do & die [h.s]

s i x

I hear the bell jolt me out of my daze and the teacher free us off to paradise.

Lunch.

Any other day I would've been buzzing off the walls, but today is nothing like any other day and I find myself trembling at the image of Jake blurring my vision.

I quickly juggle my books between my two hands and take a deep breath, attempting to calm my nerves.

Disregarding the groans, elbowing and stomach grumbling (mostly mine), I push the door open and scurry past my eager classmates out of the room.

I glance through the transparent cafeteria doors at Harry, who has an annoyed expression on his face aimed toward either Liam who's standing across from him and rambling as usual or Patty who has his cheek in the palm of her hand again.

I would laugh at the way his eyebrows are so furrowed or how his eyes keep rolling in exaggeration or the sighs that keep sending strands of hair flying from his face, but I fear losing last night's chicken casserole.

I sigh and make a swift B line toward the stair case that leads to the little classroom where I was instructed to meet Jake. I don't want to be late this time.

I mean, the boy seems flustered enough.

I dart up the steps, running against the traffic flow and nearly tripping over each foul word spilling from student after another's lips.

Don't worry though, I managed.

I said them back.

I shuffle down the hallway, trying to jog my vague memory of which room I'm searching for before a familiar one caught my eye. The one that had once been the cause of the greeting card I sent the floor.

With my face.

Yep, that's the right classroom alright.

I give the door a gentle knock in case Jake isn't the one inside before slowly pushing it open and peering inside. And although he stands with his back toward me, I know it's him and I hear my heart plummet to my feet.

Shit.

"So," He turns to face me as he notices the step I take into the classroom. He motions me to close the door once I had fully entered and I nod, leaning against it once I had completed the task, waiting for whatever might follow.

Jake isn't the type of person I can read. Not easily.

Okay, not at all.

His blue-green eyes are darkened and his eyebrows are furrowed together in a restricting line to match. His hair looks like it took longer than mine to do, but it definitely paid off as not a single brown hair looks astray. His arms are crossed against his chest, but a small smirk begins playing on his lips as he looks me down. I take in a sharp breath, telling my anxiety to get lost as he steps forward.

"So you sent your annoying ass ex and guess what?" He shakes his head lowly and a chuckle echoes across the room, rattling my chest. "He really thought he could beat me up? That breadstick." He spits out in amusement and I feel goosebumps crawl up my spine.

Harry is NOT a breadstick.

"I only gave him a tiny little scar this time," he smiles as if expecting a thank you in return.

Thank you for being a douche and hurting my best friend. Only a little bit this time though.

"Why would y-"

"He tried taking my heroine and you know what Eve?" he smirks, making me wish I was anywhere but this cluttered classroom. "Next time, it won't be just him," he whispers, lips only inches from my heated skin.