Jack and The Cuckoo Clock Heart Preferences

You're Not Dating: Joe

Recess hour was upon the Calton Hill schoolhouse. That meant all of the little boys and girls deserted their studies for a while to play and gossip with their cliques.

Y/N had left the classroom earlier since Joe was being held back by a teacher who needed to have a chat with him. She sat alone at their usual bench, reading the assigned book while she waited for Joe. Because of this, Y/N failed to notice a small gaggle of girls coming over to her bench.

All the girls gawked at Y/N, waiting for her to acknowledge them, which she didn't do till the leader of the flock, Jane, stood in front of Y/N and cleared her throat obnoxiously. "Excuse me, Y/N?" Jane leaned closer to Joe's right hand man. "What are you doing?"

Y/N audibly sighed, discreetly rolled her eyes, and shut her book. "I was reading the book the teacher assigned. Why?" She diverted her attention to the girls behind Jane once she heard them giggling and whispering amongst themselves.

"And why's that", asked Jane.

"Probably cause I'd like to graduate and not depend on Mummy and Daddy forever", Y/N quipped, not missing a single beat as she reopened the book and continued reading. She was rudely interrupted once again by Jane who slammed her hand down on the book, knocking it out of Y/N's hand. At this point, most of the kids on the courtyard were invested in what was going on.

"Don't play dumb, Y/N. We all see what you're doing." Jane glared at Y/N. "We all know Joe's family is loaded. Whatever girl marries Joe will be too. I mean, you looked like you were that kind of girl from the minute you walked in, but I didn't know you were so obvious about it."

Y/N laughed, causing Jane to grow even more furious. "And I knew you, dear Jane, were a fool since the moment I heard you speak, but I didn't know you went as far as to be a clown. Really, that joke was funny. Bold of you to assume I'd ever have to depend on Joe or on any man. Even a blind man could we're not in any kind of relationship except as colleagues. Furthermore-"

"Listen here, you slag. You might have that idiot Joe fooled, but we all know what kind of girl you are. Things were going well before you showed up. If you know what's good for you, I suggest you leave Joe and get out of my way, or else I'll-"

Jane failed to notice the dark shadow that loomed over her and Y/N till she heard Joe behind her.

"You'll what, Miss Jane", Joe asked who took a seat next to Y/N. His dark eyes bored into Jane's. "Anything you can tell Miss Y/N, you can tell me just as candidly seeing as you were so passionate in telling Miss Y/N."

Jane was without a doubt scared as hell, but she stuck to her guns...quite stupidly. "Well, you see, I think Y/N is nothing more than a gold digging wench and I was just making it clear that you'd be better off with somebody else-"

"Miss Jane, we all have choices. For example, you chose to spew out complete rubbish and act a fool in my presence. Miss Y/N chose to listen to you and by the looks of it, she'll also have a choice of suitors. I can choose whether or not you'll regret offending either of us for your stupidity." Joe stood up and leaned in closer to Jane. "However, I suggest you choose to get out of my sight."

Speechless, Jane walked away from the bench and ran to her clique, fuming mad.

Jane wasn't the only one. Y/N was internally raging. Had she been able to, she would've made Jane pay for what she said. Joe could sense Y/N's anger; it seemed to radiate off of her.

Joe chuckled. It was the first time he'd actually seen Y/N mad. She looked like powder keg about to explode. In a way, she reminded him of Acacia. "Don't worry. We'll make an example of her soon enough." He said as he picked up the book and dusted it off before handing it to Y/N.

Y/N inhaled sharply and exhaled, trying to relax. "Joe, be honest with me. Does it look like I'm trying to court you?" She had no idea she sent out those kinds of signals to others and she definitely didn't want Joe picking up on something that wasn't there.

"Of course not, don't be stupid. You sound like my parents. There's only one girl that I'm interested in and it's definitely not you." Joe rolled his eyes and started reading.

"I asked for an answer, not an insult, you dolt." Y/N took the book from him and continued reading. "But thank god you don't think so."