Pieces of Love

Chapter 30

Emma

I walked into Music class early, a giddy smile plastered on my face. My lips were tingling, my whole body felt weak, and my senses were high. Less than an hour ago, I had my first kiss with the boy that I liked: Jacob. Not only did that happen, I agreed to go out with him, something that I wouldn't believe would have happened if you told me this a few weeks ago. The spell of silence between us ever since Jacob's confession had been broken in the most beautiful way possible, and if I didn't keep my emotions in check, I might just spontaneously combust into a ball of happiness.

The only two people inside the room were Mr Nelson and, to my disgust, Alan. Ever since his confrontation backstage during the prize presentation, he had tried to prove that his musicality is better than mine. I snorted just at the mere thought of it. I knew that I wasn't a prodigy, I knew that there are tons of people out there who are better than me, yet I knew that Alan's efforts were in vain. Don't get me wrong, I don't look down on people who had less skill than me. I looked down on people who think all high and mighty about themselves when they are not.

"Miss White! May I have a word with you?" Mr Nelson exclaimed just as I was about to take a seat. Confused, I stood up again and made my way to the front where Mr Nelson was sitting at his desk.

"You see, Mrs Schmidt was supposed to tell you this during your Music elective lesson, but the school council wanted a confirmation by today. The two of us were wondering whether you and Miss Hart are interested in performing for the upcoming senior class graduation ceremony in May. Miss Hart has already agreed, so we are just waiting for your confirmation," Mr Nelson explained.

"Thanks for the offer sir. I would be glad to perform. What piece would Lily and I be playing sir?"

"The best piece to play would be Viva La Vida by Coldplay."

After further discussion on the performance, I went back to my seat amidst the slowly filling classroom, not before catching a glare from Alan who obviously heard everything. I threw him a very obvious smirk and plonked myself down on my chair. I thought to myself, you deflate that gigantic head of yours before I'll be nice to you.

***

I emerged out of my last class of the day, Literature, with Jacob right by my side. The enormity of the situation between us only hit me full force during Music class, when we were separated by classes. My head felt woozy just thinking that he now belonged to me and no one else. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine myself getting together with one of my closest friends. My heart doesn't seem to know the meaning of slow when I was around Jacob. It was always beating crazy fast, and it gave me an indication of how much Jacob had an effect on me.

We didn't give any indication that we were together, for Jacob knew that I wasn't a big fan of PDA, but the gap between us was basically non-existent. Our shoulders were constantly brushing against one another, and the warmness from his body seeped through my thin top, sending tingles throughout my whole body.

Just as we walked out of the school doors, I felt a firm shoulder knock against my own, sending me barrelling into Jacob's chest.

"Hey dude, watch it," Jacob snapped, glaring at somebody behind me.

"Or else what?" I heard a familiar voice snicker. Turning around, I came face to face with Alan, a look of arrogance on his face.

"Watch your manners!"

"Maybe you should watch that girlfriend of yours. Her thinking that she's so high and mighty just because she won a competition isn't going to get her anywhere."

"Hey!" I said with as much force as possible. His hypocritical comment caused anger to start bubbling inside me.

Jacob was beside himself with fury. "Just because you have no skills doesn't mean that you have to tear other people down," he spat out. I gasped, all anger forgotten when Alan threw a punch at Jacob, straight at his jaw. Jacob stumbled, but he didn't fall. Immediately, a crowd started to form, as if people have nothing better to do these days but watch two freshmen boys fight.

All was a flurry of fists as both Alan and Jacob started to throw punches at one another. I fell into a stupor, watching with my mouth hanging open as the crowd of students cheered them on.

"Emma!" A hand reached out of the crowd and pulled me into the circle of students. Blinking my eyes furiously, I saw a frantic looking Sophie, her grip on my arm tight. "We have to do something!" she exclaimed, eyes wide.

Nodding violently, I did the only thing I could think of: throw myself in between the two boys. It was probably the stupidest decision I made in my life; and I was reminded of it when a fist came out of nowhere, punching me hard in the stomach.

Pain like I never felt before shot through me and I collapsed to the ground, scraping my elbows against the asphalt. The breath was knocked out of me and I laid there with my head down, breathing raggedly. A sharp intake ran through the crowd surrounding the three of us, and I heard a pair of feet running in my direction. Before I could see who it was, there was a loud 'oomph', and the sound of something hitting the ground behind me. I winced at the impact but still made no move to stand.

"Move out of the way please! Don't glare at me like that, or else it's detention for you mister!" A firm female voice sounded out and the crowd dispersed, everybody scrambling away. I felt my heart drop. Only one person in this entire school could make every student tremble before her: the principal of Clifford High. That's it. Jacob's done for.

But to my surprise, her voice was kind and gentle as she helped me up. I surveyed the scene before me, and a heart wrenching sob escaped my lips at the sight of a Jacob cradling his head in his hands. I looked to my left. Alan was still, standing with shoulders slumped as he stared at Jacob's figure. His eyes were full of regret and I couldn't bear to look at the pitiful sight. For some reason, I couldn't bring myself to hate him despite what he had just done. Sure, I disliked him, but I could never hate him. The principal, a Mrs Watson, laid a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly.

"Thank you Miss Carter for informing me about this situation," she said, before giving a brief nod. I whipped my head to a silent Sophie after hearing her surname, and she gave me a sad smile.

"I want to see you in my office later sir," Mrs Watson turned her glare to Alan, who visibly gulped. He retreated in haste, not before sending me a guilty look. I didn't even bother to do anything, rubbing my stomach while wincing.

Mrs Watson must have seen my actions, for she had addressed Sophie once again. "Bring these two to the nurses' office to have them checked up," she said curtly, but I could sense a hint of worry in her tone. Without another word, she walked away, the click of her heels the only sound in the parking lot. Sophie nodded and approached Jacob cautiously. I was close on her heels.

"Jake," I called out, my voice soft. I knelt so I could see him better but he turned away.

"What kind of boyfriend stupidly get into fights, am I right?" he voiced out bitterly, still refusing to look me in the eye. Beside me, I saw Sophie raise her eyebrows but didn't comment. I was sure that once this whole situation was settled, she would interrogate me until every single detail is squeezed out of me.

"Jake, what you did is purely self-defence. Alan was the one that made the first move." I tried to console him, ignoring the lurch of my heart when he mentioned 'boyfriend'. Is that what we are now? A couple? Someone should write a guidebook about relationships for I sure am blur when it comes to one.

Jacob reluctantly turned around and I let out a shocked gasp. A huge gash was running down his cheek and it looked nasty. Blood was constantly oozing out of it.

"Jake you have to go the nurses' office!" I said hysterically, grabbing his arm to pull him up. He touched the side of his face gingerly and pulled back to see blood smudged on his fingers.

"This wouldn't have happened if I had kept my temper in check," he whispered, looking ashamed.

"Alan provoked you. It wasn't your fault," I replied, trying to imply that he hadn't let me down and had nothing to be ashamed of.

"This is probably why you chose Isaac," he mentioned bitterly, something which made me freeze.

Jacob had insecurities, and he used his anger to disguise it. I suddenly felt like crying.