Page 44 of Bad Kind of Love

CHAPTER TWELVE

Becca

After the bell dismissed us from class, I still felt red with anger. His resentment towards me only seemed to fuel me more, even if his words stung. Passing his desk where he sits back like a king on his throne, I avoid his dreary eyes at all costs. His eyes burned through me, waiting for the moment I’d give in and finally look at him, but it never came.

Stepping into the hall, I immediately found Wes waiting for me with his back to the wall and a grin plastered across his face. His smiles were intoxicating, and I couldn’t help but beam back.

“Hey you.” He pushes off the wall and stops in front of me. A ray of sunlight bounces off his sandy hair and down half of his face, almost like a spot light.

It was fitting.

I was standing with my best friend who also happened to be the most popular guy in school. Everywhere he went he had a metaphorical spotlight on him.

“Hey, how was class?” I ask peering up into his baby blues. Every day was like seeing him for the first time, I was always found dumbstruck by his beauty. The slight dimples that formed on the corners of his mouth when he smiled or the way his nose twitched when he was upset.

I memorized everything.

“Eh, same as always.” He stares down at the new shirt I decided to wear today. Since the weather was warmer, I chose a striped top that formed to my chest and waist. He always seemed to notice when there was something new about me. “How about you? Was the devil any less devilish today?” He joked.

“He was about the same.” I shrug, lying to him. Wes doesn’t know anything about the strange relationship between his father and me, and I could never bring myself to tell him. What would I say anyway?

Hey Wes, your dad and I have a bizarre hate for each other and I, for some reason, can’t stop thinking about him.

No.

There’s no way that would go over well at all. So I did what I do best and that’s burying it deep inside so he never finds out.

His mouth opened to talk, but my eyes caught a familiar flash of auburn hair and I immediately knew it was Josie. Wes seemed to have noticed the way my body stiffened and twisted his head to follow my line of vision. Nate had his arms entwined around Josie’s waist while her head was leaned back resting on his chest. They both appeared engrossed in a conversation, and Josie foolishly smiled at him like he was the moon to her sky. Not only did she act differently, she dressed differently too. She was a spitting image of Vicky Thompson, dressed in revealing clothes and over the top makeup she didn’t need.

Every time I saw her, my heart dropped a little more. It was painful how she treated me like a complete stranger, but it was even more painful knowing I lost my best friend to Nate Hawthorne.

“I have a question for you.” Wes steps in front of me, purposely blocking my sight from Josie. He stares down at me nervously and I find myself forgetting about my ex best friend.

“Go on.” I grin chuckling at his bashfulness.

“Do you wanna come over to my house tonight? Hang out? I figured since we practically see each other every day, we could… you know, chill at my house?” He shoves his hands in his pockets while his eyes focus on the ground.

It wasn't like I was caught off guard by his question, but the thought of being in Mr. Fitzgerald's home sent a cool chill down my spine.

I’d be in his space.

Around his personal belongings that in no way Mr. Fitz would be okay with.

But then I remembered his conversation with the dark haired lady this morning, he would be out tonight with other teachers, not at home.

“Yah, sure. Why not?” I agree, causing his unsure posture to stand a little straighter. A relieved grin appeared across his face, pleased with my answer.

“Cool, yeah…. we can watch movies, or do whatever you want.” He scratches the back of his head. “And order pizza or something.”

It was kind of comical seeing the soon to be quarterback of South Carolina State all flustered and nervous. Most knew him to be a leader who led Westwood to the championship game, but really, he was just a normal guy who felt nerves like everyone else.

“Yea, that sounds fun.” I nod. “How will Mr. Fitz feel about a girl coming over?” I ask even though I knew he wouldn’t even be home.

“Who cares what he thinks? I doubt he’d even notice you being there.” He scoffs while wrapping his large hands around the straps of his backpack.

“Yeah, you're probably right.” I lie. There’s no way he wouldn’t notice me. The air in the house would probably shift the moment my pinky toe set foot inside it. Over the months of me being his student, he figured me out quickly and always knew when my prying eyes were on him. So, I Doubt it would be any different in his house from his classroom.

******

---