Relentless

Chapter 22

Jay

As we pull into Ashton's parking space, I see people staring at us through the windows. I can only imagine the thoughts running through their heads.

What is Ashton doing with that freak show?

Does he see something in that piece of shit?

Who is that bitch?

Shouldn't Brooke be with him?

Did they break-up?

Is that the rebound?

"Put it on the shelf." I whisper to myself. Obviously I wasn't quiet enough, because Ashton's head turns rapidly to me.

"What?" He asks in confusion.

"Nothing." I respond, not ready to tell him about my insecurities. I see groups of my peers whispering to each other and want to crawl under a rock. I feel fingers intwine with mine, which snaps me out of my trance. I glance up at Ashton's eyes and I'm taken to another world. "Don't. Let. Them. Get. To. You."

I nod at him as he brings my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles ever so gently. Once he releases my hand, I open the door and get out hesitantly, meanwhile Ashton gets out with nothing to hide. I put my bag over my shoulder and clench my books to my chest. When I meet Ashton by the trunk of his car, I see his hand extended.

Jay or Juliet?

Jyekll or Hyde?

Jay or Juliet?

Juliet.

I let go of my books with my right hand and allow him to intwine his fingers into mine. Gasps engulf the parking lot as Ashton walks with me to the entrance of the school. A part of me wants to run back to the safety of his car, but the other feels safe with him. When he opens the door, he let's me walk in first. Once I step into the institution, I instantly regret it. Curious eyes dart to me while some people start laughing. But, to my surprise, it stops.

It stops when Ashton takes my hand again.

I feel my chest tightening and releasing and the air is growing thin. I feel my lungs on fire and grip Ashton's hand as hard as I can. Obviously it's not hard enough because he doesn't even flinch.

"Ashton." I whisper in a weak, scared voice. His worry filled eyes snap to me and he notices my state. Without saying another word, he pulls me through the people and tugs me into a room.

The chorus room.

"What's wrong?" He asks.

"T-they're all staring at me. I don't know how to handle it. Am I really that much of a freak?"

"You're not a freak, first of all. Second of all, who cares what they think? The only people who's opinion should matter to you are your family and the friends that are closest to you, not the entire student body. There are going to be people in this world that don't like you, Jay. Although, those people might belong in an insane asylum. But you can't let them effect you. You can't let them change who you are. Those idiots out there have no clue who you are because they haven't said two words to you. If they want to stare, let them. Let them stare all they want because they are just jealous."

"Please, you're starting to sound like my father. What could they possibly be jealous about?" I snort.

"You're smart."

"Which they don't know."

"You're very talented."

"Again, they don't know that."