Fighting the Wolves

Chapter Thirteen

The dreaded fifth period. I've said it once before, and I'll say it again. If I have to deal with Jackson, I'll just flip out and leave. I'm sure becoming a stripper isn't that bad...right?

Ah, the refreshing thoughts of my teenage self.
Maybe the school will explode for some reason, then I can go home.
Any possibility to avoid Jackson.
Please.

With my earbuds in, I sit down at my desk by the window. Not many people are in the classroom, but that's perfectly fine with me. I'm early anyways. Unfortunately, my peace doesn't last long, since nearly a minute later I feel a familiar stare boring into my shoulder.
I can't help but to glance over my shoulder, although it was my own mistake to look into his eyes. My mind wanders as we stare into each other, wondering what it would have been like if he hadn't have ruined me. If we would both be happy.

"Amelia," Jackson begins, and for some reason I feel inclined to listen to whatever he needs to say, even if it could break me even more and shred what little sanity I have left, "Whatever I did to you, I'm sorry." I didn't expect an apology, how am I supposed to reply to that?
"I-i don't know what to say.." I trail off, speaking honestly for once in my life.
"Can we talk after school?" He asks, my mind instantly wavering towards an instant 'no', but another part of me begging to say yes; And without thinking properly, I go straight for the latter and nod my head. Jackson seems satisfied with my answer and gives me a small smile before turning to the rest of the students as they entered the room just before class is about to start.

Why did I agree to this?

~*~

Jackson never said where to meet him. I figured I'd wait outside under the tree I sat under yesterday, but it's 3:30 now, and school has been out for an hour. Seeing as he's the only one who seems to want us to have a relationship, he's not doing a very good job of trying to win me over.

Maybe he wanted to bring me out here to reject me, I heard they can do that.
It almost seems too simple, too easy.
He's too...I don't know.

"Amelia?" Why does he have to say my name, I'll officially become nameless if it means he doesn't have to say my name.
"Why'd you want to talk?" I'm blunt, I want this over with, because I'm honestly scared. I'm not sure if I'm acting upon years of unbridled bullying caused by Jackson, or the fact that I'm too insecure to let anyone into my life, even if they could possibly make it better. Probably a large mixture of both if I'm being honest with myself.

"Um, I just..." Jackson scratches the back of his neck, the classic, 'I'm nervous because of a girl despite the fact that I'm secretly a douche bag and I'm just trying to seem adorable' Schtick that every guy learns from TV and movies.

Did I just call him adorable.
Ignore it, it never happened.

"Why are you avoiding me?" I blink, twice. Staring at the tall idiot in front of me, I scoff and cross my arms over my chest.
"You're kidding, right?" I give him a sarcastic smile, daring him to let his fake cluelessness continue. "Let's just list the things that have happened only recently: You kidnapped me, I've been getting horrible attention from teenagers and other students, and don't forget the fact that I'm not allowed to even open my window when I'm home because my parents think I'll get kidnapped again!" I'm almost yelling by the end of my rant, luckily most kids have already gone home or I might have drawn attention to myself. Exactly what I don't need. I let my head fall as I stare at the ground, my bangs falling over my face.

"I'm sorry." I snap my head up, my eyes meeting Jackson's.

Did he just apologize?
He's probably just saying that so I'll forgive him.
It won't work...
Not yet at least.

"I know I shouldn't have gone about this situation the way I did, but our mate bond feels strong and I couldn't stay away," My arms fall to my sides as I hear his words, something within me yearning to hug him, despite my hatred for him. "I honestly still can't stay away, I feel lost ever since I let you leave." I feel my eyes sting, although I know no tears will fall. I turn away to hide myself, then make an unconscious decision to simply walk away.

I don't want to get involved.
I don't want this.
I don't deserve it.

"Where are you going?" I hear Jackson call out from behind me as I speed walk away as fast as I can, unfortunately I'm not quick enough. I hiss in pain as I feel his strong hand grab onto my wrist, my unfortunate wrist. I try to yank my hand away, but my efforts amount to nothing. All I'm met with is a concerned look from a guy I thought I hated. Even though neither of us know each other and he's made my life a living hell over these past couple years, it seems like something inside me can't deal with the thought of not being with him.
As much as I want to give him up.

"Leave me alone, Jackass!" I snap, trying once again to yank myself free from his grip.
"Not too far from his name, honestly." I hear a deep chuckle from my right. I turn to look, finding myself looking at a slightly older, darker haired version of Jackson. Except this guy also has brown eyes, unlike Jackson's blue ones.
"Let her go Jackson, she obviously doesn't like you at the moment and honestly who would blame her?" The stranger says in a mocking tone. Jackson growls involuntarily, but reluctantly lets go of my wrist. I discreetly look down my sleeve to find fresh blood showing through the bandage.

Great, today's just the best day ever.
Note the amount of sarcasm, you could coat an ocean because I'm so salty.

"Paul, what are you doing here?" Jackson clenches his teeth in anger, his canine teeth slightly pointing into fangs.
"Just came by to see my baby brother," Paul replies with a smile, a fake smile might I add. Because while his mouth says, 'I'm friendly and am honestly just here to see my brother', his eyes are saying, 'I'll kick your ass if you don't come with me right now', and honestly I don't like either.

"You're Jackson's brother? I didn't know he had a brother," I wonder aloud, voicing myself to be known between the tension of the two brothers. Paul's smile widens when he remembers I exist.
"I never went to school here, and I'm not usually around much so it's pretty easy to miss," He trails off, glancing at Jackson again before looking back at me. "So who exactly are you and why is my brother so interested in tormenting you?"
"Im Amelia, and I honestly don't know why your brother tortures me, you could have asked me back in freshman year and I still wouldn't know." I send a side glare to Jackson, who looks extremely peeved at the current conversation.
"Ouch, dude you need to step up your manners, I don't know why you'd treat a girl like this in any bad way," Paul sends me a wink causing me to roll my eyes. Jackson's growls get slightly louder at the wink.

"She's my mate, asshole!" Jackson snaps at his brother, his eyes a dark color as he stares down his older brother. His brother is the same height, but much more muscular in the sense of authority.
"Damn, you can't even get the girl that's destined to be with you to like you, that's probably the biggest diss to your ego!" Paul begins to laugh hysterically, pointing at his brother as he doubles over in laughter.
"This conversation isn't over." Jackson says calmly to me, giving me one last longing glance before grabbing his brother by the arm and forcibly dragging him away from the school.

I stand there on the sidewalk in a confused stupor as I replay the last ten minutes in my brain.

What the hell?

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Hello everyone! New chapter, right on schedule!
So, what do you guys think of Jackson's brother, Paul? I'm still on the fence about him myself.
Shoutouts to CrookedLady  and @Goonies_Girl for voting and commenting on my chapters!

Song above is Filthy Pride by Social Repose.
Honestly, I don't really like social repose very much, but I really like the song and I think it works well with the chapter.