Just So I Could Call You Mine

Chapter 19

Mac

"YOU PUNCHED HIM?" Jess' eyes are wide open in shock as I confess the origins of my bruises in the school parking lot.

"I told you that you don't have to worry," I tell her softly. I really mean it, just because I punched Landon because he was being a dick doesn't mean she has to worry about.

I rather it be none of her business because the sad way shes looking at me right now is crushing me inside.

This girl does things to me. Feelings I can't describe, and ones I rather shove away and not show.

"But you punched him because of me!" her eyes well up with tears and I don't understand why.

I'm speechless because I can't tell if shes upset with me or the situation. We stand there for a few silent seconds, gathering our emotions.

"Can you please explain why you're upset with me?" I touch her shoulders gently, trying to understand. I push away the angry emotions from earlier.

She steps away and her expressions get more animated.

"I'm angry at Mr Hall, I'm disgusted by Landon, I feel betrayed and lost and worthless and my parents don't even care, they are in Georgia for fucks sake! My friends ditched me for someone 'better' like Virginia. I'm furious at myself for putting myself in these situations!" she gulps for air and squeezes her eyes shut.

"And I'm-" her voice breaks but she doesn't finish her sentence in time. "Nevermind," she mumbles and looks back up at me. I hurt for her, it's like shes never got to vent to people, just like me.

I realize she'll forever say "I got this" even with tears in her eyes.

I wish she knew just how much people care about her.

She wraps her arms around my middle and gives me hug. "I'm sorry," her voice is just above a whisper that I almost don't catch what she says.

"What are you apologizing for?" I sigh, caught off guard by her arms squeezing me so tight.

She needs to stop apologizing for things that she doesn't need to apologize for.

She gives my arm a playful punch, "Stop being too understanding, I don't deserve it," her next blink is long and slow, removing all emotions from her face.

"Come on the least I can do is help cover that bruise from your mom," she says and we start walking to her house along the puddle lined streets.

So that's how I ended up sitting on Jess' bed while she sits cross-legged opposite me, caking on concealer and color corrector.

I lean back on my hands while her gentle hands touch my skin.

Her face is so close to mine that her breath on my skin sends shivers down my spine. Up this close I can memorize every part of her face.

Her dark blue eyes that still somehow glint under her long dark lashes, the light feathering of freckles on her nose you wouldn't notice unless you were this close. The smattering of acne on her face that makes her even more pretty and her round pink lips that I stupidly can't stop thinking about.

Her tongue every so often sticks out the side of her mouth in concentration.

A strand of her chestnut hair falls from her ponytail into her face, and I instinctively tuck it behind her ear, earning me a small smile to them lips again.

The list could go on and on about the things that enthrall me about this girl.

My face contorts in pain even though her fingers only lightly dance over my bruised cheek.