Stupidly Hot || Jackie Taylor || No crash AU || Present Time AU ||

Chapter Seventeen || Swapping Spit

I looked over and was met with the sight of Mari. Oh fuck, I forgot I was hooking up with her.

"What the fuck?" she whispered, looking bewildered as she glanced between us. Jackie tried to approach her, but Mari quickly retreated, bolting out of the room and slamming the door shut.

Jackie stared at the door, clearly worried. "Will she tell anyone?" she asked me anxiously. I couldn't give a definite answer. "I really don't know."

My heart raced as I swallowed hard, my eyes fixed on the floor. Suddenly, Jackie's arms wrapped around me, her face buried in my chest.

Returning the embrace, I planted a kiss on her head before glancing at the closed door. As soon as we stepped out of this room, one of four things could unfold:

1. Everyone knows.
2. No one knows.
3. Some people know.
4. No one knows, yet.

I hoped fervently for the second option—for Jackie's sake. She hadn't come out, and she is the most popular girl in school. The thought of anyone being homophobic and hurting her physically or damaging her reputation was unbearable. I'd like her no matter what, regardless of her reputation, but I know the potential pain it could cause her.

Wait, did I just think "I'd like her no matter what"? What is happening to me? She is making me soft.

Jackie let out a sigh and looked up at me, her eyes reflecting the stress she felt. "We have practice now," she muttered. Right, I almost forgot. Practice was during second period now.

Seeing the strain on her face, I whispered, "Do you want to skip?" She shook her head. "Can't. Coach needs to talk to me," she explained, pulling away slightly. I straightened up and shifted my gaze to the bathroom door.

"You go first, I'll leave after a few minutes," I suggested. Jackie nodded and headed toward the door. Leaning against the wall, I took my phone out of my pocket, trying to calm my racing thoughts.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally left the room and headed toward the changing rooms. Pushing open the door, my eyes met Mari's gaze. Ignoring her, I made my way to my locker where Jackie was standing, a silent question in her eyes. "You okay?" I whispered to her. She nodded, a hint of reassurance passing between us.

But then, the sound of approaching footsteps broke our quiet moment. A hand landed on my shoulder, and I turned to face Mari, a knot of tension coiling in my stomach.

"What?" I said, unable to mask my irritation. Mari's voice rang out, carrying her words for everyone to hear, "I thought we had something." The crowd that had formed around us seemed to hold its breath. Folding my arms defensively, I retorted, "What do you expect me to say to that?"

She pressed on, her words laced with a mix of accusation and hurt, "Did you miss kissing me so you kissed Jackie instead?" Gasps rippled through the room. My gaze flicked to Jackie, standing beside me, her nervousness palpable.

Anger flared within me. Walking forward, I confronted Mari's backward steps. "What the fuck is your problem?" I shot at her. The onlookers seemed to hold their breath, waiting for the confrontation to escalate.

"We hooked up once, and to be fair, I don't think it's any of your business." I say before I exchanged a glance with Jackie, who remained steadfast despite the tension. My thoughts whirled; Mari had no right to make our private matters public like this.

Facing her again, I part my lips to talk but Jackie speaks up. "We could've had this conversation privately, but you chose to make it a spectacle. I'm not out, Mari." The emotions in the room were almost tangible as silence settled, broken only by Jackie's arm brushing against mine.

"What's wrong with you?" Lottie's voice cut through the tension as she approached us, her arms draped over my shoulders, a show of support. My gaze met hers, and she locked eyes with Mari, unafraid to confront her.

Beside Jackie, Nat's voice chimed in, "We won't tell anyone. But if anyone knows, it's because of Mari." Jackie managed a small smile, then turned her attention back to Mari. "Did you tell anyone else?"

Mari opened her mouth, ready to respond, but Van's explosive interjection halted her. "Are you seriously kidding me, Mari?" Van's voice rang out, raw with frustration.

My gaze shifted to Van as she approached, showing her phone to Jackie. I looked over, and there it was—Mari's post, spreading the news far beyond our school's walls.

My hand twitched, a reactive instinct to confront Mari, but Jackie's swift grip on my wrist stopped me. Our eyes met, and she shook her head slightly, her touch gentle yet firm.

And then, in a move that felt like an anchor grounding us in this chaotic moment, she loosened her hold on my wrist only to intertwine our fingers.

An audible 'aww' came from behind us, Lottie making her feelings known. I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle before turning my attention back to Mari.

"You've really managed to mess things up," I said, my tone tinged with exasperation and disappointment.

"Do you believe in Karma, Mari?" Laura-Lee's voice cut in again. Mari's slow nod met Laura-Lee's words. "Good, because you're about to experience it firsthand."

Lottie let go of me, removing her arms from my shoulders. Meanwhile, Jackie and I remained connected, our fingers interlocked.