The Best Thing for Me

by Lauren Jackson

  "Don't be like what?" I snapped.

  "You're doing that thing again where you all you do is bite my head off!" he exclaimed angrily, pulling over to the side of the road. "You never listen to me! All I'm trying to do is help!"

  "Maybe I don't want your help!" I cried out in exasperation, throwing my hands up. I was getting angrier and angrier by the minute. I felt my cheeks grow hot from my little outburst. I stared at him with narrowed eyes.

  "Well since I'm your boyfriend I thought you would." he replied back moodily. "Sor-ry. I obviously thought wrong."

  "Look," I said angrily. "I'm in a bad mood. I'm going to say something I regret, more than I have already. Please, drive me home."

  With a stony face, when safe, he made a U-Turn and pulled up in the front of my house. He didn't move as I slid out of the car. "Bye."

  "See ya." he muttered.

  I turned and stomped back to my house, trying not to blubber. I slipped in and quickly went to my room. At least they weren't shouting now, but I know they were still talking. I didn't want to talk to anyone at the moment.

  Straight away, I put Prison Break on and settled underneath my covers. I snuggled up to the blanket and rested my chin in my hands. I heard Charlie's toenails clip the tiles and he bounded onto my bed. I put my finger up to my lips, warning him to be quiet. He pressed onto my side and curled into a little ball. I gave him a small smile, scratching the top of his head. I pushed the argument to the back of my mind and got lost into the prison walls of Fox River.

  I'd sort it all out later.

  "How did he take it?" I asked as I slurped loudly through my straw. The strawberry ice hit my mouth like an explosion. I winced as I felt a throb of warning that a brain freeze was coming. I gently placed my slushy down on the table and turned, facing Mel.

  She sighed, toying with her straw, her eyes averted onto the table. She'd been pretty quiet all morning.

  "Not very good at first."

  "Is that why his desk is now in two separate halves?" I questioned, shifting into more of a comfortable position. Currently, we were out shopping. We both wanted a break from everything and a little bit of fun. Since Mel had braved telling my Dad that she's pregnant and I had an argument with Jason, we just decided to go do something for ourselves. Away from all boys, which was nice.

  "Yup," she replied, popping the 'p'. She sucked on her own straw, but her slushy was blueberry. Apparently I now had a bright, pink tongue, but anyway. Hers was tainted blue. I played with my fingers as silence lapsed. We finished off our drinks and moved on to the other half of the shopping centre we hadn't covered yet.

  So far, I'd scored myself an awesome pair of bright blue jeans, a new white, lacey top and a nice, formal dress. It was black and grey. I was hoping to show it off to Jason, but it will have to wait until we sort this thing out. It was my fault, I know that now, but I was still too stubborn to admit it to his face.

  Plus, I felt crummy. I wasn't one hundred percent today. I rested on the back wall, near the change rooms as Mel, yet again, tried on another dress. No joke, it'd be up near the forty mark. She's practically tried on every dress she's seen.

  "I like it." She commented, her voice filtering from the little cubicle. "But I think I'll need you to zip it up. I can't quite reach."

  "Give me a look."

  She stepped out and did a little pivot. I zipped it up the rest of the way and took a step back, to examine the outfit. She posed and I rolled my eyes. It fitted her really well.

  "It's great."

  "Should I get it?" she asked, running her hands down the fabric, smoothing it over. She did a little twirl, studying it.

  "Definitely." I nodded in approval. She beamed and disappeared back inside. She came out again, her cheeks slightly pink.

  "You know, you should maybe be buying loose clothes, because, ya know." I made a curved line with my hand over my stomach and she narrowed her eyes at me, planting her hands onto her hips.

  "What are you implying, Emma?"

  "Um, you're going to get fat."

  "Dude, it's a little too soon for jokes."

  "It isn't a joke..." I trailed off. "You will need to buy some looser clothes."

  "Yeah, but not right now." she snapped. "I still have ages."

  "Not really, actually."

  "I might not even have it!"

  "Yes you will," I said, rolling my eyes, despite the heaviness of the topic. "I know you. You wouldn't have an abortion."

  "Mum asked me if I wanted to."

  "Yeah, you told me. Then you said you just imagined if your mum had been the one to have an abortion and the world wouldn't have been blessed with your amazing presence."

  "Whatever." she replied back stubbornly, knowing that I had a fair and valid point that would be useless to argue against.

  "I'm just trying to help."

  "Like Jason was?" she challenged.

  I frowned at her. She did have a point. I sighed, turned and exited the change room area. I went and ran my hands along one of the racks. I pulled out a nice, off-the-shoulder top. This would go awesome with those shorts Mum bought me for my birthday. I took a couple of steps towards the counter, when a bubble of laughter streamed passed me.

  I glanced over and my eyes widened dramatically. My mother was there, linked arms with a man who had his back to me. I narrowed my eyes and squinted, trying to make out who it was. She leaned forward and kissed him. I felt my heart do a little pang. Great. So that means she obviously didn't want to be with Dad anymore.

  More than old friends, I suppose?

  She grinned up at him and turned, entering another shop. He turned, a smirk evident on his face. I felt my heart drop into my stomach.

  Ah, hell.

  All I could think about was Mum. And him. Ugh! I couldn't believe her. I was just so mad!

  Also, I hadn't spoken to Jason since our little tiff. I exhaled deeply. I suppose I should be the mature, responsible one and apologise. Now that I think about it, it was most certainly my fault. I had just been in a bad mood. You know, lady problems I guess.

  Since I had my, you-know-what's, I had a shooting headache and stomach pains, I felt like crap. Even more then at shopping yesterday. I stumbled into my seat and collapsed down, banging my head a little too roughly onto the desk. Ugh, so over school right now. I wasn't going to be in Jason's classes until after lunch, which sucked. I didn't want to brave pulling away from the 'It' crowd at lunch, so my apology would have to wait. The teacher began the lesson and it droned on and on. Trudging out to my next couple of lessons, I was feeling worse and worse by the minute. I collapsed down onto the table, in fourth period. I had been just drifting to sleep, when I heard my name called.

  "Emma?"

  "Huh?" I asked with a start, snapping my eyes open. A few people sniggered at me and some laughed. I felt my cheeks turn red with embarrassment. "I mean, yes?"

  "Are you feeling alright?" my PDH teacher asked, concern shown on her face. She chewed open mouthed onto her gum, her hands on her hips. She was a rather tall lady, with broad shoulders.

  "No, not really." I admitted. "I might go to sick bay, actually."

  "Okay, let me write you a note then." she bustled around the front of the classroom, before slapping it into my hand. "Feel better soon."

  "Thanks."

  I dragged my feet towards the office and dialed Mel's number. She wasn't at school today. She went out with her mother to 'discuss' her future. Anyway, since I had been texting her all day, I knew she was at home now.

  "Hello?"

  "Hey Mel," I greeted.

  "Let me guess," she said flatly. "You want me to come pick you up?"

  "How'd you know?"

  "I know many things, Emma." she tried to say wisely and I snorted.

  "Yeah okay."

  "I'll meet you out the front."

  "Thank you," I said gratefully. "You're a life saver."

  "You owe me."

  "I'll buy you a block of chocolate." I negotiated.<
br />
  "Deal."

  I smiled into the phone and hung up. She was definitely my best friend, even though we'd sort of had a go at each other yesterday. I'd forgotten about that almost instantly when I saw Mum with him. I went into the office and explained what happened. I then went and waited outside the school, resting back onto one of the small walls, attached to the gate. I hummed quietly to myself, swinging my legs back and forth. My head was pounding as though someone was repeatedly smacking it with a hammer. I wanted to curl up in my bed and sleep four twelve hours. That sounded really nice right now. I heard footsteps, but didn't really think anything of it, until I heard a voice. An American accented voice.

  "Hello Emma!" Chase beamed at me, waving as though he was calling SOS. "How are you?"

  "Eh," I shrugged. "And you?"

  "Never better!" he said in a cheerful voice. "I just went and got myself a new skateboard actually. It's pretty sweet."

  "Oh cool."

  "Yeah." he grinned. "Come and give me a hug!"

  "Um..." I trailed off. He came over and as I tried to maneuver myself away, I felt my bag slip from my shoulder and crash to the ground, spilling out the contents. My books piled out one by one and I frowned. I dropped to my knees and began to pack them all back in, Chase doing the same. His hands froze.

  "What's up?" I asked. I glanced up to look at him and sucked in a breath of surprise. His lips pressed against mine so quickly, that I hadn't even had a chance to think. I reeled backwards, landing onto my butt. My eyes were wide. "C-Chase!"

  He ignored me and moved in again. His lips brushed mine. My heart began galloping rapidly inside my chest. We were interrupted by a loud, car horn and I broke apart from him like I had had a bucket of ice, cold water thrown on us. I wrenched my bag onto my back and took off like no tomorrow.

  "Emma, wait!" he called from behind me.

  I entered Mel's car, both mentally and physically shaken. I couldn't believe that had just happened!

  His lips...

  Suddenly, Mel slapped the side of my head, causing me to smack into the window. I yelped in pain, whipping my eyes to her. That would be a great improvement to my already throbbing head .

  "Ouch!"

  "You're such an idiot Emma." she spat, punching me in the shoulder. "Such an idiot!"

  I sunk low into my seat, on the verge of tears.

  What the fudge cakes had I just done!?

  47

  I chewed at my lip nervously as I waited for Jason to come home. Even though I felt like crap, instead of going home and sleeping, I had just paced and worried myself half to death. Which is why I was now curled up in his room, absently playing with a loose thread in my pants.

  I closed my eyes and rested back. Not long after, I heard footsteps, the door open and a heavy thud, which was an indication of the deposit of his school bag. I woke with a start, almost falling off the bed. I steadied myself and peered around, my eyes landing on him.

  I gave him a small smile and his eyebrow quirked up.

  "Hey?"

  "Hey." I mumbled quietly. With a deep breath, I patted the vacant area of bed beside me. Slowly, he walked over, sitting down with a straight back. He turned, looking me levelly in the eye. A wrinkle creased his smooth skin on his forehead.

  "We need to talk." I began.

  "You're not breaking up with me, right?" he blurted, eyes wide and panicked.

  "Don't be stupid." I scolded him. "Why would I do that?"

  "Because my Dad is blackmailing you?" he suggested.

  I rolled my eyes. "Been there, done that. But this is also really serious..."

  He frowned at me. "Go on."

  "Well, I've landed myself into a bit of a pickle here." I explained, furiously playing with the thread, my eyes downcast. "I know we had an argument and never really sorted it out... but now there’s more added onto the situation."

  His silence made me almost shiver. With a gulp, I continued.

  "So... this afternoon when I waiting for Mel to come pick me up, I saw Chase." His eyes instantly narrowed and I cleared my throat, begging my voice not to give out on me. "We were talking and my books fell out of my bag..."

  His jaw clenched, and he nodded stiffly.

  "And before I knew it, when I looked up he kissed me. I pulled back straight away, but he did it again. This time... this time I didn't pull back until Mel beeped at me."

  "How long did it last?" he asked flatly, his eyes going cold.

  My heart dropped into my stomach and my hands became so clammy that I had to wipe them down on my pants.

  "Like, two seconds? If that."

  He leaned over and pressed his face into his hands. The sound of my heart beat roaring in my ears was the only thing I could hear. He was silent for a couple of minutes. I hadn't even realised tears had begun rolling down my cheeks until I sniffled. I wiped them away and rolled my lips into my mouth, awaiting his response. Slowly, he sat up straight again, his hands clenched into fists, his body stiff. He rose and began striding out of the room.

  "I'm going to go kill him."

  "W-what?" I stammered, clambering up. I jogged after him and latched onto his school shirt with my fingers. I reefed him back. He stumbled and I steadied him. "Don't do that!"

  "It will only take a second," he insisted, turning again.

  "Jason, no!" I threw my fists at his back and they thudded against his skin. He rounded on me and I almost cried out when he grabbed my wrists. He pushed me roughly, causing me to topple backwards and luckily land on his bed. He crawled on top of me, pinning me down with his body. I gulped, forcing myself to meet his ultra, blue eyes.

  "Do you have feelings for him?"

  "No."

  "Are you sure?" he pressed.

  "I'm positive. Promise."

  With a sigh, he rolled off me and went onto his back. We were both silent as we gazed up at his ceiling.

  "I guess you forgave me when I cheated on you." he murmured quietly.

  "But I guess you at least had an excuse. You were drunk."

  "Still. I guess it wouldn't be all that fair if I went and got crazy over this when you reacted responsibly when I did it."

  "I never thought this situation would happen to me."

  "Me either."

  Silence lapsed once more and I turned, snaking my arms around his hips. I snuggled into him and sighed. "I'm really, really sorry Jason."

  He turned, pecking my lips, before sighing. "I guess I can forgive you. As long as we both promise nothing like this will happen again."

  "I promise."

  He wrapped his arms around me and allowed me hug him. I was so glad he was so understanding. It wasn't like I purposely cheated on him. It literally just happened. I was mentally kicking myself though. I should have punched Chase.

  "Would you get upset if I hit him?" he asked.

  "Yes."

  He frowned and began grumbling under his breath, which caused me to eye roll. Not long after, there was a knock at his bedroom door. I jolted in surprise and detangled myself from him, breaking our contact.

  "Come in." Jason called and I found the need to broaden the distance between us, thinking it was Miranda.

  "Hey guys," an American accented voice sang cheerfully.

  Jason sprung up from his bed. His eyes flashed with anger and without a second of hesitation, he lunged at him, socking him in the jaw. Chase's eyes went wide before he staggered backwards. He hands flew to his face and he doubled over, groaning. Clearly he didn’t pay much attention to what I just said.

  "Jason!" I cried out, pulling him back, yet again. How ironic, we were only just talking about this. Speak of the Devil. I gripped his upper arms hard, trying to sedate him a little. "Don't!"

  He shook out his right hand and began flexing his fingers. I heard him mutter, "Ouch," in the process. I shook my head at him. He was hopeless. I wanted to go comfort Chase and see if he was okay, but I was still mad at him and it wouldn't have been the smartest idea with Jason being there and all.


  "Okay, I deserved that." Chase declared, straightening up, but still cradling his jaw. "I shouldn't have done that, but whatever. I'm here to talk to Emma."

  "Bull you are!" Jason cried out angrily, his fists clenching on his sides, his face turning more red and red by the second. I swear I could see his temple throbbing. I felt a swirl of emotion in the pit of my stomach at his protectiveness. Even if it was a little over-the-top, I still appreciate it. I felt... touched.

  Chase pursed his lips at him. "Look guard dog, chill out. It's about her mum. I think?"

  "You-"

  "My Mum?" I spluttered, cutting Jason off. "Huh?"

  "Or a lady who looked identical to you." Chase shrugged, smirking smugly at Jason who was literally about to blow a casket.

  "What about her?" I asked, narrowing my eyes and folding my arms across my chest. Jason took a step forward and without even thinking, I raised my hand and gently pressed it on his chest, in attempt to hold him back. I didn't take my eyes of Chase as I studied him. What on Earth was he blabbering on about?

  "Well, I know that Daniel has done horrible stuff to you, and this lady was with a man..."

  "She was with Daniel's father I'm assuming." I deadpanned. "I've seen her fraternising with him lately."

  "Well, that makes sense at why he was shaking hands with his Dad before he got in the car with her."

  "So you think he's up to something?" I asked, my heart dipping into my stomach. I rolled my lips into my mouth as I let his words tumble over in my mind. I really had hoped Daniel had backed up his truck and left me alone. Same for Britney. Mental sigh. I guess my life would have been too good for that to happen.

  "I wouldn't have come all the way over here if I didn't..." he stated.

  "Valid point."

  "Okay and now that you have," Jason interrupted, jerking his thumb over his shoulder. "Get lost."

  "Jason," I scolded him with a frown. I turned to Chase. "Thank you for letting me know."

  "Want to give me a thank you kiss?" he joked and Jason let out a sound relating to a growl. Chase sniggered at him, rolling his eyes. "Okay, okay, I'll go."

  "Good riddance." Jason muttered, death staring him so hard that I thought his eyes would mold into lasers and burn him. Chase turned, exiting his room and I let myself sink onto Jason's bed. I cross my right leg over my left and rested my chin in my palm.