Zero

Chapter 8: Ashton

~Ashton's Point of View~

Why? Why does she have to turn around? It's like she wants people to hurt her. As soon as Jacob called out her name, I wanted to punch his freakin' teeth down his throat. But I didn't. I never do anything for her. I'm a douche. And seeing her turn around, with her cheeks and eyes red from crying, made me feel like an even bigger douche. I caused her that pain. And I would do anything in the world to take it away from her. I could take it away from her, if I just stood up to Jacob and the guys about making fun of her. But I don't. Instead I wait and watch to see what hell will unfold.

"What." She says. Damn. If voices could kill, Jacob would already be on the floor dead. "I just wanted to see if you were okay? Are you?" Jacob asks with the fakest sincerity I've ever heard. "I'm wonderful." She says glaring at him. "Really? 'Cause to me, it looks like you just had an allergic reaction to something. Why are your eyes red? And your cheeks are red too. Do you want me to take you to the nurse?" He says getting out of his chair.

"If you touch me, I swear to God I will punch you straight in the nose." Elizabeth says as Jacob walks closer to her. Well, she's going to have to get in line. Because if he touches her I will punch him before she even gets the chance to. "What's wrong? Do you still believe all boys have cooties?" He asks her. God he's annoying. Why haven't I ever noticed this?

"Not all boys. Just you. I heard that you slept with Jessica awhile back and, well," She says the corners of her mouth lifting. She pats him on the shoulder. "I think you should probably get tested for AIDs." The whole table is quiet. Jessica told me she never slept with anyone but me. I look over at her in shock. That can't be true can it? I did not seriously give my virgnity to someone who has slept with my best friend, right? It seems like forever until someone actually says something. "I did not give him AIDs you bitch!" Jessica yells at Elizabeth.

Jacob has been quiet this whole time, which is probablly the longest he's ever gone without talking. Finally he seems to regain his ability to talk, because he leans in close to Elizabeth to whisper something in her ear. I see her flinch away from him, but he puts his hand on her waist to bring her closer to him.

I want to kill him.

Yet here I am, still frozen to the seat of my chair. I want to know what he's saying to her. What could he possibly be saying that is so distracting that she doesn't even care if he's touching her. Or maybe she truly doesn't care. Maybe she likes it? No, that's just the jealousy talking. Why would she like it if Jacob, of all people, was touching her waist?

Wait, why do I care if he's touching her? "Because you like her you idiot." My brain tells me. And it's true. She's the reason I broke up with Jessica. She's the reason I tried to give up cutting. There's always been a place in my heart that Elizabeth has occupied.  From the moment of our sophomore year, before I knew about the bullying, where we were insanely close. But Jacob and them came a long and I cared more about fitting in with the popular kids at school then I did about her. No matter how hard I try to make it up to her, I never will be able to.

A loud sound of skin hitting skin breaks me away from my train of thought. Looking up, I see Jacob holding the left side of his face and Elizabeth with her hand still in the air. It seems like the whole cafeteria has gone quiet.

As soon as I see Jacob raise his hand at her I don't even think; jumping out of my chair I run towards him. When I'm close enough, I punch him in his freakin' mouth.