The Boy Next Door.

30. Light-Bulb Moment

Jared:

The whole week I had to sit and listen to her sing his praises. Mike this and Mike that and by the time Fridays comes, I'm ready to puke. Apparently she's also moved in with him because she's never at home in the afternoons any more.

Neil even invited him on Wednesday afternoon to join us at his home. The only reason I even went is because I apparently like torturing myself. When he joins us for a smoke break before our last period, I've had just about enough of his face.

To be completely honest, he's not a bad guy. If it wasn't for the fact that his friendship with Cassy is seriously fucking with my sanity, we probably could have been good friends.

"What's your plans for the weekend?" Justin wants to know.

When Mike says, "Going to PE." my black mood starts to lift. At least Cassy won't be glued to his side this weekend. Maybe I can spend some time with her. But then he continues, "I'm planning a date night with a special girl. Want to get her a special gift," and just like that my mood turns black again.

"Ahh you and Cassy," Justin teases and if the look Neil sends my way is anything to go by, I'm in deep shit.

I didn't know he was that serious about her. Just the thought of her dating Mike makes me see red. She belongs with me.

"Yeh she does, but you're a chickenshit!" my inner voice mocks me. "It's your own fault you're losing her. You snooze you loose."

When Mike leaves after he finished his cigarette, Neil says, "Looks like your times up buddy. If you're still serious about Cassy you need to make your move this weekend."

Walking back to class I realize I need to get my shit sorted ASAP. I know Cassy and me are good together. Hell the chemistry between us last weekend was off the chart. I know she felt something for me. Surely her feelings couldn't have just disappeared in a week.

"Maybe not, but Mike's not scared of showing her how he feels. Maybe she needs to know she's worth taking a chance on." the little voice in my heads interrupts my thoughts again.

By the time school comes out, I'm starting to perspire just a little bit. The whole afternoon I'm fighting with myself, on the verge of stepping over that line holding me back. Several times I get to the front door, only to turn around again.

When my mum sees my irratic behavior she eventually sits me down.

"What's going on Jared? You've been edgy the whole week and now you can't decide whether you want to go or stay?" she asks, giving me her no nonsense look and I know I'm not going to get away without explaining myself.

When I don't answer her immediately, she says, "If I didn't know better I would have sworn you're in love."

When I start to blush she looks at me with disbelief. "Oh my God you are in love!" she says. "I'm so happy for you baby. For a while there I thought I'd never see the day again," she says while coming over to me and hugging me.

"Mum stop!" I try and ward her off. You'd swear I'm still a little boy.

"Oh come on. Let your mum enjoy this moment," she says, ignoring my attempts to get away from her.

Once she's done hugging me she pulls away and looks at me. "You're in love, but something's troubling you," she remarks softly. "You want to talk about it?"

Sitting down, I think maybe I should talk to her.

"There's this girl I really like," I start, "but I can't seem to get over my fear of getting hurt again." I finish, hoping she can help me put this to bed.