I sit in bed, my legs folded beneath me as I continue to binge-watch Netflix, a jar of Nutella perched in my hands.
"Why did you leave school?" Finn bursts through my door, placing his hands on his hips, looking down his nose at me.
I pause my show, flicking my eyes to his. I lick my spoon clean as I shrug.
"Felt sick."
"Bullshit. Something happened with Bentley, didn't it? Or Miles? Since when are there so many guys in your life?"
"Breathe before you give yourself a hernia." I laugh, quirking an eyebrow at him. "And no, I'm allowed to feel like shit sometimes and skip school."
"Physically or mentally?" he asks me skeptically.
"Bit of both, I guess." It is half true.
He sits on the end of the bed, watching me. "What's wrong?"
"I can't talk to you about it," I admit honestly. "You won't get it."
"Try me."
I let out a sigh. "It's about Miles."
"Here we go," he replies, throw
"You and Alec, again?" Samara asks me, as she flips through one of my magazines, chewing her gum obnoxiously. "Really thought that was a one-time thing.""Yeah, I did, too." I agree. "I know he isn't looking to date, he just wants to fool around. But I don't want to sleep with him, so...""Why not?" she shrugs. "I know the whole Miles thing has messed with your head, but Alec is a nice guy."I stare at her, baffled. "He is a player. He has slept with plenty of girls. Once I give it up, he'll get bored and move on. I don't want my first time to be like that.""Well, that's your choice.""It is my choice," I argue, frowning. "I only want to do it with someone I'm dating. Who Ilove.""Okay, okay, I get it," she replies, holding up her hands in a peace gesture.I let out a huff. Samara frustrates me. She is so unemotional sometimes. It irks me that she doesn't care about things like that. She sleeps with peopl
"How was your date?""It wasn't a date," Finn huffs, his face screwing up as he pushes against his weight, the veins in his arm protruding from his skin."Sure it wasn't.""Why don't you believe me?""Because I know you," I point out, pulling the handgrip, feeling my muscles ache."What about you?" he suddenly asks and I let go out of the handle, causing the weight to hit the pole loudly, the sounding bouncing off the walls as I grimace.He quirks an eyebrow at me as I scramble to pick it back up. I put the handle back in the holding spot and lean back in the uncomfortable, worn, leather seat."What do you mean?""I mean, how's your dating life going? What's going on with Bentley?""You mean after he grabbed me, told everyone I don't put out, and then said he should have known better than to get involved with me? No, there is no me and Bentley." I replied sourly, getting to my feet, dragging the back of my
Sweat drips down the back of my neck as I struggle to catch up with Finn's long strides.I pant, feeling my body growing weaker as my energy drains. Finn slows to a walk once we're on our street and I join him eagerly, placing my hands on my hips as I try to regain my regular breathing."God, it feels good to run," he breathes, throwing his hand through his sweat-drenched hair."I like running, but it's always exhausting going with you," I pant beside him."You're fast, but you need to work on your endurance.""Yes sir."He rolls his eyes as we make our way up the path. We walk into the kitchen. Finn withdraws two Powerade, unscrewing the lid of one and tossing the other in my direction. I weakly catch it, before collapsing onto the dining table chair."You ready for the game this Friday?" I ask Finn.The upcoming game has been the talk of the school, throughout the week. We are versing Richmond River, who is our
"Finn, get out of here," the Coach quickly mutters as Principal Harrison began striding over, a look of fury on his face.Finn darts off to the side, before disappearing behind the grandstand. He has been warned that he is at risk of being suspended and losing his Captain position on the football team if he gets into any more fights."Who started it?" Harrison barks immediately. "And who was involved?"Eli let out a humourless laugh as the paramedics began working on him, as he watched the football team begin to scramble."Alec, come here," Harrison said and Alec sighs, walking over to him. "Where's Finn?"Alec shrugs, unable to wipe the cocky grin off his face. "Haven't seen him since the game finished."Principal Harrison narrowed his eyes at him. "Get over to the bench. Now."Alec rolls his eyes, doing as he's told.Harrison looks at Jai. "You didn't throw any punches, did you?""Nah," Jai replies honest
"What about an ambulance?" I cry out frantically."Invite them to a party, where 70% of the kids are underage?" Alec points out, already dialling Finn's number. "Besides, he's already been seen paramedics, he just passed out because he drank too much, under the influence of pain killers. I need help carrying him.""Alec, we can sort this out ourselves. We just need to get him inside," I insist, wanting nothing more than to leave Finn out of this."Hey man, what's up?" I hear Finn's voice as Alec has his iPhone in his hand, Finn on speaker."Don't," I mouth, my eyes pleading.Alec returns my stare, a blank expression on his face. "We need you here, man. It's Jai."I shake my head at Alec in disappointment, getting to my feet. Jai's face seemed peaceful as he lays there on the cold grass. I turn my back to Alec and walk into the party, attempting to find Samara.Ignoring the stares and a few fox whistles, I p
"You agreed to go on a date with him?" Samara exclaims in surprise. "Yeah," I nod. "Is that bad?" "No, I will always support your decision..." she trails off. "But, what about everything he has done?" "I know, that's why I'm so hesitant about it. But he truly does seem like he wants to change." I tell her, chewing at my lip. "What about Alec?" I blow out a breath, taking a seat beside Samara. I lean my elbows onto my thighs, shaking my head, my dark hair spilling down my shoulders. "I don't know. I love spending time with him, but I can't help thinking he will get bored and move on soon."
"I didn't want to tell you because it would make me feel worse than I already do," Samara huffs as she slides her large, gold hoop through her ear."What do you mean?" I question, sitting back onto my bed, already organized for tonight."I know Jai's one of your good friends, practically a part of your family. He's an amazing guy, I just... don't feel the same way. I love being single, I don't want to be tied down. Not until I at least get with Eli Matthews. Then, I can die happy," she informs me and I laugh, her obsession with Eli still prominent after all these years. She turns to me. "By the way, if I got offered to have 'revenge sex' with Eli, I would do it in a heartbeat.""Don't remind me," I laugh, shaking my head, knowing that if I ever did take up the offer, Samara would kill me in my sleep. "And I'm not going to make you feel bad. You can't force yourself to like someone.""But you think we would work together and be really cute, don't you?"
Miles moans loudly and it drives me to my knees.I frantically pat my hands over his body, trying to figure out how I can help."Feels like my insides are upside down," he gasps, looking on the verge of passing out."Can you get to your feet?" I ask him, feeling sick with worry.Gritting his teeth, he nods. I wrap my arm around his torso. I try to lift and fall backward, landing in a heap on the porch."Fuck," Miles groans. "I can't walk.""How am I supposed to get you inside?" I cry out, feeling useless.His blinking slows down, before he slumps, his head rolling to the right."Shit!" I curse, shaking him. "Miles, wake up!"I can't believe this is happening again - first Jai, now Miles. With tears streaming down my face, my trembling hands begin dialling Finn's number."Yo," he greets after a few rings. "Where are you?""Finn!" I sob. "Come home and come alone. I need your help."He's