Love Is a Losing Game // Joel Pimentel

6 | Lesson

Chapter Six

Joel's POV

"So you're going to get her to fall in love with you?"

I nod happily and accidentally smack into someone. "Get out the way, bitch," I insult towards the small girl who was now collecting papers from the floor.

Yoandri shakes my head and I shrug. "I'm gonna act nice towards her but not towards anyone else. She has to love me."

He eyes me warily and sighs. "You've bullied her for years. You really think she can see past that?"

"Yes. She can see me for who I am."

"You're a jerk."

"Thanks. That's so nice."

Everyone looks at me when I plop down in my seat at lunch, begging to know what to gossip about.

"She's strong. But you can be very overbearing."

"I know that but I wan-"

"What about what she wants?"

***

During the fifth week, the ninth visit, Matthews wears jeans and a loose sweatshirt with her hair up again.

I smile at her and her lips try to smile back but only transform into a grimace. I blow air out of my cheeks and she timidly steps into the house, clutching her supplies close to her chest.

"Hello."

"Hi."

"Ready to get started?"

Matthews looks at me tentatively and I look away from her fierce green eyes. We both climb up the stairs, her behind me, and sit down once we reach my room.

I plop down on my bed and she exhales before looking at my attire.

"What's up with the button up shirt?"

"I wanted to impress you."

I clench my jaw and she bites her lip, averting her eyes to her paper. "What's your favorite thing to do when you're bored?"

"I like to read important financial things."

"Bullshit."

I look at her shocked and she rolls her eyes. "You can't be serious," she says with an edge to her voice. I look at her confused and her eyes widen.

"You are?"

"Yes."

Blu scribbles it down after mumbling things under her breath and I bite my lip to keep from saying something rude.

"What's your favorite color?"

"The color of your underwear."

Matthews rubs her eyes, breathes out, pulling at her waistband to see the color and scribbling down, red.

Holy fûcking shit.

Her underwear is red.

I look down at my pants and sigh, done with my life.

"So what's your-"

"I think you should leave."

Matthews pulls up short, opens her mouth before closing, it and nods once. "Fine," she murmurs. Her nimble fingers pack things into her bag, her eyes flittering here and there.

"I'm sorr-"

"No. No please. It's fine. You wouldn't want my ugly getting everywhere."

"Blu-"

"Do you ever think of anybody but yourself? I could've just searched you up on Google, or talked to Yoandri so I could get the answers but no. Instead I walk my ass over to your house where you obviously don't want me to be at, knowing that you're going to trash me, knowing I'm gonna get hurt."

"Blu."

Her green eyes wince as I go to get up and I run my hands through my hair in frustration.

"Why are you so afraid of me?"

Her hands tug on her sleeves and she closes her eyes.

"TELL ME!"

"Because you're a monster."

I stay quiet, frozen as I see her jaw clench. "You're sick, twisted, you say words with the intent to hurt."

She shakes her head and I see the frustration on her face.

"You want to be good but you've already traumatized too many people for you to change anything."

I try to walk towards her but she just stumbles back, shaking her head. "I've got enough information. Thanks for your time on this project," she mutters.

Fear settles in and I start to object but by the time I open my mouth, she's already gone.

__________________________________

a/n

the twisted sisters