His reasons are always the same. One slap, because I was a mistake. Two kicks, because he's stuck with me. Three punches, because in his eyes I'm a disgrace, and lastly, the final knockout hit because I'm the reason why his life was destroyed.
• • •...
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" don't you worry your pretty little mind, people throw rocks at things that shine "
- Taylor Swift, Ours
∞
"Jackson!" Mason whispered, tugging the fear-stricken boy over to an empty spot. We all sat down in the middle section of the bleachers, Noah, Jackson and Gemma in front of Mason and I.
"Oh god, oh god, she saw me guys, oh my god!" he mumbled frantically, beginning to hyperventilate. Gemma quickly grabbed his hand in hers, using her free one to rub circles on his back comfortingly until he calmed down.
"It's okay, Jackson. We're not going to let her take you," she said determinedly, "when the presentation is over, we'll be the first to run."
"Worst case-scenario, I'll drop a speaker on her head for an effective getaway," I say, nudging him slightly in the back with my knee.
He chuckles lightly at the same time Mason turns to me, his eyebrow raised and a look that says 'No you wouldn't'.
I simply shrug, turning back to the presentation. Apparently, everyone loved her last presentation so much that Principal Westwood asked Jackson's mother to come back for another, this time specifically on her own company rather than entrepreneurship.
I had a feeling it wasn't Principal Westwood's decision to invite Evangeline Hunt back for another presentation, but instead she was manipulated by a certain someone.
"As CEO of a company as large as Hunt & Co, I've learned many important lessons," Evangeline spoke confidently, her head held high, "leadership is necessary, as well as being able to think on the spot..."
Evangeline droned on about her company for the next hour, sending quick, discrete glances in Jackson's direction every couple of minutes (but obviously not discrete enough for the five of us to notice).
Eventually, she concluded her presentation, and the five of us were up in a flash, charging out the gymnasium towards the front entrance of the school.
"Almost there!" said Gemma (who was still gripping onto Jackson's hand) excitedly.
"Almost to class? Because I'm pretty sure that my class is in the opposite direction," said Mr Jones, who had just exited the staff room with his arms crossed and eyebrows raised.
"Uhhh, yeah," said a frozen Gemma, "umm... yay history!" she cheered awkwardly, dropping Jackson's hand.
"Yeah, sure. Get to class before I give you all detention," he said, raising an eyebrow before walking down the hall, a cup of coffee in hand.
