Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
M y mum had gone to work, and I decided I needed to face the music at school.
Sarah promised to meet me at the school gates, and I mentally prepared myself to see Arden or Kate. Surprisingly, though, the gossip seemed to have died down, and I made it through my classes unscathed.
When I reached my English class, where Mr Silver barely paid any attention to me, I was grateful for that.
The last thing I needed was further confusion.
“Sir, I saw you last night with your bird,” Harley smirked as I lifted my eyes to Mr Silver. “She’s fit, well done.”
Immediately Mr Silver’s eyes narrowed as he folded his arms. I felt sickening jealousy run through me, and I groaned inwardly.
Did I really think a man like him would be single? I bet it was the leggy blonde.
Suddenly I felt like an idiot.
“Thank you for your approval, Mr Owen. How’s your love life going? Or lack of it? ”
Harley laughed, wiping invisible dust from his shoulder.
“Who knows, no one can predict anything. Can they Jain? Like Arden and Kate.”
“Fuck off, Harley,” I hissed as Mr Silver’s eyes fell on me.
“Mr Owen, would you please read to the class chapter three, paragraph four?” He interrupted as I sent him a grateful look.
Harley sighed before beginning to read.
I didn’t pay attention. The very sound of Harley’s voice irritated me beyond belief.
Fucking Arden .
I was pissed with myself for even thinking for one second that I meant anything more to him than just a fuck. He had called and texted me loads, but I simply refused to speak to him. I knew he barely attended school, so ironically, I was safe here.
“Ok, so Layton, can you read Romeo’s lines from there, and who wants to be Juliet?”
Hands flew up around me, and I sighed.
“Jain?”
I stared at him in disbelief, and he nodded slowly, as though to tell me it was alright. I didn’t even know where we were in the book, and he narrowed his eyes as I swept through the pages trying to locate the place.
“Lucy?” He said, addressing another girl as I cringed.
“Jain, stay behind after class, please.”
I nodded, feeling incredibly upset and fed up. I was convinced that if he shouted at me, I was going to cry. Big fat tears that made me snivel and look like a beast.
It wouldn’t do.
After that, I tried to pay attention, actively turning to look at my fellow pupils as they read.
The last thing I wanted to do was study Romeo and bloody Juliet, of all things.
Everyone left the class at the end, and I remained in my seat, wondering what fresh hell fate wanted to unleash on me next.
Mr Silver walked in front of my desk, dragging his fingers over it idly, as I refused to look up at him.
“Is everything ok—”
“Sir, with all due respect, if you ask me if everything is fine at home, I’m going to scream.”
He sank to the chair in front of me, making me look at him with alarm.
“Want to talk about it?” He asked coolly.
“With my teacher? No,” I replied sarcastically when he leaned forward, his face close to mine.
“With me. Just me, not as your teacher.”
I felt dizzy, especially when my heart began to thud hard in my chest. His breathing seemed to have increased slightly, and I felt a tingle deep in my stomach.
“With you?”
“Yeah. I know you see me as Evan, not just Mr Silver. I care about you...I want to make sure you aren’t feeling alone.”
Oh great. So, he pitied me.
“I’ve got friends for that.”
“Want one more?” He smirked, and I bit my lip.
This small act seemed to change something within him, and he let out a groan.
“What?” I whispered as he shook his head.
“You,” he replied, reaching out to run his finger down the curve of my jaw.
I closed my eyes, my head turning into his open palm, when I heard him push the chair back, standing up abruptly .
“Sir—”
“Jain, you should probably go. Before—”
“Before what?” I demanded, finally speaking to him like I would any other guy playing fucking games.
“You should go. If you ever need to talk, I’m here.”
There was a knock on the door, and the pretty secretary walked in, looking at us with surprise.
“Oh, Evan, I thought you would be alone.” Her voice was clipped as she gazed at me coldly, and I picked up my bag.
“Hello, Vada. Yes, Miss Martin and I were just discussing—”
“A tragic love story,” I murmured as she frowned before noticing the book on his desk.
“Ah, Romeo and Juliet. How wonderful.”
I turned and walked away, but not before I heard her sultry tones.
“So, Evan, I just wondered if you didn’t have any other plans—”
I didn’t stay to listen to the rest, turning and hurrying from the door and smack bang into a hard chest.
“Whoa, what’s the hurry?”
No. Not now, of all the times—
His eyes searched mine, and I stared at him in sadness.
“Arden, I can’t talk to you right now.”
“So don’t.”
Arden pulled me towards him, his lips meeting mine as I tried to resist, but his tongue knew how to soothe me.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realise you felt anything for me...I thought it was just...”
I knew he was telling the truth, and I closed my eyes.
“Can we just leave?” I whispered as he nodded.
“Yeah, make-up sex is the best. ”
“Don’t push your fucking luck. You’re still a wanker,” I hissed, pushing the doors open as I stormed away.
I knew my moods were probably giving him whiplash, but I didn’t care.
Fuck him.