by Paige Powers
I nodded. “A little.”
“Here,” he slipped off his leather jacket and gave it to me.
“Jack, you don’t have to,” I said, shaking my head. He just smiled and put it around my shoulders.
“You might be my fake girlfriend but I guess you can wear it,” he winked and sat back down on his swing.
I laughed. “Thanks.”
He nodded and smiled. He was wearing a long sleeved navy blue shirt but he didn’t look the slightest bit cold. Then I saw something I hadn’t seen before. A bruise on his shoulder. I frowned. Why would he have a bruise that big on his shoulder? I never saw that before. I didn’t comment. “It’s getting late,” I said. He kept on swinging.
“I don’t want to go home.” he said like a stubborn kid. I laughed. But he was serious.
“Is something wrong?” I asked, concerned.
He shook his head and looked over at me softly.
“No.”
I was still frowning. I stopped my swing and stood up. He stopped too. I stood in front of him and leaned down. He watched my eyes. I closed my eyes and kissed his cheek. It was soft and warm. Then slowly I slid my lips across his cheek to his lips. He didn’t move but I could feel his breathing pick up. I gently kissed him then pulled back. His eyes opened and he had something strange in them. He had some kind of deep emotion in them.
“Thanks,” I whispered, smiling. He nodded but stayed quiet. I gave him back his jacket and then left the playground. For some reason, my body wanted to go back to him but I had to get home. I had to talk to my mom. I touched my lips and still felt the warmth from him there.
Chapter 14
I had talked to my mom about stuff. She and I were a lot more alike than I’d thought. We didn’t talk about dad or anything though, because anytime I tried to bring it up she would push it away, because she felt uncomfortable talking about it. We fell asleep in her room with her arms around me. It was nice. I felt like I was 5 years old again, sleeping with mommy.
A couple of days passed by and nothing really happened. On Wednesday morning, I got up late, quickly showered and got dressed.
“Honey, don’t forget your money!” Mom yelled from the kitchen. She said that dad would be back by Friday sometime. But that’s all she said. I didn’t know what was happening to my parents. I didn’t know what was in the future for our family but I was sure I wasn’t taking my father’s side.
There was a knock on the door and I answered it while slipping on my jacket. Jack looked good but something was annoying about him.
“Hold on,” I said and went to my mom in the kitchen. “Bye, Mom,” I kissed her cheek and she smiled.
“Bye, honey. Oh, I’m going to Sue’s this evening, so I won’t be home.” I nodded, grabbed my bag and ran out past Jack and into his car.
“What’s wrong with you?” he asked as he got into the car. I looked at him and frowned.
“I’m fine. What’s wrong with you?” I asked. He raised an eyebrow.
“Women,” he muttered shaking his head.
I don’t know why I was mad. I just was. I was mad because Jack acted as if everything was okay. I was mad that he let me kiss him. I was mad that he didn’t care about me like I think I did for him. He was just making fun of me, I think. “You want to sit with us?” I asked Candice during recess. She smiled.
“Sure.” We sat at our usual table. Kendra and Grant hadn’t sat with us for a while but other friends of ours sat at the lower end of the table. Jack sat down next to me putting an arm around my shoulder. I looked over at him and he grinned.
“I wonder where Tommy is.” Candice looked around and that’s when I threw Jack’s arm off. “Ouch!” Candice looked back at us and we smiled. She frowned slightly.
“Hey,” Tommy said as he kissed Candice on the head and smiled.
“Tommy, this is Jack and Lidia. Remember, I told you about them.”
“Yeah!” he smiled. He was a big, tall boy with blonde hair and brown eyes. Quite handsome. “Hey, man!” he said and slapped hands with Jack.
“How’s it going?” Jack asked already enthralled with talking about stupid boy stuff. Candice sighed and I laughed a little.
“So, how’s the play going?” I asked her. She smiled.
“Great! It’s going great! I still think you should try out.”
I snorted.
“I don’t think acting is my thing.”
Jack looked over at me, his lips twitching a little.
“Babe, I think you’re a good actress.” I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Really? You know, I just can’t see myself like that. Though you, you would be perfect for the jackass costume but you wouldn’t—. “
“Ha-ha!” he said cutting me off. I smirked. Candice and Tommy were laughing. Jack glared. “Sorry baby, just helping.” I pouted and he looked annoyed for a moment and then continued talking to Tommy. Candice laughed.
“Oh! Hey do you guys still want to go out on a double date?” She asked Jack and me.
“Um, Candice I don’t—“
“Yeah that would be great!” Jack said cutting in once again. I looked over at him clenching my teeth. He put his arm around me and it took everything not to hit him. Candice grinned.
“Awesome! It’ll be fun. You guys just want to get together and watch movies and have popcorn and stuff?” she asked. Jack nodded before I could say anything. “So maybe like Friday night after school?”
“Sure,” I said sounding sarcastic.
“Um, Tommy do you have a big TV?” she asked. He took a big bite of his sandwich and looked over at her.
“It’s not that big,” he said with his mouth full. She rolled her eyes.
“We can have it at Lidia’s. She has a big TV and I’m sure Mr. and Mrs. Taylor won’t mind,” offered Jack. I grabbed his leg and squeezed. He jumped and breathed in.
“Oh, okay, cool! Is that okay, Lidia?” she asked, sounding sweet. I nodded.
“Yeah, that’s fine,” I was still grabbing his leg and gripping it hard. He groaned a little and squeezed my shoulder. I jerked my head to the side as he pinched a pressure point. Candice and Tommy were talking, not bothering to see us fighting, thankfully.
“Jack!” I yelled quietly. He was gritting his teeth together.
“Let go,” he said. I did and he did, too. We both exhaled and rubbed where the other person had hurt us. I glared at him.
“We’re talking about this when we get to my house!”
“Nuew,” he said shaking his head, making fun of me.
“I can’t stand you!” I yelled in his ear. He snorted. I stood up and took my tray to throw out the leftovers.
“Damn it, Jack!” I yelled as we got into my house. He dropped his stuff by the door like me. “What?” he yelled throwing his hands in the air. I threw my coat on the sofa angrily.
“You!” I yelled and stomped up the stairs.
“Wait a minute, I’m not done!” he yelled stomping up behind me. I ignored him and went into my room. I heard him running so I started to run. I got to my room and slammed the door. I pushed on it so he couldn’t get in. He banged and started to push it open. “Lidia!” he yelled grunting as he tried to get in my room. I pushed my whole body on it so he couldn’t get in. But he was pushing me back. I grinded my heels into the carpet but knew it was useless. He was stronger. He was laughing a little. Finally I failed and fell back as he burst open the door, causing it to hit my wall. He looked down at my angry eyes and smirked. I stood up and glared.
“I just want Grant back, okay?!” I said. His eyes became something different that I had only seen once but then it vanished.
“And I just want Kendra back!” he said.
“Fine!”
“Fine!” We both said to each other. We stared at each other for a moment then something quickly passed. We both reached for each other and we started to kiss. It was rough and forced. I grabbed at his hair and he grabbed at my
waist tightly. I pushed him up against the wall almost knocking over a picture frame. Jack put his hands under my shirt as I rubbed myself against him. He groaned and flipped me over so he was pushing me against the wall. His lips were heating me everywhere. Everything was getting dizzy. Our tongues came together and I felt like I was floating. I sucked on his bottom lip and pulled back.
“I hate you!” I said gritting my teeth together.
“I hate you, too!” he said and picked me up. I kissed him again and down across his cheek and onto his neck. He dropped me down onto the bed and at that point my body was on fire. I put my hands under his shirt and started to lift it. His hands were on my stomach almost getting my shirt off. He grunted as I reached his chest. I frowned but kept kissing him. As I lifted off his shirt I saw the bruise. I paused and pulled back. I put my hand on his shoulder where the bruise was. He frowned then looked down. He jumped off me like I was a disease and pulled his shirt back on. “Jack,” I breathed, my breath short. He clenched his teeth. “What was that? How did you get that?” He looked down, not meeting my gaze. I stood up, my body still hot. He wouldn’t look at me. “Jack!” I demanded. He looked up. His eyes were mean and it scared me. I backed up a little.
“It doesn’t matter,” he said coldly.
“What is wrong with you?” I asked disgusted. He looked at me and I didn’t recognize him.
“Why don’t you do yourself a favor and stay out of my business!” My mouth dropped a little. I shook my head at him.
“Damn you,” I said. He shook his head and without another word he left, slamming the front door. I stood there for a couple of minutes trying to replay the event over in my head. Why did he blow up like that? Something was going on. Damn! Why won’t he tell me?! Ugh, I hate him! I guess we were done. I’m not talking to him. If he wants to be this way, then fine. He can, but I’m not taking it! Forget him!
Chapter 15
When my mom got home that night she came into my bedroom to see how I was.
“Lidia,” she whispered. I looked up from my homework, my eyes sore and tired. She smiled. “You should be in bed.” I smiled a little.
“So should you.” She nodded her head and laughed.
“I’m just about to.” I put my head back down on my books.
“Lidia is something wrong?” Mom came into the room and looked at me, worry in her eyes. She could always tell when something was wrong. I pulled off my reading glasses and set them on the night stand.
“Jack and I got into a fight.”
“Aw, honey,” she said and gave me a hug. I almost broke down, but I decided to stay strong. She pulled back and gave my shoulders a squeeze. “It’s okay. Things like this happen in a relationship. It happens every day. You’ve just got to stick through and eventually things will work its way out.” I smiled. But it’s a fake relationship, Mom. Jack doesn’t really like me and I...I’m still not sure. But he wouldn’t want me, anyhow! And besides, we can’t get along.
“Yeah, thanks, Mom.”
She smiled and kissed my forehead.
“He’ll come around,” she whispered. I sighed. ‘Sure, Mom. When pigs fly,’ I thought to myself.
“You’re probably right,” I said, trying to reassure her. She smiled.
“Night, sweetie.” She left my room, shutting my door. I looked out my window at the stars and smiled. I coughed loudly, which surprised me. Great. I was probably getting a cold.
“Ugh, Mommy!” I called with my nose getting stuffed up. My mom rushed into the room.
“Oh, what’s wrong?” she asked. She put her hand to my head.
“I think you have the flu. I’ll call the school.”
I smiled.
“Thanks.”
She nodded.
“Your father is coming home tomorrow.” She said, shutting my curtains. Her voice was shaky, but brave.
“Why don’t you go take a hot bath? I’ll come and get you when your soup is ready,” she said. I smiled. She left the room, but popped her head back in. “Oh and the meds are in the cupboard above the sink.” I stood up and got my clothes together and then filled the big tub with all sorts of bubbles and soaps to make your nose open up and laid in it.
After I took my bath I forced a whole bunch of pills down my throat wanting to feel better again. Mom made chicken soup for me and I carried millions of blankets into the den and found a comfortable spot on the couch with a big bowl of hot soup. I turned on the TV to watch the Twilight Zone all day.
A call came later and I thought maybe it was dad, but mom came into the living room with a smile on her lips.
“It’s Jack,” she whispered. I narrowed my eyes at the phone held my hand out. “Here,” she handed it over to me. I took the phone and turned it off. “Lidia!” she yelled. I rolled my eyes. “Mom, Jack was a jerk to me. I’m not giving in that easily.” She sighed.
“OK fine, your decision.” She went back to her office. He called 5 times that day. Every time I picked it up he tried to say he was sorry and not to hang up. The last time I almost talked to him but didn’t. I lay down on the sofa and fell asleep.
The next morning I was feeling a lot better! Mom still made me stay home though. I sat on the sofa in my black and purple PJs with my hair in a messy bun. I was watching Tom and Jerry while eating a bowl of cereal as I usually do on Sunday mornings, when the phone rang in Mom’s office. I didn’t bother getting up.
“Mom, phone!” I yelled. I heard her answer it. I turned the TV up and sighed. My mom came out of her office a couple of minutes later trying to hide a smile. “What are you grinning at?” I asked frowning at her. She just pursed her lips together.
“Um. Can you go get the newspaper for me?” she asked. I put the TV on mute and stood up.
“Sure.” I walked out the front door and saw the paper on the step.
“Good morning.” I jumped and looked out at the driveway. Jack smiled, his white teeth gleaming in the sun, leaning against his car.
Chapter 16
“What are you doing here?” I yelled. He held a single red rose and put it to his nose to sniff it while still looking at me.
“I wanted to apologize for being a complete asshole to you.” I shifted on the porch, my feet freezing. He came forward a little and held out the rose. “Please forgive me?” He put a little pout on his face that made me want to melt. I pushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear and crossed my arms realizing I was in my nighty, I looked away from him to show I was mad. He sighed. “Lidia,” he said his voice soft, but amused. “Come on! Please?” I looked back at him and clenched my teeth. He was doing this on purpose. He hated me! Oh, but he was so cute! Get a hold of yourself, Lidia! “Pretty please.” He pushed out his bottom lip and titled his head to the side like a lost puppy. I started to smile and looked away. “No! No, no! I saw that.” I pursed my lips together trying hard not to laugh. He came up the steps and I kept looking away. “I saw that,” he whispered. My stomach fluttered. He put his finger tips on my chin and drew my face over to his. His blue eyes glistened with excitement and something else. He put his lips right in front of mine. Teasing me. I stopped breathing for a moment and he just grinned. His bottom lip was rubbing against my lips and I shivered. “Please?” he asked again. His voice was low and seductive. I nodded staring into his eyes. He smiled and stepped back. I let out a breath I didn’t know I had held. He got down on his knee and I stared at him. “Will you be my fake girlfriend?” he asked holding out the rose. “Again,” he added. I laughed and smiled.
“Why not?” I said throwing my hands in the air. He grinned and stood up. I took the rose and smelled it.
“Mm, I forgive you.”
He looked at me. Again the strange gleam in his eyes came as he looked at me. And not just at my body or face. He saw me. He looked into me. I felt like I was losing myself into his eyes. His hand came up and touched my cheek with the back of it. A smile played on his lips. I just stared at him, feeling the warmth
of his touch.
“Lidia!” We both jumped and turned to see my dad getting out of his car and coming up to us. I glared.
“Dad,” I said through my teeth. He frowned at the two of us. Even Jack seemed to glare.
“Mr. Walker,” Dad said to Jack.
“Sir,” he answered. Dad looked at me.
“A little late to be wearing your bed clothes?”
I snorted.
“Dad I was sick.” He made an ‘O’ with his mouth as he nodded. He went past me.
“Is your mother home?” he called.
“Yeah,” I looked at Jack and he shook his head and rolled his eyes.
“Does your mom know?” he whispered.
I shook my head. “No, I didn’t have the heart to tell her.”
He nodded.
“Do you want to go to the playground?” he asked. I laughed a little.
“Sure,” I looked down at myself and chuckled. “Let me get changed first.” He laughed and we walked back into the house. I could hear my parents talking in my mom’s office and urged myself not to listen. I laid the rose down on my dresser and changed quickly into a pair of jeans. As I unbuttoned my top I looked at the rose and smiled, biting my lip. My PJ top fell to the floor as I quickly grabbed a bra still looking at the rose. I picked it up and smelled it again.
“Oh I’m sorry!” I jumped slightly and turned around. Jack stood at the door as I clutched my bra to my bare chest.
“It’s okay,” I said softly. He stared at me. I turned my back to him feeling my face turn a little red as I slipped on my bra and found a T-shirt. I put down the rose and turned around to him and smiled a little. His eyes were glazed over and he still was looking at me.
“I-I didn’t-I mean—“
“It’s okay, chill.” I laughed. “You already almost got my shirt off, so it’s no different.” He looked down and I swear I saw pink come to his cheeks. I grinned. “Is Jack Michael Walker really blushing?” I said putting my hands on my hips. His head sunk lower and I saw he was smiling too. “Aww, that’s so cute.” I walked over and looked at him. He lifted his eyes to me. His cheeks were red but he was smiling. I laughed. “Wow, not so tough anymore are you tiger?” My words were soft. He snorted a little.
