infatuated

36

     ✔ JACKSON ✔

    "Violet?"

   "What?" she snapped, sounding as if she weren't in the mood to talk.

    "Are you okay?"

  "I'm fine," she said, plastering a fake smile — I'd come to know so well — on her face.

     "Are you sure?" I persisted, raising my eyebrow as I stared at her, my eyes scrutinizing her facial expression.

     "Yeah, if I weren't then I wouldn't have said yes in the first place."

    I frowned.

  "Well, I have to go."

"Whatever." Violet said, crossing her arms over her chest as she turned away from me.

     "Wait, Jacky!" a voice yelled.

  Auden ran into my arms, his curly, red hair flopping in his eyes, "I had fun," he whispered in my ear. "And also, Jacky, don't be mad at Vivi. She's been like this all day! She wouldn't play superheros with me this morning at seven o'clock because it was too early for her."

      I nodded. "Okay, Audie. She'll be happier tomorrow, I promise."

     "Good. She's mad because I woke her up too early so I'll make sure I don't wake her up too early again."

    "Auden, I'm sure it ain't your fault," I said, shaking my head as I set him on the tiled floor.

    He nodded, "Yeah, it is!"

  "Nah," I said. "I'll make sure to play superheros the next time I see you, all right?"

     "Yeah!"

  I spun around to see Violet staring intently at me.

     "I don't like her," she said, rolling her eyes.

   "Who?" I asked, a confused expression on my face. "What—"
      
     "That April bitch." she said, narrowing her eyes. "She's turning you into someone I don't even know anymore, Jackson."

      She never called me Jackson unless it was serious.

     "What the hell are you talking about, Violet? I'm still the same person I was."

    "No," she said, shaking her head, "the Jackson I know doesn't smoke cigarettes and he doesn't skip class, either."

     "Violet, that's just a part of growing up. You're overreacting for nothing."

     "I'm overreacting?" she screeched, putting her hands on her hips. "I don't want to lose you, that's all! So how am I overreacting?! Don't ever say that again, Jackson!"

    Taking me by surprise, she grabbed my leg and pulled it out from under me, causing my body to fall backwards onto the floor.

    She straddled my waist, pinning my hands above my head with her hand, with her free hand she steadied herself.

    "You're such a fucking dick," she hissed, slapping my cheek, causing my head to whip to the side from impact.

    "Violet, what the hell is your problem?" I hissed, struggling to get my hands out of her grip.

     "Nothing!" she spat as a glare crossed her face. "I don't have a problem — except with that bitch, April."

    "She's not a bitch, Violet." I defended. "She's nice. You'd know that if you gave her a chance."

     "Give her a chance?" Violet said. "Why would I do that when she's taking you away from me? You're mine. You were my best friend first, not hers. I met you first, so therefore you're mine."

     My lips curved into a smirk as I realized something.

    She was acting like this because she was jealous. Jealous of April. I had no feelings for April, whatsoever, but Violet didn't need to know that.

     "What are you smiling at?"

  "Nothing," I lied.

  I took her by surprise as I flipped her over.

    So now, I was the one who had the upper advantage.

    I straddled her hips and easily pinned her hands above her head.

    She stared into my eyes, unblinking. "You're a dick, you know that, Jacky?" Violet said, shaking her head.

    "I know," I said, "and I'm proud."

   "That's not something you should be proud of," she said, a blank expression on her face. "I swear to god, you're so fucking stupid, Jackson."

      "And you aren't?" I asked, letting my eyes flicker towards her lips, then back up, meeting her eyes.

     "I'm not stupid!" she bellowed, thrashing underneath me. "Get off, you fat ass cunt!"

     "Your mouth is so dirty," I said, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively, "I wonder what else it can—"

    "Don't you dare finish that sentence," she warned. "I swear to god, Jackson, this ain't the fucking time to mess with me."

   "I'm sure it isn't," I said, a bit too sweet, a bit too sarcastic.

      "It isn't!"

  "Right," I said, nodding.

    "But—

  "But what?"

  "Stop interrupting me—"

  "Why?"

  "Jackson!" she yelled, with a surge of energy, she ripped her hands out of my grasp and decked me straight in the nose; taking me by complete and utter surprise.

     Not waiting another moment, I smashed my lips against hers.