Thug Lovin': Thug Misses Spin-off

(15.)

Ivy Booker

Tay and I held hands as we walked down the hallway, heading to our first period class. I honestly thought that he would be a little standoffish or weird, since we'd had sex, but he was the exact opposite.

"You wanna hang out after school?" He asked me.

"Yeah we can, but my parents will be home." I told him.

"That's cool. Though your dad is scary as hell, I don't mind us just studying together and hanging out." I blushed a little and nodded my head.

"Okay then. Well...yeah we can hang out." He kissed my hand as we stopped at my locker, so I could grab my books and binder.

"I have been looking all over for you." Royalty voiced, quickly rushing towards me. Since the feud between me and Bella, our friends have divided and chose sides, which I really didn't want to happen. Ro took my side, SaMiyah took Bella's side, and Jazz was on the fence because she said that she understands both sides.

"I just got here. What's up?" I asked.

"So I didn't finish my notes and--Oh wow! Can you believe that?" She scoffed, glaring passed me and down the hall. I turned to see what she was looking at and saw Bella and Gabe walking down the hall, holding hands. They seemed to be really happy and even in love, but as soon as they saw me they let go of each other's hand.

"Hey guys." Bella spoke. Tay spoke up first, followed by Ro, and then me. "Ivy can we talk?"

"I'm gonna be late for class." I said. It's not as if I didn't want to talk to her, but the late bell was going to ring soon and she knew how I felt about tardiness.

"Okay, well how about at lunch?"

"Yeah, sure." She smiled a little and nodded her head, looking back at Gabe as he waved at me before they walked off.

"So... are they like a thing or something?" Ro whispered.

"It would appear so, but why didn't you ask her? She was literally standing right there." I huffed. I grabbed Tay's hand and walked off, running my fingers through my hair.

"You don't have to talk to her if you don't want to." Tay said, as we walked into the classroom.

"I know, but I just want all of this to be over and done with."

"I understand that, but if you still like your other little friend-" He began, but I cut him off quick.

"I don't like him anymore. Not like that anyways." After Tay left my house last night, I ended up reading that text from Gabe and it seriously tugged at my heart. Has anyone ever had deep feelings for someone, but those feelings weren't returned? Then of course, you know how empty and depressed I felt. "Besides...he never liked me in that type of way, so why hold a grudge over someone I never even had a chance with?"

"This brave facade is cute and all, but you know you don't have to put on a front for me."

"I'm not putting up a front." I lied. "I'm just confused and irritated."

"Wanna ditch?" He asked.

"We can't do that...can we?" I questioned, furrowing my eyebrows. 

"Of course we can. We can leave after first period and go back to my house, or wherever you wanna go, and I'll bring you back before the final bell rings."

"Okay sounds good." I know I was supposed to talk to Bella at lunchtime, but I needed to get away from all of this drama and get my head together. I really needed to think about what I wanted and if I could handle the fact that Gabe and Bella were actually a couple now.

*

After first period, Tay and I acted as if we were heading to the annex building, only to take a detour towards the parking lot where his car was parked. 

"I can't believe we're actually doing this." I said, ducking down in the passenger seat. I didn't want to risk anyone seeing me leaving school, with a boy nonetheless, and report it back to the principal. If my dad knew what I was up to right about now...he wouldn't hesitate to kill Tay in cold blood.

"I know right, but there's no turning back now." Tay said, as he started up the car and pulled off. Before we got to his house, he stopped at Sonic and got us both some food, and thank god he did because I could literally feel my stomach rumbling.

"We won't get caught, will we?" I asked, following him into the house.

"Nah, my parents work all the time so they won't be home until later on this evening. He led me upstairs to his room, motioning for me to take a seat on his bed. 

"Nice room." I looked around, admiring the red, black, and white color theme of his bedroom, glancing at the walls where his sports trophies were all lined up, along with certificates and ribbons from grade school. 

"Thanks. It's not much, but it's comfortable." He took a seat next to me and turned the TV on. 

"Are you an only child?" I asked him.

"Yeah. My mama couldn't have any more kids after me, due to some complications, so it's just the three of us."

"That's cool. Considering the fact that Bella and I were born days apart...she's always been like a sister to me. Even before my little brother was born, I was never alone because I always had Bella and Gabe."

"Bella is your daddy's niece, right?" He questioned, taking a bite of his tater tot.

"Yeah. My my dad and my aunt Talia are brother and sister, and my stepmom is her best friend."

"That's cool. What about your real mom? You never really talk about her."

"That's because I choose not to. My relationship with my mom is...complicated." I sighed.

"I understand. Family drama is always complicated." He said.

"Tell me about it."

"But enough of talking about family drama and what not. That was one of the reasons we ditched, right? So let's climb in bed, get comfortable, and watch movies until it's time to go back to school." I smiled and nodded my head, removing my shoes before climbing into his bed. This ditch day is exactly what I need and hopefully it'll give me a chance to think about everything that's going on between me, Gabe, and Bella.