Summer Love: Before the Spark

Chapter 8

The next day, Jesse was walking through the hall while lost in deep thought.

Her pace was slow, her hand underneath her chin.

Aiden just so happened to be near hear and stuck his foot out.

Jesse tripped over his foot, landing on the ground with a thud.

Snickers and laughs were heard and Aiden smirked deviously.

"Oh Jesse that was quite the fall you had," Aiden said 'sympathetically.'

He crossed his arms over his chest and an intense glare spread across Jesse's face.

"Hey jerk! Leave her alone," Reuben exclaimed, as he helped Jesse up.

Aiden's hardened gaze quickly snapped to Reuben.

"Oh it's Jesse's pet," Aiden said, his smirk only growing larger. Gill and Maya laughed.

Jesse's glare never faltered and her glare was as intense as shooting flames in a fire.

"He isn't a pet," Jesse retorted through grit teeth.

Maya had her arm tightly wrapped around Aiden's and a small smirk was tugging on her glossy lips.

"Well he might as well be, he even follows you around like one," Maya said, flipping her hair with her freehand.

"Why do people even like you anyway?" Aiden said looking directly at Reuben while Gill snickered.

Jesse glanced at Reuben, who looked a bit hurt and her gaze quickly shot back up to Aiden.

Her gaze was like an untamed flame. Ready to jump around, ready to spread to whatever laid next to it.

Jesse took a threatening step forward, her shaking fists clenched tightly.

Who do they think they are? Jesse thought to herself.

"Talk about him one more time like that and see what happens," Jesse said earnestly, jabbing a finger at Aiden's chest.

"Wow I'm so scared! You won't even let the weakling defend himself and what kind of name is Reuben anyway," Aiden said, provoking Jesse even further.

Bottled up rage that had been kept down, resurfaced and toxic words that dripped like poison were on the tip of her tongue.

"And who are you supposed to be exactly? Y'know I'm the rebel around here not you," Jesse paused grabbing Aiden by the collar and ramming him into the wall.

Maya was also knocked back and Aiden gulped seeing the pure rage in Jesse's narrowed eyes.

Aiden's eyes were wide and Jesse glared at him before saying, "Oh and just so you know I don't take things like this lightly so you better watch out," Jesse breathed harshly, "Because next time I won't hold back."

"Is that a threat!?" Maya screeched, making Jesse roll her eyes in annoyance as she released Aiden.

"What do you think," Jesse spat, her icy tone full of venom as she began walking away. Without warning, Aiden suddenly pushed her down and laughed.

"Your going to regret that," Jesse muttered, quickly getting back up.

Just as Jesse was going to sock Aiden Reuben swiftly pulled her back.

Olivia had quickly rushed up to Jesse, pulling her back as well.

"Let me go!" Jesse exclaimed as Reuben and Olivia both successfully pulled her back.

"No Jesse. You'll get yourself in trouble over some dumb jerks," Reuben said.

Jesse groaned, simply allowing them to drag her away, but she knew that someday they would regret messing with her and Reuben. Someday...

__ (timeskip)__

"Jesse are you OK?" Lukas asked her, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I'm fine," Jesse said simply, looking down for just a moment.

Lukas and Jesse were sitting in the grass together and watching Olivia practice with her softball team.

"Are you sure?" Lukas asked, "You seem really... grumpy today and Reuben seemed a bit off as well."

Jesse glanced at Olivia, her pigtails flapping wildly as she ran to second base. Axel was nearby, cheering her on which made Olivia smile while Reuben was standing next to Axel, leaning against a fence and looking down.

Jesse sighed, averting Lukas' soft gaze as she pondered

"These gang of jerks decided to mess with Reuben and I today...," Jesse trailed off and Lukas gazed at her sympathetically.

"Go on," Lukas said faintly, gazing at her attentively.

Jesse nodded a little and cleared her throat, "Aiden tripped me then Reuben intervened and they said some things about him that really pissed me off," Jesse paused and sighed.

"What did they say?" Lukas asked softly.

Jesse glanced at Reuben who was standing next to Axel. "They called him a pet, asked him why people like him and other stuff but uh," Jesse chuckled bitterly, "I kinda rammed Aiden into a wall."

Lukas shook his head slowly, worry sparkling in his azure eyes.

"I'm sure Reuben's questioning why we even hang out with him right now...," Jesse gazed at the ground, "I'm sure that hurt him."

Lukas grabbed her chin gently and lifted it slowly until her dark brown eyes met his sapphire colored eyes.

"Well... I can't say ramming Aiden into a wall was the right thing to do, but maybe try talking to Reuben. I mean your way closer to him than me and he's been down all day."

Jesse fiddled with her fingers and nodded.

"Perhaps your right," Jesse said, as Lukas removed his finger's from her chin.

Jesse got up and made her way closer to the baseball field and made her way over to Reuben.

His gaze was locked on the ground, his hands stuffed in his oversized pockets

"Hey... Uh Reuben you alright?" Jesse asked him.

Reuben looked up and nodded a little.

"Reuben... I know your upset," Jesse said, putting a comforting hand on his small shoulder, "But talk to me."

"Why do you even hang around me?" Reuben asked quietly, his head bowed, a shadow over his face.

Jesse ruffled his thick mahogany curls and smiled.

"Reuben you're such a great friend! Your loyal. You always listen to me and comfort me whenever I'm down. And you have such a wonderful personality," Jesse said sincerely, "And theirs so much more about you as well, but please don't let what they said get to you ok buddy. And if this helps I'll do anything just to get my buddy happy again."

Reuben smiled cheerfully at her words and he pulled Jesse into a tight hug.

Jesse hugged him back, smiling brightly and she whispered in his ear softly.

"And your my best friend."

--

What did you think of Jesse's reaction towards Aiden, Gill, and Maya? Do you think she did the right thing? Anyways I'll see ya in the next chapter! .-.