Anger Issues

seventy two

Austin

Lunch ended before Jess made it back to us. Whatever happened was bad. I wasn't even sure what it was, but the idea was clear.

The day went on but the need to talk to Jess remained. Once the last bell rang, I grabbed my things and made my way to Jess' locker.

"What happened?" I asked. "I need to find Kayla," she quickly said, shutting her locker.

"Wait, Jess," I grabbed her arm before she left. "Austin, she's gonna leave. I'll explain what happened, just help me find her," she quickly spoke.

I nodded and walked in the direction of Kayla's locker. Looking above people, I saw her, but she was on her way out.

"She's leaving," I told her, rushing us through the crowds of people.

We couldn't get to her until we were outside, near the parking lot.

"Kayla!" Jess called, speed walking up to her. Kayla didn't even turn around. Nothing was said.

"Jess, maybe you sho-" I couldn't finish my sentence before Jess caught up to her.

"I can't talk, my moms waiting," Kayla said, not stopping at all. "Kayla, do you wanna know what really happened?" Jess asked.

I sensed an argument. I wasn't good at ending arguments, never was.

"You told the story, Jess. I know what happened," she said. "I told the story I made on the spot to cover your ass," Jess snapped.

Kayla stopped, finally facing her.

"You're joking," she sighed. "Do you wanna know why you got so drunk? Because you didn't listen to me when I told you to stop," Jess argued.

"You were so caught up in impressing Sofia that you thought you could handle more than you could. Nobody offered you anything from what I know. Once you disappeared, that was it," she continued.

"You're ridiculous," Kayla shook her head. "That's what happened, Kayla," she said. "And then after all that lying and trying to protect you, you still deny the one true thing that happened," Jess said.

"Okay, Jess, calm down," I softly spoke, putting my arm around her waist.

"I told you what would happen, Jess. You saw it firsthand, what else could I have fucking said?" Kayla argued. "You could've said yes. Owned up to it," Jess said.

Kayla looked at her like she was crazy. "So I could literally be disowned by my parents?"

"So you could prove them wrong," Jess retorted.

"Alright, guys that's enough," I said, pulling Jess away from her. "This is bullshit. It's my story to tell," Kayla said. "I never said it wasn't," Jess shook her head.

Kayla glared at Jess again before shaking her head and walking away.

"Jess," I softly said. "I have to go," she walked away.

I dropped my arms to my sides. "What did I do?" I whispered to myself.

Letting both of them walk in their own directions, I went to my usual pickup spot with Caleb.

"What took so long?" He asked, once I got in the car. I sighed. "Sorry, I had to do something real quick," I lied.

We had to pick up Becca on our way home, and stopped to get food, too. Once we got home, though, the three of us were taken back by the happiness between my parents.

"What's going on?" I questioned, setting my bag down.

"I got the promotion," Dad smiled, making the rest of us smile as well. "Really?" Becca asked, as we went in for hugs.

He nodded. "Are you gonna be relocated?" Caleb asked. "A little bit more traveling, but nothing too much," he explained.

"How often would you travel?" I asked. "Once a month, maybe?" He shrugged. "It depends on what's going on," he added.

We had a small celebration with a few store bought cupcakes, before we simmered down. The promotion was a great thing, and thankfully, me leaving the dinner so spontaneously didn't ruin his opportunity.

My home life was so much more put together than my school life. Whenever things got better at home, shit went down at school. It seemed like there wouldn't be a balance anytime soon.