Waiting outside the lines

Chapter 28

I get a very hot feeling. How do they think they can try to ask me that?
"Uh...last time I saw him was..." I decide I couldn't tell them he beat Tom, and that's the last time, I think, I saw him. It's all kind of a blur. I guess I was too terrified to keep track. "I think..."
"Ugh! Spit it out, Jay!"
"I'm trying to remember!" I said to buy time. I thought I couldn't tell them the whole school shenanigan. "Last time was at the top of a hill." I felt like that was a good move. They can't track him like that. Besides, I don't think they know what 'the hill' is.
"Great! Thanks for answering honestly. Janet, I'm impressed that you followed our rules and thanks for not putting on a show!" That hurt. But at least he had his own smile back. I left after a goodbye. They asked if I needed a ride, but I declined. Gives me time to think. I think back to the restaurant, and Tom and I arguing. How come Tom said "He isn't who you think he is" ? What do I not know? I was sure it had to do with his tattoo. What else would it be? But how is it tied together? For a while, I thought it was a combination, or a code, or a hospital number. Wow, what if it is one of those? What would it be if it WAS a hospital number? Does that mean he worked at the hospital, or he's visited it a lot. But I doubted it. If it was a combination or a code, what would it be for? Maybe it was nothing, just a number. 448S. It sure looked to be 4485. My mind raced, and I thought back to the very first time I met Wayne. It's been crazy since Jake.
Whatever happened to Jake? I don't think he did anything to sabotage me, but he will. What if he did something to Wayne? Why does he care so much though? They must have had a huge bust up that way. While thinking, I feel something hard hit me in the head.

When I came to (again) I see Wayne over me. When he catches my eyes, he grabs me by the collar of my shirt and picks me up almost fully off the ground. "You've got a death wish, dontcha girl? Or should I say, Jay?" I could see the fury in his eyes. Something definitely was wrong. But I didn't understand what quite yet.

"Did you say that to your cousin before you killed her? You are shallow, and I cannot believe I ever trusted you! I can't believe I ever thought we were friends! Let me go!" I struggled to get away. He held me in place, but he looked down at the ground, disappointed. Almost defeated.

"And how do you purpose that this never happened?"

"Don't play that game with me, I know it did happen." I spoke loudly. "Now set me down!" He just held on to me tighter after I said that.

I didn't know what came over me. I guessed I had just saw how furious he was and snapped. Maybe I didn't know what to do; I was just in the moment. I actually wasn't angry. "I'm sorry, alright? I just was so caught up in everything that happened this week. I'm sorry I've been a horrible friend lately. I'm sorry I kissed Jake, and I'm sorry if you feel complicated lately." I said loudly. He set me down. It felt weird being shorter than him again,

"No, I should be the sorry one. I want you to know..." He sighed, "What 448S means." He looked at me with sympathy in his eyes. I looked at him blankly, and waited for him to say it. I thought back to when his mother and Wayne were talking. About his tattoo. I remembered she said 'I know it hurt like crazy, but it was the only way.'

"Go on..." I said impatiently.

"Okay."

He takes a deep breath and begins.
""
"Wayne." I said, looking at the space in front of me.
"Yes?" He asked.
"It'll be okay," I moved his hair from his face.
"I thought... I thought..."
"You thought was going to judge you?" He nodded subtly. "Never." I sighed. "My parents died when I was young. My brother and I were supposed to be staying with my uncle where I live now. But my uncle died too, so we didn't tell anyone. We said our parents worked a lot to people who didn't understand. We live a lie, Wayne. I hate it. I had to tell you though..."
There was silence for a moment and I thought I blew everything.
"Do you still love me?" He choked. I sat there dumbfounded not being able to speak. After that story of his, after all of this. He asked me if I loved him? I lost my ability to speak. He noticed."You can't be with someone like me." He stood up.
"What do you..."
"I'm no good. I'm trouble." He began to walk away backwards, still facing me. "Janet I want you to be happy. I want you to forget. Forget me. Forget this." He kept walking.
"No, Wayne..." I said starting to get up.
"I'm sorry." He turned around and kept walking faster.
"Wayne! Stop. Please..." A tear streamed down my face. "Please don't leave me..." He walked faster. I tried to move but I couldn't. "I love you."

A/N

If you enjoyed this book, I highly recommend my other books including
The "Secrets" Club
The cursed
The price of the Holocaust
Unspoken
The beginnings can be slow but I did my best to keep the story running
Also, if you want me to write a second book to this one, about what happens when Wayne leaves, please comment, and favorite all my chapters thanks so much for sticking with me❤️