Always Outspoken

Always Outspoken ch.12

TWELVE:

"So you're actually friends again!" Beth shouted excitedly. We were walking to my locker during lunch while Bryce had to visit the guidance counselor for something.

"Yes, can you not make me think of what we were before now," I joked. I looked at Jason, who seemed concerned? Or maybe guilty? I guess I shouldn't have said that.

"But we're cool now, so it's all good. Oh, there's Bryce. I'll see you later!" I said to both of them. Being friends with Jason means that I have to keep him away from Bryce, unless I want to see another fight between them (clearly, I don't). Bryce hasn't said much about me talking to Jason, but I can tell he doesn't like it at all. I guess he hasn't said anything because it hasn't become a problem yet. As long as I still spend plenty of time with him, things should work out fine.

"Hey," I smiled. He nodded and put his arm around my shoulders. Probably because we were going to walk past Jason and Beth to get to my locker, so he wanted to show Jason that 'I was his'. As much as I hate to even think about being referred to as property, I'm not going to start any problems between us.

"Let's go somewhere," he suggested once we were at the end of the hall.

"We still have three classes left. Three classes that I'm almost failing, so I should probably go to them."

"Oh c'mon Sera, what's one absent day going to do?"

"Bryce, I really can't. I have a test next period. I'm sorry."

He rolled his eyes, "Fine." He removed his arm from my shoulders and started walking away.

"So you're just going to leave?" I called to him.

"Yes," he replied without turning back. What the hell is his problem? I really do have a test that I can't miss because I actually studied for it, and I need a good grade. So why did he get angry for me not being able to skip class with him?

"I don't know Beth, he just really wanted to skip," I told her as we walked to her car.

"Or maybe he just wants to spend time with you, idiot." She shook her head and laughed a little. I showed her a small smile in return. I guess that was possible, but Bryce seems like the type of guy who'd rather skip class with whoever just to have fun, and not to just spend time with me.

"Hey, wait!" someone shouted when I reached Beth's cream colored Beetle car. Jason ran over to us while Cody waited in his car with Nate.

"I thought Bryce always drives you?" he asked when he reached me.

"He does, but he left early today," I shrugged.

"Oh. Well do you want to hang out at the park with us?"

I looked at Beth and she nodded. "Sure, we'll meet you there."

A wide smile appeared on Jason's face. "Awesome, and tell Tonya too," he added before jogging back to Cody's car.

When Tonya finally walked over to us (she's a slow walker), she agreed to go to the park to meet the guys, so we drove straight there. At the park, Cody and Nate were skateboarding, while Jason was sitting on my usual bench. Beth and Tonya walked over to Cody and Nate, but I walked over to my bench.

"That's my bench," I joked. He smiled a genuine smile. The one that I always thought was amazing. Well, it still is amazing.

"Really? It doesn't have your name on it."

"Actually, it does. Right there." I pointed to the top of the bench, where I carved my name into it. Jason stared at me for a second, slowly shaking his head.