Don't Make Me Love You

Chapter 11

As Jake and I walked down the steps to school the next day, I sighed. Today marked the moment in time when the last of my pride would be shattered. My life was about to change, for the worse, and I was really regretting the next few minutes.

Sitting through class with Brandon's eyes on my back was bad enough. But having to ask him to meet me after class was like salt in the wound. I had told Jake about my run in with Brandon the night before and about... my response. Jake thought it was a fabulous idea though; me, getting together with Brandon while he got hard evidence to show Bobby. I was concerned that Bobby would get upset with me, but we had found a way around that as well.

When I saw Brandon waiting by the gates I slowed and grabbed Jake's sleeve. "You know, I think I changed my mind. I can't do this after all..." I muttered. "I think I'm gonna be sick."

Jake shoved me off. "Don't hang on me." He huffed. "And you can't back out now. This is our only chance."

I sighed and turned to stare with a distasteful look at Brandon. "Man... This sucks."

I know it was originally my idea, but it didn't make me feel any less disturbed. I just prayed I didn't end up slapping him if he tried to kiss me. I shivered. Or worse.

As we got close enough for him to see us, Jake said, "Well, this is where I take my leave."

Jake gave Brandon a curt nod, Brandon following suit, before they passed each other and he walked up to me. "Hey." He said. "You wanted to talk to me?"

I grabbed his arm without even looking at him. "Not here. Come with me."

I brought him to a secluded area behind the school. He looked a little sceptical, but said nothing as I took a deep breath and finally looked at him directly. "I-..." My voice caught in my throat and I coughed. "Uh... I've decided that... I..."

He raised his eyebrow when I failed to get the one simple sentence out. I sighed and shook my head. "This is stupid..." I muttered. When he started to ask what I was talking about I finally blurted, "I'll go out with you."

He stared at me for a moment before a small disbelieving smirk crossed his face. "Whatever happened to 'never in a million years'?"

I snapped a dark look at him. He held up his hands in defeat. "Whatever. But are you serious? I mean, you're the last person I'd expect to accept an invitation from me."

"Well, you're the last person I would accept and invitation from." I shot back.

We glared at each other for a few seconds, each of us getting frustrated with the attitude of the other. Finally though, Brandon snorted and crossed his arms. "I don't really get it, but if you say your for it, then I don't mind."

I rolled my eyes. I wasn't 'for it', if anything I was against the very concept, but I had an ulterior motive and if I hoped to succeed I had to paint a pretty picture. My next words pained me. "I apologize for how I behaved the other day. I was just shocked." I said. "I've been a little high strung lately and some friends of mine suggested a relationship. They think it might help."

He looked a little pissed. "So, what? I'm your stress reliever?"

I held back from punching him. "Do you want to go out or not?"

After a looking me up and down one last time, Brandon seemed to relax a little. "Yeah, but on one condition." He said.

"What's that?" I asked.

"We can't tell Bobby."

I couldn't help a small smile. "Of course not. I wouldn't dream of it." I replied. As we walked back towards the front of the school I felt a bit of confidence in my step. This was going to be a lot easier than I thought.