Chapter Thirteen

      “Please get away from me,” I said, to some guy who was asking me out or something. Izzy and Kim were both finding this all very amusing, and wouldn’t stop laughing, every time I rejected someone.

      “Uh, bu- I th-think-” he stuttered.

      “Leave. I’m not interested,” I said.

      “Oh. Maybe anoth-”

      “No. Bye,” I watched as he walked off, and I turned back to Kim and Izzy. “Don’t you dare continue laughing!”

      “Look Jules, it’s not our fault you’re irresistible to the male species!” Izzy giggled.

      “Shut up.”

      “By the way, where’s Trent?” Kim asked.

      “How the hell am I supposed to know?”

      “Well I mean you two are kinda… ya know…” she said suggestively.

      “No I’m sorry Kim, I don’t know, do explain.”

      “Oh never mind!”

      “Hey, Jules right, I’m Ian…” some guy went on, standing by our table.

      “Not interested, please get the hell away from me.”

      “Uh... Okay?” he said, leaving. I think all these guys expect me to be the way I was two years ago. I admit it, back then I probably would’ve still turned them down, but instead offered to go make out behind the bleachers or some shit. They don’t know who their dealing with.

Adam’s POV

I watched as an infinite number of boys approached Julia. Seriously? What’s their problem? Do they not know that I’m in the same room, and won’t hesitate to intervene if needed? Fine, I admit it, I’ve been playing the overly protective big brother a lot lately. Ever since Jules came up to me, and said that that douche kissed another girl. Josh immediately went to being my little bro, to the top of my kill list. No one messes with my little sister. I know on the outside she wants people to think that she’s strong and independent and all that crap; but I know her, and she’s fragile, and sensitive. Josh kissing whoever, screwed with her mind, confidence level, and stability. If I ever see that jerk again... well let’s just say it won’t be the happiest reunion.

      “Adam?” Talia said, poking my shoulder.

      “Huh?” I said.

      “Oh, I was just saying that Jules probably should have kept it on the DL that she’s single.”

      “Mhmm. I want her to end up with Trent.”

      “Didn’t that kid get held back a year?”

      “Maybe?”

      “Hey Adam, I was wondering,” Colt started. Oh god, he better not ask what I think he’s about to. “Would you mind if I asked out your sister?” Yup. Exactly what I had expected. What type of question is that? Of course I mind if you ask out my sister; she’s my sister! Some people are so clueless!

      “Knock yourself out- that is if you can get her to go out with you,” I said.

      “Easy,” he said arrogantly. Yeah right! My sister? No way. She’s anything but easy… now.

      “Not really,” Talia said, shaking her head.

      “What do you mean?” he asked.

      “I mean, I barely know her, but I just have a hunch she’s not easy,” Talia said, probably taking into consideration all the stories I’ve told her about Jules.

      “Want to make a bet?” he challenged.

      I was about to respond but Talia beat me to it, “No! That’s archaic, dumb, and just plain wrong!”

      “Wow Adam, do you ever know how to pick ‘em,” Colt said, smiling at Talia. She gave him a scowl, “Let me guess, you’re into the whole ‘Women’s Rights’ shit too?”

      “If you mean feminism, than yes, I am,” she said, carrying herself to a decree of individuality that could be achieved by Talia.

      “Colt, don’t screw with Talia,” I said.

      “No, never. But I can’t promise the same for your sister.”

      “Speaking of the one and only Jules; hey!” Talia said, smiling, and making room in between us for Jules to sit down.

      “Hey,” Jules said, punching me in the arm, and giving an angelic smile to Talia.

      “Why are you over here?” I asked.

      “Because those idiots won’t leave me the fuck alone.”

      “Ah. Where’s Trent?”

      “Don’t know. Do care.”

      “Hey Jules, I’m Colt, I’m one of your brother’s friends,” Colt said.

      “I know who you are, I’m not stupid.” And that would be my little sister for you.

      “Oh well, I was wondering… would you maybe want to go to this party with me on Friday?”

      “No,” she said, giving him a disgusted look.

      “Did she just say ‘no’ to me?”

      “Yes actually, I believe I did,” Jules said.

      “Look babe, I’m two years older than you; someone like you is lucky to get asked out by me. Oh, and I don’t take no as an answer.”

      “Aw! Do we have anxiety about dealing with rejection?” Only my sister…

      “NO!” Colt snapped.

      “Could’ve fooled me,” she mumbled.

      “But seriously Jules, we should go out.”

      “Nope.”

      “Oh! Rejected two times in one day! Nice Colt!” I said.

      “I have to go to class soon, but Adam I think you’re taking me home?” Jules said, about to leave.

      “I am?” I questioned.

      “Yeah.”

      “Sorry, but no can do.”

      “Why not?”

      “Football,” I said, as Talia interlaced her fingers with mine.

      “I can take you home if you need,” Colt offered.

      “No way dude,” she snorted.

      “I can take you,” Talia said.

      “Okay, cool. Thanks,” Jules said, getting up from the table. “Bye guys!”

      “I like that girl,” Colt said, after she was safely fifty feet away.

      “She doesn’t like you,” Talia stated, leaning in to kiss me.

      “No shit,” he said, sounding pissed.

Trent’s POV

      “What class are you supposed to have?” I asked Logan, as we walked down to the almost empty halls. I love being here during 5th period; almost no one’s here, and it’s just quiet. I was surprised Logan was here; normally he’s pretty good about going to class- unlike me.

      I can’t stand school. I hate it. It’s boring, and a waste of time. Most of the teachers just think I’m another stoner who skips class to go smoke; but I’m not. I don’t like smoking, but I don’t mind it. I don’t do it, I’ve tried it, but it just wasn’t for me. Normally I just chill with my friends or sleep. Then there are the rare occasions that I’m bored enough to actually go to class. I only this in three cases: No.1 I get caught skipping. No.2 There’s a hot girl in my class. And No.3 I actually like the class.

      “Social Studies?” Logan said.

      “Fun. What were you guys learning?”

      “Some crap about a war,” he replied indifferently.

      “Boring.”

      “No really? What about you?”

      “I think some math class or something.”

      “Do Trent and math not mix?”

      “No actually, we don’t.”

      “Too bad, you two would’ve made an awfully hot couple,” he joked.

      “You know who I would make a hot couple with?”

      “Who?”

      “Jules,” I smirked. She’s single. YES! All the prayers I never said have finally been answered! And to top it off, for some bizarre reason Adam wants me to go out with her, which is weird, but good. No brother wants me with his sister. All I am is trouble. I’m not a jock, or a nerd, or a self proclaimed bad boy; I’m just trouble.

      “You and her? No way man!” I could’ve sworn I saw anger pass about his face for a quick second.

      “Why not? She loves me, I think she’s awesome; what’s the problem?”

      “Oh there’s no problem, but what about all the other douches attacking her?”

      “They can go suck it for all I care.”

      “Right. Where to?”

      “The auditorium.”

      “Seriously dude?”

      “Yeah. It’s always quiet, and no one’s ever there.”

      “Okay,” he said, as we turned in the direction of the auditorium. We crept in, to make sure no one was in there, and then I sat down in one of the seats, in preparation to sleep.

      “What are you doing?” Logan asked.

      “I was thinking about driving a monster truck into a brick wall, how about yourself?”

      “What?” he said, confused.

      “I’m going to sleep idiot.”

      “Oh. Think I’ll start some homework or shit.”

      “You do that,” I said, pulling down my 59 fifty hat so it covered my eyes, and blocked out all major light sources.

      “Trent,” Man does he not know how to take a hint!

      “Hmm?” I said.

      “How long have you known Jules?”

      “For a while,” I said vaguely.

      I’m sure he wants to know our entire history, and sort out which rumors were true, and which ones were BS. I remember when she and I first met- it was like she was meeting an alien for the first time; I was so different than her then. She was the pretty, sweet, bitchy, heartless, slutty girl who everyone took for granted; or so I had originally thought. We were forced to talk (us being the “quiet” ones in the group and all), and an instant connection sparked. She was just amazing, but everyone didn’t know that, and eventually she had Mason.

      Mason. Wow does that name bring back memories. I remember that girl crying over him, for no reason at all. They were a couple stuck together with glue, and appeared that weren’t ever going to break up. She thought that she didn’t deserve him, and that he just pitied her; which was absolutely not true. I used to be, how do I put it? I guess you could say “friends” with Mason when I hung around that group of people. He was always nice to everyone, no matter who they were, and I actually think that he may have loved Jules. I really hope the two of them don’t get back together.

      “Oh. Don’t bother telling me anymore,” he said sarcastically.

      “Okay, I won’t,” I said, closing my eyes under my hat.

      “You like her?”

      “What’s it matter? Are you going to write in your diary when you go home?” I snapped.

      “Just curious.”

      “Curiosity killed the fucking cat, and it will kill you if you don’t shut up!”

      “Okay, chill dude,” he said, backing off. I heard him unzip his backpack, and take something out. I didn’t fall asleep; too much was going through my mind. Instead I just listened to the soothing sound of Logan’s pencil scratch against his paper, as he scribbled away wrong answers on his homework. After a while, I heard the bell ring, and that was our signal to get out.

      “We have to leave,” I said, getting up.

      “Yes we do,” he said.

      “What class?”

      “I want to say health.”

      “I have gym, and I think I’m actually going to show up today, I think we’re playing dodge ball again.”

      “Cool. See you later bro,” he said, nodding his head at me, as we exited the auditorium, and entered the now buzzing hallway of students. Everyone was rushing to and from classes, and the entire scene was rather chaotic. To normal people, the sight may seem a bit hectic; but to me, it was reassuring to see so many familiar faces looking completely stressed out, while I was just as calm as can be.

      “Boo!” someone said behind me. They wrapped their arms around me, pulling me close. Gym is going to have to wait.

      “Hey babe,” I said.

      “Don’t you dare start calling me that!” she said, letting go of me, and punching me in the side.

      “Ouch. That really didn’t hurt,” I said dully.

      “Oh? Should I try again?”

      “No, please don’t,” I said, turning her around to face me, “But you can come with me.” I took her hand, and we walked past all the losers dumb enough to actually go to class. I lead her to the back entrance of the school, where the stoners chill, and her grip tightened on me. Jules, afraid of some harmless stoners? No! Couldn’t be!

      “We’re not…” she began, unsure of how to ask.

      “No; just using the exit. What are you missing?”

      “Health.”

      “Logan’s in that class too.”

      “Yes, and so are Aiden, Chase, and Taylor.”

      “So I’m saving you.”

      “If that’s what you want to call it...”

      “Okay, that’s what I want to call it.”

      “Fine.” I slowly opened the door to the outside world, hoping the alarm didn’t go off, and sure enough, it didn’t. I let go of her hand, and ran all the way to the back parking lot, only looking back once to make sure she was following (she was). I found my car, got in, and then Jules did too.

      “Where are we going?”

      “Away.”

      “Away?”

      “Yeah.”

      “Where?”

      “I don’t know… the-”

      “Mall! We’re going to the mall!”

      “You want to go to the mall?”

      “Yes,” she affirmed, “and you’re going to take me there because you love me.” She had me there.

      “Fine,” I sighed, smiling. I drove as fast as I could out of the parking lot, just in case anyone was to see us, and traveled to the mall, while Jules texted someone, laughing occasionally.

      “Who is it?” I asked.

      “Adam,” she said.

      “And?”

      “I told him I was with you, and he said that he’s totally for us making out, and then becoming an official couple. Can you believe him?”

      “Yes, actually, I can.” 

      “Trent!” she slapped my arm.

      “Look, I think he’s totally right, kissing you… again… would be magical, and I’m totally in favor of us going out.”

      “We’ll see,” she muttered, smiling. She’s so mine.