Pay the Price

Chapter Fifteen: Not the Same

I stared around at my new room. It was a lavender colour with dark purple curtains and comforter. There was a small dresser with a mirror, probably a makeup and hair station. There was a body length mirror on the closet and a bedside table. I gasped slightly when I noticed two white doors leading out to a small balcony.

I would think Stan had had a daughter. Almost answering my question, a voice sounded from behind me. "It was my mom's room when her and Dad were fighting." Tony felt along the doorframe.

It felt a little odd to be in her room, someone that Tony had loved so much. In the picture I saw at the cottage, Tony had seemed so happy, now all he did was party and get into trouble. If she were still here...

"I-uh- should probably get to bed..." I mumbled, hoping Tony would leave. It was beginning to get awkward and it had been a long day.

Tony scratched the back of his head. "Yeah... well, goodnight?" He glanced up and I stared into his eyes. There seemed to be something there that he wanted to tell me, but didn't have the power to say it. "Jenn?"

"Yeah?" I answered right away.

He turned away. "Go on a date with Dante."

I chuckled. "What?"

When Tony turned back around, he wasn't smiling or joking. "Do it. Tomorrow after school. Remember, I still know you have nothing to do with Sport Tech. There is nothing between me and the rest of the school."

He left and I couldn't keep my mouth from dropping open. Tony was blackmailing me! I don't get it. Why does he all of a sudden want to use this against me? And besides, I don't want to go on a date with Dante, I want to go on one with Tony! Why can't he just feel the same way?

-

The sun peeping through the purple curtains awoke me the next morning. Wait- the angle of the sun in the morning would be on the other side of the house! It was lunch time!

I checked my phone. Yep- right now, everyone should be in the cafeteria. I know I set my alarm last night. The power went out, then.

In fifteen minutes I had gotten dressed, ate breakfast, brushed my teeth, put my hair in a ponytail, and hurried out the door. I was actually excited for school today because I was supposed to walk with Tony, and maybe I could get him to talk to me about his feelings, since he wasn't very good at that.

Before I realized it, I was at school. After getting a late slip, I rushed to the cafeteria. Since I just ate "breakfast" I wasn't hungry, so I looked for Karen and Zoya.

Then I remembered something I had to do.

"Hey, Dante, I was wondering if you wanted to go to a movie after school? That new one comes out today." I tried to make it sound less like a date and more like a 'hang out.'

Dante brightened. "Yes! I mean," he cleared his throat, "I think I'm free."

I could feel Tony watching me from where he sat with Lane and Easton. Boys are so confusing.

-

I waited outside for a few minutes before I finally found Dante. He walked with some of his buddies. "Wait for me, I'll be there in a minute." He told one.

"I thought you were coming to the movie with me?" I asked, wondering why he would still need a ride.

Dante shook his head slowly. "I'm sorry, Jenn, but I can't go."

"Why not?"

He sighed. "I know you don't like me, and I know, for some reason you must've been forced into this. Thank you, but I don't want to go if you don't want to either."

I hugged him, surprisingly. "Thanks Dante. I'm sorry that you got excited. It would've been nice to go, but I appreciate this. You know, you deserve someone really special. Unfortunately, that's not me."

Dante said goodbye and went to meet his friend. I sat for a while, dumbfounded. Someone sat next to me a few minutes later.

"You bailed?"

"No, Tony." I retorted. "Dante bailed. He realized I was being forced into it and, thank goodness, called off the date." I turned to Tony, now angry. "Why did you make me do that?! What did I do to you to make you want to blackmail me? I'm sorry, for whatever it is."

That was how I last saw Tony until the next day at school.

-

After cheer practice, I still had about twenty five minutes to eat, so I hurried to the cafeteria. As soon as I entered and sat next to Karen, Siena stepped to the front of the lunchroom.

"Everyone, listen up!" She hushed. "You all know my little brother Dante, and his crush on Jenn?"

I glanced over at beat- red Dante. He stood and left the room. That was so rude of Si!

"Jenn asked Dante on a date yesterday."

Oh no, where is this going? All of the guys, especially the ones who had tried to go out with me, were staring quizzically at each other.

Siena, of course, wasn't finished. "In fact, Jenn asked him out, got him excited, and bailed later that day! Dante was silent all night at home. We say Jenn's so nice and friendly, well, guess what? She's not! She also pressured me into letting her back on the team!"

That was the last thing I heard before sprinting to the washrooms. Of course, Dante wasn't there to say it was a lie. If this is still revenge for telling my lie, I want it over with!

The bathrooms were empty, luckily, because Siena's announcement had drawn everyone into the cafeteria. I kicked open the stall door and sat on the toilet seat. My quiet sobs were drowned out by a tap someone had left on.

Suddenly, I didn't hear it. The water had been turned off. I expected it to be Siena or Blair, coming to tell me they were more popular now, or Karen and Zoya to comfort me, maybe even Tony to say he was sorry.

"Hello?"

"Easton?" I replied, wiping away a tear and opening the stall door. Easton was leaned against the sink. "What are you doing here?"

All he said was, "I know that wasn't true." And left the washroom.

-

My porch step- well, Tony's- was getting uncomfortable after I had sat there for over an hour. After the commotion at lunch, I had said I was feeling sick and left for home. Now, I was alone until someone came up the street.

Tony slouched down next to me and tossed his bag onto a rocking chair. "Hey."

I had to say something. "Was that what you wanted? In the cafeteria? Did you want Siena to say that to everyone?"

Tony didn't look up. "Well, no, I-"

"Well, what? Tony, why did you want me to go out with Dante and why did you unplug my alarm clock? Yeah, I know that was you. I don't understand what I did wrong." I dropped my face into my hands.

Tony didn't answer any of my questions. "Well, is there anything you need to tell me first?"

I sighed. "Ugh! Yes, okay, yes! I like you, Tony. I do, but you are so closed off I don't know what you're thinking. Tell me, please."

He finally looked up. "Jenn, I-I'm sorry, I just don't feel the same way."

.....

Awe! That so sad! Tony said he doesn't like Jenn back. I hope that was alright, and please keep commenting, voting, and follow! I also want to let you know that I have planned out the story so it should be done pretty soon. Thanks again!