Actual Me

Chapter Four

A/N: On the left is Jaxon's face and on the right is Scarlett's style.

<Jax's POV.>

As I walk to the parking lot, I see Scarlett and I yell "Hey, wait up Scarlett!" In front of everyone, they all look at me shocked to see that I'm talking to her. I don't get what the big deal is... ugh

She stops and I run over to her and stare into her big blue eyes and say in a shaky voice, "I can help you, that way it won't take long, and then we maybe could go to Kilwins?"

Her cheeks flush and I begin to feel bad... no, I don't... maybe I do. I've never had this feeling before and I can't decide if I like it or not.

It's basically written all over her face that she was embarrassed and didn't know what to say... at least I could understand that.

She says in an unsure voice, "... sure... get in," I get in her car. It has that new car smell. The warm leather makes my thighs sweat, making the stick to the seat.

I begin to feel self-conscious for when I have to get up and there's just going to be a big sweat puddle... the thought makes me sweat more due to my nerves. I've never wanted to be good enough for someone and fix little things about me that I never noticed.

We got to her little sister's school... I'm pretty sure her name is Ada, but I'm not sure, so I'm not going to talk to her because I don't want to get her name wrong.

The whole drive was silent and moderately awkward. When we got to her little sister's school, we looked for her, and once Scarlett saw her, she pulled up in feint if her and went around the roundabout to exit the school.

I could tell she had no clue who I was but wanted to know because she kept studying me through the rearview mirror.

I gave her a small smile, trying to ease the awkwardness, but she just looked at me with lonely eyes, that are just like Scarlett's, except hers are brown.

<Scarlett's POV>

An hour later Jax and I go to his house to get his car keys because he left with Becca the bitch (it's the newest nickname for her... hehe) to get to school. He invites me to come inside, but I decide to stay in the car.

About 20 minutes go by and it's 4:38 pm. I should be home by now studying, not that I care about school, but still.

I get out of the car and head to the house. The door was unlocked so I went in and heard yelling from a man with a low smooth voice, but I couldn't make out the words.

I'm trying to make out the words but I can't. My thoughts were interrupted by my phone going off. Shit! It's my mom, probably wondering where I am.

I hear footsteps and my anxiety kicks in adrenaline rushing through my body. I see Jax's dad, who looks like the older cardboard cut out of Jax and he stares at extremely confused.

"Jaxon, who is this girl?"

"This is Scarlett, my friend, " he smirks at the word friend and I feel little butterflies fluttering inside my stomach... I don't know why, ever since I've moved here, I keep getting that same exact feeling.

"Oh, hi I'm Matt, Jaxon's father, " he puts his hand out for me to shake it and I shake his hand firmly as he does mine.

I then think back to when my dad taught me how to shake adults' hands and begin to tremble, but I am interrupted again by mom calling me. It's now 5:01 pm.

"It's very nice to meet you, can I take this call, it's my mom,"

Before he can answer, I go outside and answer it, "Hey, where are you? Ada said you went with some guy."

"Ya, I did. Dinners in the fridge and you can just heat it up."

"Okay. I love you, be careful, and come home before 10:00."

"Okay, I love you too,"

Jax and I leave his house and head to Kilwins. The car ride is quiet but filled with many thoughts. Why was his dad yelling at him and why was his mom not there? Maybe she had work or she died... I honestly don't know.

When we get there I see Evelyn's blond hair in the corner of the room, then I turn and see everyone else that was at lunch, including Cody and Becca... this will be fun.

I had no idea we were meeting them here, I thought it was just going to be me and Jax... unless it was a coincidence that we ran into them.

I could tell Jax was uncomfortable and maybe a little... embarrassed. This is very awkward.

"Stay here." He says sternly. I don't like him bossing me around, but I can't seem to move my feet, so I stay where I am.

He goes over and tells them something about not being on a date with me and that he doesn't like me, like that. Becca says, "You better not," then winks at him.

Why does she have to be such a bitch? I wish she wasn't pretty.

I don't like Jax, even as a person, but he's the only one trying to be my friend, except Evelyn. I can't help but wonder if there's more of a reason for Jax trying to be my friend.

I smile at Evelyn and she smiles back and gives me a sentimental face. I can't help but wonder why. I hope everything is okay.

Jax comes back and I want to ask him what he said and what he meant about not liking me, but I'm afraid of what the answer will be. So I stay quiet.

He grabs my arms and says agitated, but quiet, "Let's go,"

He is so confusing one minute he says he doesn't like me and the next he acts like I'm his property.

I stand still and aggressively say, "Look you don't have to be fake. I don't want you to be my friend or anything more than that either."

"What do you mean?" He says acting like he's confused.

"I mean, you're embarrassed by me. I think it's best if we just keep our distance,"

Becca laughs and Cody has a mischievous smile planted across his face. I hate this place so much and the people make it so much worse.

I begin to walk out but am stopped by an arm grabbing my wrist gently. I turned around expecting it to be Jax but was pleasantly surprised by Evelyn.

"I can give you a ride," she says with a bright smile. "Can you please?" I guess she is my only friend now... ugh I can't even keep a friend for a day.

On my way home I ask Evelyn, "What did Jax say? I understand if you don't want to tell me,".

She looks at me like she was contemplating on telling me. "Just said that he wasn't on a date with you and that he wasn't into you."

"I thought we were just going out as friends, but he seemed so embarrassed of me, so I figured I should leave, even though I really wanted ice cream."

She laughs and says, "If you want you can go to Tarheel Lanes with us tomorrow to go bowling."

"I really want to, I just have to ask my mom. Thanks for asking me. You are like my only friend here." I say with a laugh

We pull up to my house and get out of the car, but before I shut the door I say, "I'll get back to you tomorrow at lunch and see if I can go bowling with you guys. Thank you for the ride!" I shit the door hard.

I glance at my watch and it's already 11:14 pm oh shit, my moms probably worried sick. I look at my phone and there are four texts and seven missed calls from my mom.

I walk in and she is sitting on the couch. "Why were you out so late?"

"I had Evelyn drive me home, and we got lost," I lie because I don't want to relive the fact that I'm an embarrassment to be around.