Finding the Balance

Chapter 4 - Ryan

I had been avoiding Josie all day after the stunt I pulled in biology, I mean I had a girlfriend and I grabbed her hand what is up with that? She just looked so scared when everyone started staring at her and then her big blue eyes started to become glassy, I panicked and grabbed her hand pulling her towards the teacher.

I just prayed no one had told Grace, she had a jealous streak a mile long and if she knew I had held another girls hand no matter the circumstances she would freak and I could not deal with that right now.

I walked over to the senior area which is where I normally ate lunch with my friends and was not surprised to see Josie sitting with Laura. They were a match made in heaven, bleached blonde hair, too much make-up, and clothes that were so tight you could see everything they had to offer.

Laura got a lot of shit from people about the way she dressed when in fact she was actually one of the nicest people you would ever meet. She liked attention which is why she dressed liked that unlike some girls who acted like they were so above her and yet were willing to cheat and backstab. I was relieved that Josie had found someone to 'hang' with meaning I could now stop avoiding her and wouldn't need to introduce her to people.

"Hey babe" Grace said dropping me a kiss and then ungracefully collapsing into my lap almost sitting on my lunch in the process. I didn't dignify her with a response she had obviously heard what happened in biology and was trying to show Josie that I was hers; she knew I loathed to be called babe or any other pet name.

"Who's the girl sitting with the slut?" she sneered, oh boy she was pissed.

"That's Josie" I replied evenly not looking in the direction she was staring.

"Oh the one you held hands with?" She turned around so she was straddling me and looking straight into my eyes, I could see the fury in them.

Grace and I had been going out for also two years but in the last few months she had changed drastically. She was no longer the fun, carefree, laughing girl I had started dating instead she was ridiculously insecure about our relationship and constantly wanting more than I was willing to give. Not only that but on a number of occasions I had seen her flirting or eyeing other guys and quite frankly I was sick of it.

"Grace you don't know anything about what happened so drop it for now and I will explain it to you later. Okay?"

"Drop it? Are you fucking joking Ry, you grabbed her fucking hand in front of everyone. What happened to 'I'm not really comfortable with public displays of affection'. I could see her getting angrier by the second; I had obviously handled that wrong.

The senior area was silent, everyone was watching us as Josie slowly approached us, she was smirking at me and I suddenly realized everything was about to get a whole lot worse.

"Hey Ryan, who's this?" Josie asked motioning towards Grace, what the hell was she doing? Being friendly now after invading my home and getting Grace jealous I couldn't handle any more drama and yet here she was adding fire to the kindling.

"Josie, Grace. Grace, Josie" I replied motioning to each of the girls who were eyeing the other, Josie with curiosity and Grace with open loathing. Josie stuck her bottom lip out looking close to tears before replying loudly so that everyone could hear.

"Is she umm... your girlfriend? Because last night you never said anything about a girlfriend" faster than physically possible Grace was off my lap and in Josie's face.

"What the hell did you say?" She asked now glaring openly at Josie. Josie looked over at me quickly smirking at the look of panic on my face.

"You heard what I said" she replied to Grace who looked like she was about to slap Josie, "but let me repeat it in case your brain is too small to understand I said last night he never told me anything about having a girlfriend."