The NEWBIE

Chapter 14

***14***

ELSA

Jack came closer, so I thought he was going to talk to me. At first he didn't speak so I made the first move.

"Erm, thanks for giving me a ride the other night." I said, trying to smile at him but his face stayed emotionless.

"Uhm, so how was your-" I continued the conversation but he quickly cut me off with his arrogant voice.

"You're covering my way." He said. His blue eyes were colder than before.

I heard some girls giggle at the other side. Turns out, I was covering his way to the line to pick up his food. Okay, that was embarrassing.

"Oh, sorry. I thought you were gonna' talk to me." I apologized, stepping out of the way. He didn't say anything and just went directly to the self-service isle without even lining up. Oh well, nobody was mad when he cut the line.

"Girls, that is what you call, a total burn." The same cheerleader who ran over my bag. What does she want? I just shook my head, avoiding her and her flirty friends.

"She thought Jack was going to talk to her. Like, eww." Said another as she twirled her brunette hair.

"And did you hear what she just said?" said a blond girl. All the cheerleaders with her went closer, gesturing that they were ready to hear her mocking story. "She just thanked him for giving her a ride the other night, what a joke. Jack would never let girls like her hop in to his hot ride."

The other girls nodded, tauntingly, with devilish grins forming in their blood-red lips.

"She's just bluffing." A cheerleader added. "Look at how he avoided her."

"Like a virus." All of them chorused as their eyes followed me. Oh, shut up you sluts. I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't wearing their panties on.

I had my table at the edge of the cafeteria. It was isolated because I don't know if I can handle any more attention. I was just glad that the cake was delicious. At least my lunch always go my way. Though, I still have something to worry about: the shoot for our Spanish project is today.

***

JACK

Wednesday, evening...

"Jack, dear," Mom called from the opposite side of the dining table. "Jamie really wants you to be there."

"Why doesn't he tell her?" I began reasoning.

Mom shook her head, disappointingly. She sliced her steak with a knife, while looking at me. "Because I don't think your Dad wants to cut her expectations down."

"It's his problem." I simply replied, chewing my food.

"Of course he wants her happy." She said. "I know you would, too."

"Does making her hope for something that's impossible gonna' make her happy?" I replied, making it clear to her that I will never return to that house, ever again.

"Just do it for your sister." Mom said as though she was already pleading.

I stood up from my chair, placing down my fork and spoon, "I think I just lost my appetite." I said, and left her alone.

I'm tired of this conversation.

I went to bed, early. I lied in bed, thinking of what to do. I can't let Jamie down because I didn't come. If it wasn't for that old man, I wouldn't be dealing with this situation in the first place.