Him & I

Chapter 2

Jace's POV

My life isn't all sunshine and rainbows. I get bullied at school every day and my only friend left. Now it's just me on my own with no one. That's all it takes though, you can only trust yourself and that's it. School isn't the greatest place for me anyway, with Blake and his goons that bully me. I know what your thinking. Why don't you stand up for yourself? See now I'm in a gang. I'm one of the strongest guys there and I intimidate a lot of the members. Only being 16 I don't have much say in the matter but I still do it. I work out half the time and the other half is taken up by school. Today Blake and his mates called me a weakling. They call me that because I cover my body with massive hoodies so they think I'm most likely a tall fat kid that hides his body because he's ashamed. That's not it at all, I use the hoodies so I can hide all my scars. Last year I was in a fight and the guy pulled out a knife and started cutting all up my arms, that's another reason why I work out a lot. I try to keep up the muscle so if it comes to fighting people in other gangs, I some how have a chance. Being a big muscley guy and being called weak isn't really something you want to hear. So when the school day finished, Blake yelled from across the car park, I got angry and went to my gangs gym. "Hey bro, what's got you here, again?" One of the gang members greet me. I am close with a couple but not best friends as you could call it. "Blake," I said bluntly. "Asshat calling you weak again?" Cole the gang member sighed. "Yeah. It's kind of hard you know. I want to show them but I'm embarrassed by my scars," I admitted. I took off my jumper and shirt. "Jace, it's your battle scars, you should be proud of them, not ashamed. Remember, your the most intimidating guy around here," Cole laughed. "Obviously not to you I'm not," I smirked a little. "As your friend and trainer, it's my job to not be afraid. Look mate, see how it goes, baby steps," he told me. "Baby steps, ha, I'm just going to stick it out until the end of the year. Get out of school life and work my way up to get money and get myself a place to do my mechanic work," I smiled at the thought. "Are you still going to go through with that plan?" Cole asked in disbelief. "Yeah. I'm gonna get the money, make my own place and fix up cars and trucks. Then I'm gonna get myself a girl, settle down and get old and die. That is how I'm gonna live my life," I explained. I taped up my hands and went to a punching bag. I started punching it when my phone went off. "Hey can you get that for me?" I looked at Cole. He grabbed my phone and looked at it. "Looks like you late for dinner with mummy and daddy dearest," Cole laughed. "Shit," I muttered. I jumped down from the stand and ran to my things. I put on my jumper as it was easier than put on both my shirt and hoody. I grabbed my bag and phone then rushed to my motorcycle. When I got to the diner there was a waitress already there. I apologised for being late and we went on. My mum and dad pressured me into eating like they always did. After a while I just left.

When the diner closed I went in to apologise to Cora that my dad made her give me her number. As she was about to say something, Blake walked in then hugged her. I left as it made me a bit uncomfortable. I stood outside the diner and took out a cigarette. The door opened and Blake came out. "You stay away from her," he said. "Huh? Me? Stay away from her. That's got to be a joke right?" I laughed and took a drag. "Yeah. I want you to stay away from my girlfriend. She doesn't need a weakling like you hanging around," Blake clenched his jaw. "I'm no threat mate. You don't need to tell me to stay away from her," I chuckled. "I mean it jace. Stay the fuck away from my girl or you'll regret it," he pointed at me. "Listen to yourself Blake. You don't realise what I'm capable of, you don't know what I do. Let me tell you this Blake, I have been through hell and back and I'm still standing tall. With your lame threats and shit, it doesn't faze me. I'm not gonna let you push me around so back off or you might regret it," I burst out and put the cigarette to my lips. Blake didn't say anything and then walked off. He got into a car near by and started driving. It felt good to stand up for myself and not feel like a prick. "Are you ok?" I heard someone behind me. When I turned around, Cora was stood there, the diner was dark and she didn't have much on but a tiny jacket. "Peachy," I replied and looked away. "I'm sorry about Blake. He's a jerk sometimes," Cora came and stood next to me. "Have you just realised that?" I chuckled and took another drag of my cigarette. Cora kept on looking at me, like she was waiting for something. "Do you want a bit?" I asked looking at her. "Excuse me?" She huffed. "Do you want a bit?" I asked again. I put the cigarette near her. "Oh uh. I've never done anything like that," Cora tucked a bit of her hair by her ear and looked down. "All you do is put it to your lips and take a deep breath then blow it out," I told her. Cora took it from my hand and did what I told her to do. "There you go. Your a natural," I tried to sound enthusiasm. "Do you know how sarcastic you sound?" She laughed. "Yeah I get that a lot," I looked down. "Who you waiting for?" Cora put the cigarette to her lips again. "No one. I'm just here having a smoke then going back home," I told her. "I take it you live close by?" Cora looked at me. "Yeah, not to far. How you getting home?" I questioned her. "Walk. My dads away on business trying to spread the restaurant world wide. So I just have to suck it up and walk home," she replied and gave me back the cigarette. "Come on. I'll walk you," I flicked the tiny cigarette on the floor. "It's ok honestly. I'll be fine on my own," Cora stated. "Have you ever walked alone in you life?" I smiled but didn't let it show a lot. "I haven't. Usually I have my friend Cameron or my dad would pick me up. Sometimes Blake picks me up but tonight I had to work late," Cora told me. "Well then. Lead the way," I lifted up my hand. Cora started walking and I followed. We stayed in silence for a while as we walked.