Chapter 6:
As we walked towards the office, Jackson told us more about himself. His dad had died when he was young so his mother had to work long hours. It turned out that his mom was a nurse and worked at the same hospital as Dad. So we told him that we would ask Dad if he knew her. His family had lived here his whole life and he felt very cooped up. He was an only child, but wasn't spoiled like many other only children.
"Hey, Jackson?" Cassi asked looking over at me through her eyelids. Like she did when she was doing something she knew I wouldn't like. I looked cautiously at her with my fierce don't-do-anything-I'll-regret look.
"Yea?" Jackson answered walking with his back to us. "Would you like to have dinner with us tomorrow? You can just come over with Abella after school tomorrow to save trouble." I stared open-mouthed at her totally in shock. So much for the I'm not making your friends for you talk I had with her early. "I'm sure Abella would appreciate it since it's her first day tomorrow." My mom said not looking at me, probally scared to see my face at the moment.
"Sure Mrs. Gippily! I'd love that. I'll also show Abella around to her classes tomorrow, if you'd like." He said looking smugly at my face. I could already tell I wasn't going to like this guy. I was staring daggers at this guy that I barely knew. But a small part of me thought it would be nice to actually know someone when I started school tomorrow. I smiled sweetly at him, earning myself a confused stare. I could actually enjoy this.
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We finally walked into the office, in what seemed like forever. The receptionist at the desk gave Jackson a glare which made me think I'd just made friends with a criminal. I looked at my mother, who was looking at Jackson like a protective bear. Great, that's just great! I thought to myself, my mom picks a guy off the school streetwalk. If she expects me to like this guy, she must be completely nuts.
"Mr. Jackson? Why would you be late?" The petite woman, who's name tag read "Jesse" asked grudgely. I was mreally wondering what Jackson did to this poor woman, when he replied sweetly, "Oh I'm so sorry Jesse! I didn't realize you were on your 'time of the month!' I gaped at Jackson, I quickly went up to him and slapped him on the arm. My mom looked at us, still in the protective mood and talked quietly with her as Jackson glared at me.
He went to sit down on the ugly, old couches and I followed him. "Why in the heck would you do that? This isn't even my first day and already that girls going to hate me!" I shout-whispered to him. "Well darlin' if your around with me then you'll be known as something that's probally new to you: Popular." He said it slowly, saying every syllable like I was dumb.
"Oh shut up! I would rather be known as nice then some snotty rude kid thats rich-" I quickly shut up looking at him to see if he had caught that. He had. "Oh so now your rich?" "That's not what I meant sorry!" I quickly put in, I was starting this off bad and knew I had to fix it. "I'm being rude I'm sorry, I'm not usually like this. Let's start over! Hi, I'm Abella Rose Gippily!" He stared at me like I was crazy, but thought better of it and raised his hand to where mine sat. "Jackson Will Ross. Pleased to meet you." He smiled at me, it made my heart thump painfully and I looked straight in his eyes, just to see him staring just as intently at me.
"Jackson! What are you still doing here? Get out. Go to class!" The mad lady, Jesse shouted at him. He smiled his sweet smile once again at me. "See you tomorrow, Bell," and then he was gone. Along with a piece of me and a lasting smile that would be there the rest of the day.
