Lessons [completed]

Snob

Jynx's POV

Elaine wanted to hang out with me to make me feel better about Emily, so I agreed.

We met up at the skate park where we always hung out . Mostly, her friends skated while we talked. It was the one instance when she had more friends around her than I, mostly because I was generally more popular than she was. She just wasn't likeable, and it's understandable.

She's the type of person you need in doses, which works out since she's an emotionally distant and private person. Unlike me, she keeps to herself most of the time.

"Heard you and cupcake were having a rough time lately," she said and passed me a cigarette.

I placed it in between my lips and let her use a lighter to set the cigarette aflame.  Once lit, I took in a quick drag and took the cigarette out of my mouth with my pointer and middle fingers.

"I don't know how to get through to her. She's drooling over Hunter and always ignoring me," I replied.

"Sucks. Can't say I never warned you, though." I scoffed, which made her continue, "Look, it's not a competition of whether I was right or wrong. I just wanted what was best for you, and you should've listened."

"You should've listened."

Those worse repeated in my head, thumping against my temples until I sucked in enough smoke to numb the pain. It was painful because she was right.

Minutes had passed without me noticing. Time went by so quickly.

"Are you okay? You aren't usually this quiet around me," she said.

I flicked my cigarette, watching tiny embers fly in different directions. Her eyes followed, but soon focused on my face. She had a habit of looking me in the lips, and she never did that to anyone else.

"You just trashed my girlfriend. Am I supposed to be your pal after two seconds?" I asked.

She laughed, snorting a bit. "Okay, but is she really your girlfriend anymore?"

Immediately, I shot her an austere glance. She tensed, going from loose and silly to mature and serious just like that.

Elaine explained, "Look, I'm not going to tell you what your relationship is and isn't, but my honest observation is that Emily hasn't been your girlfriend for a while now. Do you two remember how happy you used to be? I was so jealous! But now, now it's different. Now she's that way with Hunter. And again, this isn't an attack on you, but you should've left her. You deserve better."

"Better? Like you? This is about us, isn't it?" I replied.

"About us?" she shouted. "Us? In case you forgot, we're still friends after two awful relationships. I love you, and yeah, maybe a bit romantically, but I'm not going to let you drown in her Starbucks lattes and hot tub."

"She doesn't own a hot tub," I retorted.

"Fuck off. Seriously, she doesn't give a shit about you anymore. You know who does?"

I refused to maintain eye contact with her as she shouted, but I couldn't help but stare when she asked that question. My whole body froze, and I couldn't tell why.

"I do. I care about you, Jynx." She took my hands in hers. It was a perfect fit. Both of our hands were bony and thin, but hers were a billion times bigger. They held my fingers in a way that made me feel like a rock star.

She scooted closer to me. Her wardrobe jingled on her body as certain chains and other accessories shivered on her all-black outfit. Her short, raven hair fell over half of her face, and it made her face flush its color. All I could see was the gentle rose on her cheeks.

Elaine said, "I know I fucked up a lot with you. I used you and never let you in, but I'm ready. We've known each other for years, and I'm ready to tell you everything. Let's start with how I love you."

My eyes widened. Everything else stayed frozen in shock.

Before I could say anything, she started leaning in. I panicked. I couldn't let her destroy whatever was left of my relationship with Emily. My lips wanted her back, but I just couldn't.

I pushed her away and jumped backwards. I nearly fell off the cement wall we were sitting on.

She nearly started to say something, but I placed my hands on her cheeks to shut her up. I brought our heads close together until our forehead touched, and I closed my eyes.

"This can't happen, Elaine. No matter how much I want it to, I can't give up on her yet. She's still my girlfriend."

"Break up with her," she insisted.

I opened my eyes to see her staring at my lips again. Fuck.

"I can't do that," I whispered, rubbing her cheeks with my thumbs.

I remember meeting her in middle school. It was the end of seventh grade when we got into a fight over a girl whom we wanted to be our friend. She was a pretty girl, and we both had a crush on her, but nobody knew we were gay at the time. It was just a petty fight over some girl, but it somehow got us talking to each other. Eventually, we got to know each other and started dating. Our first relationship lasted for a year, and then we decided to stay friends. Then, we recently dated again, and it went far worse. We were using each other, and we knew it. I didn't want to take advantage of her, and now I had a chance to repay her and treat her like she should be.

We spent the rest of our time watching Elaine's friends skate. My hand rested in hers as we witnessed other lesbians and bad boys do kick-flips and other random tricks. I was impressed and entertained, and I felt happy in her presence.

We laughed and exchanged glances as the night progressed. When I had to go, she gave me a hug goodnight. I missed feeling her body against mine.

If Emily wants to fuck with Hunter, then I get to fuck with Elaine, right? At least she cares about me.