Cross My Heart

First Impressions

JEREMY

"W-w-what do y-you mean you d-don't like m-me?" the girl stuttered, tears gliding down her cheeks.

"Bella, what's the first thing I told you when we went out?" I asked.

Her brows furrowed. "That I was pretty?"

"After that."

"You...said 'Let's get out of here'?"

I ran my hand through my hair. "I said 'I don't do serious'. This, us, was a short term thing."

"I know, I know," she quickly said. "But...I thought you liked me? I just...I just thought that people were wrong...That you...it'd be...different with us. I don't know," she nervously chuckled, "I guess...I thought I could change you."

I sighed and leaned back against the wall of the empty chemistry classroom. It smelled like something had died in here. My eyes slowly scanned the room. The chairs were still up on the desks. It was still pretty early. Through the windows I could see a few people walking with their friends, parking their cars, laughing. My eyes landed back on the girl. Her eyes were expectant. I guess she'd asked me something.

"So..." she said.

"So...?" I repeated.

"You do like me right?"

"I like beer."

She looked confused.

"I like beer," I said again. "But," I emphasized, "that doesn't mean I drink it on a regular basis. There are many more, fresher, cooler beers out there. Drinking the same beer would get tiring."

"So...what you're saying is...you're tired of me?"

"Yes," I said. Her eyes grew wide and hurt flashed in her eyes. I felt something weird in my chest but I shook off the feeling. "Aren't you? Tired of me, I mean?"

"No," she said confidently. "I'm not tired of you. I'm happy when I'm with you. You're the first person I want to see when I'm sad, when I'm happy. I like the feeling of my head against your chest, of your lips against mine...but...I guess that was just me, wasn't it?"

I know I should've looked away, shown some semblance of shame or regret, but I didn't. I wasn't known for having a heart. I wasn't known for caring.

When I didn't answer, she looked down, then up at me again. "Okay. Let's end this. But before we do, I want to give you something."

I knew it was coming and I didn't even flinch when she slapped me. My head snapped to the left. I stood like that for a few seconds before stretching out the cramp in my neck. I looked down at my watch then up at her again. "We should get going. The bell's about to ring."

She glared at me through the tears in her eyes. Opening the door, I walked out. I kept walking forward even as I heard her break into sobs. I kept walking forward even as I heard whispers behind me.

"...heartless..."

"Asshole..."

"He's...hot..."

"Is he dating anyone?"

One chapter was over. Closed. On to the next one.
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BECKETT

The bell had rung a few minutes ago. I should've hurried but I couldn't bring my legs to move any faster. As I arrived in front of a classroom, I looked down at my class schedule to confirm that this was the right class number. Room 215. I pushed down on the door handle and opened the door.