The Player Next Door

Chapter 26

I walk into school terrified. I didn't go to school the day after I had my talk with Ryan. I still hadn't heard from him or Jake. Kimmy texted asking if I was okay but it didn't seem like Ryan told her what happened. She knew I was going to talk to him but I never actually told her I did.

My eyes were still a little puffy from all the crying I've done. I was simply wearing leggings and a sweatshirt, too exhausted to put any effort into my appearance. I did however put some concealer under my eyes so no one worried for my health and I didn't get any questions.

I would've stayed home again today but it was hard enough coming up with a reason to stay home yesterday, my parents would think something was up. Also, I was hoping to bump into Ryan, maybe he'd be ready to talk if he saw me.

I skipped homeroom hoping to avoid Jake just a while longer and walked into physics class.

Kimmy was there and her eyes widened as she saw me enter the room.

I sat next to her and her eyes were still on me, wide and worried.

"Hey," I mumble pulling a pen out of my bag before placing it on the floor.

"Hey? Hey? You've been ignoring me the past couple days and all I get is a hey?"

"I'm sorry Kim, it's been a bad couple days."

"You don't have to tell me. Ryan's been in a bad mood and he won't tell me why. Now I see you looking like you got hit by a bus, what happened between you two?"

I groan not ready to rehash the conversation I had with Ryan. I look at Kimmy and I know she just wants to be there for me, so I sigh and begin telling her what happened.

"Oh my love, I'm so sorry. I knew he would take it hard but, wow. I'm sorry I made you tell him," a bit of a frown was on her face but I waved her off not wanting her to feel bad. There were enough people feeling miserable about themselves already.

"It's okay Kim. You didn't make me do anything, I did it. And you were right, telling him was the right thing to do."

She lets a moment pass before speaking again, "Have you spoken to Jake?" Her words are hesitant and I know she's worried to send me in a downward spiral.

"No," I say shaking my head, "And I don't think he wants to see me."

"Well..." Kimmy chews her lip looking down at her notebook.

"What?" I ask sitting up straight in my chair.

Her face scrunches up as she speaks, "He did ask me if you were okay yesterday. He said he didn't want to bother you, just wanted to make sure you were okay."

I pout and look down at my hands.

"What's wrong Chels?"

"I told him I hated him," I chew my lip and look at Kimmy whose face is riddled with shock.

"You what?"

"I was upset and crying and he was trying to make me feel better and I don't know, I was angry."

She pursed her lips in disapproval, "Babe-"