BLACK IS THE WARMEST COLOR

chapter 10

After a couple long minutes later, students gradually started returning back to class.

“I heard she's been suspended” I heard one say.

“No. We just have to hear what the principal has to say first?” another chipped in.

“Jacob is suspended for sure. But he really doesn't care, does he?” another said.

I glanced at Blythe. I had gone too far.

“They really deserved what got to them” she whispered to me. It was mixed emotions within me. Yes, I hated Penny with my being but getting her suspended was too low. And then Jacob. My heart broke. I needed to fix this.

Classes ended abruptly as all the teachers were summoned to the principal's office for a meeting concerning Jacob and Penny. I couldn't leave for home knowing what I just did. And I had to avoid Penny for the rest of the day.

“Don't you think I went to far Blythe?” I began as we walked in the hallway.

“They started it. You just acted out of impulse.” she said pulling me to the cafeteria. I looked around but there was no sign of Jacob or Penny or her girls. The cafe was rowdy as a lot of people chatted about Penny and Jacob and their possible punishments. I instantly felt guilty.

“I'll catch up with you, I need to use the bathroom” I said without looking back.

As I walked back into the hallway, I saw a figure that looked like that of Jacob. Fear consumed me but I quickly snapped out of it. I looked around but it was just me and the figure turning his back to a locker. It looked like he was shoving books in. At that moment, I wanted to make a run for it but I was stopped in my tracks.

“Gwen!” he called. It was Jacob. And it was just me.

I moved closer making sure I gave myself enough room to make a run for it if need be.

“Are you avoiding me?” he started.

I didn't want to make this more akward than it already is.

“No. I didn't just know it was you. And besides I was already leaving”

He laughed. “Sick liar!” he spat out.

I gulped. Did he really have to be cruel right now.

“Look. I know you're mad at me and..

Before I knew what was happening, he pulled me to an empty class. Then he pushed and pinned me to a wall.

“Im sorry you got suspended. I really am. But you guys pushed me. I didn't know it would result to this” I tried speaking.

“Don't give me that crap. You knew fully well the consequences for what you did” somehow I managed to break loose of the pin. I leaned on a door now.

“Which is why I'm sorry. I also wanted to apologise to Penny as well. But I haven't seen her.” I really wanted to leave now.

He scoffed. Then it turned to a calculous laugh.

“What's funny?”

“I see why you did what you did.." he said in between laughs.

“You're jealous!” he uttered.

“Jealous?” I didn't like the way this was going.

“yes. C'mon. Who wouldn't be jealous of Penny. She's gorgeous, captain of the squad, hot, rich parents, plus she's smart. She's the full package”

Now it was my turn to scoff.

“Dream on Jacob. How on Earth would you think I would be jealous of Penny? That girl practically begs you to sleep with her. That shouldn't be something I should be jealous of.” I said turning to leave.

“At least she's not a common slut!” he spat. I stopped, and turned back and gave him a smile. My mum had also taught me to never let men have their way. Just smile and leave them stunned. And apparently it did the trick because the next thing he uttered distorted me.

“And... He continued. “She has a stable home”

That stuck me. I turned around maniacally. I wasn't thinking straight. Where did he get that? Why did he say that? And most importantly, Who told him that?

I marched towards him, tears flowing from my eyes, and it was his turn to move back. I took a deep breath and tried in the best way I could to ask him calmly.

“Who told you that?” I asked with clenched fists.

“Told me what?” he asked trying to avoid my eyes.

“You said stable home, who told you I don't have a stable home?” I was loosing it. How could he compare my home to Penny's. Her mum can't do half what my mum does. The tears rolled freely.

“Why are you crying? He said trying to hold me but I resisted.

My insides were aching. It's like they were going to blow right in front of Jacob. With that, I gained a bit of composure and wiped the tears from my eyes.

“Please stop crying. People are going to think I did something to you” he said, but I paid no attention to him. Once I was sure the tears weren't coming, I left the class and a Jacob stunned.

Then I went to the bathroom and stayed there for as long as I could. I wasn't pissed at Jacob for saying that. After all, you say what you think you heard right? I was pissed that he heard it from someone and I needed to know WHO.