The World Beyond Us

f o u r

"So how was last night?" CJ asks.

I glance at her. "Nothing." I'm too busy being defensive that it almost goes unnoticed that my answer was not applicable to her question.

"If you and Hudson...got freaky that's totally fine, Wynter. No need for a hemorrhage." Violet pats my arm.

I stop at my locker, and roll my eyes. "Why are you so interested in our sexual relationship anyways?"

"I'm going to be a sex therapist, you're just practice. Don't get cocky." She smirks, flicking her lengthy blonde hair over her shoulder and leaning against the locker next to mine.

CJ shakes her head. "Honestly, Wynter, how was the date?"

I hual out the books I'll need for my next few classes. I shrug. "It was...good."

And that's the only positive thing I have to say about last night. The only real thing that happened was that I realized that Hudson doesn't get me.

That he might not even be the right guy for me.

"Good?" Violet squeaks. "Three hours of pampering and the night was only good?"

"We're just not clicking anymore," I say dismissively. "But you know who I did run into after Hudson dropped me off at home?"

"1990's Mark Wahlberg?" Violet says hopefully

"Calvin Klein edition?" CJ grins along next to Violet.

"No." I frown at them. "How would that even make any sense...never mind. No, I saw Jace."

Violet pouts. "Why?"

"I went for a run and bumped in to him. That's not the point-" I excitedly slam my locker closed.

"Then what is it?" CJ cuts me off. A critical look in her hazel eyes.

"We talked for a while, and it was nice." I'm almost ashamed to not have a better word to describe how wonderful it was talking to him.

"Does Hudson know?" CJ readjusts her duffle bag on her shoulder.

"He's my boyfriend, Cassandra, not parole officer." I say her full name with the intent to get under her skin.

"I know, but how would he take you and Jace talking it up in the middle of the night?" CJ exhales.

"He shouldn't have a problem with it, and neither should you guys!" I snap.

"We just don't want you to make a mistake-" Violet says softly.

"I'm sick of people not trusting me, or getting me. My life is so damn ill fitting I can't even tell if it's mine!"

I look around to find a few sets of eyes staring back at me.

My cheeks rush a deep red. I make a quick dash around the corner for my first period class, when I run into someone.

I glare up at Jace who has a smirk on his face.

"We have to stop running into each other this." Jace chuckles a lot harder than such a weak joke deserves.

"Agreed." I hiss and keep walking.

"Hey." Jace catches my hand in his. "What's wrong?"

I pull him along with me into an storage room with shelves of old algerbra books that smell like apple sauce.

"Look, Jace, I realize I probably freaked you out last night with the crying and the hamster talk, but I don't need you to look out for me or anything. I'm fine." I state clearly.

"Did you know that that is one of the most common lies in the English language?"

I roll my eyes. "I need to get to class." I turn around.

"Wait, give me your phone." Jace blurts.

I hualt in my steps. "If you're trying to mug me or something that is not the way to go about it." I laugh.

"Or a pen?"

"Negotiating with the victim?" I laugh even harder.

"Just give me the damn pen." Jace rolls his eyes.

"Fine, aggressive, but fine." I pluck a pink pen from my bag. Violet let me borrow it yesterday and I never gave it back.

"Arm, leg, or torso?" Jace says.

I frown, nerves begin to set in. "What?"

"Just pick one."

"Arm, I guess." I say hesitantly.

"I was strongly hoping you'd choose torso, but whatever." Jace says, taking my arm and shoving my sleeve up.

"What are you doing?" I tilt my head to see exactly what's going on. "Don't draw anything obscene, Jace."

"We're not in middle school, Wynter. I'm not going to draw a dick on your arm." Jace stands up. "Relax."

I look down at my arm. It's a phone number with his surname underneath.

I glance up at him.

"Call me."

"I don't-" I'm not even sure what I'm going to say, I just need to protest.

"You clearly need someone to talk to. I need a new friend, so to speak. I thought you had a 4.0 GPA, you should get this."

"4.8." I whisper.

"Even better." He says quietly. Jace leans in as if he means to kiss me, but stops inches- no, centimeters- away from me. Instead I hear the doorknob turn.

I glance over my shoulder to find that he wasn't trying to score some lip time, just opening the door.

And for whatever demented reason the fact annoys me.

"You go first, and I'll count twenty seconds before I leave." I say coldly.

"Afraid to be seen with such a sexy beast?" Jace smirks.

"Get the hell out of here, Jace." I shove him out.

"With pleasure, Princess." He says sarcastically before strolling down the hall.

I count off exactly twenty seconds, then casually make my way.

There are a few people still milling around the hall as the bell is a minute from ringing. I spot Hudson standing at the end of the hall where his locker is.

I stride purposefully towards him. I grab his cheeks and kiss him as if I'm trying to prove something.

Someone whistles, while another whines about our excessive display of affection.

"Wynter." He mumbles against my mouth.

"Let's have lunch together." I smile crookedly. "Behind the gym."

"Of course, baby, but why?" He gleams kissing my cheek and my neck.

I look over his shoulder, my eyes instantly land on Jace. He's leaning against a set of lockers, when I catch his gaze he simply winks before disappearing down the hall.

I squeeze my eyes closed. "Last night was just such a screw up, you know?"

Maybe this is just one of the many common lies in the English language.