10: School

Tears welled up in my eyes as everybody’s laughter echoed in my ears. Nathan and Jessi seemed to be having the best laugh as they both set their gaze on me laughing as if I was a deer wearing a hat.

It felt so embarrassing and I felt like rooting deep into the ground. The expression on Nathan’s face only made it worse, I can’t believe I trusted him for a moment. I really shouldn’t have done that.

I should have seen it coming, I should have realized that Jessi was behind all of this. I mean, she’s always been out to get me, and now that she has Nathan on her side, she’ll do whatever it takes to make me feel bad.

Jessi walked closer to me, her eyes pinned to my face, she said "I see you still love my boyfriend"

I really didn’t want to say anything, but with everyone around, I felt like I had to. Trying not to cry, I just scoffed and said, "I don’t."

"Yes, you do. You just admitted it. You love him, and now you want to steal him from me," she said with a smirk. I glanced at Nathan and saw he had the same smug expression, probably feeling like he was some kind of prize. Jessica went on, "Do you really think you can take my boyfriend away from me?"

I paused for a second, my gaze fixed on Nathan. Seeing him just standing there like a statue made me feel even worse for him. "I don’t have time for this, Jessi," I said, turning to walk away, but she grabbed my arm, stopping me.

"You’re not leaving until we are done with this," she insisted.

"Done with what exactly, Jessi?" I snapped, yanking my arm free. "Done with being so dramatic over a guy? Done with humiliating me? Done with what exactly!"

"Done with you being with Nathan. Listen, Bella, your relationship with Nathan is over, and I don’t want you loving him or even being around him."

"I don’t love him nor do I want to be around him!" I shouted.

"Good."

"Yeah, good," I scoffed as I turned to leave, but Jessi's voice stopped me. "You’re just sad because you’re unlovable. Everyone in your life ends up disliking you. They may like you at first, but the second they see me, it’s all about me."

Her words stung, but I couldn’t let her get to me. I forced a smile and quickly walked out of the classroom, tears welling up in my eyes. Jessi was right, that’s always what happens and the worst is that even my parents like her more.

I didn’t get far from the classroom before I bumped into someone. "I’m sorry," I mumbled, not looking at their face as I tried to walk away, but then I heard someone call my name: "Bella."

I recognized the voice—it was Aaron.

He stepped closer and asked, "Bella, what’s going on?"

Before I turned to face him, I quickly wiped my tears and put on a fake smile. "Aaron, what are you doing here?"

"You left your phone in the car, and I know it’s important, so I came to bring it to you," he said, his gaze scanning my face as if trying to find something.

"Oh, I didn’t realize it was missing. Thank you," I replied, taking the phone from him.

"You’re welcome. I hate to pry, but are you okay?"

I nodded trying to sound casual. "Yes, I am."

"Are you sure?" He took another step closer. "You know you can talk to me if something’s bothering you."

"Everything’s fine, Aaron, you don’t have to—" But before I could finish, Jessi’s voice cut through the air. "Well, well, well, if it isn’t the boyfriend snatcher."

Aaron turned his attention to Jessi, murmuring in disbelief, "Boyfriend snatcher?"

Oh no, she’s going to make things worse now.

I hurried over to her, my voice dimming low "Jessi, please not now," I said not wanting to start another drama in front of Aaron.

Jessi didn’t bother holding back her anger as she growled "Why not now?" Without waiting for a response, she shoved me aside and approached Aaron. "Did you know your little girlfriend is in love with my boyfriend?" she asked, a hint of anger in her voice

"Okay, and?" he replied, a smug grin on his face. I was surprised he didn’t even question her.

Jessi scoffed, "You don’t care?"

"Not really. I just don’t believe you, Jessi. Besides, what Bella and I have is way more special than anything she’s ever had with another guy."

Nathan scoffed, "You should see the way she looks at me."

Suddenly, Aaron snapped, "Don’t you dare say a word while I’m talking."

"What’s gonna happen if I do? You gonna fight me?" Nathan growled.

Aaron shot back, "I swear you don’t want that."

"I’d love to see it happen," Nathan said as he pushed Aaron in the chest. "Show me what will happen."

I watched as Aaron's face turned red with anger making it obvious that he isn’t going to let it slide.

Aaron matched to Nathan ready to strike but I quickly held him back. "Aaron, please stop," I begged, not wanting things to escalate.

"No!" he growled, yanking his hand away from mine. "Don’t tell me to stop when all these people are acting crazy!"

"I know, but please," I pleaded again.

Nathan just laughed, "You both are pathetic."

"Pathetic? I will show you what the fuck pathetic is!" He growled as he pushed Nathan to the ground. He was about to launch a punch at him when a teacher suddenly walked up to us "What’s going on here?" he asked, his gaze dawning on each one of us, as it landed on Aaron, his brows furrowed and he asked. "Are you a student here?"

"I will be after today. I’m going to enroll here," Aaron replied, then turned to me. "I want to be as close as possible to Bella."

A smile spread across my face, it felt nice to hear him say that.

The teacher then said, "Well, in that case, you need to fill out a form in the principal’s office."

"Sure, of course, why not," he said before walking into the principal's office, leaving me standing there, stunned by his sudden move. I couldn’t believe he was going to school here for me, but deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that his presence would only complicate things with Jessi, Nathan, and me.