She's My Girlfriend!

Chapter 23: Simply, yet Complicated

—— Jemma's Point of View:

"Come on, Noel. We need to leave in 5 minutes and you still haven't had any breakfast." I bugged him as he tiredly slipped his shoes on. He looked up at me and gave me a sleepy smile. I took a seat at the kitchen table, pouring him some Cheerios and milk.

"I'm coming!"

"Why is he so tired lately?" My mom yawned, tying her robe shut as she took a seat at the table as well.
I looked up at her slightly for a moment, noticing she had bags under her eyes. I sighed as I thought about what Bannie had asked me the other day.

"Well, Emily takes them to karate after school for about two hours then Jedean and I play with them till we leave. Busy boy he is." I commented as I watched her head cropped onto her hand. I chewed the inside of my cheek as Bannie's words came flying back at me again.

"That's so nice of Emily to do..." She said with sleepiness edged in her tone. "You guy's better get going or you'll be late." She said as she kissed the top of Noel's head while he ate.

"Do you want me to make you some eggs?" I offered as I picked up the dirty dishes and put them in the sink.

"Oh no, I'll be alright. I have to go in early today; those letters don't mail themselves ya know." She said as she stood up, kissing both of us on the heads as she headed back into her bedroom. I sighed as I watched Noel eat... 'I really wish I could make her feel more appreciated... but every time I ask to do things for her she just shuts it down and walks away. I should just set a day up where it's just her and me hanging out...'

"Come on, Jemie! You're gonna make us late!" Noel whined as he grabbed his Spiderman back pack. I rolled my eyes as I grabbed my car keys.

"I'm going to make us late? You're the one that didn't want to wake up on time!" I laughed as I buckled him in properly.

"I was awake the whole time! You're just a meany face and didn't properly get me up."
I took a seat in the drivers spot and turned around to look back at him. I couldn't help but laugh as he smiled a toothless grin at me.

"Ok, ok. Now, after school you're gonna have to wait like 15 minutes because I get out at 2:30. Ok?" I said as I started driving him to school. He just agreed with me. It's funny how kids were so simple, yet acted so complicated.

--------------------At School--------------------

"Did you tell your mom you were staying over my house to go out with Jack tonight?" I haven't even sat down yet before Payee's voice was ringing in my ear. I turned back to her and gave her a pathetic smile. "Oh my god! Why didn't you?!" She whined as she leaned forward on her desk, glaring at me. I sighed as I moved my hair behind my ear.

"My mom can't take him..." I really just didn't want to go to her house... but I wouldn't say that.

"So have Daney?" She said with the flick of her wrist. I watched as she smacked her gum annoyingly. 'Why am I friends with her... we don't even have a single thing in common... in fact I don't think we even like the same type of... anything?'

"She's working today. I'm sorry Pay, I just can't." I explained as I turned back around in my seat to see Jack standing before me. 'Dear god... why must you be so cruel to me? I try... I really do...'

"So, you can't hang out this weekend?" He asked in a sad way. I ran a hand through my bangs and gave him a sad, yet fake, smile.

"I can't... I tried telling you all week during school. I have to take my brother to his Karate lesson."

"That's alright, maybe some other time?" He winked at me then walked away. Wasn't I suppose to feel something right now? Like butterflies in my stomach? Is it weird that I didn't? Or is it stranger that I didn't really care? Like at all, I really didn't give a damn.

"I can't believe you passed a chance with going out with Jack, what the hell man? I mean does the brat have to go to every damn lesson?" She scoffed as she smacked her gum louder. I closed my eyes and counted to ten. I was almost too excited when the teacher walked in.

"Good afternoon class. We're going to start the day off by talking about Spanish lit. Please turn your-."

And he lost me forever. English must be the only class I just cannot get a grip on.