Stop in the Name of Love (Completed)

Chapter 33

Jordan knows something is up. I ignored his call last night before bed, and when he asked me if I wanted him to pick me up I answered way too quickly. He's texted me twice since I got in my truck asking me what's wrong.

I'm a bundle of nerves as I sit in the small amount of morning traffic. Between my dad's attitude to me, Jordan's inevitable freak out, and what Dominic said yesterday, I just can't think straight. I find a little comfort in the traffic as it delays Jordan's reaction. I know he's going to be angry, and hurt. He's going to be mad it happened, and upset that I kept it from him.

Knots form once again in my stomach. A wave of nausea hits me like a ton of bricks. He's going to be devastated that I kept this from him. I don't even know why I did. Fear? I didn't want to upset him. Embarrassment? He's seen scars but nothing this fresh. I doubt it'll matter why I did it, he'll still be hurt.

Fuck!

Cars start honking at me and I see the light has turned green. I need to get my head out of the clouds and stop feeding my anxiety. He'll be mad, but because he cares.

The closer I get to the school the more nervous I get. I pass the hardware store, then the library, my nerves get the best of me and I circle the library a few times. I pull into their parking lot, deciding to walk the last block, even if I'm late because of it.

I see a new message from Jordan as I climb out of the truck, it kills me that I actually hesitate to read it.

"Please respond... Did I do something wrong?"

My heart aches. I should have told him by now, he doesn't deserve this. Yet the thought of telling him, and him knowing what really happened makes me sick. It doesn't help I won't see him until after class. I type a response before waiting makes the situation worse.

"No. You didn't do anything wrong. I promise."

My feet drag over the gravel as guilt eats away at me. Even though I don't want to, I find myself thinking about Jordan's reaction, and what Dominic said the other day. If people at work stared, what are kids at school going to do. Is someone going to see my eye and report it to the school? I should have stayed home, but it's too late for that as I walk past chattering people and see the school get closer and closer.

I'm not the only person who's late, I watch other students walk across the parking lot to the front office. I keep my head down as I go to collect my tardy slip.

The front desk lady is on the phone when I walk in, she barely glances at me as she keeps talking on the phone, only pulling away to ask my name and first period teacher. With that she scribbles my note and waves me off.

Other staff in the office can't help but stare, but I try not to react. I remind myself that to the rest of the world, this was an accident, reacting to the stares would just raise suspicion.

I need to take a few deep breaths before ducking into math. Initially no one notices me, but all it takes is one kid seeing my eye and gasping in shock for everyone else to pay very close attention. Ms. Morrison watches me all through class, the staring makes me nauseous, the whispers make me nervous. Jordan will probably be waiting at the door when the bell rings, or waiting by my locker.

I jump at the sound of the bell, I can see Ms. Morrison approaching me to talk but I quickly make my way out the door. Keeping my head down I try to rush to my locker before Jordan can get here.

"Rhea!" A defeated sigh escapes me at the sound of his voice, I can hear concern laced in.

I mentally prepare myself for what's about to come. I don't turn to face him until I feel his hand on my shoulder. Finally looking at him, I watch his small smile fade into an angry sneer.