Flightless Bird

Chapter 33 - part 2

Adam's P.O.V

I couldn't believe it. I just stood in Charlie's room, trying to get my head around what he had just told me. Jacob was cheating on Kerri!

Jacob was cheating on Kerri? With who? I knew I had to find out, and was just about to go off running to shake some truth out of him when I realised it wouldn't do any good. He would deny it, and she would be so happy he had 'forgiven' her that she would believe him. Besides, after what happened in the woods she couldn't not know how I felt, and I knew he knew. Jacob would only tell her I was lying because I was jealous. If I wanted to do this right and actually help Kerri, I had to get some evidence.

I walked slowly out of Charlie's room, shutting the door carefully behind me and checking to make sure no one had seen me leave. He may have given me some valuable information but it didn't mean I liked him. Or wanted to be in any way associated with him. I walked slowly through the halls, not worrying about lessons or anything else (though I should have been). There was barely anyone else around, but still I managed to bump into one of the people I least wanted to see right now.

"Watch where you're going, gosh!" Anna cried, elbowing me away from her.

"I barely brushed you, don't be stupid," I replied, making to leave when she started up again.

"Look, maybe Kerri and Lexi don't see it, but I can. You're so pathetic, you know that?" She jeered, shoving her twisted face up at me.

"What?" I asked her coldly, not flinching. She blanched a little at my front, but carried on anyway,

"She's never going to like you. Kerri. Just give up now while you still have some dignity,"

I glared at her, hating her for what she was saying.

"Why do you hate me so much Anna? What did I ever do to you!" I asked, expecting some snappy retort. Instead, she merely shook her head and turned to walk past me. I almost thought I heard her crying, but that couldn't be right? I had actually gone out with Anna once, but it hadn't lasted - none of my relationships ever seemed to. Anna, Sally... And then I realised. Who hated both me and Kerri? Who had been chasing Jacob for years, only to be shot down again and again? Who had a severe grudge and a score to settle? And just who did I think was cruel enough to do it?

Anna.

Jacob was cheating on Kerri, for definite. With Anna.

I needed to find Charlie, and ask him for answers. How had he even found out about this? Instead of finding Charlie though, I managed to come across the other person I had absolutely no desire to see today. Lucky me.

"Adam, can we talk?" Asked Jacob from the wall he leant against.

"Please mate? I just wanna talk..." I nodded, and followed him into an empty classroom nearby. I didn't want to speak to him, but maybe it would help me find out more about everything going on. I needed to know.

I walked into the room and stood near the board, taking up the same position Jacob had just been in. He sat down heavily in a chair in the front row.

"Wouldn't you rather sit?" He asked me. I shook my head.

"I guess you heard about Kerri and I?" He asked me, signing.

"Indeed I did," I replied, "I'm shocked you decided to take her back. Just like that," I said, snapping my fingers. He almost flinched, but regained composure and said in a voice just as steady as my own,

"I forgave her. She would've done the same if I had some something like that, I mean, I know she regrets it."

"I wouldn't be so quick to assume things Jacob," I said, dropping my gaze to the floor and scuffing my show casually.

"What, you don't think she regrets it?" He asked, annoyed. With a smile just as false as my hope I replied,

"That's not what I was referring to. What I meant was-"

"Yes?" He demanded. Rude.

"What I meant," I began again, "was I don't think you should be so quick to assume she'll forgive you."

Jacob swallowed, no doubt to try to get rid of the lump in his throat. Naughty boy.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he told me. He spoke too soon. Too fast. I wasn't going to give anything away, not just yet. I knew that Kerri would want he and I to be friends, and I would put on a good act for her sake. But that was it. I didn't have to deal with this slimy g/it on my own time.

"I saw Anna just now," I told him. He moved to stand, and I knew he was going to try and deny it, but I was already out the door and walking purposefully down the hallway. I really needed to find Charlie.