Love is Beautiful (She's so Ugly)

Chapter II.ii

Merida was walking home when she noticed a guy trailing behind her. At first, she tried to ignore him, but after ten minutes, she couldn't anymore.

She stopped and turned to glare at him. "Why are you following me?"

Jacob smiled, a bit too flattering. "I just want to make sure you get home safe."

Merida frowned, confused. They'd been in the same class for a while, but this was new. What was his deal? she wondered silently.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

She shook her head, turning away, realizing she'd been looking at him without meaning to.

"Nothing. I live just around the corner. You can go now," Merida said and started walking again.

"I meant inside the house. Which one is yours?"

Merida spun around, frustration bubbling up. "Come on! Just leave already! Stop acting like you want to be friends with someone as ugly as me."

Jacob didn't say anything for fifteen slow seconds, his face calm but patient.

"Which one?" he asked again, persistent.

Merida groaned, completely fed up. She quickened her pace to put distance between them.

Jacob secretly grinned at her reaction. She's cute, he thought, and kept following.

When they reached the house she'd led him to, she faced him squarely.

"Thanks for walking me home. Now you can leave. And please don't bother me again," she said bluntly.

Jacob just smiled and waved.

As soon as she thought he was out of sight, Merida sighed with relief. Finally, he was gone. Part of her was excited that he wanted to be friends, but since he was one of the popular boys, she knew everyone would tease them—especially her. It was a terrible idea.

She turned and walked away from that house toward her real home. She hadn't wanted him to know where she actually lived—just wanted him to stop following her.

Jacob waited until he saw her step inside the real house before leaving. He smirked to himself.

But she can't do anything when Jacob wants to be her friend, he muttered, smiling like an idiot.