "Come with me to the auditorium." I said. "Oh, Gill I don't—" "Come on, don't be a crab." I said, grabbing him by the hand. I pulled him down the center aisle and we both took a seat on the stage. "Gill, I'm gonna be late—" "Why are you trying to ruin this moment? It's Valentine's Day." I said. He sighed heavily.

            Earlier last week, after being absolutely sure Gill was lying, Shayne had talked to Sylvia. He found her in the gym eating breakfast. He had asked her if Gill was with her that night. Sylvia gave a confused look and told him no. That was all the confirmation for Gill's lie that he needed. All that was left to do was to confront her about the lie and ask where she was. He was going to do that right now even if it spoiled the mood.

            "Gill, we need to talk." Shayne said as I was shuffling through my bag, looking for the gift. I looked over at him. "What about?" I asked, attempting to choke down the nervousness that I was feeling. "Where were you that night?" He asked. I wrinkled my brow. "Don't say you don't know what I'm talking about." "I told you I was with Sylvia." "That's what you're sticking with?" He asked. I scoffed. "That's what happened." "Funny, I talked to Sylvia that morning after you told me that lie. And she said no, you hadn't been with her." He said. I swallowed coarsely. "Where were you?" He asked. I felt the tears welling in my eyes. "Shayne, I—" "Just tell me the truth, Gill." He said. I couldn't bear it. "I can't." I said. "Why not?" He asked. "Because I just can't!" I shouted. In my hands, I was holding the small package. He sighed. "Fine." His eyes looked down towards my hands. "Keep the gift because we're done." He said. "You—you're breaking up with me? On Valentine's Day?" I asked. He stood up from where he was sitting. "Yeah, I am." He said, jumping down off the stage. I was left sitting there, holding the gift in my lap.

            I snapped back to what was happening. "Can I ask why?" I called out to him as he was walking away. He turned back around. "Because you won't just answer my question. You won't tell me where you were. You lied to me. And you think that that gift is going to make up for whatever you've done...then you're sorely mistaken." He said. I scoffed. "So that's just it?" I asked. "Yeah, that's it, Gill. I'm done. Finished." He said, turning around to continue that walk. I stood there for a moment, still holding the gift. Suddenly, it all hit. If Jade ever finds out what I did with Javi, she'd probably kill me...or worse. It might've been better this way. To break up under...mysterious circumstances rather than to face the truth. "Tough break, huh?" A voice asked. I turned to see Courtney, lingering by the side of the stage. "What the hell are you doing here?" I asked. "Just...hanging around. Couldn't help but overhear your little breakup." She said. "Did you follow us here?" I asked. "That's not important. I think now would be a good time to let you in on a little secret." She said, stepping out onto the stage.

            "What are you talking about?" I asked. "Why do you think Shayne dumped your ass?" She asked. "It's because I wouldn't come clean about something I did. I know exactly why." "Okay, so then I guess you don't care that he was fooling around with Tondre then, do you?" This caught my attention, more than anything. "What did you say?" She knew that she was throwing gas on my fire. She produced her phone from her back pocket. After a few taps, clicks and swipes, she handed me the phone. On the screen, rearranged in colorful pixels was Shayne and Jade interlocked in what looked like a pretty needy little kiss. His arms were around her as hers were around him. "When did this happen?" I asked. I could feel myself getting angry now, regardless of what I had done. "About a week ago. You had already left and I just happened to be walking by when I saw them. So, I snapped a quick picture. For your sake, I didn't blast it all over the internet." "Oh and I suppose that's you doing me a favor?" I asked. "Well, yeah basically." I shoved the phone back at her. I didn't say anything else, but climbed down off the stage. Courtney followed me.