Witness to a Love Story

Thirty- Six: Jaded

I didn't know if Nathan was out of his mind or not. And I couldn't figure why he let me in on his little secret. It's Thursday now and over the last two days I've been puzzled. Is he telling the truth? Or did he lie to cover up the fact that he's a cheat?

It's lunch and I'm idly staring over at Nathan. Sharon is next to him, her arm wrapped around him protectively. My eyes go to slits and I stare a while longer before I pick up the light cues. The way Nathan is looking down at Sharon. The way his eyes crinkle when Sharon speaks. Why had I never noticed any of this before?

"Ow!" I yelp as a rubber band hits my forearm.

Jay chuckles. "So why were you staring at the picture perfect couple? Don't you have a boyfriend?" He sneers.

"Just because I have a boyfriend doesn't mean I can't look." I huff and turn to face Jay.

Over the last two days, he has been a little more distant than usual. And he's been oddly suspicious of Nathan. In fact, this is the first time he sat down with me at lunch since Tuesday. I wonder what's been going on with him. I want to ask him and there's this urge to know. My curiosity must be acting up.

"Looking or something else." Jay remarks casually, his green eyes stare hard at my own and I know that he's questioning me. I just don't know what he's implying, though.

I cock my chin up and decide to ask him directly. "What are you implying, piercings?"

Jay's eyes seem to take a more jaded color, one that's closer to mine, rather than the lush emerald green I'm used to. "Nothing." He lets out a heavy breath then gets up. "I'm going for a walk." He announces before suddenly taking off.

I turn to look at my brother Josh and his boyfriend for some unspoken answers. "What's up with Jay?" I inquire with a tone of authority. David shrugs, but Josh hesitates. I jump onto this quickly. "Spill it or I'm telling dad about football practice. All about how you and David-"

Josh is quick to leap over the table and slap a hand on my mouth. "Listen, I promised I wouldn't tell, but... Ask Jay tonight."

I remove my brother's hand. "That's really all you can tell me." Josh nods his head. I sigh then get up. "Later, dorks." I walk off to go find Jay.

I'm walking down the corridors. There's hardly anyone buzzing around so it's rather quiet. Suddenly I get a chill down my spin. I turn to look behind me as I keep walking. Only to have my heart nearly leap out of my chest when I look in front of me.

"Fuck Jesus!" I yell instinctively as I see Shamin just a few feet away. My shout is heard echoing down the empty corridors. "What the hell?"

Shamin gives me a sly smile. "Sorry for the inconvenience, love. I have been meaning to talk to you alone." He says eerily.

My guard is up as I slowly approach Shamin. I tilt my head a little. Shamin stays perfectly still with his hands behind his back, that sly smile never leaving his face. "What do you want, leprechaun?" I call out to him my question.

"I heard that you wanted to know about who wrote that gossip article." Shamin says. I nod my head, well aware that I need to be cautious of what I say. "What did you find out?"

I stop and lean against a locker. My eyes never leaving Shamin. "Nothing. Javier wouldn't say anything."

"Really? Because that's not what I heard." Shamin's voice grows colder.

I take a deep breath to steady myself. I honestly don't know why he gives me the chills. "All he gave me was a name. Which was completely useless. He didn't say anything else." I hope my voice isn't as shaky as I'm feeling right now.

Shamin nods his head slowly. "That was all?" I nod my head. I don't quite trust myself to speak right now.

Shamin turns to leave and despite myself, I ask, "Why?" Why do you care, Shamin? My eyes stay focused on his back.

He turns his head slightly so I can catch his voice better. "Don't you know? I'm dating a writer." He gives a cold empty laugh and walks away.

I stay frozen in my spot. Could it be? Could it really be? Could Amnisty actually be that mouse girl I met before? Could she be Shamin's girlfriend?

"Fuck." I murmur to myself. The one person I didn't want to piss off and it seems like I've become his target. I hope Nathan can keep him distracted just long enough for me to figure this all out.

I hit the locker with my fist and go to walk away. As soon as I get going, though, I instantly bump into someone who was coming around the corner. Someone who can help me piece together these scattered clues.