The Fall of Us

Chapter 6

Jesse

I'm on my way to Nikki's lunch period to finally tell her that we're done. I feel really confident right now. I'm pumped up on adrenaline, so I gotta tell her before I chicken out.
I walk into the cafeteria, but she's not sitting in her usual spot with her friends, so I ask her closest friend Olivia where she is.
"I'm not sure, I saw her walking towards the courtyard about five minutes ago." She informs me.
"Cool, thanks."
Strange. Nikki loves to gossip at lunch, why would she skip it?
I rush out of the lunch room and head towards the courtyard. I walk out the double doors and look around, passing tables and students doing their homework or eating lunch, but I don't see her anywhere.
As I'm about to head back inside, I hear her obnoxious giggling from my right. I see her blonde hair peeking out from behind the corner of the building.
I walk towards the corner, when a masculine voice stops me in my tracks. "How about I come over tonight?"
I recognize that voice.
Harvey. One of the guys on my football team. The worst, to be honest. Always trying to get with the cheerleaders, but always fails miserably.
"You can't, I have a date with Jesse tonight." Nikki replies.
Harvey groans. "When are you gonna tell him about us? I want you all to myself."
"Don't worry, I'll be all yours soon."
You've gotta be kidding me.
I turn the corner to see Harvey all over Nikki.
My hands clenched into fists as I try to keep the rage building up under control.
"Nikki?" I growl.
Nikki gasps and whips her head around to face me. "Jesse?"
"What is this?" I glare at Harvey. He takes a frightened step back, his eyes widening in fear.
She looks between me and Harvey, "This isn't what it looks like." She lies.
"Oh really?" I say. "Then what is it?"
"Uh- well. Harvey was- Harvey was trying to kiss me! I kept trying to get away but he wouldn't let me go!" She turns around and slaps Harvey across the face.
That had to hurt.
Tears are running down her face and she stumbles into my chest, sobbing. I don't do anything to comfort her. I see it all now. She's a fake, just like all of them.
Harvey holds a hand up to where he was hit and stares at Nikki in disbelief.
"Cut the crap Nikki." I say, clenching my jaw.
She pulls back and stares up at me, shocked. Then it morphs into anger.
"You don't believe me?" She says.
I shake my head slowly. "No I don't."
She gasps. "How dare you!"
"Says the one who was just caught cheating on her boyfriend." I emphasize.
She gapes at me in shock.
I look to Harvey. "Good luck with this one." I nod towards Nikki.
I turn to walk away, but Nikki grabs my arm and starts crying again. "No, Jesse please!" She begs. "I'm sorry!"
"Don't apologize Nik,...it was my fault." I shrug her off and walk away.

I know I should probably be angry, or even heartbroken right now, but I don't feel a thing.
I'm used to this.

                                     * * *

11:43 am

"Hey Jesse." Owen says, walking down the crowded hall. "Where'd you go?"
Owen walks beside me, on our way to class.
"I went to see Nikki." I say exasperated.
He glances at me. "And?" he stares at me intently.
"I caught her making out with Harvey."
"WHAT!?" he yells, drawing other's attention. He lowers his voice, "Are you serious?"
I nod. "Yup."
"Oh wow. Sorry, man." he stares at me with worry in his eyes.
"Whatever, I was about to break up with her anyway." I shrug.
"Yeah, but-"
"Let's just not talk about it, alright?" I sigh. "It's over." I say angrily.
"Alright. Sorry" Owen apologizes, hurt evident in his voice.
I close my eyes in regret. Owen's just looking out for me, why do I have to get like this?
"Hey, I'm so-"
"Is that Jesse Cimorelli?" A high pitched voice cut me off.
Me and Owen turn around to see a short kid, about 5 feet, gaping at me from down the hall. He has dirty blond hair and green eyes that are staring at me in astonishment.
Owen and I glance at each other in confusion, telepathically asking each other if we know this guy.
Owen shakes his head lightly.
I've never seen this kid in my life.
We turn our attention back to this stranger, who is currently making his way towards us, speeding through the crowd, drawing unwanted attention.
He reaches out his hand as he stops in front of me. "Hi, such a pleasure to meet you! I've heard all about you." He says Excitedly
I hesitantly take his hand and shake it. "And you are?" I ask.
"Oh, right, sorry." He pushes his glasses up his nose before saying, "Noah Adler. Junior. Just transferred from Radnor high."
Radnor high school. Where did I hear that name from before?
"I've heard so much about you. On social media, the school website, and when you competed against our football team last year. May I just say that your skills have left me astounded!" He says excitedly.
Right. Radnor. One of the best schools in state. They were a challenging team to play against, but we won 41 to 30. It was the closest any team has ever gotten to beat us. I was impressed.
"Noah!" I hear a familiar voice yell.
Seth breaks through the crowd, searching for Noah when he spots us.
Noah turns around to face Seth. "Hey Seth, I was just introducing myself to Jesse Cimorelli." Noah beams at me then turns back to Seth.
Owen gives me a look, then mouths "nerd" while pointing at Noah.
I smirk.
"Didn't I tell you to stay close?" Seth says to Noah.
Seth, dark hair, dark eyes,vaguely asian, about my height, around 6'2. Seth must be Noah's guide to show him around the school. He's on the student council, along with Violet who's showing Nathan around. I used to be friends with Seth. Not as close as Jason, but we became good friends in Freshman year, until the same thing with Jason happened. I got obsessed with all the attention. "Sorry." Noah apologizes.
Seth and I made quick eye contact. "Let's go." He says to Noah, nodding back towards the way they came.
"I just want to talk to Jesse real quick, it'll just be a minute, I promise." Noah claims turning back towards me.
"I actually gotta get to class, sorry man." I say, turning around.
"Right I'm sorry."
"Don't take it personally, he's too high on that throne of his to pay any of us attention." I hear Seth say to Noah.
It wasn't even a second before Owen started closing in on Seth. "What did you say?" Owen growls.
"Owen! It's fine, Let's go." I grab his shoulder.
Seth panics, "Nothing, sorry I didn't mean i-" Owen already has Seth by the collar before he could finish his sentence. Noah backs away, frightened.
I reach for Owen's arm as he pulls it back to hit Seth, but before he can get a punch in, the lights go out. Then I hear huge claps of thunder.
Lighting storm?

I can't see anything in front of me. Until the emergency lights turn on...