One of a Kind

Chapter 37: "Date"

If it wasn't for the fact that Sophie dragged me out of bed, I would not be in school right now. First period barely passed, it seemed time would slow down and go back every time I looked at the clock, but finally the bell rang. I dragged on, not in any rush to get to class, which really irritated Sophie who hated being late. In reality, history was the one class I had with Jake and that was the one class I was not looking forward too. Fifty minute alone with him seemed like an eternity to me.

Sophie wouldn't leave until I walked in and stayed in. I took my seat and put in my headphones, listening to sad songs by The Fray because why not? Jake entered, our eyes meeting for a second before he took his seat right next to me. I could hear what the teacher said but I refused to take out my headphones and talk to Jake. I saw him attempt to talk to me multiple times but then he'd stop. I simply took down my notes and did my work in silence.

Of course everyone noticed that we were having issues. The trending topic of the day was All Star Couple in an All Star Fight? My favorite was Jevie, I didn't come up with the nickname, Flops because it felt like a belly flop. You know when you think about it, when you first jump you feel good, think you've got it, and then when you realize you messed up, and lastly when you hit your belly in the water and you feel all the pain hitting you at once. But what's worse is the pain afterward. You still feel the stinging pain and the thought of it makes you cringe. That's how I feel, like I just took a belly flop in love.

After those gruesome fifty minutes, Jake was gone. I packed up quickly, ready to just go to Anatomy and get most of my day done with, but of course, Jake doesn't give up. He waits outside the classroom and when I come out, he grabs my arm and drags me into a janitor's closet that no one uses, other than make-out sessions, which we were not going to do. He turned on the dim light and stood in front of the door, barricading it and making sure I couldn't get out.

"What Jake?" I ask, rather harshly.

"We need to talk Evie," He says, "And no, you cannot avoid this because this is something we really need to talk about."

I want to argue, tell him how wrong he is, how everything is fine and we don't need to have a talk, but unfortunately, Jake's right. We really do need to talk, "You're right." I sigh and drop my bag on floor.

"So let's talk, we're alone."

"You know Sophie will come looking for me," I point out, hopefully scaring him into letting me leave because I wasn't ready yet.

"Let her come," he says, "We're having this talk whether you're ready or not. This isn't some small problem we can avoid, so talk."

I feel myself getting angry, "Fine, you want to talk? Let's talk. Jake, you have a kid, and not just a kid, a kid you left because you were way too scared to be a father. What kind of bullshit is that? It isn't the kids fault that you had sex with Sarah, it isn't the kids fault that you were irresponsible, and it sure as hell isn't the kids fault that you are a deadbeat. I don't care that you cheated on me, well I kinda do, but that isn't the point. I care that you're not the man I thought you were. I thought you were a better person, a person who would always do the right thing, even when times were tough. But clearly I was wrong."

"Evie, look, Sarah was older than me, if someone found out, she could go to jail, and it would ruin everything for my family and me. It was just easier for me to leave, let it blow over for a bit and then come back."

"And what, you thought that would make you a better person? Coming back after everything hard was done. You left Sarah alone, to raise a child, and you didn't even think about telling me? You know how my family life is right now, did you seriously think that you wouldn't tell me about the kid and then we'd get married and ten years later a kid knocks on our door as your long lost kid? I will not be the reason a kid despises someone; I will not be a homewrecker."