I'm Going Nowhere Fast (Peterick)

17. Step One: Farwell To The Queen Of Skanks

(Patrick's P.O.V)

Pete filled me on on Austin Carlile's plan and I was quite impressed with it. It was a beautiful spring morning and it being a weekend just made it better. My sentence had been lifted since I was going back to school on Monday and it couldn't have come at a better time. Today was the day that Step One of Destroy Jake commencend. Step One: Farwell To The Queen Of Skanks invovled a trip to the mall. Austin had a friend that worked at a clothing store there and he happened to be Alicia's secret crush from our opposing school. Jake had all but forbade her from speaking to him but today she was going to more than speak to him if Austin's and his friends plan went accordingly. Justin Daves had sent Alicia a text asking to meet him at the store.

Austin, Pete, Alan and myself stood in various places within the store, all points had a great view of the service desk where Justin was working. I could hear the sound of Alicia's voice along with her army of skanks coming into the store. I glanced up at Austin to see that he was nodding at Justin. Justin grinned and stepped out from beind the counter with a grin plastered on his face. A smirk lit up Austin's face as he ducked his head behind the clothing rack he was looking at, which was kinda hard considering his height and all. For once my height became my advantage and I was easily hidden.

Step One, Part One was now in play. Seduction.

"You came," Justin said in the fakest tone possible.

I stifled a laugh at how fake his tone was, of course Alicia didn't detect it. I glanced over at Pete to see that he was staring at me with a grin on his face. I placed his index and middle fingers together and dragged them down the side of his face while mouthing, 'put on your war paint.'

"Of course," Alicia replied. "Jake's an asshole for not letting me talk to you."

"It's just because I'm the captain of the opposing football team," Justin stated. "If that wasn't the case I bet he'd let me hang out with you more."

I glanced through the rack of clothing to see that Alicia was smiling seductively at Justin. I could feel that Justin was uncomfortable but Austin had been pretty convincing and bribed him with tickets to a baseball came that was coming up.

Alicia glanced back at her friends which caused them to giggle and walk off. I was surprised to see that our plan was going accordingly. Justin placed an arm around Alicia's waist and gestured to the back of the store.

"Why don't we head out back?" Justin suggested.

Alicia giggled and the pair of them started making their way towards the back of the store. Austin, Pete, Alan and I stayed hidden behind the racks. I glanced over at Alan to see that he was grinning excitedly, all of us were. I could hear two more sets of voices coming into the store. I peered around the rack to see that Step One, Part Two was coming into play. Jake Catches The Queen Of Skanks Cheating On Him. This step involved Zack being friendly to Jake which caused an argument but Zack finally relented and agreed to do the part.

"I'm glad you've come to your sense Zack," Jake said as they stepped into the store.

"That's good," Zack replied in the friendliest tone he could muster.

"I still don't understand why we're here," Jake stated.

"I heard that Justin guy you hate works here," Zack replied and this time he was excited.

"How did you find that out?" Jake asked.

Zack shrugged his shoulders. "I have my ways."

A moan emanated from the back of the store which caused Jake to glance to where the dressing rooms were.

"Did you hear that?" Jake asked.

"Heard what?" Zack asked.

Jake stormed towards the back of the dressing room with Zack on his heels. I held my breath as I waited for Jake's outburst. I glanced towards Pete to see that he was nervous. I couldn't blame him since this was the most crucial part to Step One.

"Alicia!" Jake shouted. "What the fuck are you doing? You know I hate Justin!"

Jake started to exit the dressing room with Alicia on his heels. Her hair was messy and her clothes needed to be straightened.

"Jake it isn't what it looks like!" Alicia said. Such a typical answer.

"Then what is it? Because as far as I can see you had your tongue down my enemy's throat!" Jake shouted.

The other costumers on the store glanced up from what they were looking at to see who were fighting. Jake was practically fuming and I could see that his hands were shaking. Alicia had tears streaming down her face which caused her mascara to run along with it. Justin stood slightly off to the side fighting a smile that wanted to break free.

"It's his fault!" Alicia shouted. "He led me on!"

"All I did was take you out back to show you these cool new shoes we have in stock," Justin replied defensively. "You're the one to through yourself at me."

"That's not what happened at all!" Alicia shouted.

"I have security footage to prove it," Justin countered.

Alicia glanced between Jake and Justin. "How are you going to believe?" she demanded.

Jake glanced at Justin and sighed. "I hate to say this but I believe Justin because this isn't the first time you've done this to me. Besides, I've heard what you've said to your friends about Justin."

Alicia gasped. "You can't be serious Jake! Baby, we belong together."

Jake shook his head fiercely and took a step away from her as she tried to grab his arm. I could see the hurt displayed clearly on Jake's face and I knew that I couldn't feel sorry for him. How could I? A deep feeling of satisfaction rolled through me and I leaned towards the scene in anticipation.

"No!" Jake shouted. "I can't trust you! We're over!"

Alicia flinched at his words but quickly composed herself as he turned to face Justin.

"It doesn't matter anyway," Alicia snapped. "I have Justin now and that's all that mattered."

Justin flung his hands up and took a step away from Alicia as if she had some sort of contagious disease. Alicia's expression filled with hatred and a mixture of hurt as she glanced between Jake and Justin. Her eyes scanned around the store and when they landed on mine a sense of realization dawned across her features, to be honest I was a little impressed she clicked so quickly. I quickly ducked behind the clothes rack and edged towards Alan.

"This is just one huge set up!" Alicia shouted in frustration. "I just saw that Stump kid standing over there."

"Okay I don't like the kid either since he broke my fucking nose but he's not bright enough to put something like that together," Jake snapped.

I flinched at what Jake said and looked down at my beat up sneakers. Alan reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder in an attempt to comfort me. I glanced up to see that he was smiling sadly at me.

"I know the feeling," he whispered.

"Seriously Jake I saw him!" Alicia shouted.

"I can't deal with this anymore," Jake snapped. "I'm outta here."

"Jake wait!" Alicia shouted.

Alan stood up straighter the moment Jake and Alicia left the store. When we realized that they weren't coming back we all stepped out of our hiding places and relaxed ever so slightly. Austin grinned broadly and he slapped his hand on Pete's back.

"So that worked," Austin said.

Justin shuddered and ran a hand through his hair. "You owe me big time for this Carlile."

Austin laughed. "Don't worry I know how to make this up to you."

As Austin and Justin talked I couldn't help but feel relieved because Step One of Destroy Jake had actually worked. I glanced over at Pete to see that he was smiling at me. I found it within myself to return his smile. I could feel things starting to pick up and I just prayed that they lasted.