Torn

Chapter 9

I woke up, not realizing I fell asleep, it was about 3 in the morning. I picked up my phone to see that I had 45 new texts and 10 missed calls, most of them from Jay. All the texts from him, he was apologizing. I had one text from Kyle telling me dinner was ready at about 6:30. Glad to see that he cares about hurting my feelings. I decided to text Jay back, telling him to meet me somewhere at school tomorrow and we'll talk. I wasn't expecting a reply seeing how late it was, but he replied.

"I wanna see you now. Can you sneak out?" He texted.

I figured I wasn't going to go back to sleep anytime soon, so I agreed. I walked quietly down the steps and out the door. The good thing about this house being so big is that nobody can hear you come or go. Jay and I agreed to meet down the road a little bit just in case anyone was to wake up. I waited for him for about 3 minutes before he showed up. He got out of his car and walked up to me.

"Jay, I-"

"Don't, I have to do all the talking." He said, interrupting me, "I'm so sorry, Ava. I really am. I heard everything you and Londyn were talking about in her room. I tried to apologize to you then, but you weren't having it. Then at school, you seemed like you wanted nothing to do with me when I tried to stand up for you against Gabi."

"But Jay, you still sat with Gabi at lunch. You still kissed Gabi. I like you, Jay, but I don't think you're done with her. That's why I'm trying to keep my distance."

"Fuck, Ava, I'm trying my best to stay away from her but every time I turn around, it's like she's there waiting for me. I like you, Ava, I do. But Gabi..."

"Exactly, Jay, 'but Gabi', it's always going to be about her... I'm always going to come second to her. It's fine... I'll find someone else."

"No, Ava. I don't want you to find someone else. I want you to want me... I want to want you. Please, let me at least try." I could see tears forming in his eyes.

"I need to know that you're at least 95% done with her... that's all I'm asking right now. I need to know that if we try this, I'm not going to end up heartbroken. I need to know that I have your full attention... please Jay, don't hurt me."

Jay got his phone out and I was confused. "Here, text her pretending to be me... tell her I'm done."

I can't believe he's letting me do this. "Sorry, Gabi, but I can't do this anymore. I like someone else." I texted her and handed Jay's phone back to him. "All done." I said with a smile.

Jay smiled back at me, "I'm glad we're giving this a try. I've liked you since the day I laid eyes on you." He pulled me in for a hug, and I hugged back. His hug was so warm and comforting, and I felt a smile come across my lips as this was the happiest I've been since arriving in California.

We sat in Jay's car just talking for about an hour and a half before I decided I should get back home to take a shower and get ready for school. He drove me up the street to my house to make sure I got in safely. I was just about half way out of the car when he grabbed my arm and pulled me back in and kissed me. This kiss was way better than the kiss at the mall. I melted inside as I kissed him back. We pulled apart and I gave him one last smile before I headed inside.

As I got in the door, I saw Kyle standing in the kitchen and when he saw me he flipped out.

"AVA! What the hell? Where were you?"

"I was just right outside getting some air... I'm fine."

"You scared me. How long have you been out there?"

"I don't know, since about 3ish I guess. What are you doing up? How'd you even know I was out there?"

"I didn't. I just got up to get a bottle of water. You really did scare me when you came in. I thought we were getting robbed." He laughed.

I laughed back, not because it was funny, it was more of a nervous laugh, because if he knew what I was really doing out there he would hate me.

"Well, I'm going to get in the shower and get ready for another day in hell. See you afterwards."

"Wait, Ava, I'm sorry about what happened at school. But you have to understand why I can't be seen with you just yet... Kenzie is sort of my girlfriend and since she has a problem with you, I can't really be associated with you right now... it's nothing against you though."

"I'm sure. I don't care, Kyle. It just shows me how important I really am to you... I'll be fine though." Before I gave him a chance to respond, I ran up the stairs to get ready for the day. Now that I'm with Jay, school shouldn't be that rough today.

After my shower, I got dressed. I put on a pair of denim skinny jeans, a grey v neck shirt, and a pair of black converse. I did my hair the usual way I've been wearing it lately, letting the curls flow over my shoulders. I did my makeup, and made my way to the kitchen for some breakfast. When I got to the kitchen, I was surprised to see Kyle still in there. But he was asleep at the island. I wasn't in any mood to hear his voice, so I made myself a bowl of cereal and sat beside him, not bothering him though. I finished my cereal and made my way to school, still leaving Kyle asleep in the kitchen.

I arrived at school ready to face whatever was to come from Gabi and Kenize, but I knew I had Jay by my side today, so it couldn't be that bad. I got to my first class and I saw Gabi sitting in her seat crying to Kenzie. I couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny, freak?" Kenzie asked me.

"Oh nothing, just thinking about how ugly Gabi looks when she cries." I replied, still laughing.

Gabi gave me a mean side eye and started crying more. I can't say I feel bad for her, she sort of deserves to get her heart broke. She turned back to Kenzie and started crying harder.

"Why would he do something like this to me? I thought he loved me."

"Boys are jerks, Gab. I'm sure whoever he decided to be with can't compare to how amazing you are." Kenzie said to Gabi, trying to comfort her.

"Guys, I know who he's with. I can tell you." I said, with confidence, waiting to see the looks on their faces when they found out it was me.

"Please do, we need to ruin this girl's life." Gabi said, looking at me with sad, teary eyes. I kind of felt bad for the girl, but not too bad.

"It's me." I said with a huge smile.

I wish I had a camera the moment I said that because the looks on their faces were priceless.

"You're totally lying. He would never leave me for you." Gabi said.

"Well he did, Gabi. Sorry for being the better girl." I smiled and walked to my seat.

Surprisingly, Gabi nor Kenzie bothered me during my other classes. Gabi just looked pretty down and annoyed every class. That all changed when we got to lunch. Gabi came up to the table that Jay and I were sitting at. She sat down across from us with no emotion on her face.

"Can we help you?" Jay asked.

"Uh, this is my table. This is the only place I have to sit at, nobody else wants me at their table."

"You should have thought about that when you were being a bitch to everyone, Gabi. You're not wanted at this table either."

She walked out of the cafeteria looking like she was about to cry. I looked at Jay, who in a way looked like he was hurt over being so mean to her. I was hurt because the look in his eyes showed that he loves her, even if he likes me. I wanted to run away with Gabi and cry along with her, but I sucked it up because he did choose me after all. I smiled at him, and he smiled back at me and pulled me into a hug. I felt secure knowing that he's all mine now.