The Speech

Chapter 20

Theo's POV

      "I need you."  Those three little words were the first thing out of her mouth when I answered the phone. She had called a second time once I got in the car and against all better judgment, I answered. She said she had a fight with Jayden, and she wasn't okay. I told her to go talk to him, she said he wouldn't speak to her. She was crying, and she was desperate. She said "I need you." A second time and I caved, drove to her house and knocked on her door. The first thing I saw was her mascara stained cheeks, her red puffy eyes, and my nascar t-shirt. She threw herself around me and I instinctively hugged her back.

"It's my fault. I was the one who told him I'd start sticking around for his practices." She tells me once we get up to her room.
"He could've been a bit more understanding." I tell her, half-heartedly.
"I was contradictory to my own promise, what does he have to understand?" She asks and I just stay quiet.
"Even when I try, I can't be a good girlfriend." She states, shedding another tear.
"You're not a bad girlfriend." I reassure her.
"Yes I am. I'm a bad friend too, just look at how I acted to you and Jackie last week." She says, referring to the double date aftermath.
"You're spiraling, Avery." I tell her, but she continues.
"You should find new people to hang out with." She says.
"Yeah well, I'm not too interested in other people." I tell her, and she looks up at me, studying my face. She stares like she's figured something out, like she found an answer to a question she's had for ages.

"Do you think, in another universe maybe, that you and I-" Just when I think she's gonna say something, her phone rings. We both watch as the name Jayden flashes on her phone screen and without a second thought she answers. 

"Hello?" She says, and waits for him to speak. I can only hear half of the conversation though.
"Jayden, no I'm so happy you called!" She tells him. She glances over at me then says into the phone,

"Hold that thought, you're breaking up a bit." With one more look my way she stands and walks away to her bathroom, closing the door. Whether she left for my sake or hers is up for debate. I shouldn't be surprised that she took the call so fast, the only reason I'm here is because she missed him. After a couple of minutes, she exits the bathroom, phone still to her ear. 
"No, I'm not doing anything. Yes come over, I love you." She says, and hangs up the phone.

Dylan's POV

     Pez gave me a Buzz Light-year dispenser this time. And I wanted to question why, but I knew he wouldn't answer. I got significantly more than the last time, in hopes that I won't have to ask Pez for any more. He wasn't as hesitant this time around, almost expectant of it. Which can't possibly be a good thing, but I don't plan on making a habit of this. He'll realize that when I don't buy more later. I waited till I was home before snorting any, figured it's best to not do it on school property and all. I did it once when I got home, and when I started to crash I did it one more time, right before Jackie texted me. By the time I got to her house I was at my peak.

      She isn't very interactive though, she just sits on the opposite side of the room on her phone, while I go through her cassette collection. She hasn't said much, just a few comments when I poke fun at some of her choices in this collection. Finally I decide on one to play and plop it into her stereo. She looks up from her phone.
"Janis Joplin? A good choice." She approves and looks back at her phone. I roll my eyes and start walking over to her.
"What is so interesting on that damn screen?" I ask, as light heartily as I can. She sees me approaching her and she sets her phone down.
"Sorry, I was just mindlessly scrolling." She says. I sit down close to her, our shoulders touching.
"Am I not entertaining you enough?" I ask in a low voice, and notice the subtle changes in her demeanor, her breathing hitches, and blushes. She looks from my eyes to my lips, a thought clearly popping into her head, but she quickly looks away to the floor.
"Have you talked to May at all?" She suddenly asks, I move back with a confused look on my face.
"Why are we talking about May?" I ask her, my pissed tone evident.
"Sorry, I was just curious. Forget I asked." She quickly tries to backtrack.

      Why the hell would she ask about her? Maybe if she's jealous of her? The question poses in my mind and I glance over at her, watching her with her head down messing with her bracelet. She's feeling insecure maybe?

Avery's POV

     Two whole minutes have gone by since I hung up with Jayden and neither Theo or I have said a word.
"Jayden's on his way over." I say, breaking the silence.
"So I heard." He says in a plain tone. I realize that I still look like a wreck and quickly go over to my vanity to fix my makeup. He sits still on my bed, just watching as I frantically wipe away the mascara tears.
"I can be so dramatic sometimes." I say in an attempt to make a joke about the situation. It was only a few minutes ago that I was bawling my eyes out over this and now everything's seemingly fixed.

      He doesn't respond, just looks down at the bed and then back up at me. Please don't look at me like that. I silently beg. He looks like I just told him I hate him, and I can't stand it.
"Thanks for coming to comfort me." I say to him, hoping it will help smooth over whatever is wrong. He scoffs as he rubs his forehead, and I turn around to face him instead of the mirror. Before I can say anything, he stands from the bed and walks straight out of my room without saying a word.
"Teddy!" I call after him, but he doesn't respond. I quickly follow after him, only catching up with him at the front door.
"What the hell?" I say behind him, and this time he stops.
"Yeah Avery what the hell?" He repeats my question to me.
"Why did you call me over here?" He ask me.
"Because I was upset. I wanted a friend." I tell him.
"Yeah but why did you call me? Why not call Jackie? She's your best friend after all." He questions more and I start to get overwhelmed.
"I... I don't know, you're just who I wanted to call." I try to come up with an explanation.

      He laughs like he's going hysterical, and I cross my arms in front of me, trying to stay calm.
"Do me a favor Avery, and don't call me when you have guy trouble again okay?" He says, eyes wide. I start nodding.
"Okay, I won't do it again." I say, trying to be complacent.
"Thank you." He says with an exasperated sigh.
"Teddy, are we good?" I timidly ask. He closes his eyes for a moment and then looks up at me.
"Yes we're good." He responds in a tired voice and reaches for the door.
"Jayden's gonna be here soon so I'm gonna go." He states, closing the door before I can respond to him.

Jackie's POV

      He's watching me. I can feel his eyes studying every inch of me. The electric current that is flying through me from it scares me. He shouldn't have this effect on you. I tell myself, but reason is clearly out the window. I tried hard to keep casual and not get caught up in him when he arrived, but the minute he was close to me it's like I melted in his hands. Even my attempt to kill any tension between us by bringing up May only worked for a second.

      He moves back in close to me, his anger from my choice of topic fading, and I force myself to meet his eyes.
"I'm bored." I tell him. 
"I can fix that." He says with a smirk on his lips. I jump up to my feet and casually walk to the middle of the room.
"Why'd you choose Janis Joplin?" I ask him, trying to divert his thoughts. He gives what sounds like an annoyed sigh before answering.
"My mom played a lot of her music when I was growing up so it's kinda nostalgic for me." He says. I give a small smile in response. He stands up and starts closing the space between us.
"Why do you keep dodging me?" He calls me out. I just shrug.
"I'm not dodging you." He slips his hand onto the small of my back and pulls me into him.
"You sure about that?" He questions. There's that fucking electricity again.

      My stomach is doing cartwheels and before I can even respond his mouth crashes into mine, making me weak at the knees. If it weren't for his arm around my waist I surely would've fallen. In a swift moment he guides us over to my bed, laying me down, our lips never detaching. I've missed the feeling of his kiss. The thought creeps into my subconscious before I can shove it away. I'm afraid I've admitted something to myself, and I don't know if I can take it back. My thoughts only break when our kiss starts to taste like a dirty penny. I pull away ever so slightly, resting my forehead on his, taking a moment to breathe. When I see blood dripping from his nose to his mouth.