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Chapter 11 - Rumours

I get to school feeling refreshed. My little fight with James was only yesterday afternoon, but it felt like years ago. A lot has happened since then.

Last night at around 11pm, Mel texted me saying that there was a rumour going around, about Jace. She doesn't know what it is, but she is sure that there is some sort of rumour. I'm hoping not to get in the way. And I'm hoping it doesn't involve me. I really want to blend in today. No drama for me, but I doubt that's going to happen.

As soon as I get to my locker, Mel pops up.

"I know what the rumour is. And it's not good. Do you want to know?" She says.

My heart starts to beat fast, my palms sweaty. I feel a pain in my chest, but I end up saying

"Sure. I need to know?."

My breaths quicken and I feel faint. I focus myself as she starts to tell me.

"People are saying that they saw Jace with Shane." Mel says

"Yeah, and? They are best friends! Why would--" I start to say but I am quickly interrupted by Mel

"Not in a friend way. Someone said that they were holding hands, and Shane even leaned in for....... a kiss."

"So he is gay?"

Mel nods her head.

"I'm going to talk to him."

"No, you can't. Not here at school. Maybe talk to him after, but not now."

"Why not now?" I ask

"Look at him. He looks like an emotional wreck." Mel says, pointing to the entrance doorway.

Jace walks in looking bad. Seriously bad. Like he got hit by a bus bad. I tried not to stare as so many others were.

"Yeah," I say. "Maybe not today."

...

I get home as soon as possible. I so badly wanted to talk to Jace about it, but was held back. I throw my stuff from my bag away and get my homework done really quickly. After I've finished I grab my phone and lie on my bed. I ring Jace's number and he picks up.

"Hey." He grumbles. He sounds terrible

"Hey, are you okay?" I say

"Yeah, have you heard the rumours?" He asks me.

Few, at least I didn't have to be the one who brought it up.

"Yeah, I did." I say, wanting to say much more, but holding myself back.

"Do you believe them?" He says, almost pleading me to say no,

"I don't know what to believe. I haven't even heard your side of the story."

"It's all false. I swear. These people on the football team and I made a deal, but I said no, because I had you, don't ask about the deal, but because I refused, they had to make my life miserable by spreading a rumour about this stupid thing about me sexually liking Shane. I hate those boys."

I stay silent for a few moments.

"But if you are lying, and if those rumours were in fact true, do you know how much that would hurt me? Way more than it would now if you owned up. The fact that you lied to me would be excruciatingly hurtful. So please, tell me the truth. If you are telling the truth already, thank you. I love you, Jace."

"I love you too, Tara. I love you too......" he says, hushing his voice.

"I love you, Tara......"

"I love you, Tara......"

"I love you, Tara......"

"And I don't want to hurt you, Tara."

"Tara. I'm going to-"

He hung up.

I immediately started crying. I cried in a little ball until I couldn't cry anymore.

And then my phone buzzes. I expect to see Jace's number pop up on the screen but instead it is James. I pick up.

"Hi." I say first.

"Hey, I heard the rumours. Are they true? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I still don't know if they are true, but I'm not coping very well." I say, still sniffing.

He hears my sniffling and says,

"I'm coming over, if you want me to or not. I think you need some support."

"Thanks, James, I'll be glad to see you."

...

He is at my place in less than 5 minuets. He only lives down the block.

"Hey." I say before he embraces me in a hug.

"Lets go." He says before dragging me to my own room.

"How do you still remember where my room is?" I ask

"I'll always remember, Tara"

I giggle.

He sits on the edge of my massive chair, while I lie on my bed, facing him.

"I'm glad you are okay, I didn't want you to be alone, tonight. Crying yourself to sleep. I know what you are like." He says

"Thanks, I really just need somebody to talk to, that's all. I'm so glad you were free tonight, I don't know what I would have done."

"Call one of your girls?"

"They are all busy tonight." I say, trying so hard to sound not miserable.

"You sound miserable." James says.

"Thanks."

"But you've been worse."

"Have I now." I say, blushing.

He laughs, showing his gleaming white teeth. He brushes his hand through his dirty blonde hair. He is so sexy. He acts like he is sexy.

"When you slid down the slide at MACCAS and whacked your head on the pole at the bottom!"

"And when you broke up with your first boyfriend."

"And when you went skiing for a week and came back with a really bad goggle burn!"

"Okay, okay I get it, I've looked worse.

"Far far far worse than this!" He adds.

I hit him on the shoulder.

"Like you've never looked bad." I say, putting the attention on him.

"I've never seen a bad looking day in my life."

"As if!" I say

He pouts his lips and jumps at me like I'm a gazelle and he is a tiger.

"You little shit!" He screams and tickles my stomach until I start to cry, with laughter.

"Stop, please! Ahaha!"

"Find, I'll stop."

He gets off me and sits beside me. I turn to him, I feel his eyes on me. I see him exploring me with his eyes, they wonder down and up my body.

"Hello? Up here!" I say lifting his chin.

He lifts his head up and suddenly we are so close, close enough to....

And he kisses me.