Before we knew it, it was time for lunch.  Jake insisted on getting my food again.  Then Mitchell came over.  "Listen here, you little freak.  You think Jake loves you?  He doesn't care about you.  He's using you."

I started to cry and didn't notice that Jake was listening to the whole thing until I saw Mitchell land on the floor of the cafeteria.  Jake hugged me and kissed my head.

"He's lying.  Please don't cry, darlin.?  Let's go get you cleaned up, and we'll talk." I could only nod and try to wipe my eyes.

He walked me to the nurse, and asked if we could sit and talk alone while I calmed down.  "That's ok.  I'm headed to lunch anyway." She said kindly.

She left, and Jake got me some paper towels.  "It's ok.  Don't believe anything he says.  You are beautiful, and amazing, and I love you."

"I love you too.  I can't explain our connection, but I'm glad it's there.  If he's saying that because you were that way in the past, it's in the past.  I know you're good.  Your eyes tell it all."

He kissed my cheek, and asked if I wanted to leave school.  I said "Yes." and, called my daddy.  I explained what happened, and he agreed to sing me out over the phone.

"I was going to wait until tonight, but I'm going to take you out right now.  Anywhere you want to go.  Just say the word, and you're there."

"Y-you don't have to do that." "I'm doing it." "Can we go to the mall?" "Say no more." "Thanks, hon." "No problem, darlin."

We got there, and I immediately took him to Hot Topic.  He let me buy a couple band t-shirts, some bracelets, and some makeup.  Then I took him to Claire's.

"Thank you for doin this, Jake.  Sorry I dragged you into a girly kid store." "Not a problem, hon.  Take me anywhere you like.  This is for you."

I found some MH and EAH stuff I didn't have yet, and I didn't even have to say anything.  He just picked it all up for me.  We checked out, and I was satisfied.

I sighed.  "What's wrong?" He asked, grabbing my hand.  "I can't stop thinking about what happened at lunch.  Only the first part, honestly.  He called me 'freak'."

"Baby, you can't worry about him.  He wants to get under your skin.  He wants you to doubt yourself.  Don't give him that power.  Tomorrow, I want you to dress in the cutest southern outfit you can pull together.  Pigtail braids and everything."

"Alright.  Thanks, babe." "Anytime, darlin."

He took me home, and I told him "Good night." Daddy hugged me right when I stepped in.  "Are you ok, punkin?" "Yes, daddy.  Better than I would have been if Jake weren't there."

"What all did you get?" I showed him everything, and he said he'd build me shelves for everything.  I went to my room, took off my shoes and braces, and planned my outfit.

I got out my flannel shirt, my skinny blue jeans, and my cowgirl boots that were just big enough to easily go on and off over my braces.  I also grabbed my cowgirl hat.  I decided to text Jake.

Sandy✝💖: Hey, babe.  What's your address?
Jake🐺: *insert random address* Why?
Sandy✝💖: I'm pickin you up tomorrow.  And we are going to roll in that parking lot blaring Country music.
Jake🐺: Sounds good.  See you tomorrow.  Don't wear anything on your lips.  Maybe Chapstick...
Sandy✝💖: Ok...  See you tomorrow.

I changed into my PJs and went to sleep. 

~Time Skip!!!!~
I woke up, got ready, put on some mascara and Chapstick, got dressed, put my hair in pigtail braids, brushed my teeth, and made sure I had everything.  I texted Jake.

Sandy✝💖: On my way.
Jake🐺: Ok.

I hopped in my truck, put in my Thomas Rhett CD that Jake got me, and pulled out of the driveway.  I had it down kind of low so I could hear the GPS.  It turns out that I don't live very far away from Jake.

Sandy✝💖: Here.
Jake🐺: Coming.

He got in the car, I pulled out of his driveway, and drove off the street.  I then turned the radio up as loud as it would go and rolled down the windows.  'Cravin You' featuring Marren Morris was on.
~TiMe SkIp~

We pulled into the school and saw Mitchell and his lackies.  When the current song ended, I turned the truck off and got out.  Jake followed close behind.

He saw Mitchell glaring at me, so he pulled me into a kiss.  He dipped me and held my hat so it wouldn't fall off with one hand, while the other went into my back pocket.  Soon, his tongue was begging for entrance.  Which I granted.

He gently pushed me against the bed of the truck when we heard "Get a room!!" and a bunch of people laughing.  As I was catching my breath, he growled "We'll finish this later, darlin." in my ear with a pretty good Southern drawl.

I just about melted.  I just nodded.  He smirked, knowing the affect he had on me.  We walked into the school.

We hung out by the office until the bell rang.  The first few periods passed by quickly.  Come fourth period, I was ready to play some guitar.

I sat down on the stool, grabbed the guitar that the teacher provided, and started on "You Ain't Worth The Whiskey".

I sang along.  By the end, I heard slow clapping.  I took my hat off and fanned myself.  "Where's your boy toy?" I ignored him.

"I asked you a question." He said, sounding mad.  "And I chose to try and take the high road by ignoring you because my boyfriend and I don't have time for this childish crap."

"I'm childish?  Says the girl with the Monster High backpack." "At least I have a significant other.  No girl is dumb enough to stick around for you."

He grabbed me by my arm and pinned me to the wall face first.  "Don't test me." He said in my ear angrily.  Just then...

"Hey, darlin.  I got an early pass from gym and- D*mn it, Mitchell!!!!!" Next thing I knew, Jake has Mitchell pinned, and is calling the office.

When the security officer came to get him, Jake wrapped his arms around me, and I sobbed into his shoulder.

"Why...  does he...  do this?!" I asked as I tried to catch my breath.  "I don't know, darlin.  I just don't know."