Page 19 of Honest With You

“Loose?” I can’t help the hint of annoyance creeping up in my voice.

“Okay, how about friendly? Come on, Jesse. Before Margaret, you blew through anything with legs and breasts.”

I shake my head in astonishment.

“I’m not sure that’s a fair assessment.” I pointedly look over my shoulder at her boyfriend before glancing back at her.

Damn, I’m pissed.

“I think you have me confused with someone else.”

Vanessa’s jaw tightens as she flicks a glance behind her, where her boyfriend is now chatting it up with a pretty junior in our class.

“Alright. Well, I’m still not sold.” She mutters distractedly.

She’s barely looking at me now. She’s too busy shooting looks over her shoulder. I instantly regret it.

“I’m sorry, Vanessa. That was a cheap shot.”

She lifts her shoulders in a casual shrug and smiles. “Don’t even worry about it.” Vanessa smacks me lightly on the arm as she passes me to take her seat.

I feel guilty, but damn. Admittedly, I was a bit too friendly in my freshman year. I got caught up in my newfound popularity that came with growing a foot taller and playing ball. Halfway through sophomore year after I grew tired of the party scene, I made a point of only pursuing girls I actually felt an attraction to, regardless of how they looked. I barely dated after that, choosing to hang out with girls in group hangs and parties.

Until last year, when Margaret pursued me and I was overwhelmed by enough attention to be with her for half a year.

But with Ava, it feels different.

The connection we have is unlike anything I have ever had with anyone. The conversation just flows between us no matter the amount of years that have passed. I’m content just being in her presence.

That is something worth pursuing, I just know it.

We may not have had much of a past, but we have some history and I have a feeling we could have a future if given a chance.

The sound of tables and chairs scraping interrupts the conversations flowing around me as Mr. Stewart makes a mad dash into the classroom, muttering something about traffic all while holding a frappuccino and a cake pop in his hand.

Someone snickers behind me, and I turn to look at Vanessa, who rolls her eyes at me with a smirk.

Iresist the urge to roll my eyes but I give in and check the time on my watch for the third time.

Ten minutes until fourth period starts and then finally lunch. It can’t come fast enough.

It’s only been half a school day but somehow Jesse walking me to class spread through the school like a California wildfire.

Who knew Jesse was so popular?

And why the hell do people care so much about who he’s friends with?

Duh, Ava.

He literally looks like Chris Hemsworth and Zac Efron had a baby.

Basically, he’s teenaged Thor.

I’ve been approached by no less than five different girls since first period. The same girls who never even spared me a glance in the week I’ve been at this school. They all asked the same thing before they even asked me for my name.

Are you dating Jesse?

I even heard whispers in the girl’s bathroom earlier and I had to bite my tongue to keep from correcting them. They were calling me Aria or Eve or some other variation of my name.

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