This was also the first time I really got to see Davie and Margo together. They were almost a sickly adorable. When they traded lunch with each other Jason and I shared a similar look that said, ‘gag me, they're too cute’.
Jason had to ruin it when he noticed I didn’t have lunch.
Jason tilted his head towards my backpack. "Did you not bring anything?”
“I, um, ate it during study hall.” I said, trying to keep my face as natural as possible.
Of course, I wasn't going to tell him that all we had at my house were cup noodles, instant mac and cheese, a head of lettuce, and Pizza Bites. Luckily for the three of us, Cal and I would be getting paid this week, and we were also expecting a wire transfer from Sam. So, we would be able to fill our pantry with more than just crap. Right on time too, as dad would be coming back from his third fishing voyage with that guy, who I finally learned was named Larry.
Jason laughed. “That hungry, huh? Would you like a bite from my lunch?”
I took a quick look at his meal of a tuna sandwich, bag of chips and that damn jug of water he always carried. I may have forgone asking about it, but that didn't mean I didn't notice he still had it with him at all times.
I shook my head. “No, it’s alright. I’m actually full from scarfing down my own lunch.”
Of course, my stomach chose that moment to betray me with a loud growl. But I guess Jason didn't notice as he just nodded and went back to his meal. Stupid stomach, almost blowing my cover!
When lunch was over, Jason and Margo walked with me to English. Mr. K gave a long but thankfully interesting lecture on the differences between Old, Middle, and Modern English and why people kept mixing up that old garble that was Beowulf with modern Shakespeare. My stomach rumbled the whole class, and I regretted not taking Jason up on his offer, even if I disliked tuna.
“So, how are you liking Mr. Stevens and his invigorating lecture on radiants?” Jason asked, the sarcasm dripping off of him.
We had just finished English and Jason had kindly escorted me the five feet down the hallway to math.
I rolled my eyes. “It’s so exciting. Can’t you tell? I’m practically jumping to go in there and fall asleep.”
As Jason smiled, his chest shook from trying to contain his laughter. “I bet. I think I have something to help keep you awake.”
He reached into the ragged satchel around his shoulder and pulled out a book. As he passed it over to me, I read the title.
“I didn’t expect you to be a vampire lover.”
He crossed his arms, his smile turning into a pout. “So what if I am? Are you gonna make fun of me for it?”
“No,” I shook my head. “Well, only if you like the kind of vampires that sparkle.”
“Nope, I have higher standards than that. This one’s a good book, I’m sure you’ll like it,” He said, tapping on the book’s cover.
The minute bell rang, signaling us to hurry to class before the final ring.
“Hide it behind your textbook and Stevens will never notice,” Jason said as he hurried away.
I waved him goodbye and headed into math. Jason was right, it was a good book. At least from what I read of it in class.
Before gym class started, I ran into Hip outside of the locker room. He was leaning against the wall, that easygoing smile plastered in place.
“Hey, Speedy, I didn't see you at lunch today,” He said, his honey-rich voice dripping over me and warming my insides.
I smiled at the endearment, having gotten used to it pretty quickly. “I was having lunch with Jason and his friends.”
"Jason, huh? Are you two an item now?”
Something sparked behind his eyes, which were a yellow green right now.
“Why ya' asking? Are you jealous?” I crooned.
“Perhaps I am,” he said, his honey voice dropping an octave into seductive territory. His ever-changing eyes sparkled as he leaned in close to me. The smell of apples and wood wafted towards me.
Taken aback, I took a step away from him. Having him that close was overwhelming my senses and scrambling my brain.
For some reason, I felt this need to clarify.
“Jason and I aren’t a thing,” I actually saw Hip’s shoulders sag ever so slightly in relief. Though I couldn’t help the little jab of adding, “Yet.”
“Well, I better up my game then,” He said, taking my hand into his and leaning down to kiss it gently before turning around and walking into the male's locker room.
I held my sleeves up to my face because I couldn't stop smiling and walked into the girl's locker room. Hurrying along, I swapped my bag for the gym clothes and shoes I was able to get, thanks to Hip. Looking around, I could see that most of the girls were still here getting dressed.
Actually, a few of them were staring directly at me. The look on their faces weren’t pleasant. A slight sneer to their lips and narrowing of the eyes made the happy feeling I had slowly leak away into trepidation. With quick glances back at them, I hastily made my way into the secluded and more private shower area of the locker room.
Tugging back the curtain, I shuffled into one of the shower stalls and made work of changing into my gym clothes. Luckily, there had been enough money left after getting the shoes to purchase some Under Armour online, so I wouldn't continue to get stares for wearing my long-sleeved shirts underneath the baggy gym shirt.
Pulling off my three layers, I swiftly got the form-fitting black nylon over my head fortunately before someone had the audacity to slide the privacy curtain back open.
Confused by the sound of the rings sliding against the metal bar, I turned around to see the three girls that had been glaring at me from the lockers.
"Can I help you?" I asked, being sure to tug the Under Armor all the way down.
"We just wanted to know why you were always coming back over here to change." One girl questioned. Her black hair was long and straight, like the woman from The Ring, her eyes like a snake's slits.
"I like my privacy," I muttered.
"But why do you always wear clothes under your uniform? It's not like it’s cold in the gym,” rebutted the girl to Snake Eyes’ left.
Her hair was red but not a natural red, the deep store-bought kind, and she had far too much jewelry on. The clanking of bangles against rings and like ten other bracelets could be heard as she shifted.
The third girl was heavyset, a lot less bitchy-looking but her eyes said that she was out for blood. All three were annoyingly a good several inches taller than me.
What the hell did they want? Were they here to harass me about my changing preferences? Because that was some fucked up shit to be agitated about.
I shrugged nonchalantly. "The Under Armour helps with sweat. So I'm not walking around rest of the day smelling."
"You could just wear perfume," Snake Eyes leaned forward. "I'd say you could use some right now in fact. You smell like mold."
"I'll take that into consideration. Now, can I continue changing so we can get to class?"
"We want you to back off Jason. He's ours,” Heavyset said, finally voicing the real reason for their intrusion.
I rolled my eyes. So that's what this was about? Were these some of the Jason fans Margo had been talking about?
I grabbed for the gym shirt and began to put it on. “I think Jason can decide who he hangs out with.”
“Yeah, but you're only using him. We've seen the way you look at that clumsy idiot, Hip. Jason deserves better than some skank who doesn't know how to keep her pants on.” Heavyset replied, her tone full of malice.