He's The Man

Chapter 6

He's The Man

~Leilas POV~

I giggle as Jordan reaches forward and snatches one of my french fries, dunking it in the ketchup before shoving it in his mouth.

"Go right ahead! Have some of my hamburger while you're at it!" I laugh, waving my hand over my plate.

Jordan simply shrugs and begins reaching for my burger. I let out a playful gasp and he shakes his head. "Im just kidding, Leila. I won't eat all your food."

He leans forward on the table. "Unless you're not hungry?" His tone is challenging and makes me smile.

I raise an eyebrow at him. "Me, not hungry?" I laugh again and grab some fries. "Thats a joke!"

He smirks at me. "At least you actually eat."

My cheeks turn slightly pink and I gulp down the half chewed fry in my mouth. "What do you mean?"

Jordan smiles softly at me and watches me with a hint of curiousity in his eyes. "You're just...different. Most girls I hang out with barely touch a salad. I'm lucky if we even make it to dinner."

I give him a confused look, not quite sure what he means by that last comment and not so sure I want to know either. I shrug and sip on my coke. "Im not most girls." He nods slowly and gives me a grin. "Im starting to see that."

I laugh quietly and we continue eating our food in silence for a moment.

"Hey can I ask you a question?"

I raised my eyebrows at him, gesturing for him to go ahead.

"Um-you seem really comfortable and outgoing...so why don't you have-why do you-why is Ramona your onl-I mean-"

I giggle and catch on to what he's trying to say. "Why is Ramona my only friend?" I finish for him.

He looks embarrassed about asking but I simply shrug and take a bite out of another fry. "Dont be shy to ask me questions Jordan, I'm kinda like an open book."

He relaxes a little bit but urges me on. "So..."

I sigh and blow out a low breath. "Well, Ramona is my only friend but, thats okay because its the truth."

He looks confused and asks,"But why? You're so...layed back? You could have more if you wanted too."

I smile sheepishly and swirl a fry around in the ketchup. "Im not so sure about that..."

Jordan beams at me, making my heart flutter wildy. "You could. You're smart, beautiful, and really funny. You know random facts about everything. I can't imagine ever having a dull moment with you."

I blush a deeper red and smile coyly at him. "Well, have you ever thought that maybe I choose to have Mona as my only friend?"

He tilts his head sideways, kind of asking a silent question.

I bite my lip and think about my answer. "Well, the smaller your circle is, the less people you have to care about."

He ruffles his brown hair and looks to be deep in thought. "But why wouldn't you want more friends? Back in Freshman year you were actually kinda popular..."

I glare at the table as a vivid image of my brother lying in the living room on the ground, shot and bloody, flashes before my eyes. I wince and immediately snap them shut, trying to vanish the image.

"Leila you okay?" I ignore him and cover my ears, trying to block out everything and clear my head. I take deep breaths and count backwards from 10.

After a moment I feel Jordan's strong hand touch my cheek and his other softly grasp the side of my head, he pleads for me to open my eyes and look at him.

I focus on his touch and take deep steadying breath, soon enough the picture fades and Im left in my own darkness.

"...Im sorry about that." I whisper.

Jordan offers me a soft smile before dropping his hand from my face. "You good?" He asks, his green eyes genuinely worried. I nod quickly, humiliated that I just had an almost panic attack in front of Jordan DeVall.

"Where'd you go?" He asks gently, referring to my freak out. I shrug, silently thanking the heavens that this boy isn't looking at me like I am a total a total nutcase.

We sit quietly for a second and I frown. I look up and meet his patient gaze.

"Why do you fight me, Jordan?" I question after a minute.

He frowns and sits up straight. "What do you mean?"

I tuck some hair behind my ear and try to maintain eye contact. Stay strong, Grizzel! I mentally prep myself.

"Well...You ask me out, then ignore me, you're nice one minute then shy and reserved the next. You haven't tried to get into my pants, which is what you're known for, and here we are-" I gesture to the diner around us. "What's your deal, Jordan?" I ask truly curious. What could he possibly want from me.

He raises an eyebrow at me and I see right through his arrogant smirk. "That's what I'm known for, eh?"

"Jordan!" I groan. Yet again, he diverts the attention away from himself.

He sighs. "What would you you like to know, Leila?" His eyes are hesitant and I know conversations like this probably make him uncomfortable.

I look up and into his eyes, hanging onto this sudden surge of confidence. "Why are you fighting your feelings for me?"

His eyes widen and he remains impassive and he ponders my words. He's impossible to read and I'm beginning to think that I have the wrong idea. My cheeks go red, no doubt and I wish the world would swallow me up this very second.

"You never answered my earlier question."

I frown at his answer but am grateful for the break of the tense silence. "What's that?"

He blinks once and keeps his gaze on me. "Why did you cut everyone off? Why dont you want more friends, I mean I'm sure Ramonas fun and all but thats gotta be kinda boring, right?"

I sigh and look down at my hands, this sudden topic change is not welcome. "I guess...Im not really good with people anymore."

Jordans eyes are burning holes in me. It's once again painfully quiet until he asks. "So why do you like me?"

I meet his stare and a teasing smile slowly spreads across my face. "I tolerate you."