Jenna was still smiling when she entered her fifth hour class. Her smile slipped as she saw Angie leaning over flirting with Will.
“You have to come!” she trailed her finger down his arm.
“Do I?” Will asked mildly but didn’t pull his hand away, something Jenna noticed immediately.
“Please!” Angie gave a little pout.
“I’ll think about it,” he shrugged.
“What can I do to persuade you?” Angie winked then noticing Jenna her eyes narrowed. “What are you looking at, freak?”
Jenna smiled, “I’m still trying to figure that out.”
Will laughed, and Angie flipped her off.
“Real funny considering what you look like,” she snapped. “Have you looked in the mirror recently?”
Jenna shrugged trying not to let Angie get to her. She knew she shouldn’t have said anything but really couldn’t help it, though, now she was going to pay for it. Angie would torment her whenever she could.
“Anyway, Will,” Angie turned her attention back to Will pointedly ignoring Jenna, “I really hope you do come, everyone’s going.”
“Everyone?” Will asked then turning to Jenna asked, “Are you going?”
“Okay, well almost everyone,” Angie glared at Jenna before she could answer.
“I said I’ll think about going,” Will focused on Angie. “Now leave it alone or I won’t go at all.”
“Fine,” Angie stalked off to her desk just as the teacher entered the room.
“So, are you going?” Will asked as they put away their equipment at the end of class.
“Lena’s making me,” she answered. “I wasn’t invited though. Are you going to go?”
“Looks like I have to,” he sighed.
“Why?”
“Cause you’re going,” he called over his shoulder as the bell rang.
Jenna was confused. Why would it matter to Will if she went? A thought crossed her mind she never thought would, did Will like her? Her heart sped up and her palms felt wet, nobody had ever liked her. She shook her head trying to clear away the thought. It’d be stupid for her to hope she could make a friend let alone a boyfriend. You’re a freak, she told herself, people don’t like you.
Jenna was late getting to her locker after school. She raced to get her things but failed twice to open her locker. She was going to miss the bus if she didn’t hurry. She grumbled as the scene that caused her delay replayed in her mind.
Angie had corned her after her sixth hour class.
“I want you to get one thing straight, creep,” she had hissed in Jenna’s face, “Will’s mine, not yours. And don’t act like you don’t have feelings for him. You’re easier to read than a children’s book.”
Jenna flushed with embarrassment causing her to react, “Don’t you have a boyfriend?”
It was a mistake; Jenna should’ve just kept her mouth shut. Angie’s eyes narrowed into little slits.
“That is none of your business, freak,” Angie’s hands were clenched into fists making Jenna think Angie wanted to hit her.
“His name is Henry, right?” Jenna continued. She couldn’t help it; ever since Will and Lena had shown up, Jenna had found courage.
“Watch it!” Angie snapped.
“Hey, isn’t he having a party this weekend too? It wouldn’t be very cool if you showed up with Will at your own boyfriend’s party,” Jenna smirked a little, though, mostly she was afraid.
Angie shoved Jenna against the wall, “You asked for it, you gold eyed creep!”
“Is there a problem here?” A teacher broke through the crowd that had gathered behind Angie.
Angie’s hands dropped before the teacher had gotten to the middle.
“No, I was just clearing a few things up for Jenna here,” Angie smiled innocently. “Honestly, it was about some homework problems, but it’s all taken care of, right Jenna? You understand now, don’t you?”
Jenna turned to the teacher and smiled a little too, “That’s right. Angie explained it very well.”
“Okay then,” the teacher looked unbelieving at them. “Get a move on then. Don’t linger after school. And Angie, I know you have cheerleading practice, you should get going there. I know Coach Toxy doesn’t like tardiness.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Angie smiled again. “Thank you.”
“You get a move on too, uh…” she looked closer at Jenna trying remember her name. Jenna looked up into her face and the teacher took half a step back,, “You just get to where ever you need to be, but I know it’s not here.”
The teacher turned and hurried away, shaking her head as she went.
Jenna sighed, she knew why the teacher reacted that way, but it still never got easier for her. She hated the way people treated her. She hated the way they looked at her. She didn’t belong, and she knew she never would belong.
Coming back to the present Jenna shook her head again. Slamming her locker shut, she ran out the front door just in time to watch her bus pull away, leaving her behind.
“Oh, great!” she threw her arms up in the air, dropping her books. “Just great!”
“What’s so great?” Will asked coming up beside her.
“I missed my bus,” Jenna complained as she bent to retrieve her books.
Will stood watching her, not bothering to help her gather her things. It was enjoyable watching her struggle when everything used to come so easily to her.
“Now,” she continued after she straightened up with her books back in her arms, “I get to walk home.”
“Walking isn’t a bad thing,” Will said.
Jenna looked over at him, noting his slight frown. She wondered if it was because he was talking to her, “I know it’s not; it’s just a little cold today.”
At that Will laughed a harsh laugh, “You don’t like the cold?”
“I don’t mind it, but I’d rather the sun be shining,” Jenna blushed feeling stupid.
“You do know winter is coming, don’t you?”
Jenna nodded, “And I can’t wait to go skiing. Do you ski?”
“Nope, I find it boring,” Will took a step away from her, “I’ll see you tomorrow. Oh and do me a favor, don’t go down any alleys.”
Surprised by his abruptness Jenna just nodded and watched as he walked away. She found Will to be the most confusing person she’s ever met. She still couldn’t figure out if he liked her or found her annoying.
Jenna turned and walked in the opposite direction Will had gone.
Chapter Four
The week passed by without much incident, all except for Angie constantly reminding her how much she didn’t fit in, an antic that was making Jenna’s patience wear thin; though, Jenna didn’t have any idea how to address the problem. Lena offered to teach her how to properly punch so she could punch Angie, but Jenna refused. She didn’t believe anything could be solved with fighting. Lena then offered to beat Angie up for her, but Jenna shot that idea down before Lena could get it all out.
“You’re not wearing that, are you?” Lena asked after Jenna opened the front door to let her in.
It was the night of the party, and Jenna was freaking out inside. She didn’t know what to expect seeing; she’d never been to a party before.
Jenna shrugged looking down at herself, “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
“Everything,” Lena grabbed her arm and hauled her upstairs. “Good thing I brought stuff with me.”
“I don’t want to wear that!” Jenna exclaimed after seeing the dress Lena had brought.
“Shut up and put it on.”
Knowing she wasn’t going to get anywhere arguing with Lena, Jenna reluctantly took the dress and put it on. It was too short for Jenna’s comfort stopping mid-thigh. The dress was black with a lace covering over it; a pink zipper added a splash of color. The only thing Jenna liked about it was that it wasn’t low cut and had cap sleeves.
“Anyone ever tell you you have really long legs?” Lena asked as she examined
Jenna in the dress.
“Umm, no,” Jenna blushed tugging at the dress hem.
“Don’t fidget,” Lena swatted at her hands. “Stand up tall, own the dress!”
“This is ridiculous,” Jenna muttered.
“Now, your make up,” Lena held up an eye shadow compact. “Come over here and sit.”
Jenna knew it wouldn’t do any good to refuse so she sat and held still while Lena worked on her.
“Where’s your dress?” Jenna asked.
“Over on the bed. Open your eyes,” Lena ordered. “Perfect! You’re done.”
Jenna looked at herself in the mirror. She was shocked at her appearance. Lena didn’t go too heavy with the make-up, but the black eyeliner accented her eyes along with the neutral brown colors of the eye shadow.
“No,” Jenna stood and turned away, “Take it off.”
“What? Why? You look gorgeous!”
“No, I don’t! I said take it off!”
“What’s wrong, Jenna?”
“You made me look even more like a freak!” Jenna turned to run to her bathroom but Lena grabbed hold of her. Lena was a lot stronger than she looked.
“No, I didn’t.” Lena said through gritted teeth. “Just calm down!”
Jenna stopped struggling tears popping up in her eyes.
“Crying won’t make it come off; I used waterproof make up,” Lena said as she stripped down to get her own dress on.
Jenna turned away, giving Lena some privacy. She was angry at her new friend. The make-up Lena used made her gold eyes stand out even more than they already did. If she didn’t see them as a flaw, she supposed the accentuation would actually look nice; however, Jenna knew people would be afraid of her, or worse people would tease her more, especially Angie.
“Cheer up,” Lena grabbed Jenna’s arm. “Just ignore everyone there. Well everyone except Scott.”
“Scott?” Jenna asked, already forgetting the make-up.
“I hear Scott likes you,” Lena whispered excitedly.
Jenna shook her head, “No, you’re probably hearing that wrong.”
“I am not!” she laughed. “I asked him myself and he blushed, which basically means he does.”
“That does not!”
“Whatever, Jenna,” Lena rolled her eyes as they got in Lena’s car. “Why don’t we go see for ourselves?”
Jenna was standing in a corner holding a cup full of Sprite. She felt awkward and definitely out of place. Nobody paid attention to her, and she ignored them just the same. Lena was across the room dancing with a guy Jenna had never seen. Everyone was drunk, laughing and dancing as if they didn’t have a care in the world.
Jenna sighed heavily; she’d looked all over for Will since they’d arrived, but she hadn’t seen him yet. It was almost eleven and Jenna wanted to go home but wouldn’t leave Lena behind.
“What’s wrong?” a voice asked coming up next to her.
She turned, hoping it was Will but to her displeasure she saw Scott.
“Nothing’s wrong,” Jenna answered. “I’m just ready to go.”
“I can take you home,” Scott offered.
Jenna smiled, “No, thanks. I have to wait for Lena. I’m her ride.”
“I’m sure Bobby will give her a ride,” Scott glanced over at her and the boy she was dancing with.
“I’d rather wait,” Jenna replied.
“How about I go get you a new drink, and we’ll sit and talk until your friend is ready to go.”
“Well…” Jenna looked across the room and finally found Will. He was sitting next to Angie laughing with her, his hand on her leg. Heat flushed through Jenna. She curled her hands up into fists finally wanting to hit Angie with all her strength.
“Well, what?” Scott laughed drawing her attention momentarily away from Will.
“I’m sorry, what did you ask?” She smiled at him trying to pay attention.
“I said why don’t I grab you a new drink, and we can sit and talk until your friend is ready to go.”
“Oh, yeah, sure,” Jenna agreed watching Will. She’d heard about jealously and had experienced it before but nothing as intense as this. It made her whole body heat with rage, her hands the hottest of all.
“Here, you have to do this with me,” Scott grabbed her arm and pulled her into the kitchen.
Unfortunately, it put her closer to Will and Angie’s group of friends. She could now hear what they were saying.
“And then I told him to go to hell,” Angie was saying to Will. “I mean he was way too possessive anyway. He asked why, and I told him I’d found someone much better.”
She grabbed Will’s hand caressingly. Will’s posture was stiff, but he leaned closer to her and whispered something causing her to giggle.
“Jenna,” Scott interrupted her eavesdropping. “Try this,” he said again handing her a shot glass.
“What is it?” Jenna asked. She hadn’t ever had a drink before and wasn’t sure if she even wanted one.
“It’s called fun,” Scott laughed. “Just try it.”
“What do I do?”
“You drink it,” he now looked at her confused.
“Um, I don’t think I want it,” Jenna handed it back, but he wouldn’t take it.
“Just one shot with me, I promise I won’t ask you to take another one, okay?”
“Um…”
“Please?”
She glanced over at Will who was staring at her. She felt anger bubble up and wanted him to know she could have a good time without him. Smiling she nodded.
“Yes!” Scott poured himself a shot and held it up like a toast.
“To Jenna, the coolest and hottest girl at this party,” he clinked her glass with his and drank it.
Jenna followed suit and immediately regretted it. The liquor burned as it went down her throat. She wanted to cough but resisted.
“Here,” Scott handed her a drink.
“What is it?” Jenna asked a little raspy from the burning liquor.
“It’s a chaser,” he said drinking his own.
Jenna drank, too. It was beer and she wanted to spit it right out; it tasted so bitter. Scott was grinning at her, and she smiled back.
“Thank you,” she said holding up her cup.
“Don’t mention it,” he waved away her thanks. “I’ve been looking for a way to talk to you and then you finally show up to one of Henry’s parties, and I got my chance.”
“Why would you want to talk to me?” Jenna sat her cup down and ever so slightly pushed it away. She wanted her soda back.
“Why not?” Scott shrugged. “You’re gorgeous. Sorry if I’m being too upfront.”
Jenna smiled at him, “No, that’s fine. I’ve just never been called that before. In fact I don’t think anyone’s ever liked me before.”
“You’re crazy!” Scott laughed and moved closer. “People like you; you’re just too intimidating.”
“How so?” she cocked her head to the side looking at him.
“It’s those damn eyes,” he answered bringing his hand up to brush her hair away from her face.
She looked away from him uncertainty rising up in her chest. He didn’t like her; he just wanted to openly mock her.
Scott brought his other hand up and turned her head so she had to look at him, “I find them very intriguing and exotic.”
Now Jenna felt confused…no one had ever looked at her without flinching. Except for Will and Lena. She pushed Will out of her mind. Scott was leaning over to kiss her.
“I’ve been wanting to do this for a very long time,” his breath was hot against her face and reeked of beer.
Jenna wanted to push him back, but her body was too tired. She felt woozy. She brought her hand up and rested it on his chest.
“Scott, I don’t feel so good,” she mumbled.
“Here,” he put his arm around her to support her as he helped her upstairs.
“Where are we going?”
“You need to lay down,” Scott answe
red.
“I want to go home. Do you have a phone?” She didn’t understand what was going on. How could she be fine one minute and about falling over like she was drunk the next? Could one shot do that? She shook her head no…it took more than that to intoxicate someone this badly.
“Here you go,” he laid her down on the softest bed Jenna had ever laid on. “I’ll go get you some water.”
He was gone for a moment, “Here, can you sit up?”
Jenna nodded sitting up. Gratefully she took the water and drank it.
“Better?” Scott asked as he set down the cup on a nightstand.
Jenna nodded and smiled weakly, “I think that shot really did me in.”
Scott laughed and moved closer, “Was it your first one?”
“Yes,” Jenna laughed with him.
Scott took her face in his hands again and moved in to kiss her. She held her breath but kissed him back. Jenna hadn’t pictured her first kiss to be like this. Scott was a sloppy kisser, too eager for more. He moved his hands down to explore her body. Her body tensed up.
“Um, Scott,” Jenna said a little breathless trying to wrap her head around what was happening.
“Shh,” he said bringing his mouth back to hers.
He laid her down and climbed on top of her.
“Scott, don’t,” Jenna tried pushing him away but she was too tired and her head was still groggy.
Scott ignored her as he kissed her neck. His hand traveled down her body reaching her leg then he pushed her dress up.
“Scott!” Jenna struggled to move away from him. “I don’t like that. Stop!”
He chuckled and reached around to unzip her dress. Panic overwhelmed Jenna as she continued to struggle. He wasn’t going to stop. She couldn’t let this happen; she had to stop him, but he was too heavy. She couldn’t push him off or wiggle out from underneath him.
She felt the zipper sliding down. Please no! She silently prayed.
She closed her eyes and miraculously Scott stopped. In fact she felt his weight lift away from hers. Her eyes snapped open and she found Will pounding on Scott’s face.
“Will!” She climbed out of the bed weakly and fell to the floor. “Stop!”
The Sun Angel Page 5
