They Don't Know (BOOK TWO)

Chapter 18

For the rest of the weekend, Sevyn ignored all of Jackson's texts and calls. After she heard from Monica that he was grinding up on some sophomore once she left, she didn't think he deserved the satisfaction of talking to her. She wants him to know just how upset she is and that she's not going to let his bull slide again.

So when Monday rolls around Sevyn is already prepared to hear Jackson's mouth about not replying to him, but she has other things to worry about than Jackson's interrogation. Like the fact that her doctors appointment is today. She's actually been dreading and anticipating this appointment since her mother told her about it on Friday. Either the doctor will diagnose her as crazy or...what other answer could there be? Sevyn doesn't know what to expect.

For the first two periods of the day, Sevyn is able to avoid Jackson completely and it isn't until lunch time that he finally catches her alone at her locker. She's twisting the combination lock and doesn't even notice him approaching until he's leaning against the locker besides hers. She glances at him briefly before focusing on exchanging her books.

"So your phone broken or something?"

"No,"

"Then why haven't you been answering my calls and text?"

"Think about it."

Jackson sucks his teeth, "Sevyn you can't be that mad at me. Look I'm sorry for pushing up on you so much, I was trying to loosen you up."

"Well I didn't need loosening up, I was having fun and doing fine before you tried to force my ass to rub against you." Sevyn snaps at him, her eyes narrowing. "And the fact that you even used a comparison such as rape disgusted me, especially after what I've been through."

"I'm sorry for saying what I did at the party but youre not the only one with problems, alright? I've got a lot of shit to deal with right now too. My family is falling out because of my grandmothers death and my little sister might be taken away from me and moved to the west coast with a woman who doesn't even care about her. You don't see me walking around here with an attitude and mad at the world though."

"We're two different people, we deal with things differently." She slams her locker shut and starts to walk away but Jackson grabs her arm.

"There you go again, always running away from me. This is our problem, instead of staying here and talking to me you keep running. Open up to me, tell me what's wrong so I can fix it. That's what I'm here for Sevyn." He practically begs.

Sevyn shakes her head, "It doesn't work like that Jackson. You can't fix everything, especially the problems I have."

"Like what?" He asks.

Like my nightmares. Like my lost of appetite. Like my moods swings. Like my fear of being hurt or trusting people. Like my depression.

But she doesn't say any of this.

"Like my parents being divorced." Sevyn doesn't know why she keeps holding back from Jackson but she's been doing it so much it's become a habit.

"No, there's more that you're not telling me. I can see it in your eyes and its written all over your face, your actions say it all." Jackson sounds like he's on the verge of breaking. "You pull away when I try to show you affection, you barely let me touch you anymore, you act all shy and afraid around me. What did I do?"

"Nothing!" She exclaims feeling overwhelmed by everything.

Jackson looks at the ground as a thought dawns on him. "Is it Cordell?"

Sevyn's gives him a confused look. "What?"

"Is it Cordell? Are you...do you like him?" Jackson's voice is weak like he's afraid of the answer.