Bad Boy Attraction [On-Hold]

[3] Bickering Love

Bickering Love~

John narrowed his eyes at the group of adolescents coming through the wire gates of the abandoned building near the back of a river. He didn't make any action to stand up from the ground where his back faced the wall. His hand came up to suck in the cigar nestled between his fingers, and then exhaled the murky smoke.

"John Mathew today I'm going to wipe that smile off your face!" George Taylor announced with confidence as he held an iron bat at his side. "A few days ago you thought you could run away from me and my gang, but you are mistaken if you think we won't finish you," he chuckled as he looked down with resentment burning in his dark eyes.

John lifted his head and took in the twenty-four teenagers glaring at him and his gang with weapons at hand. He brought the cigar to his mouth and puffed out the smoke at George, with a cunning grin.

"How nice, you brought more idiots for me to beat up," he stood up and threw the cigarette on the floor and crushed it with his foot. Bruce was at his side sporting a grin as he leaned against the brick wall and glanced at their gang of friends.

"You know today was rough and I needed a punching bag to vent my frustration on, luckily you showed up on time," John pushed his long hair behind his neck and took a dangerous step forward. "Don't underestimate me, dweeb," he scoffed before throwing a punch at George.

He stumbled back and spit at the ground near John's shoes, "Bastard you'll pay for that!"

"I'd like to see you try for a change," John grinned as he raised his leg and kicked George to the side. Dirt clouded the ground and the fight broke into action.

John emerged as the Victor as always, his fists grazed with cuts and blood from his opponents. His gang stood by his side wincing from the pain in their bodies, except for Bruce who was typing in his cell.

"Did you even fight, Bruce?" John wondered as he took off his jacket and threw it at the ground.

"Of course, but unlike you guys I think before planting a move on the enemy," Bruce took a step away from his friend's messy demeanor. He didn't want to go home and explain to his parents that he was with delinquents or worse one of them.

"You would think they would learn not to mess in our turf," John rolled his eyes and slid against the wall with a tired sigh escaping from his lips.

"Doubt it," Bruce commented by his side. "Anyways about that girl?" He brought up with a keen grin. "Has there been any progress this past week?" He referred to that statue in their class, who only moved when necessary.

"No, she always ignores me or hides behind that prissy nerd," John took out another ciragette from his pocket and his lighter. He was frustrated from the struggle of making her notice him.

What am I in her eyes? He pondered as he turned on the lighter and bought the cigar against it, then turned it off and put it back in his pocket.

"I can name a lot of reasons," Bruce chuckled as he began to list them off, "you look like a delinquent, act like a snobby jackass, and follow after your dirty reputation."

John raised his eyebrow and forced a smile, "Damn, I sound like a badass."

"Hilarious," Bruce shook his head in sarcasm. "Look John, if you want a bleak girl to fall into your palms, then dress and act like a guy she would like," he said but even from his point of view he didn't know what her taste was. "The only one she feels comfortable around is Nathan, since they are childhood friends from what I heard."

"So-uh, I have to act like and dress like that bastard?" The idea brought chills down his spine in disgust. How willing is going to be just to have one measly girl?

"Well for some unknown reason, you are enamored with this girl. Either you forget her or have her," Bruce gave him a pitiful look.

"You don't understand," John stared over the wired fence at the city glowing in the night. Smoke blinded his eyesight and he blew it away into the crisp air.

~♡~

The classroom just a second ago was filled with good mornings and clattering of chairs. But the moment he entered it was consumed by silence.

Natalie curiously looked at the man grabbing attention and blinked in surprise. Her mouth agape as they took in the tall gangster dressed in the actual school uniform.

His long hair that was always held in a low ponytail or man bun was cut short, and he shaved off the five o'clock shadow he always wore. From a disgruntled wild man to a proper student his own age in a private high school.

John frowned at the gazes of shock from his classmates and walked over to the girl he did this for. It was embarrassing being subjected to this appearance, but it was his choice to carry out.

"Natalie, come with me," John ordered with determination sparkling in his dark orbs.

"Why...?" She was afraid to answer, and sat rooted to her seat with a pale face. I thought I told him to stay away from me?

"Because, I need to speak to you in private," he stated without waiting for her reply his hand grasped her wrist and pulled her up from her seat with a swift motion.

Natalie was alarmed as he pulled her out into the hallway with everyone mostly staring at John's new look. She kept up with his pace, but didn't know why she wasn't fighting against him. Instead her eyes were on his broad back and the hairstyle that made him attract more attention than usual.

John went outside and went to the back of the school, just near the old oak tree. He let go of her wrist and and turned around to face her, his eyebrows furrowed when he found tears springing from her eyes. "Why are you crying?" He pointed at the tears rolling down her cheeks.

Natalie wiped away her tears with the sleeve of her blazer, and raised her head. "I-hiccup-thought that you were going to beat me up for ignoring your advances," she stammered through sobs.

"No, I would never lay a finger against a woman," John was startled by her words, so she saw him as that kind of bastard?

"I just wanted to tell you that..."he lost his voice as he started to confess. It wasn't his first time, but he felt nervous. "I like you, and I want you to know my feelings for you," John felt his face brighten in color. It was embarrassing to say, he had practiced in front of a mirror for two hours in desperation.

Natalie took a step away and brought her hand up to her chest, feeling a pounding sensation overtake her. "I'm sorry, but I don't feel anything for you," she replied earnestly.

John expected as much, but he was still willing to try to change her. "I know that," he raked his hand through his dark hair. "But I won't give up, I'll find a way to make you fall in love with me," he declared with a smile tugging on his lips.

"I doubt that," her eyes were still with certainty.

"You never know, people's feelings change overtime," John took steady steps toward her. His head lowered to meet her eyes, "just keep in mind that you have a bad boy after your heart."