we got a message

6

Zac

I had texted Bloom during last period to tell her to meet me at my house so she could tutor me.

As much as I hated chemistry, studying with Bloom actually made sense. The way she explained things made it easy to understand. She was incredibly patient with me. She wouldn't get frustrated when I got distracted or started messing around. She remained composed when I was having a hard time understanding something.

I just—I liked having her tutor me.

It was weird. I would have never pictured myself friends with Bloom.

Are we even friends?

I think we are—or maybe she's just tolerating me because she has to tutor me.

I don't know but I don't mind her—which is surprising because a lot of people annoy me.

Bloom—she's just pure and wholesome and—I don't know. She just makes me want to keep her safe—or some ridiculous sappy shit like that.

What does piss me off though—is that jackass Evan she's dating.

How the hell does someone as kind and pure as Jasmine date a piece of shit like Evan.

God, I just want to punch him in the face.

Halfway through last period, I was walking out of the school for a smoke break. Bad habit, I know.

As soon as I stepped out of the building, two sons of bitches stepped in front of me.

My eyebrows raised. "Lucas. Jack." A small grin etched onto my face. "To what do I owe the pleasure, fellas?"

Jack laughed manically. I don't know what was funny, fucking idiot.

"We have a message." A Pennywise-like smirk grew on Lucas's face. He puffed his chest out, trying to seem bigger than he is.

I exhaled deeply, crossing my arms over my chest. This had to be good. "A message from whom?"

Lucas's grin fell. He glared at me. "From Evan."

That was bloody rich. Humorous.

Of course—that wuss got his friends to give me his message because he's too afraid to face me himself.

He's absolutely pathetic.

"What would that message be?" I couldn't but laugh. This was ridiculous.

"To stay the hell away from his girlfriend." Lucas shoved my shoulder.

It was mildly amusing to me that Evan was so threatened by me—he really needed other people to tell me to stay away from Jasmine. God, what the hell is Jasmine doing with this idiot? I would never understand.

I looked down at my shoulder where he had pushed me. Then, I looked at him again. "You want to try touching me again, man? Please—give me a reason to beat your face inwards."

A smirk twisted on Lucas's face, amusement lighting his eyes.

Jack rolled his eyes tiredly. "I don't have time for this. We're just letting you know—Evan wants you to stay away from lil Jazzy."

"Or else?" I taunted.

They couldn't possibly think I was afraid of them or—their pathetic pack leader.

"Or else—he'll beat your ass into the dirt." Lucas's narrowed his eyes with challenge, smirking devilishly.

I quirked an eyebrow, laughing airily. "How about we take this around back—right now and I show you two where your places are?"

Did these fuckers really think I was afraid of them? What were they trying to do?

Jack and Lucas shared a look, then Lucas gave me an evil little grin. "You know what—yeah. Let's see you take on two."

I scoffed. "Easy."

I nodded my head to the side of the school where we were more out of sight from the principal catching us.

I rolled up my sleeves. "Who's first, boys?"

They shared another look, amusement dancing over their features. They started laughing.

Nothing was funny. I was being dead serious. I wanted a reason to punch these assholes square in the face.

"Do you think I'm fucking around?" I narrowed my eyes. I was much less amused and much more agitated.

Why the hell I am even wasting my breath on these fuckers?

Neither of them said anything, they only smirked at me.

The next thing I know, one grabs the back of my shirt and pulls me to the ground. I was taken by surprise, I didn't have a chance to defend myself.

"The fuck?"

I couldn't see which one of them it had been because a fist was thrown flying into my face. When I recovered from the blow, I saw it was another one of Evan's asshole minions.

Of course.

Lucas and Jack are so pathetic, fucking pussies can't take me on themselves. Like Evan, they get others to do their dirty work.

I didn't hesitate. I pushed myself up off the ground, shoving the guy against the wall and throwing at least five punches at his face.

I was still going, fuming with rage when two bodies pulled me off him. It wasn't Lucas or Jack. It was more of their asshole-members-cult.

I managed to throw a few more punches but soon, it was five guys against one. Punches and kicks were flying at me from every angle.

I was left half-lying on the ground with my chest heaving as I coughed out blood.

Lucas bent down so he was eye-level with me.

God, how much I wanted to punch this asshole's guts out—but I could barely open my right eye. It was swelling up from the numerous punches I caught myself.

"Like I said—" he spoke low and quiet, a sinister smirk stretching across his face. "Back off lil Jaz or next time, we're going to be telling her to stay away from you."

-

I kicked my cars tire. I used every cell in my being to refrain from screaming or cursing.

I clenched my jaw. Evan, Lucas, and Jack were leaning against Evan's car, all watching me with sick amusement on their faces.

I swear to God I would have gone up and killed all three of them right here and now but—I couldn't.

Because of Jasmine.

They said next time they'd be telling her to stay away from me.

I didn't know what that meant—but I knew they wouldn't hesitate to put all the world's fear in Jasmine, if that's what it came down to.

"Back off lil Jaz or next time, we're going to be telling her to stay away from you."

That sounded like a threat enough to me.

So, instead of strangling them, I headed to get in my car for the sake of Jasmine—so they wouldn't say or do anything to her. 

Lucas and Jack—they could easily do anything behind Evan's back if they needed to.

"Dude." When I turned around, Shane and John both haled at me. "What the fuck happened?" John stepped towards me, taking a good look at my face.

I exhaled through my nose. I didn't say anything—I just glanced at Evan who was smirking like a fucking cat.

John and Shane glanced over to follow my line of sight. They instantly figured out who was behind my bruised and cut up face.

"Evan did this?" Shane asked in disbelief. "Fuck does he have against you now?"

"Jasmine." John sighed deeply, in realization. "The girl that's been tutoring you. She was talking to you at the party. She's dating Evan—right?"

I nodded in response, my jaw clenched. I was boiling with rage that wouldn't settle down.

"He did this because—his girlfriends been studying with you?" Shane scoffed in disbelief. He found this just as ridiculous as I did. "Possessive, much?"

"He didn't do this." I licked my lips, tasting a bit of blood. "He got his army of fucking assholes to do this because he's too pussy to fight me himself."

"How many were there?" John looked at me with worry seeping through his eyes.

"Five guys." I sighed faintly, shaking my head. I didn't even feel pathetic because though there were five guys against one, I managed to knock 2.5 of them out.

I turned around and opened my car door.

"Where are you going?" Shane asked as I started to get in the car.

"To get some fucking alcohol swabs." I shut the car door behind me and sped off before they could stop me.

When I got back to my house after going to the convenient store and buying some bandages and disinfectant to clean the cuts, I noticed an extra car on the driveway.

"Fuck."

I groaned as I shut the car off. I knew John and Shane were here. I had just forgotten that I texted Jasmine to meet me here.

Fuck. I didn't want her to see me like this.

I walked in. She was sitting in the living room with the boys.

"You're here."

My shoulders—they relaxed. I was actually relieved to see her. It was oddly comforting.

She was here. She wasn't with that—piece of shot, Evan. It was something.

But—at the same time, I don't know if it was good that she was here.

She nodded slowly, taking in my appearance. She stared at my hands, the cut on my lip, the bruise around my eye. She looked—hurt.

"What the—hell happened?" Her voice was quiet as she approached me. She took my bandaged hand in hers. My breath hitched.

I stared at her. How was someone like her standing in front of—well, a piece of shit like me?

I glanced at the boys. With a simple look, they knew to stay quiet about Evan's boys doing this to me.

Jasmine didn't need to know that.

It wouldn't do anything but stress her out—and if I was the reason she got into a fight with Evan, I wasn't worried about what he'd do to me next. I just didn't want him lashing out on Jasmine, blaming her.

She was stuck tutoring me. That wasn't her fault.

God, if her jackass boyfriend or his friends hurt her because I keep spending time with her—

Of course. The one tutor I get, bad to be the girlfriend of the guy I hate.

Even calling Jasmine his girlfriend made me want to rip his head off. He did not deserve her. How does she not see what a fucker Evan is?

"I'm fine." I pulled my hand away from her and took a step back. I was hurting her by being cold towards her—and they only made me want to hug her.

I don't even know why I fucking care—but I do.

She's too kind and genuine and—just precious. I don't know what the hell I'm doing.

"We'll be upstairs—studying."

I didn't have it in me to tell her to leave. I don't think I entirely wanted her to leave so instead, I walked away from her and went upstairs.

I couldn't look at her—not while knowing what a fucking mess I'm making.

I really want to punch something. Anything.

Who the fuck cares what Evan thinks—he can suck a dick for all I care.

At the same time, I wouldn't put it past Lucas and Jack to hurt Jasmine in some way—one way or another. I couldn't be the reason they get to her and manipulate or taunt her in any way.

Why the fuck did I care what happened to Jasmine? I've barley known her for two days.

I placed my head down in my hands and groaned, not knowing what the hell I was going to do.

Do I distance from her and tell her to fuck off—or do I ignore what Evan wants?

She was my tutor. I could ask for a new one but I don't think I'd be able to tolerate anyone the way I can tolerate her.

If I failed the course I would get kicked off the soccer team. I'm the team captain—I can't just get kicked off the fucking team.

"I can—come back another time. We don't have to study right now, Zac."

Her soft and gentle voice broke me out of my thoughts. I could tell she felt uneasy—which only made me feel guilty. Hell. I didn't want her to be scared or nervous around me.

I shook my head, clenching my fists. I kept my voice cool and distant. I hated it but—it was for her sake. "It's fine. Let's just—get this over with."

Half an hour in, Jasmine gave up with my bullshit and asked me if I wanted to talk about it.

I did.

But I couldn't. Not with her.

If I told her what really happened, it would only cause more problems—mainly for her. I was not going to risk that because I knew what a selfish and shitty person Evan has always been.

I knew I was being rude, I was being cold and emotionless which I could tell was hurting her feelings—I hated that. I hated the look on her face. I hated knowing I was hurting her.

I couldn't help it. If I be nice and become better friends with her, I don't know how Evan will send his next message.

It's really not that big a deal. She's just—tutoring me. God knows Evan's insecure ass is threatened this much by me.

"What the hell is going on?" Shane asked me when I came downstairs to the living room after Jasmine had left. It was awkward and uncomfortable, to say the least.

I groaned, falling down onto the couch. "No idea."

"You really going to let Evan control you like this?"

I clenched my jaw at the sound of his name. "No—I don't care what the fuck he does to me."

"Then—why were you being so hostile towards Jasmine?" John asked, his eyebrows pulling together in confusion. "She was concerned about you."

I leaned my head back on the couch and sighed. "If Evan keeps hating the fact that her and I have to spend time together—even if it's just to tutor me, Lucas and Jack will not hesitate to make it clear to Bloom that she needs to stay away from me."

John narrowed her eyes. "They told you they would hurt her?"

"Not with those words exactly, but yes."

Shane elbowed me causing me to wince in pain—which he disregarded. A wide grin stretched across his face. "Dude—you care about her."

I stared flatly at him. "Do you want her to be manipulated by assholes like Jack and Lucas?"

Shane frowned. "No—you're right. It's probably best to get a different tutor."

I blew air out in my cheeks, staring at the ceiling.

"I guess that's what I have to do, then."