You Can't Love Him

8

I cover my ears with my hands as a squeal fills the room."Oh my god! That's so funny!" Carmen laughs at the- oh so not funny- joke Drew told.

"You are really funny Drew." Carmen places a hand on his shoulder and he grins. Can they not flirt in front of me?  Its absolutely disgusting. I think my ears are starting to bleed and so are my eyes.

"You should become a comedian after high school!"

"I might. Sounds like a fun job. Want to here more jokes. I have thousands. I could go on forever." She nods her head quickly and puts a smile on her face.

He smirks and places a finger on his chin to look like he's thinking hard. He starts coming up with more jokes and by his fifth one I wanted to cut my ears off. Carmen kept telling him to tell more but I was just begging inside for him to stop. I love my brother but he is no comedian. Carmen, please don't encourage my brother.

"Come on man," Marco pats him on the back. "No more jokes. I think you're making you sister sick." He laughs.

I play on my phone to pretend like I'm not paying attention to what they are talking about. This table was awful and I just want to disappear.

From: Jocelyn
To: Emmie
Why don't you come sit with us?

I look over to their table.  Everyone looked so chill and calm. I would love to join them. I was about to go but then I saw Noah watching me get up. His eyes burned into me and it made me feel sick. I quickly sat back down. He smirks and I avert my attention. I almost forgot about what I told my self last weekend.

To: Jocelyn
From: Emmie
No thanks. I'm fine over here.

I raise my head a little to look over at the table. Jocelyn looked upset as we make eye contact.  She mouths some words to me. She really wants me to go over there. I switch my eyes to Noah who was already looking at me. So now he's going to watch and make sure I don't go over there? He's such an asshole. 

If I can't be near him then he can't stare at me. It's not fair.

"Emmie, can I get your opinion on this dress I want to buy?"

Oh god, the fashion talk starts.

*Noah's pov*

"Dude stop,"  Aaron grabs a hold of my shoulders and lightly shakes me. I push his hand off and scoot away from him.

"Stop what? I'm not doing anything"

"Having a staring contest with Em. It's weird."

I remove my gaze from hers. She makes me blood boil. Everything about her annoys me. Her eyes, her smile, her voice, and especially the way she glares at me.If only she'd disappear. It was cause less trouble.

"We aren't having a staring contest. I wasn't even looking at her."  I lean back in my chair and cross my arms.

"Why don't you apologize," Jocelyn suggests.

I snort. "Apologize for what?"

"For what happened at the park.You were acting like a complete jerk! I know you don't honestly think those things. You just wanted to hurt her." Joc glares.

"Nothing happened at the park." I lie.

"Bullshit. You two were yelling so loud, I'm pretty sure all of San Fran herd it." She exaggerates and throws her arms around wildly.

"I have nothing to apologize for," Joc sighs in annoyance and eats her sandwich angrily.Good, food makes her quiet.

I look back to Emmie. She looks to be talking to Carmen but shes not really listening. Non of the girls are. It makes part of me mad. I bury the part deep down. I don't care about her. I'm an asshole but I'm not that bad as them.

"Yes you are," Joc throws a chip at me.

"How did you-"

"You said it out loud," she begins. "You are as bad as them. You leave or tell her to leave when she tried to hang out with us. You don't let her be apart of our group! You are just as bad as them!"

"So what. We don't need more people in our group! Especially not her."

"Why do you hate her," Collin suddenly speaks up."And I don't want those fake reasons. We need the truth.

"It's none of your business," Collin scoffs.

The bell rings and we go to the last two classes of the day. I have both those classes with Emmie. My eyes find her right when I get into the room. She's sitting against the far window. Its the farthest seat from mine. She began getting out her books. She didn't notice my presents at all. I guess she's finally listening to me. That's surprising because she seems to be so stubborn.

I watch as she writes down the things on the board. Not once had she looked back at me. Man, she actually did listen.

"Noah, are you paying attention?," Mr. Shepard asks.

"Yes sir." He nods and continues to talk about a writing assignment that is gonna take up the whole rest of the year. I guess we have to write a full book. Who's ever is the best, gets it published. 

Well I'm not doing it. I'm not much of a writer. This has to be my worst class. I more of a gym type of guy. That's the only class I actually exceed in.

"If you need help, Ask Ms. Daniels over here. She's one of the best writers in the school." Everyone turned their attention to her. Her cheeks turned a cute red color.

"Um," She mumbles. Everyone stops staring at her and starts the homework.

She's a writer? She probably writes romance novels about quarterbacks.

I was doodling on my paper when my phone buzzes. I slowly pull it out of my pocket and hide it behind my books.

From: James
Party tonight. Bring as many people as you want.

I text the guys and they all are in. Jocelyn hates parties so she might not go.She's still angry at me. Why can't she be like the rest of the guys and just let it go. I will never accept Emmie into our group.

Updated: 7/16/18