innocence // jai brooks

chapter 7

I pull up to school on this dreaded Monday morning with a pounding headache that I just can't seem to shake. The last thing I want to do is face him today. I don't really ever want to talk to him again, or even see him for that matter. Now I kinda understand what heartbreak feels like.. even though we weren't even dating, I got my hopes up. It wasn't even like I felt this sudden surge of sadness, I just felt this emptiness inside of me. He was the first boy I ever felt butterflies for, the first boy I kissed, the first boy I ever even had a real conversation with. And now he's gone. I slowly get out of my car and walk into my nightmare.

"Ariana, hey," Josie, who has barely left my side since she picked me up from his house, smiles and embraces me in a warm hug when she sees me. She lets go of me and examines my appearance. "You look awful,"

"Thanks," I mutter sarcastically.

Before Josie can get another word in, she is interrupted by Jai pushing her out of my way, so we are standing face to face.

"Here you left this at my house," Jai says loudly and hands me a now wadded up dress and my heels. He smirks as people engage their attention towards us. Grow up people we didn't sleep together. I roll my eyes and turn around so my back is facing him.

"You're an asshole," I hear Josie muster up the courage to say to Jai. I quickly turn back around to face the two.

Jai stands there dumbfounded. He stares at Josie for a second and then says something so unbelievably horrible. "Not my fault you're best friend's so easy. I mean who give's it up on the first date? A little slutty huh," Jai cocks his head and laughs as some guys high five him.

I can feel tears start to form in my eyes, but I try my best to hold them back. "I was wrong about you Jai, you really don't have a heart," I close my eyes for a few seconds and then open them. "Just stay away me, okay,"

"Come on," Josie takes my hand and we walk into the building while I try to hold in my tears.

"We didn't even have sex. Am I an idiot? Why would I think that a guy would actually like me, you know? All guys want is sex," I shake my head. "I thought he was different, I don't know what I was thinking,"

"Hey," Josie whispers. "Ariana, it's okay. I'm here," She pulls me into a hug.

~

"Can I use the restroom?" I quietly ask my chemistry teacher.

My teacher nods her head and I rush out of the room.

I go to my locker and sit down in front of it. How could of this of happened?

"Hey," I hear a husky voice say above me.

"You've got to be kidding me," I half laugh as I look who's in front of me.

"Look, Ariana. I know you hate me but," He starts.

"Hate you? You think I hate you? Jai you're not even worth me hating. I feel nothing for you, anymore. I was wrong, okay," I stare at the ground and take a deep breath.

"I'm just really sorry," Jai says quietly.

"Save it. You're not sorry, and that's fine. Just honestly leave me alone. I have to go back to class," I stand up and make my way back to chemistry.

School went by painstakingly slow today. The whole day felt like a dream, if felt like I was living my worst nightmare. Girls were staring, judging, whispering, while guys were winking, whistling, and laughing. By the time school was over all I wanted to do was go home and sleep this bad dream away.

"Hey sweetie!" My mother greets me as I walk in the front door. "How was school,"

"Uneventful," I shrug.

"That's nice, honey. Listen, I'm thinking about spending the night at George's tonight... you'll be fine here alone won't you?"

I roll my eyes. George is her rich boyfriend who is probably the biggest dick in the world. "Yeah, whatever mom," I tell her and head up to my room.