Drop Dead Gorgeous 〰 Jake Fitzgerald

18

"I'm worried," Audrey told me as we walked together to my next class, PE, with Gustavo by our side.

"I... I really can't be doing this, Audrey," I whispered, trying to walk faster.

"Something is wrong. Noah doesn't do this. I mean, yeah, he would miss school for the showing of a classic slasher movie or something, but he's not answering."

"Maybe he's busy," Gustavo shrugged.

"Busy doing what? This is Noah we're talking about."

"Have you seen him with Zoe? I'm pretty sure they've gotten down to business by now-"

"Okay wow, I didn't need to hear that," I interrupted, walking a little faster.

"Lexa-"

"Look Audrey," I started, stopping briefly to look at her, "I'd love to help, but I just... I can't right now. And like you said, it's Noah. What could he possibly be doing?"

Just then, my phone began to vibrate. I took it out to see it was an incoming call from my mom, causing me to sigh in desperation and exhaustion.

"I have to go," was all I said before walking away from them both, picking up the call shortly after.

"Hey mom," I greeted with forced cheerfulness.

"Just checking up on you. Making sure you're making any decisions you could regret."

"Oh no, you caught me mother. Now what will I do with all these devious ideas?" I sarcastically
asked, smiling to myself.

"I'm serious, Lexa."

"I know."

There was arguing in the background, and my mom stayed quiet for a second before she said, "I have to go back to work, but just make sure you follow my orders."

"Okay boss," I teased, trying to make the best of the situation.

"Alright, bye honey."

"Bye, mom."

With that, she hung up, and I made my way to the locker rooms, feeling even worse than I did before.

-

The gym floor was full of the loud thudding of feet and the screeching of sneakers as students got caught up in intense games of volleyball, basketball, and even a small game of soccer that was being played in the corner.

I sat in the middle of the bleachers, with some other girls a few seats down that were as equally lazy and inactive as I was.

"Hey Lex Luthor," the voice I'd gotten so used to greeted.

"We can't be doing this, Jake," I scolded, as he sat next to me.

I moved one seat over to get away from him, but he followed, taking the seat that was once mine, causing us to sit side-by-side once more.

"Look, I know I should have just trusted you with the whole messages thing. I know it was faked, but I really am sorry, Lexa. It was my fault-"

"I'm not talking about that," I cut off, moving another seat over as he followed, "I just can't talk to you anymore."

I moved again, cursing mentally when I realized I was stuck between the railing that was keeping me away from sudden death, and Jake.

He stayed silent for a second, before his hand went to my knee, slowly making its way up towards my upper thigh.

"If you laugh or smile, then you get to talk with me," he challenged.

"This isn't a game, Jake! I really can't-"