My Friends Step-Brother

Ch. 9 - The Cold Shoulder

RORY'S POV

As soon as I got out of sight, I ran into the nearest girls' bathroom. I locked myself in the stall and cried.

I'm so done with crying and being sad all the time. I decided to skip all my morning classes, and I could deal with them this morning. I stayed in the bathroom till the lunch bell rang.

I decided I would go to lunch with my friends and him. But I would not say a word to him. I decided I needed to make him jealous.

When I got to the lunchroom everyone was already there. I got a pre-made sandwich and chops and sat in between Karmen and Will.

I could tell from my perrifoal vision that Josh was trying to make eye contact, but I would not give in. I leaned in closer to Will and took some fries off his plate.

He took my hand and wrestled them out while we were both laughing. To get me to lose my grip, he tickled my side, the most delicate part of my body. I flinched while pointing at him,

"You did not just go there." I said, laughing so hard.

"Oh, I totally did." He replied.

I was still pointing at him with his fries, so he leaned in and bit them out of my hand, I let go.

"Eww, that's so gross,"

"You shouldn't have taken my fries."

We were laughing so hard. I was crying, and he couldn't breathe. Will and I were always able to make each other laugh. That's why I thought I loved him, but I love him as a best friend. Although he does know his way around a mouth.

After we settled down, we looked around to find Karmen looking annoyed, Jer looking down at his food, and Josh staring right into my eyes. As soon as we made eye contact, I could see the hurt in his eyes. I felt mad but not as bad as he made me feel.

"Why weren't you in class today?" Josh said it was the first time someone else spoke.

"Why do you care? You can ask anyone for a pen," I say, staring right back into his eyes.

This made everyone stare at us, but I was tired of his shit. I rotated my body, so I was strateling the bench facing Karmen.

"How was your night last night?" I asked her. This seemed to get everyone out of their trance because everyone started talking. Except Josh, who was burning a hole on the side of my head.

Before I knew it, lunch was over.
"Are we coming to your place to study tonight?" Jer asked Will. We always take turns going to each other's houses to study, and tonight was Wills night.

"Yes!" Will said, as we all got up.

I was walking out, debating if I should attend my afternoon classes. When someone grabbed my arm, pulling me into the janitors closet.

I yank my arm away, "What are you doing, Josh?"

"This is the only way I could think to get you to talk to me."

"Have you ever thought maybe I don't want to talk to you?"

"Well, you did last night, and you were certainly in the talkative mood with Will."

"You really want to go there? Cause if I'm not mistaken, you were pretty close to Grace this morning."

"It's not like I asked her to kiss me. She just did it. You were cozing up to Will,
just fine, though."

"Why? Are you jealous of Will?" I say with a smirk.

"I just don't see why you have to flirt with him while I'm right there."

"It's not like you're my boyfriend or anything. You made that very clear."

"You didn't give me a chance to exsplain, you were so vulnerable I didn't want you to regr-"

I cut him off, "Don't you think that is my choice to make?"

"Fine," Before I could react, he grabbed my face and kissed me roughly. It felt so good, but I'm still mad at him. He tried to deepen it, but I pulled back while pushing him away.

"Josh, stop, just stop." I said as I stepped out the door. I walked so fast out of the closet and out the main door of the school. This time, he didn't follow me.