Page 16 of Conquering Conner

Like earlier this morning, she ignores me, weaving her way through the crowded hall toward her next class. English. She has English next.

I reach for her arm, trying to slow her down, but she pulls free, shooting me panicked, wide-eyed look over her shoulder. I told her I’d leave her alone. I told her I was through with trying to make this work, but I can’t. I can’t just give up on her.

On us.

Not without a fight.

As soon as our eyes connect, hers slide to the left just as I feel someone brush up against me. I don’t even have to look to know who it is. It’s Jessica. This morning, before school, she kept trying to hold my hand, just like she is now. Even if she hadn’t turned into a total stalker, I’d know who it is. The look on Henley’s face says it all.

“There you are.” I feel Jessica slip her hand into mine. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

I tune her out like last time and watch Henley disappear in the crush of people without so much as a backward glance. I stop walking, watching her disappear.

“…thinking maybe we could head to Penny’s after school, since it’s a half-day. Her mom doesn’t—”

I jerk my hand out of her grip and turn to look at her. “Are you really this delusional, or are you just stupid?” I say it loud, drawing looks from people passing by on their way to class.

“I—” Jessica shakes her head, confusion clouding her expression. The bruise Henley planted on her face has faded to a yellowish green. Oddly enough, it brings out the blue in her eyes. “I thought we—”

“Whatever you thought, you’re wrong.” I’m getting louder, my voice bouncing down the hall. People are stopping in their tracks now. Openly staring at us. “There is no us. There is no we. As far as I’m concerned, you don’t exist.”

I expect her to cry. She doesn’t. She narrows her eyes at me and shakes her head like she can’t believe I’m actually saying what I’m saying. “You don’t mean that,” she says, reaching for my hand again.

“Um, yeah. I do mean it.” I jerk away from her and take a step back. “Don’t talk to me. Don’t text me. Don’t come to my house and don’t fucking touch me. Ever. Is that clear enough for you?”

She looks around at the people stalled in the hallway, gawking at us. “You know, your brother told me, but I didn’t believe him.” She glares at me, flicking her pale blonde hair over her shoulder.

Declan telling the truth? That’d be a first. “And what was that?”

“That you’re into dogs.” She sneers it at me, her mouth screwed up, tight and ugly.

Henley.

She’s talking about Henley.

I step into her before I can stop myself and whatever she sees on my face has her shrinking away like she’s afraid of me all of a sudden. “I don’t subscribe to most social constructs but the one I do hold myself to is that men shouldn’t hit women.” I push it through clenched teeth, my jaw so tight I can feel the click of each word against my eardrum.

Now she narrows her eyes at me. “Are you threatening me?” she says loudly, making sure everyone watching us can hear her. Making sure she does everything she can to solidify her role as the victim. Later, when she recounts this little after school special for her friends and whoever else is stupid enough to listen, there’ll be tears. She’ll tell people I put my hands on her. Hurt her somehow.

I don’t give a shit about that either.

“No, Jessica.” I shake my head, the corner of my mouth lifting in something too ugly to be considered a smile. “I’m telling you to count your blessings.”

She opens her mouth to say something but whatever it is, I don’t stick around to hear it.

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