What The Jocks Want

Everyone, Meet Layla Jones

Chapter 8

Everyone, Meet Layla Jones

Swallowing a lump in my throat the size of Mexico, I slide the paper back over to Ted.

“I can’t do this” I whisper, my voice hoarse. My eyes are glued to the paper, and Ted’s foot stops on the back of mine. I move my foot away completely, so I can avoid temptation. All I can do is read what he wrote over and over again. It won’t sink in, and I don’t quite believe it.

Oh, and she’s also really hot.

“Can’t do what?” Ted asks anxiously, and I swallow again, trying to clear my throat. I bring my hand up to my head, and cover my eyes, shaking my head.

“What are we doing, Ted, I mean really? We’re hanging out after school? We’re hugging in the corridors? Just last week you were making out with Georgie, and calling me and Cassie lesbians! Nothing’s really changed Ted! Why are we acting like it has?”

Ted stares at me, and I can see he’s trying to take in what I’ve just said. I’m trying to take in what I’ve just said. I’ve just realised I’m right. And I feel stupid for realising what I’ve been doing. Ted doesn’t say anything, so I decide to continue.

“I mean, what did we expect to happen? After this week, we’re going to go back to how we were, and I know that’s what you want.”

“But I don’t want that!” Ted says, and I stop abruptly. Ted slams his fist down on the table, on the sheet of paper with his confession on. He looks directly in my eyes, but I can’t hold his gaze. I look away in shame. “Look me in the eyes and tell me you want that”

I don’t lift my gaze.

“I want that” I say, and I keep looking down, even though I can feel Ted’s gaze burning into me like a fire. A few awkward seconds pass, and all I can hear is Ted’s angry breathing and my own shaky breath.

Without warning, Ted reaches across the table and holds my chin in between his thumb and first finger, and lifts my head to look at him. He locks his gaze with mine and keeps a firm grip on my face. I try to back away but he won’t let me.

“Tell me you want to say goodbye. Look in my eyes and tell me you want that”

I open my mouth to speak, trying to keep looking into Ted’s eyes, despite the fact everything inside of me is screaming at me to look away. I wrap my hand around the one Ted is using to hold my face, and I gently pull it away.

“Well isn’t this cosy?” A snide voice says beside us, and I pull away hastily and look up at the owner of the voice. And it’s like a blonde bomb.

Georgie and Susan are stood beside us, with ‘husbands’ Fred and Lee in tow. Fred waves at me creepily, and I scowl at him.