STUCK

Chapter 9

After my panic attack, Megan kept a close eye on me all weekend. I, however, just locked myself in my room, not wanting to see my dad. I did get some texts from Ash and Sam but other than that it was normal.

It was now Monday morning and Evan wouldn't stop asking my questions about my cast. 
"What happened?" was the one he kept repeating not letting me get a word in. I placed my palm over his mouth and he stops.

"I fell pretty hard and fractured it, nothing special actually" I say taking my hand away from him. He nods slowly, "that's it?"

"Yup" I confirmed and he smiles continuing to talk about something else. I learned that Evan is someone that doesn't like silence. If it did get quiet, it was quite amusing to watch him grow uncomfortable. It was cute like a little kid who couldn't stay still to take a picture. I think that's why he was so popular at school, he made friends quickly. 

Catching everyone's eye with his smile that never died. He was the definition of happy. The polar opposite of me. Which made sense why we got along so well.

I just let him talk, getting a word in every once in a while. I prefer silence, though. Sometimes silence had a greater impact than words in my opinion. Silence was peace. Most times.

The bus stops and we head towards Mr. Smith class. Once we walk in I'm stopped with a hand in front of me. "Rachel, what trouble did you get into this time?" Mr. Smith referring to my cast. I look at him, quickly answering, "Double homicide and hit in run, sir. Don't worry they didn't catch me." "At least you got away, now go sit down, smart ass" Mr. Smith says walking away from me.

I take my seat next to Evan and he speaks, "You're pretty close with Mr. Smith." "Well, he does feed me for grading papers, so we're practically best friends,' I joke and Evan throws his hands in the air, "is that all I have to do? I'll feed you every day!" I laugh pushing his shoulder, "stop playing we're already friends." "But are we best friends?" he says  raising his eyebrows. "I don't know, it depends what you feed me," I laugh and he groans.

"Class don't forget the project is due next Friday! I hope every group has been working on it. I'd hate to get poorly done presentations." Mr. Smith announce and the class starts to erupt with noise but he cuts them off, "Hey, I didn't say this so you have a topic to talk about, take your notes out, lets begin.'

After an hour of Mr. Smith lecturing, the bell rings and I start to pack up. I was listening to Evan talk about how Emma tried to flush their cat in the toilet. "She was convince that that's the way we should start washing Cat," that was the name of their cat, Cat. "I pulled her away from-" he abruptly stops as I zip up my bag.

"Then?" I say looking up at him but he was frowning towards someone. I follow his glare and it was Jake. "Rach, can I talk to you?..." Jake says then glancing at Evan, "privately." I put on my backpack growing anxious. I was about to open my mouth but Evan cuts me off standing in front of me,"No, you can't."

"Gosh, you're so annoying. I'm asking her, not you" Jake says, agitation growing in his voice. "She doesn't want to talk to you, so just leave her alone" Evan says holding his ground. I could see Evan's back was tense and I pat his shoulder.

"Actually, Evan, I think I need to talk to Jake, too" I say knowing I might regret this later. Evan turns towards me with a confused look, "huh?" I nod, "Yes, Evan, I'll see you later, okay?" I say squeezing his arm in reassurance. He reluctantly pulls away leaving us.

"Okay so lets talk" I state and we walk outside.

He leads me to the green house by the side of the school. Teachers didn't usually go back here which was why it was the perfect place to skip class. However, the green house was empty when we entered. 

There was rolls and rolls of flowers and plants. Jake walks over to some roses and smelled them. I keep my distance watching him.

"Rachel..." I slightly jump not expecting him to speak yet, "I'm sorry about the fight; I know you don't want me butting in, but I can't help it" I walk over to him and brush the petals of the rose with my finger tips.

"I hate the way she was talking to you, it made me mad. Then she pushed you, was I suppose to just let you fall-" "Yes." I say cutting him off. He stays quiet and I continue, "Jake, you should have let me fall. I rather you did." I don't make any eye contact but I knew he was looking at me.

 "I can't... I know I can be a jerk, and a dumb ass, and controlling but I really do care about you!" he exclaims. He wasn't wrong about being those things but does he really care about me that much?

"Did you really not like me when we were together, don't you remember all the good times we had?" he asks in a sad tone. I keep my eyes trained on the roses and he continues, "You avoid me, you can't even look at me! Do you know how much that hurts me? Do you care?"

I felt my heart drop when he said this. Was I being too harsh? Maybe I shouldn't have cut him off entirely. I do care about him but as a friend, not the way I used to.

"Rachel, please look at me" he pleads. His voice was filled with desperation and I couldn't help but feel it claw into my heart. I slowly turn my head towards him, making eye contact at last.

He looked like the same boy I first fell in love with. His brown eyes seemed to be honest as they peered into mine. He had a purple bruise on both cheeks, one smaller than the other. His lip was slightly busted, just like mine. No matter how I deny it he will always have a place in my heart. I didn't hate him, it just can't ever be the same.

I reach out my hand caressing his cheek and he leans into my touch. "I care" I say softly looking up at him. His eyes seemed to gleam with hope but I spoke again, "I care about you Jake but we can't be together. Yes, there were good times but there were more bad times" I say pulling away.

His hope fades, "times where you made me cry and feel like I was nothing. I needed you to be there for me but you weren't. You drove me crazy, you scared me! You let me down all the time. I hated it... but I can't hate you" and God knows I tried to hate him.

He stays quiet looking down, "Can we just be friends?" I say softly, expecting him to say no. Just like he did every other time, insisting I be his girlfriend. But he surprises me instead.

"Okay."

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It's your girl so this took long  lol

~ClainaaGonzalez