Chapter Five

Jack

When we got into the teacher's lounge, I had Remi sit on the couch while I got a zip lock bag and filled it with ice.

I walked back over to Remi and bent down, so I was level with her face, and I can’t remember the last time we were this close. I looked her in the eyes and realized that all I had to do was slightly lean in and my lips would be on hers. Would she let me kiss her?

I shouldn’t be thinking about kissing her, I’m in a relationship and it’s wrong to think about another woman like this. 

“He got you good; you'll probably have a black eye. How are you feeling?”

“My head hurts, and my stomach is upset.”

“I think that's just from the shock; I don't think he hit you hard enough to give you a concussion, but if you start to feel worse, let me know.”

I placed the ice on her eye, and she winced.

“I’m sorry. It'll probably be sore for a few days.”

“Thanks.”

“I also want to say I'm sorry for snapping at you during lunch...Things aren't going too well with Lauren, and I took it out on you when you brought her up.”

“I didn't know. We don't necessarily talk, and Tyson doesn't mention you much.”

“Yeah, Tyson and I don't have the best relationship; we’re working on it, but let's be honest, I'm a dick.”

Remi laughed, and it felt good to hear her laugh. I always thought she was pretty, but when she laughs, she's breathtakingly stunning, and I was happy that I was the one to make her laugh this time.

“Come on, I'll take you home, I don't want you driving, and before you argue, I'll pick you up in the morning. Take this and hold it to your eye and follow me. I’ll stop at the principal's office to let her know that we are leaving.”

“What about our classes?”

“Micha has it under control.”

Remi followed me closely, and I glanced at her to make sure she was ok. It didn't take me long to let Ms. Smith know we were leaving.

When we got to my car, Remi let out a laugh.

“I should have known this was your car; it was always your favorite.”

“It was a graduation gift to myself. I worked through college to help pay for my school, and my extra money from this job went towards this.”

“It’s nice.”

I couldn't help but smile at her. Lauren hated the car; she's always telling me it's not a family car. It's a 1980 Camaro, and it does have a back seat, but it may not be the best for a car seat, but it could handle at least two of them.

“I’ll need your address.”

“You know where Garden Park is? I live in the apartment across from there.”

“Really?”

“Yes, why?”

“Lauren lives there. How have I not run into you?”

“I haven't lived there long. I moved in just a few days before I started at the high school.”

“Well, it'll make picking you up tomorrow easier.”

We were silent for the remainder of the ride. I felt comfortable with Remi; she wasn't like Lauren; I could sit on the couch all day and not have to talk.

The more I think about what my mother said, I realize she is right. I should end things with Lauren; she deserves someone who wants her, who isn't settling because they can't have what they want.

“Can I see your phone?”

“Sure.”

I put my number in her phone and handed it back to her.

“Just text me when you're ready, and I'll meet you out here at my car.”

“Sounds good. Thanks for everything, Jack.”

“You’re welcome.”

We ended up walking up the stairs in silence until I reached the second floor and waved bye to her, and she kept going up the stairs.

“You’re here early.”

“There was a situation at work.”

“I hope everything is, ok?”

“There was a fight, and Remi tried to break it up and got punched in the face, so I brought her home. Did you know she lives in this building?”

“I didn't; we should have her over for dinner. Kind of like a welcome to the building dinner.”

“I don't know.”

“Nonsense, ask her when you see her tomorrow; I bet she’ll say yes.”

Having Lauren and Remi in the same room is the worst idea ever. 

 

***

Freshman Year

“Are you coming to my party tonight?” Lauren asked me.

“Of course, why wouldn’t I?”

“You haven’t talked about it.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll be there.”

“Did Lauren say she was having a party?” Tyson asked as he and Remi sat in front of us.

“My parents are letting me throw a birthday party and agreed to not be around as long as we didn’t cause trouble.”

“Awesome, count us in.”

“Oh, umm, yeah, ok.”

I could tell Lauren didn’t feel comfortable saying yes to them, but she looked at Remi when she was answering.

“Are you coming?” I asked Remi.

“I’m pretty sure she’s going to be busy with studying. You know how Emi is, she all work and no play.” Lauren tried to play it off as a joke but by her tone, I could tell she was mocking Remi.

“She’s right, I have a lot of homework and Dad probably needs my help around the house.”

“See, she’s busy.”

Lauren constantly tries to push Remi away and I let her because I know it’ll lead to an argument. A few weeks after we started dating, we got into an argument because she accused me of paying more attention to Remi. I know I look at her, but I don’t spend time with or talk to her unless she is with Tyson. I should just move on and forget about Remi, she’s not the little girl from next door anymore.

***

Present Day

It never takes me long to get ready in the morning; most of the time is spent waiting for Lauren to get ready, but this time I feel anxious like I should be doing something more because what I'm doing isn't enough, so when my phone buzzes, I check it as quickly as I can, so she doesn't have to wait.

Unknown Number: Hey, it's Remi, and I don't think I can go in today. Nothing will cover this black eye!

Me: Let me look; what apartment are you in?”

Remi: 3A

“Lauren, I'm going to head out. Do you need anything?”

“Don’t forget to invite Emi to dinner tonight.”

She walks up to me and kisses me bye. Lauren is very attractive, and I, at one point, couldn't keep my hands off her, but that was before Remi came back and made me realize that I buried my feelings for her instead of forgetting about her.

I take two steps at a time until I get to her floor and knock on her door.

She opened the door like she was afraid of me, but I didn't care about that. Her eye looked horrible.

“It looks like you got punched twice.”

“I know, it's horrible, and one of the blood vessels busted. I'm going to scare the students.”

“You need to go see a doctor, and make sure nothing was damaged.”

“Already made an appointment, but I will ride to the school with you to pick up my car.”

“Cool, I'll meet you at my car then.”

“I’m ready, so we can walk together.”

I waited for her to grab her purse and lock her apartment.

“Thanks for helping me; I appreciate it. I probably would have called Alyssa to help me.”

“Why Alyssa and not Tyson.”

“He wouldn't have taken it seriously. The guy is my best friend, but he doesn't take things seriously most of the time. I'm not sure how he even runs a business.”

“I know what you mean. He drives me crazy sometimes.”

“This one time, I had refused to speak to him for a month because he thought it was funny to set me up on a double date with a guy who believed women should stay at home and have children and do nothing else. It was a night of being told how women weren't smart enough for college. It was horrible.”

“He set you up on a date; why would he do that?”

“What do you mean, why?”

I could hear the anger in her voice, and I knew I needed to clarify myself quickly.

“You and Tyson have a friend with benefits thing going on, right?”

Remi busted out in uncontrollable laughter.

“Me and Tyson? No, I can't be with Tyson like that; I don't find him sexually attractive, he’s good-looking, but he isn't for me. Thanks for making me laugh; I needed it.”

My stomach felt like it was slowly rising to my throat. Did I misread their relationship for years? Was she ever with Tyson? I made a mental note to stop by Tyson’s office after work today to clear all this up.

“Is everything ok? You got quiet.”

“Yeah, everything is fine; I thought you and Ty had a thing for each other. Oh, and before I forget, if you don't have plans tonight, Lauren wants me to invite you to dinner at her place.”

“Sure, I have no plans; just let me know when.”

“Great, she’ll be happy that you accepted the invite.”

This is going to be awkward. Now that Remi has told me that nothing was going on with her and Tyson, my mind is even more confused, she is the one I want, but I feel obligated to Lauren; this is so fucked up