Jessica Thompson as That Girl

XXVII. Invalid Reasons

There's a problem. I think there's a bomb inside my chest. That's a reasonable explanation as to why I can hear a ticking sound. Something is about to explode.

The screams from the people on the rides seemingly faded into the background as he continued looking at me.

"What?" I question once more.

"Let's get outta here," he said again.

No matter how many times I heard that sentence, it doesn't sound right. He cannot possibly be offering me a chance to sneak out with him. It's obvious what a guy and a girl do when they sneak away together.

They sneak out of a crowd.

They go on a small adventure together.

While they're on their adventure, something will bound to happen.

A little flirting here and there.

Next thing we know, we're kis-

No.

That can't be right. There's no way Jax wants to sneak off to kiss me or anything like that. Then again, he does have a reputation. My parents taught me never to believe rumors, but a fire doesn't spread without a little help.

I bit my lower lip and stared at Jax, who refused to remove his gaze. It's sturdy and rigid; unlike last night, he spent time in my room. I will be lying if I say I didn't gaze out the window once in a while, expecting him to knock against it.

"Jax!" Someone screams. Our gazes revert towards a group of teenage boys and girls. I remember them; they're the group who typically surrounds him. The troublemaking group as the townspeople would name them.

Jax, with a rigid body, stood up and gave the guy who shouted his name a handshake.

The guy hung his arm around Jax's shoulders and laughed. "Told you all he was at the food court."

"How can you just leave us like that?" The girl questioned. Her sight dropped towards me, but she didn't say anything. I didn't either. There's nothing to say.

"Who's this?" The guy who had his arm wrapped around Jax asks with a mischievous smile. "Fuck man," he said before Jax can respond. "You're gone for like ten minutes, and you're bagging a girl already?" I didn't particularly like the sound of that.

Jax looks at me, then bursts out laughing. "Are you kidding me?" He elbows the guy lightly. "I don't know her."

I would be lying if I said that it didn't hurt because it did. I know I told him to pretend not to know me whenever someone we know is around, but I didn't expect my words to eat me this harshly.

"Why are you two sitting together?" The girl asks.

Jax scoff, "It's a fucking seat. Should I marry you now since I sit next to you every day?" Jax may sound rude, but I can feel the warmness behind his words.

Being left out is a feeling I never really liked. I know I'm not as socializing as other people, but whenever a group surrounds me. It often reminds me of how lonely it feels to be cast aside.

I stacked all the trashed and stood up. Without giving Jax another look, I threw away the trash and walked towards the couple rides where my friends are at. My friends. I'm not lonely.

"Fuck, man. You scared her away," the guy said.

I'm not mad. A bit sad, but not angry. I mean, I'm the one who asked Jax to pretend not to know me. So, what right do I have to be upset with him? No. Even if I didn't ask that, and he pretended not to know me. It's within his rights. We weren't really friends, to begin with.