There's a Thin Line Between Love and Hate

There's a Thin Line Between Love and Hate (24)

"Should I ask her?"

"I don't know."

"Yes you do!"

I rolled my eyes at Alex, who wouldn't stop bothering me during our second period. I had never really noticed that he was there before. Sure, I knew he was there, but it didn't matter very much to me. Until now, that is.

Since prom was only three days away, people were starting to get a little hectic. People without dates were scrambling trying to find one. People who had managed to get dates were running around trying to get the perfect clothing to wear for the night.

"Didn't I already tell you that she liked you?" I demanded, finally turning toward him to glare. He was grinning at me, but that didn't stop my eyebrows from furrowing. "Just go ask her and leave me alone."

"It's not that simple," Alex pouted, crossing his arms over his chest and looking away from me. I let out a frustrated sigh and cursed Mr. Benson for having us do our work with partners. We were able to choose, and Alex pounced on me before I could make my way over to Chelsea. Not that she really minded. She seemed to be having a great time with Dalton...

So unfair.

"And how is it not simple?" I asked flatly, crossing my own arms over my chest as I blinked at him. "She likes you, you like her. That's totally simple. It's not like the gang's going to go after her or anything like they are with me. She's safe. You said so yourself."

"That's not what I'm worried about," Alex informed me, shaking his head and turning back toward me. "What I'm worried about is that this would be like a first date, in a way. We've always just joked around and flirted, but nothing even close to dating material. What if she sees that she only wants to be my friend?"

I shrugged, letting out another impatient sigh. "I'm sure that won't happen," I assured with a nod. "And even if it does, she won't break your heart. She knows what it's like to be heartbroken, so I know she won't do it to someone she cares about. And she cares about you, Alex. I know she does."

"But what if our relationship grows and gets more... physical," he starting, grinning at me when I made a face. "And she sees what the gang burned into my back? I don't want her knowing about the gang because I'm sure she'll look at me differently."

"I didn't look at Jesse any differently," I voiced, shaking my head at him.

"But you love Jesse," Alex replied back smugly, as if he knew it for a fact. But how would he know? I never told anyone! I almost choked on my own saliva as I tried to think of something smart to say back, but nothing escaped my mouth.

"I do not love Jesse," I lied, sticking my nose in the air and looking away from him.

"Sure you don't," he teased right back. I knew that it was going to be trouble having him around... How could someone so immature be a part of a gang? "As cliché as this sounds, I see the way that you look at him--"

"Okay," I snapped, turning back to him and giving him a cold glare. "I don't want to hear it. It's not true."

"--and he looks at you the same way," he finished in a sing-song manner, causing me to bite the inside of my lip as my cheeks turned slightly pink. He was just messing with me. He had to be...

"You're delusional if you think I really love Jesse," I scoffed, now playing with things that lay across our desks so I didn't have to look at him. "He's my enemy. E-N-E-M-Y. Jesse hates me and I hate him. I didn't think you were that stupid that I'd have to spell it out for you."

"And you're dumb," Alex grinned right back. "D-U-M."

"It's D-U-M-B, moron," I chided, sticking my tongue out at him now.