The Bad Boy (8 page)

Making sure, I
got all the tears I looked up and gave him a bright smile, although
it probably came off creepy. Judging from the look he gave me, I
think it did. Dropping the smile, I moved to the side so he could
use his locker. “I came here to apologize. I shouldn’t have lashed
out on you. I just haven’t gotten much sleep and was
cranky.”

Jared looked at
me from the corner of his eye but didn’t say anything. He opened
his locker and threw all of his stuff in it. “I never admit I’m
wrong but I shouldn’t have said what I did. That’s all you’re
getting though.” I couldn’t tell if he was teasing me or being
serious, so to lighten the mood, I went with teasing.

“
It’s
better than nothing.”  I smiled at him and he gave me half a
smirk. That was also better than nothing. He was about to say
something when my phone beeped again. My hands grew clammy just
thinking it could be Conner again.

I opened the
message and clenched my teeth to hold back the tears.
‘Emilie I
expect you to answer me or do I have to find you and explain how
things work with us?’

I hit reply and
with shaky sweaty hands typed back that I will be with him at the
party. Then I threw my phone in my bag wishing I could just throw
it in a garbage can like they do in the movies all the
time.

“
You
okay? You look pale.” I jerked at Jared’s voice and then sent him a
reassuring smile. He didn’t buy it but didn’t budge either. Which I
was thankful for. I was debating on telling Jared what was
happening but a million reasons why not too came to my
mind.

Jared and I were
barely friends; I don’t think he wants me dropping my drama onto
him. If I did tell him, he surely would go and find Conner and pick
a fight with him. I wouldn’t be worried about Jared getting hurt
but that he could get in serious trouble not just with the school
but the law, he has already been arrested for fighting before, he
didn’t need it again.

Also, if Jared
did know and took it in to his own hands then that means people
will find out and I don’t want that. I don’t want to be the girl
whose boyfriend cheats on her and then becomes physco about her. I
would look like such a damsel in distress and I don’t want
that.

Jared was still
looking at me pointedly and I gulped. “Like I said, I haven’t been
sleeping too much and forgot to eat at lunch.” I felt bad lying to
him but I didn’t know what else to do.

“
Right.” His eyes looked suspicious. “You can eat something at
my house.” I nodded and knew that what happened this morning was
forgotten about. Maybe being his friend wouldn’t be too bad after
all. If I could get past all his annoying habits, that
is.

*

My phone hadn’t
received one text from Conner since the last one and the relief
flooding through me couldn’t be explained. I was just anxious for
the party. I had a feeling something was going to go wrong
though.

I pulled out the
dress and shoes I was going to be wearing that I packed into my
school bag. My hair and make-up were still okay so I didn’t bother
with those items. Jared let me use his spare bathroom while he got
ready in his bedroom.

Slipping on the
dress, I adjusted the straps to a more comfortable fitting and then
grabbed my two inch heels to put on. Stuffing everything back in my
bag, I walked into the hallway and froze at the scene in front of
me.

Austin, Jared’s
younger brother came walking up the stairs and the state he was in,
I couldn’t help but gasp. It caught his attention and when our eyes
locked, all I saw was fear in his. His nose was gushing blood while
dried blood was splattered across his cheeks and forehead. The
corner of his bottom lip was a darkish purple and looked to be
swelling more at the moment.

He was only in a
white T-shirt or what was supposed to be white but was now covered
in blood. His vest that he wears for his uniform was in a death
grip in his hand that I couldn’t bear to look at because of how
bloody and scraped up it was. 

“
Austin what happened?” I voiced, my throat dry from the
appearance I was looking at.

He looked behind
himself and I caught on that it was Jared’s door he was watching.
He turned back to me and said, “Don’t repeat any of this. Please.”
He quickly walked around me and ran down the hallway. I was curious
about why I couldn’t say anything and then I noticed Jared coming
out of his room.

Was he scared
what Jared was going to say or do? Should I say anything? He asked
me not too but the condition he was in he might need to see a
doctor and I would feel terrible if me not saying anything causes
him to have serious injuries later on.

Jared talking
brought me out of my thought. “I like that dress
Emilie.”

I brought my
attention to him and smiled. “Thanks.”

“
It
makes you totally b—“

I cut him off
sending him a glare. “You say one inappropriate thing…” I
warned.

He held up his
hands in surrender. “I was just going to say beautiful!”

I cocked my head
to the side giving him a disbelieving look. “Sure you
were.”

“
Whatever, let’s go. I need to get drunk.” He closed his
bedroom door and started walking to the stairs with me following
behind.

“
Remind me not to be around you at the party or drive home with
you.” I replied sarcastically. Jared smirked and winked.

He randomly
stopped making me bump into his back. He spun around and grabbed
onto my shoulders. “Sorry.” He let go of me and looked down the
hallway where Austin had run down only a minute ago. “Did you see
Austin? He’s usually in his room which is down that way and I have
to talk to him. He would have passed you to get to his
room.”

Now was the time
for me to make my decision. I knew it was going to be a bad one but
hopefully Austin would come for help later. He was probably still
mixed with emotions to deal with anyone at the moment and that’s
why he asked me not to say anything.

“
No, I
haven’t. I think we are the only one’s still home.” I lied walking
past him hoping he would just drop it. Luckily, he did.

He shrugged and
said, “That’s weird, I thought I heard you talking to him.” I
looked at him over my shoulder, raising my eyebrows.

“
Hearing things now aren’t we Jared?” I laughed carefully going
down the stairs because I was in heels.

He laughed
sarcastically, “Why don’t you shut that trap of yours and instead
move that ass of yours towards the garage. We’re going to take my
dad’s car.”

I stuck my tongue
out at him. “Bite me.”

He gave me a
dirty smirk and leaned into me. “I would love to but that would
mean we would be doing some dirty things and you have so obviously
pointed out that you don’t want to do said things with
me.”

I patted his
cheek smiling, “Awh, look who is finally catching on!”

He opened a door
and waved a hand gesturing for me to go first, “Teasing bitches
first.”

Let’s just say my
fist meet his crotch, rather harshly too.

*

I ran my hand
over the seat for the fifth time. “I know I shouldn’t be surprised
that you have a 2012 Mustang but for some reason I am.” I admitted
moving my hand from the seat to the knobs that control the radio,
lowering the music.

Jared looked over
at me and smirked, “My dad is obsessed with Mustangs.”

I quirked an
eyebrow, “And he trusts you to drive?” If I was obsessed with
something, there would be no way I would let anyone touch it.
Especially if that person was Jared.

He shrugged
putting on his blinker and turning left. “He’s more into the older
ones. That’s why I took this one, it isn’t really important to
him.”

I nodded
pretending that made any sense. “Makes perfect sense.” I laughed
sarcastically.

“
I
forgot your brain is incapable of understanding things Emilie. My
bad.”

When we pulled up
to the house and got out of the car Jared had a red imprint of my
hand across his cheek while I stood their laughing. “God, you are
violent tonight.”

“
Yeah,
well.” I shrugged closing the door and moving towards the front of
the house where a couple of people were. The party was mostly
inside because it was a chiller night tonight.

Jared grabbed my
arm and pulled me back. “Wow slow down. Why are you running off on
me?”

‘
Because my cheating physco ex-boyfriend will hurt me if I show
up with you.’ I thought but quickly shook my head and came up with
a lie. “Hailey is waiting for me and I rather not keep her
waiting.” Switch Hailey with Conner and I would be telling the
truth.

Jared dropped my
wrist nodding. “Fine.” I smiled and went to keep walking when he
pulled me towards him again. “But I better get one dance by the end
of the party. Got it?”

“
Sure.” If Conner isn’t around, which I doubt, I thought to
myself.

Leaving Jared
behind, I walked up the front porch steps. I was thinking of ways
to get Conner off my back tonight when it hit me. We were at a
party. A high school party. Obviously there was going to be alcohol
and I could get Conner drunk enough where he won’t even know if I
am with him or not. It was the only thing that I could think of at
last minute and I was just going to have to wing it.

“
Hey
Emilie. You look good tonight!” I looked to my left and saw a kid
from my gym class; I think his name was Craig. I never really
talked to him before, maybe a quick smile but never a
conversation.

“
Thanks.” I smiled and started to push open the door when he
signaled me to come over to him. Biting back a groan I looked at
the door then to him and made my way over quickly. What could he
possibly want from me?

I smiled at the
two other guys he was with who I’m pretty sure are Kyle and Theo.
These kids were more of the druggie popular kids who don’t play
sports but know how to party and throw goods one. I usually don’t
go to theirs because they mostly end up with the cops showing up.
They get their popularity from being known as having the best
parties, which I kind of fine stupid.

“
Why
don’t you hang out with us for a bit? We barely talk anymore.”
Craig smirked his eyes traveling to my legs. I also forgot to
mention Craig was a man-whore and I was starting to get creeped out
by the looks he was giving me.

I shook my head.
“I’m sorry but I have Hailey inside waiting for me and everyone
knows how she gets when someone keeps her waiting.” I laughed a
little nervously. I took a step back as Craig raised from his seat,
coming closer to me.

He shrugged
smiling at me and then I realized his eyes were bloodshot and he
had a goofy grin on. He was stoned. “Ten minutes, fifteen tops.” He
reached behind him on the little side table and picked up a joint
that I failed to notice. “Smoke this with us and then you can go
find Hailey. Have you ever been high before?”

Yes, I thought to
myself. I had tried weed before with Hailey and it was okay but I
never really was into it. But I certainly wasn’t going to do it
with a bunch of guys who were already high either. I know that
would be a stupid idea.

I shook my head
and started going back towards the door. “Nah, I’m not up for it.
But you guys have fun and I’ll see you later?” I asked it more of a
question than a statement this way Craig didn’t get any idea’s in
his head that I wanted to see him.

Craig frowned at
me. “Not cool Emilie. I thought we were friends.” I blinked
surprised. I never would’ve had a problem being his friend but he
never talked to me before that night and now he was pressuring me
to smoke with him and getting upset with me when I
declined.

I gave him a
sympathetic look before turning my back and walking to the door.
Why do all the guys I talk too, end up having some sort of problem?
A hand caught my wrist halting me and I looked behind me to see
Craig holding onto me.

“
You
don’t have to leave. Just hang out with us, we don’t bite.” The
look in his eyes said otherwise.

I opened my mouth
to say something but was cut off.

“
Craig
let her go and I’ll smoke with you.” I swung my head around to face
Jared and my mouth dropped open.

The weight on my
wrist was gone and Craig walked around me to stand in front of
Jared. They did the man hand shake thing and Craig handed him the
joint. I stood, gaping as Jared sent me a ‘you’re-an-idiot’ look
making sure only I saw it.

“
See
ya Emilie!” Craig said dismissively waving his hand and plopping
back into his seat like he didn’t have a care in the
world.

“
Yeah,
bye Emilie.” Jared said but his words had meaning like ‘get out of
here before I drag you out of here.’

Figuring, I would
talk to Jared later about the whole smoking thing, I nodded still
curious about why Jared did that and headed to the door for the
third time that night.