Here Comes Trouble

Chapter Ten - Relaspes

Justin's POV

The car ride to the school is awkward epitome. Ryan tries and fails to make small talk with Selena's friends, which is a new occurrence for him, I'm sure. Everybody likes Ryan. If not instantly, then all he has to do is smile at you and, bam. You're apart of the hype train. When I was younger, I used to envy him for it. But as time went on, I realized it must be a lot of pressure up on that throne of his, and I would've crumbled a long time ago.

Within our small town, Ryan is the quarterback. And that means, he has the whole place resting on his shoulders. Selena, and consequently her friends, aren't warped by the near hero worship that follows him wherever he goes. They don't have a reason to like him.

Jace--I think--keeps glaring at me, as if I've stolen something precious of his. Selena, up front, flicking through the radio channels with a perma-scowl, resolutely avoids meeting either of our gazes.

And if at first, I felt any kind of jealously toward Jace, it was gone now. Selena obviously was just as upset with him, if not more, and that meant I had a chance.

Whether or not I wanted that, was still up for heavy debate.

Maya, seated next to me, wouldn't move her hand from my knee. She chatted nicely with Ryan, the only one making any kind of effort, but wouldn't stop sending me heated looks.

Female attention, I've decided, is way more than I can handle.

Thankfully, we reach the school fast enough, all filing out of the truck like we've run a marathon.

"Was she forward or what?" I whispered to Meredith. She glanced up at me, irritation clear in her eyes. When I shot her a confused glance, she sighed and shrugged.

"You're more popular than ever, Bieber. Don't forget about us little guys on your way to the top." And yeah, there was undeniably tension in her tone, but it was more than that. Like she was begging me to look. But I hadn't the slightest clue what I was supposed to be searching for.

My answer was cut off by the shrill sound of what I knew was Alexis' squeal. She made it every morning, upon seeing Selena.

Selena, in the middle of a conversation with Maya and Cat looked up and rolled her eyes. It wasn't hard to spot the amused smile on her face, though.

The twins, (Matt and Mason? Logan and Luke?) bonded faithfully after her, set on seeing their friends.

I watched curiously as they smothered Selena in a hug, and she giggled. Jace and was it Alex(?), tensed and put their guard up.

"You just couldn't stay away, huh?" The leather jacket clad twin smirked, watching Selena with his eyes speaking volumes more than he was saying. He leaned over her slightly, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"You wish, handsome," Selena chuckles, pushing at his chest.

Alexis tugged on her hand, raising her eyebrow.

Selena sighed and threw her arm over Alexis' shoulder. "Guys, these are fellow dwellers of the Island of Misfit Toys," she grinned, obviously more at ease with the presence of the easily excitable gang.

I wondered what it was about them, that made Selena so much more open. They didn't seem like her type of people, going by her personality and choice of friends. In fact, you would think she hated people like them. And yet, I don't know if she's been as relaxed all day.

Alexis huffs, shoving Selena lightly. "Sorry about her," she paused thoughtfully, "well, I guess you know all about that, huh!"

Maya narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms across her chest. "Oh yeah. That's our girl, after all." It was said with such a possessive edge, that my stomach coiled. Each and every one of her friends look about ready to attack.