Kai
Stepping into the hallway at the end of third period, I spot the back of a very familiar head in the crowded hallway. ‘What the fuck?!’ I think as I process the picture in front of me. ‘Did Maddox really think he could just sneak back into school without me noticing? When did he even get back?’
We hadn’t seen each other since he left me in the van.
Hell, I hadn’t even heard his voice since the phone call nine months ago.
That weekend I went dancing and took some revenge pictures.
I made sure to send one of them to his phone, kind of a “Fuck you, you asked for this.” It was petty but, well, I was pissed.
It pissed off a lot of guys when I wouldn’t let them kiss me, when I wouldn’t fuck any of them, and when I didn’t return the favor after they blew me. It only went that far when my hand wasn’t doing it anymore.
Lost in thought, I almost missed Timmy approaching. My brain checked back in when he wrapped his arms around me. Darting my eyes down the hall, I caught the look in Dax’s eyes as I leaned into the embrace.
‘Perfect timing, Timmy. At least you’re good for somethin’,’ I think, with a smirk and a glint in my eyes.
I watched Maddox tongue at the corner of his mouth, scratching his eyebrow as his eyes go dark. I see his jaw clench before he turns with his middle finger in the air and walks out the door.
Getting distracted by the sight of his arms, ‘Damn, he musta been bored in juvie, his arms were already amazing, but they’re damn near delectable now. I wanna sink my teeth into that bicep,’ I think licking my lips as I shrug outta Timmy’s hold and walk away.
Shaking off those thoughts, I glance around noticing Dani and Mel had kept moving and I jog slightly to catch up with them in the hallway whispering about something. ‘What the fuck are they up to now?’ I think as I reach them.
Interrupting Mel, I ask the burning question, “Wanna tell me why I just saw Maddox in the hallway? And why no one happened to mention he was home?”
Mel rolled her eyes, “Sorry, I didn’t think you wanted to know about your ex. Next time I’ll be sure to give you a full report,” she says sarcastically.
I rolled my eyes towards the ceiling, pursing my lips, nodding as I looked back at her, “Like you don’t ask me about Seb.”
Dani stepped between us, holding hands at chest level, “Enough, both of you. Doesn’t really matter either way, Dax is back. There, now you know!”
‘If only it was that easy. That phone call plays on repeat in my head,’ I think, grumbling to myself.
I wanted to chase after him, tell him it was all a lie, that I hadn’t done anything since him. But I’m not begging anyone for anything anymore. I can get anything I need or want from anyone or move on to the next.
Dani waved at me and kissed Mel on the cheek as she left. Once we were alone, Mel cocked her eyebrow, staring me down.
“Was that totally necessary?” She asked, tucking her hands into her back pockets and giving me a knowing look.
I crack my knuckles one at a time, leaning against the wall, “This is what he wanted, who am I to refuse?”
The look of exasperation on her face told me that she was over this game we kept putting her in the middle of.
Mel shot me a look of disgust, shaking her head as she walked away, “Fucking men, they’re gonna be the death of me,” she muttered as she walked by, headed in the same direction Dax had left.
∞∞∞
The next morning, Mel skipped up to where Kai, Seb, Jason, and Dani stood around a picnic table outside the cafeteria. She had that ‘cat that ate the canary’ look on her face and I knew she was up to something.
I watched as she plucked the cigarette from Seb’s hand before turning back towards me. I eyed her nervously, seeing Seb reach for the cigarette out of the corner of my eye, as she exhaled she shot him a glare before looking back at me.
“Whatever you were goin’ for yesterday with him….it worked!” Mel said as she snatched the cigarette back.
I was confused for half a second before recognition sank in, “Oh yeah?” I ask, a sly smirk sneaking across my face.
Mel nodded, holding the cigarette out for Seb, “Oh yeah! He spent all night pacing his room muttering all kinds of shit, you whore,” Mel said with a wink.
My smirk turned into a Joker-like grin as I thought, ‘fucker’s playin’ right into my hands’.
Pulling out my phone, I scroll through my contacts looking for one number in particular, the one I haven’t used in 9 months. I shoot off a text as we head off to class.
I pocket my phone as I take my seat. I’m patiently waiting for what’s gonna come next and, fingers crossed, it’ll be me. As time ticks by, my leg starts bouncing as I sit in class. I zone out and nearly jump outta my skin when I finally feel my phone go off in my pocket.
Asshole: Yup, u catch it all or do I need to rpt it?
Seeing the message from Dax, I clench my fists. This was supposed to be my game of cat and mouse, but somehow, like always, Maddox had regained control.
Shaking my head, I think, ‘Dammit, he’s always toppin’ from the bottom.’
Shifting in my seat, I become painfully aware of the situation rising in my pants. My body always has the same response when it comes to him. Thinking for a moment, the response needed to give me back the upper hand, then, with a grin, I knew exactly what would get to Dax.
I sat in class checking my phone and trying not to be obvious about it. I glanced up at the clock, it was almost the end of the day, and I knew that shortly after the final bell rang that useless stand-in would meet me under the bleachers.
Cracking my neck, I think about the fact that it’s not who I want, but if Khayos wanted to play games, then we can play games. Class came to an end, I gathered my stuff and was headed to meet the poor excuse of a substitute when my phone vibrated.
Asshole: OMW. The Spot.
I smirked as I thought, ‘Perfect’.
Not only did I piss him off enough to react, but he would be walking right into the lion’s den. ‘Maybe I can finally get some real answers on what the fuck I mean to him.’
Spotting Melody and Dani in the hallway, I increased my pace to catch up. As I reached them, I wrapped an arm around their shoulders, and fell into step with them as we continued down the hall.
Mel looked up quizzically, “Umm, hi?”
I smirked, looking down at her, “Got’em,” I said with a wink.
Dani and Mel shared a look that I chose to ignore.
“Hey Mel, I need a small favor?” I ask her, remembering that what’s-his-face was supposed to meet me right where Dax was headed.
She nodded, “I got it, I’ll give Timmy your regards.”
I shrug, hitting her with ‘the smile’, the one I know gets me outta trouble with her, “Thanks, I owe ya one. Gotta run! Meetin’ Dax!”
∞∞∞
I stand under the bleachers, wiping my hands on my fatigues, looking down at myself. I knew the tan shirt pulled tight across my chest was gonna drive him crazy, which is what I wanted, but as I waited, my thoughts turn back to the phone call.
Shaking my head, I think about what a whiny bitch I was that day. ‘I’m not that kid anymore, this has to be a one-and-done. He’s a flight risk and I’m not dealin’ with that anymore.’
Lighting a cigarette I chant, ‘Done, we’re done’ over and over in my head. And as his voice telling me we’re over runs through my head I feel my anger from that day return. I have to hold on to that emotion and get one last ‘goodbye-fuck’ outta my system so I can move on with my life.