coffee & cigarettes [j.v]

.007

Over the last few weeks, Jerome and I had become very close. Everyone knew that we were friends now, which changed how people looked at me. I could see it in the hallways. The people that used to stare at me and then whisper something to their nearby friend and snicker, couldn't even look me in the eye anymore. It made me feel good. These people were scared of me because I had gotten through to the guy that was considered crazy. 

I decided to bring it up to Jerome while we were walking to school. See what he thought of it all.  

I tried to figure out the best way to ask him how he felt about people being scared of him without offending him. I wracked my brain, taking a long drag off my cigarette. I decided to stop overthinking it (something that Jerome had told me to stop doing) and just say it. 

"Hey Jerome, do you think everyone at school is scared of you? That's why you get left alone?" I simply asked, turning to look at his reaction.  

He didn't look directly at me, and simply shrugged. 

"I guess you could say that. I pay no attention to the weak. The ones that believe rumors and refuse to get to know the person first." His eyes were hard as they spoke, telling me that what he was saying was what he truly felt. I nodded lightly, and pondered over his words. He was right, no one would give him the time of the day because everyone considered him insane due to his actions. 

"Why do you ask, doll?" He asked, looking over at me, trying to read my emotions. I had noticed that about Jerome, he was very good at reading peoples emotions - especially mine. I shrugged lightly.

"Well, ever since I started hanging out with you, everyone has really backed off - like they're scared of me." 

"Really? Is that a bad thing doll? Scare you being friends with the crazy guy?" He smirked his wicked little smirk, knowing that was not it.  

"Of course not you shithead." I laughed, shoving him lightly, earning a chuckle in return. "It just makes me feel really ... I don't know." I mumbled out the last bit, looking down to the pavement feeling embarrassed all of a sudden. I could see his smirk in the corner of my eye grow into a wild grin. He stopped me and grabbed my shoulders like he was going to shake the answer out of me. He stared into my eyes, his grin growing wider if that was even possible. 

"Powerful?"  The word came from his throat and out like a growl. I loved it when he talked like that, his voice raspy and hard, pure emotion leaking out of it. I sighed in relief - happy that he understood.

"YES! EXACTLY!" I happily let out, feeling slightly manic in the moment. His hands moved from my shoulders to my cheeks where he gripped them with force. He wasn't hurting me, but I could tell if he put any more pressure he would. Being so close to Jerome made my entire body seize up. Our friendship over the last few weeks had been from a distance, we had never been this close. His face was mere inches from mine, making my knees feel suddenly very weak. 

The past few weeks had been so friendly that I merely shoved my crush under the rug, decided it was something to deal with later. But at this moment, all I could think about was the crippling crush  I had on him and how badly I wanted him to just fucking kiss me. 

He leaned in even closer, his lips ghosting over mine, making a whimper leave my body. I knew how desperate it sounded but I couldn't help it - I needed this so badly. His eyes were locked on mine, and when the whimper left my lips, he merely smirked. He knew what he was doing to me. 

"That's my girl." He whispered out, his eyes still locked on mine. It felt like his eyes could swallow me whole which I would gladly accept. 

He applied that small amount of pressure on my cheeks that caused it to be slightly painful. More of a discomfort than an actual pain. 

"Just remember doll, you're more powerful than anyone at that school." He whispered out, his breath hitting my lips as he spoke. His grip tightened further, causing pain, making me release a slight squeal. He smirked once again, laughing lightly, before it fell from his face completely. 

"Except for me. You have no power over me. And don't you dare forget it." He spoke slowly with a hint of venom in his words - making it seem like a threat. 

He released my face and turned on his heel, continuing the walk to school. I stood frozen in place, unsure of what the hell to do. I was a mix of scared, turned on, ecstatic at my new power over people and anxious. My entire body felt like cement. My body had tensed because it was waiting for his lips to just merely touch mine and they never did. I simply couldn't move out of my frozen state. 

Jerome turned around and saw my state. I could see him smirk lightly, clearly happy that it was clear that he had the power over me. "Well c'mon doll, we're gonna be late." He spoke in such a gentle tone that it made me forget everything that just happened. 

Something about him calling me doll made my entire body relax. The simple pet name he had given me had made a place in my heart that I couldn't say no to. I simply smiled at him and returned to his side in our walk to school. 

We arrived at school and Jerome walked me to my class before we parted ways. I sat down in the back corner of my History class, my body feeling very at ease - ready to actually learn. The past few weeks had been tough for me, between completely ditching my 'friends' for Jerome and y'know the whole almost raped thing was kind of eating me alive. But today, I finally felt like I could focus and it felt nice. 

Class started and I enjoyed every moment of it, finally being able to immerse myself into my favorite subject again. I took my notes and listened intently to everything the teacher said - that was until a small piece of paper was slid onto my desk. 

The noise made me jump slightly, looking over at the kid next to me who had placed it on my desk. I could feel the scowl I had on my face. He looked back with an anxious face, putting his hands up in defense - trying to tell me it wasn't his note. I squinted my eyes at him and decided to let him off the hook, for now. I didn't even know his name, why would he ever try and pass me a note that was from him? 

I looked down at the folded piece of paper that had my name written on it and sighed lightly. What the hell was this now? I looked up and watched the teachers movements to ensure that he wouldn't catch me opening the note. I slowly opened the paper beneath my desk and waited for the perfect moment to read it. 

Nic,

We need to talk. Meet me outside at lunch. Just us.

-Jess

I rolled my eyes and peered across the classroom, finding her on the other end not making eye contact with me. I scoffed lightly and tossed the letter on my binder. What the hell does she want to talk about? How terrible of a human being she is? Maybe apologize for being the worst friend on this planet?

Before I knew it, class was over and everyone started to file out. I fell behind and walked out after everyone else, my mind cloudy with what the hell she would want to talk about. I nearly missed the fire red hair that was standing across the hall with two coffees in his hands. When I did catch him, I sighed deeply and took the coffee he had pushed towards me. 

I took the coffee and sipped it lightly, giving him a thanks an motioning him to follow me. We both had next class together - English. It was nice having Jerome in some of my classes now that we were friends. It gave me someone to chat with and he made me feel a lot stronger - like no one could stop me, and that I didn't need any of their opinions. 

"What's wrong doll?" Jerome asked, trying to match my eye level. I shrugged and sighed loudly. 

"Fucking Jess wants to 'talk' at lunch. I don't know about what and I really just don't even want to fucking talk to her man." I spat out, realizing how frustrated I was with her. Jerome draped his arm around my shoulder as we approached class. 

"See what the cunt has to say for herself." He grinned wildly, and walked into the classroom.