We're Not Related Anymore...

Ouch!

Jacob: Three Years Ago

I wrap the towel around my shoulders after using it to dry my hair. I hate having P.E. on Mondays but at least it's the last period of the day.

I slam my locker shut, trying to focus on remembering the History notes I memorized last night and tune out the rest of the chatter in the locker room. The last high school exams I'll ever write are coming up soon and, even though I already have my interview set up at Princeton, I still want to do the best that I can.

Josh came down with something last night and decided not to come to school today. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm glad for it. Since Maddie had her falling out with Tess, she's been coming to school with Josh and me. And now, we've been able to be alone in the car just the two of us. Even if it is just for the ten-minute trip there and back.

Once I'm dressed, I throw my backpack over my shoulders, ready to leave this hellhole. But I'm not halfway through the locker room when a conversation stops me in my tracks.

Underneath the laughter and the stupid jokes, I hear someone say Maddie's name and search the faces of the other people here to see who's talking about her.

I spot Mason Reeve throwing his T-shirt on while his friends around him laugh. He grins at them, running his hands through his still-wet hair. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised that she went for someone older. They say city girls like them mature."

"So did Hudson say what happened with her," one of his friends asks and I find myself inching closer to where they are. I lean on one of the red-yellow lockers. They seem oblivious to my presence.

I feel something dark twist up my insides as I hear them mention Hudson's name. They've seen each other a few times but, yesterday, Maddie said that was over. Even still, the thought of the two of them being together... I clench my jaw, listening closely to the rest of the conversation.

"Nah... he's being tight-lipped about the thing but I saw them together all cozied up on the hood of his car. And you know what else they say about city girls..." he trails off as one of his friends takes a seat on the bench in front of him.

"Which part? That they're all sluts or that-"

"Don't you have anything better to do?" I ask, my voice rough, having heard enough. The three of them turn to look at me, grins stretching and eyebrows raising.

"Aww, why Jacob? Are you bothered we're talking about your new sis? Or..." Mason pushes himself off the locker he'd been leaning against and walks toward me. "Are you upset that someone else got in before you? It must be like a wet dream to have that piece of ass walking around your house-"

I don't register that I've punched him until he's staggered backward, clutching his nose as blood spurts from it.

"What the fuck, man!" The one who'd been sitting down shouts, rushing over to where Mason is now crouched over, pinching his nose.

"Fuck," he says, his voice hoarse. "I think you broke it."

"I barely touched you," I seethe. The commotion they've started catches the rest of the locker room's attention and I'm aware of the other boys crowding around the scene to see what's happened.

"What's going on?" Booms a loud voice and I turn around to see our P.E. teacher leave the assistant coach's office. "What's with all the yelling?"

"Jacob punched Mason, sir," one of the younger kids offers and I don't even bother glaring at him, my attention still on Mason.

"Jacob?" Mr. Swanson repeats, sounding taken aback. I turn to look at him. He's surveying the scene in front of him with wide eyes. He brings up a hand to rub at the steadily growing bold spot on his head. "That's not like you. Why'd you do it?"