Soooo Not Normal

T E S S A

Well, that was weird. I think as I run towards English. He seemed... off. Suddenly, I feel someone wrap their arms around my waist and start pulling me in the wrong direction. I sigh, rolling my eyes.

"Jack, I have to get to class."

"Aww, come on. Lighten up, will you?"

"Jack, I need an A in this class if I want to be able to into Juilliard."

"You don't need to go to that college. Go to mine!"

"Jack, we've been over this. I'm not going to Stanford! Now let me go before I'm late to class!" And before Emma sees. I added silently in my head. She would kill him if she saw us fighting again. Maybe she's right. Maybe Jack isn't the right person for me... but I don't deserve anyone else. Jack feels me relaxing in thought, and tugs me towards the doors.

"Jack, no!"

"What's going on?" I turn and see Mrs. McDraki walking towards us.

Jack smiles. "Sorry, Mrs. McDraki."

"That's the third time this month I've seen you ditching class, Mr. Green. Detention, both of you." What?! I can't get detention! I close my eyes, fighting back tears. This is a nightmare. Jack doesn't notice my distress, as usual. "Mr. Green, I'll see you after school. Ms. Miller, I'll see you at lunch." Lunch? That isn't so bad. At least it's not during drama. And then I don't have to make an excuse for Emma about why I'm not eating anything.

"Mrs. McDraki, I have practice after school," Jack says.

"Do I look like I care, Mr. Green?" She doesn't. I think. "You should have gone to class like you were supposed to." And with that, she turned on her heel and briskly walked back to class. I turned on Jack.

"Seriously? You got me detention!? I told you to stop! Why didn't you listen to me?"

"You're blaming this on me?! You're the one who never wants to see me anymore!"

"I tried to have lunch with you yesterday, but you were too busy with your stupid football!" I was almost yelling at him now. I hated how he always made me feel like I'm the one who should feel guilty.

"Do you want me to not get into Stanford? Is that what you want?!"

"No! I just... it's just... I- I don't know. I want you to care about what I want." He looks shocked.

"I do care!"

"If you did, you wouldn't ditch me every time I made plans for us to see each other! You always blow me off!" I can feel hot tears coming now. I try to hold them back, but that only makes it worse. "Look, I'm sorry I don't try harder to see you, but lately you always have football and stuff. It's really annoying." I say, looking at my feet as tears stream down my face.

"It's fine, babe. I forgive you." And that's it, you're not going to feel sorry, too? Nope, it's always my fault, never yours! I take a deep breath. Whatever.

"I have to go to class. Bye." I say coldly, turning away. I open my phone and shoot a text to Emma.

Hey I'm going to be late to class so if you could stall for me...

Why are you late??

I got caught in hallway traffic.

Mmmmhmmmm. Then, Yeah right.

I'm serious! It was like a war out here! This one girl got thrown to the ground!

Your a horrible liar even when you're texting!