Ruining Me(2)
“It doesn’t have to be this way Jay. Everyone misses you and we want the old you back.”
“We? As in your best friend JT? I don’t think so Cal. He was just making out with his new girlfriend in the parking lot. It really looked like he was missing me,” I respond sarcastically. Pain laced my voice.
“What Jay? You want him begging at your heels even after you’ve screwed everyone else but him?”
My eyes almost bulge out of my head. Cal looked shock that he had said that to me and before he could say anything else I turn away. Walking up the front steps to the school, I pass by Molly and Reed and through the front doors. Pushing the tears back as I've pushed them all away.
I don't know what it is about the first day of school. There is so much anticipation in the air you can taste it and even I am not immune. Keeping my eyes down I walk directly to my first period class. I’m one of the first students to arrive for homeroom. My teacher, Mrs. Davis, glances up when I walk in and she smiles at me.
"Well, Miss James Stevenson. How was your summer?"
"Fine," I answer and smile back.
Walking to the back of the classroom, I grab a desk and drop my book bag beside it. Pretty soon the class starts to fill up and the gossip of the summer begins. I notice when Cal walks in the class room, but thankfully there are no seats near me available. Bowing my head, I grab my notebook and begin to get ready for class. I've learned that keeping to myself is easier if I just avoid looking at anyone. Mrs. Davis finally starts talking and before I know it the bell rings and first period is over. I’m able to slip out without having to talk with Cal.
Next I head straight to my second period class which is Biology. As soon as I walk in I look up and see that Rhye Clark is sitting in the back. Rhye is your average high school bad boy with his dark shaggy hair and intense dark chocolate eyes with a lanky long frame. He has his eyebrow and lip pierced plus super cool tattoos on both arms that complete his rock star image. He is wearing his band logo “The Mavs” on his black t-shirt and faded black jeans. I’m pretty sure that his glazed look has something more to do with what he smoked this morning and not that his band probably played somewhere downtown until late last night.
His eyes brighten as he notices me and then gives me that sexy grin. Trying to get my attention he nods his head to the seat next to him. I pointedly roll my eyes and grab a seat on the other side of the room. There was a time that I thought taking control of my life meant controlling who I slept with. My first conquest was Rhye. He had flirted with me for years and the moment that JT and I were over he quickly moved in. Rhye and his lifestyle quickly became like a drug and he loved corrupting me almost a little too much.
I can feel his eyes are on me the entire class. In the couple of months I spent as his “friend with benefits”, I did learn the advantage of dating the bad boy. Unfortunately, that also included learning that even high school lead singers have groupies. I can be easy, but I don’t share and Rhye learned this lesson too late. When the bell finally rang I gathered my books and stuffed them in my bag.
“How was your summer Jay?”
His voice was low and sexy. Damn those dark eyes. I stood up and looked at him.
“Great. Thanks for asking.”
I walked out of the class room and could hear him following right behind me.
“Did you not get the little messages I sent to you?”
I stop suddenly and whirl around to face him. Does he have to be so freaking good looking? Stepping towards him to look into his eyes, I place my pointed finger directly into his chest.
“Yes I did. I need you to be less stalkerish Rhye and more grow the fuck up and move on Rhye. You cheated on me. Remember?”
He actually winces and pain fills those dark eyes, making me think he does regret what happened. “Damn Jay, it’s been almost a year. I messed up. Just let that shit die. I just want you to come out and watch us play.”
Rolling my eyes I turn to walk away. I feel his hand circle my wrist and he gently tugs me back around pulling me closer towards him.
“I wouldn’t mind if you want to stay the night afterwards either. I’m sure we could think of something to do.”
“Dream on rock star. My groupie days are over.”
This time when I turn to walk away he lets me go. I hear him chuckle and I groan. He is just too sexy for my own good. It’s getting harder and harder to turn him away and I think that’s his plan because he is slowly wearing me down.
Third period was a study period so I passed that hour in the library hiding out. When the bell finally rang for lunch I was surprised that so much of the day had passed. Since it was a sunny day I decided to sit outside. Most everyone respects that I want to keep to myself. Only a few dare try and have a conversation with me. Usually one word answers deters them. I hear the whispers of “stuck-up” and “what a bitch”. Listening to them, I should be used to it by now, but it still stings. I catch myself smiling when someone smiles at me. It's hard to go from the school sweetheart, to well, whatever I am now.