The Boyfriend Bet (14 page)

You know when you’ve got everything planned (well sort of)
and then somebody always ruins that little plan? Well tonight was no different
because as we all giggled waiting for Riley to unlock the door, I was
readjusting my little black dress and fiddling with my hair for the millionth
time so I looked just right when Riley finally opened the door – only for Jay
Jackson to open it and stand in the doorway with his trademark smirk, plastered
across his face.

Typical him as well: his hair was a mess sticking up
everywhere and all he’d bothered to get changed into was some jeans and a blue
oversized hoody. He looked me up and down, the damn smirk never leaving his
face, “Come to see Riley?”

“Well yeah, obviously!” I huffed. I didn’t want him to
think for one second that we’d even consider making such an effort to see him.

“And you!” Sarah smiled at him. Jay didn’t look too
chuffed at Sarah’s remark. He raised his eyebrows and did this sort of
over-the-top smile. I did this weird kind of back kick and hoofed her in the
shin.

“Owww!” Sarah screeched and then everyone just stood
there rather awkwardly, all staring at me.

“Are you gonna let us in then?” I snapped. Jay shrugged
and then he just wandered back inside the house, leaving the door wide open.

“How rude,” I muttered but took no hesitation in walking
into the house. Great, Aimie was sitting on the sofa which meant if she was
here, then Ella was somewhere about. The only funny thing about it was Jay’s
mate Luke London was also sitting on the sofa looking well chuffed that Aimie
just happened to be sitting next to him.

Aimie kept fidgeting. I don’t think she liked the
attention from Luke. I mean, he’s ok-looking and everything (he has got amazing
white blonde hair that is totally wasted on a boy) but in general, to people
like Aimie and Ella, Luke is pretty average and Aimie and Ella don’t do
average! Even if a guy had the most amazing personality, unless they were super
hot and super popular then it’s a big fat no-no and since Luke is in Year
Eleven and Aimie is in Year Twelve, he (in her eyes) officially sucked.

By the bimbo rules (ha, I like that) Ella in theory
shouldn’t have wanted Sam, I mean sure he’s cute and popular but he was in a
year below her at school and this sort of stuff usually mattered to her. And
that is how I know she did it to spite me. She couldn’t for one second let me
be happy. She had always wanted what she shouldn’t have or what everybody else
wanted.

“You do know the stupid party is tomorrow night?” Jay
looked at what I was wearing again.

“Erm...yeah.” I snapped. God, what was he trying to make
me feel shit about my clothes now?

“Oh,” Jay sniggered and perched on the arm of the sofa,
making it quite clear he didn’t believe me. Bex and Sarah had already made
themselves at home, squeezing on the end of the sofa. I just stood in front of
Jay with my arms crossed.

Luke was still hopelessly flirting with Aimie and Sarah
was cheekily pointing the remote at the T.V. until some music came blaring out.

“Do you think I’m stupid?” I started on Jay. “Of course I
know the party is tomorrow night. It’s all I’ve had to hear about at school all
bloody week!”  It’s true I had nearly been bored to tears by it in the
end. Jay actually grinned, but I wasn’t going to even give him a chance to come
out with one of his smart arse comments. “And I always dress like this!” I lied
outrageously.

Jay nearly choked on the Coke he’d been swigging on
(that’ll teach him to be a pig, ha) and then he couldn‘t stop coughing. I just
stared at the idiot.

“Have you still not learnt how to drink properly?” I
shook my head.

“It’s only when you come out with your shit.” Jay said
when he’d finally caught his breath.

“Are you saying that you only act like a complete idiot
when I’m around? Bit convenient,” I smiled. I am so not letting him get the
better of me today!

“What can I say? You obviously bring out the best in me,”
He smiled sarcastically and then took another swig of his coke.

“Oh my god, check those two out.” Bex interrupted our
little spat. I’d totally forgotten those two were listening.

“Yeah stop with all the flirting!” Sarah glared at me as
once again, Jay spat out a mouthful of Coke. Don’t think he quite agreed with
the flirting comment!

“You idiot,” I directed at Jay. “As if!” I hissed at
Sarah, glaring at her to shut her big, fat, stupid mouth.

“You’re supposed to be flirting with Riley, not him!”
Sarah, who was now standing next to me, was nudging me in the ribs because
speaking of Riley, there he was - standing in the doorway with my smug-looking
sister.

“You look nice,” Riley said, with almost a hint of
surprise that I chose to ignore. I turned and did a told-you-so smile at Jay,
who just shrugged as though he couldn’t care less.

“We’ve just made a right good cocktail.” Ella
interrupted, “Who wants one?” As if on cue a group of Year Thirteen lads, who
happen to be Riley’s mates, walked through the door. Bex and Sarah looked well
chuffed at the welcome interruption but they looked less pleased when the girls
followed behind them.

“Great.” I heard Jay mutter and the next thing I knew
nearly everyone was drinking Ella’s disgusting concoction. I wondered if she’d
found every single bit of alcohol Mum kept in the cupboard and just mixed it
all together.

The noise level was getting louder and louder which meant
so was Ella’s annoying giggling. Every now and again another one of Riley’s
mates would pop over and slowly the living room was getting claustrophobic.

I heard Amelia Hargreaves name and then Ella saying, “I
was so shocked.” Ella is such a fraud.

“I mean, what a nutter!” One of Riley’s mates said - I
didn’t even know any of their names. “A lucky escape, eh?” The same mate was
nudging Riley in the ribs and winking at him.

“Yeah well, saved me the job of binning her,” Riley
grinned as though he was the big man. Ella giggled with the others at Riley’s
crap joke. I looked round for Bex and Sarah. Sarah was so engrossed in
conversation with Luke London that she didn’t even seem to realise what
everyone else was talking about. Bex just shrugged at me.

I couldn’t hear everything they were saying but they were
all slapping Riley on the back  with some suggestive remarks about what
Riley had or had not got up to with Amelia Hargreaves and then out of the blue,
Jay just crushed his empty Coke can in his hand and stood up to leave.

“Had too much Coke bro?” Riley sneered, “You really know
how to enjoy yourself.” Loads of sniggering from Riley’s mates proceeded. I
wondered if they just laughed at everything Riley said.

“I’ve got a footy match tomorrow.” Jay said and they all
stared at him as if he’d answered in a foreign language. They just started to
laugh. “Anyway, I’m bored.”

Jay walked to the door and Riley nudged him as he walked
past - apparently this was funny too. Jay shoved Riley back and then walked out
of the room to a chorus of ‘oooooh’ from the Year Thirteen girls.

I just sat there in the corner of the sofa, wishing I was
anywhere else but here. I even started to wish I didn’t have this very tiny
dress on because I was anything but comfortable.  I watched on as Ella
downed glass after glass of her horrendous cocktail and giggled stupidly trying
to impress Riley and co.  She was such an idiot and she had clearly had
too much to drink.

 I saw Bex leave the room. I figured she might be
going to get a drink so I stood up to make my move and follow her. “Alright
babe?” Riley had stepped in front of the door. I looked around. Ella was no
longer in the group - she probably had her head down the toilet for all I
cared.  “Tomorrow night’s gonna be a good ‘un.” Riley continued. I could
see him looking over to his mates who seemed to think I was unable to hear
their comments of ‘get in’ etc.  I turned around and they all immediately
stopped doing what my Mum would call ‘obscene gestures’. I personally would
call it acting like complete dicks.

“Riley mate, make sure this one’s not a crazy stalker!”
One of them slapped Riley on the back whilst he spilled half his can of lager
on the carpet.

“I don’t care if it’s me she’s stalking,” Riley said to a
load of lame cheering. I wondered how much his mates had had to drink or
whether they were always this dumb. I felt a bit stupid. Had I really stalked
this idiot? Also does being extremely hot cancel out being extremely
stupid?...Hmmm, I would have to think about that one later.

“Wonder if Amelia was thinking about Mr Huntley the whole
time she was shagging you?” One of them leered.

“We were just mates,” Riley glared at them and signalled
to me. “But can’t deny it lads, she so wanted me!”  Loads more
cheering...yawn-yawn it was all getting a bit boring.

“If you were such good mates, how come you didn’t stick
up for her?” I asked. Everyone stopped cheering, yelling and swigging drinks
and stared at me as though I’d just suggested we murder someone or something.

“I mean, do you actually think it was her?” I asked. And Riley
just shrugged. His mates then resumed their rowdiness and I could see exactly
how it was. Riley didn’t care because it didn’t involve him. It wasn’t his
problem and as Riley knows all too well there are plenty more fish in the sea
(another one of Mum’s crap sayings).

Riley’s mates were now busy harassing some girl from Year
Thirteen but she seemed to like it, even though she was trying her best to make
out that she didn’t. Riley turned to me, “You look well fit in that,” and he
stepped closer to me so that I could feel his warm breath on my face. Before I
could think of a smart reply, he’d practically grabbed me and planted a huge
smacker on my lips. And I had those same weird thoughts running through my head
as the last time he had kissed me. I mean, he’s so sure of himself, like no
girl would ever push him away, but I literally felt NOTHING! Not like I’d
imagined it should be - no sparks flying or even a fluttery tummy...it was all
so STRANGE!

And then I actually did the unthinkable. I pushed him
away. I bet Charley Wallis is the first girl to ever push Riley Jackson away!
OMG! I heard sniggering and I saw Jay standing in the doorway, inches away from
me and Riley. He had just witnessed the whole thing. Cringe!

Even Riley Jackson gets all the luck when a girl pushes
him away and still manages to act all cool because just at that moment his
phone started to ring and buzz loudly. “Oh, playing hard to get? I like that,”
He said with a cocky grin as he casually put his arm around me as he checked
his phone. “Everyone quieten it down, it’s my dad!” Riley held up his phone and
everyone stopped talking and yelling and the noise dropped to a low buzz of
people attempting to whisper.

“Hey Dad, what’s up?” Riley said as he lifted his arm
from my shoulder, signalling for everyone to keep it down. “...Yeah of course
we’re looking after them...I’ve got one of those gorgeous girls right here next
to me...” Riley said as he pulled me in closer to him, resulting in more cheers
from his sad mates. “...nah just a couple of mates Dad...yeah Jay’s fine...”

I looked up but Jay had gone. “Dad, I swear we’re all
fine...” Riley loosened his grip as he began to reassure his dad that all was
well at home. I wriggled away and snuck off to the kitchen. Their house is
basically the same layout as ours, except that our kitchen and lounge are open
plan and this still had the wall between rooms, which at this moment I was
bloody grateful for, as I needed some space. I grabbed a glass and filled it up
with water from the tap.

“What no alcohol?”

I turned round to see Jay was standing behind me. I
hadn’t realised he was in here in my rush to escape the others.

“I’ve got a dance show tomorrow,” I said, as I actually
realised there was no way I could turn up to the show tomorrow with a hangover.

“You surprise me,” Jay muttered.

“I know you don’t think a lot of me but you don’t know
me.” I snapped as I turned around to face Jay.

“I don’t think any worse of you than anyone else.
Actually a bit better of you after you gave wonderboy the brush off.” Jay said
with a hint of sarcasm. “I thought you were into him?”
I shrugged because I didn’t know anymore. Come to think of it I wasn’t sure I
was ever that ‘into him’. Sure he was a pretty face but that’s about it. 
I made my mind up right there and then to tell Ella tomorrow that the bet’s
off, I want out (I think).

“It just wasn’t what I thought.”

“It?” Jay looked confused.

“The kiss,” I tried to explain.

“Huh?” Jay looked even more confused than before.

“I mean, I thought he was all that but when it came to
it, there was nothing ,” I babbled. I took a much needed swig of my water.
Those couple of drinks I’d had earlier were obviously responsible for too much
honesty in front of one of the people I dislike the most.

“What?”

“There was nothing there when he kissed me, like I felt
NOTHING!” God I wished my mouth would slow down and let my brain catch up.

“Well, what should you feel then?” Jay stepped even
closer to me, he had a hint of a cheeky smile on his face and I wondered if he
was going to take the piss out of me as usual. This was getting embarrassing.

“Um...like, some chemistry or something?” I just couldn’t
shut up!

“Chemistry?” Jay played dumb.

“You know, chemistry....it’s like no one else exists for
that moment, like you’re totally unaware of everyone else....I don’t know how
to explain it, it’s just there.” I stepped even closer to Jay. What the hell
was I doing?

“Like a spark?” Jay whispered. He was so close to my
face, he must have only been centimetres away.

“Uh huh,” I barely nodded.

I don’t know if he kissed me or I kissed him but it took
me by complete and utter surprise – not the kiss but the fact that it was all
there - that damn spark, chemistry or whatever it was called but it was
everything I was trying to describe. The butterflies in my stomach, the
goosebumps, it was electric and it felt AMAZING!

I was completely SHOCKED! When we finally broke away, we
just stared at each other. He looked as equally shocked (or horrified) as I
was. Oh my god! Why did I just kiss Jay Jackson? Of all the people I could have
kissed, he was the stupidest one of all. And why did I want to kiss him again?
That chemistry bullshit I was going on and on about - it wasn’t really there,
surely not with Jay Jackson!

“Is that what you were talking about?” Jay finally broke
the awkward silence.

“Dunno...” I whispered. “Can’t be,” I shook my head.

“Nah....I mean us two?” Jay agreed although he didn’t
look too convinced either.

“Maybe... we should try it again?” I found myself saying.
It was almost as if someone else was controlling what I was saying. Why would I
say that? I knew exactly what it was. I would kiss him again and prove that
there was nothing there and reconfirm that snogging Jay was gross and not to be
repeated and then I could carry on being a bitch to him and he could carry on
behaving like a complete idiot.

“Ok.”

 We were only about a millimetre apart when I heard
Ella’s voice screech, “Charley!” And as her annoying voice rang through the
air, we jumped apart. I turned to see her practically using the doorframe to
hold herself up,

“How long have you been there?” I demanded. I felt
totally embarrassed.

“Ages.” Ella giggled. She was swaying as she tried to
keep eye contact with me.

“I didn’t realise you were there,” I snapped, but then I
felt my face flush red as I remembered the crap I’d said about being totally
unaware of anyone else. Why did I open my mouth about rubbish theories? A kiss
is just a kiss (or a mistake), right?

“Now, snogging the face off his brother aint gonna win
you that bet, is it?” Ella slurred at me and then shrieked with laughter. Even
in that drunken state she was managing to laugh at me.

“What?” Jay took a huge step back away from me. “Bet?”

“Yeah Charley, tell him about our little wager. Charley
thought she could take me on,” Ella smirked.

“You two have got some sad pathetic bet going on over my
brother, haven’t you?” Jay asked.

“No!” I protested, looking at Jay.

“How low is that? I mean, don’t get me wrong, he treats
girls like shit and gets away with it. I don’t care about him, but for a minute
I stupidly thought better of you.” Jay never took his eyes from me.

“Oh my god, you sound like our mum,” Ella cackled.

“Shut up!” I glared at Ella.

“No, tell me about this bet.” Jay faced Ella, “Go on spit
it out!”

And Ella did spit it out, all over the hall carpet. She
officially could not hold her drink. We both just seemed to be staring at her
in disbelief as she somehow staggered to the toilet to finish off the job. Yuk.

“You’ve already won the bet anyway.” Jay turned back to
face me, his eyes were cold.

“What?”

“I can hear everything in here, Riley and his mates.” Jay
continued. “They all thought you were fit apparently, so that’s all Riley needs
- his mates to approve.”

“What are you talking about?” I didn’t know what else to
say and I hated the way Jay was looking at me,

“Riley’s mates want you, that stupid idiot Sam wants you
back and so now Riley wants you. He’s just like you really, he wants to win.”
Jay said bitterly as if I was nothing more than a stupid waste of space.

“What? I don’t even want him anymore, I’m nothing like
him. I wasn’t even going to go through with this stupid bet!” I protested. I
had tears in my eyes and I desperately tried to blink them away.

“Whatever....I don’t even know you at all. I thought I
might have, but I was wrong, completely wrong.”

“Hey you!” Sarah came bounding into the kitchen, “Me and
Bex are gonna watch Luke and some of the other boys play football tomorrow
afternoon. Do you want to come?”

“No, I hate football.” I lied.

“Charley, you used to watch them play all the time or did
you just go to watch Sam?” Sarah wouldn’t stop her embarrassing tirade of
questions, even Bex who had followed her into the room was giving her a warning
look, as she had clocked my teary eyes but Sarah was totally oblivious. “And
since you’re such good friends with Jay now...”

“What?” I tried to give her the shut-the-hell-up look but
it wasn’t working.

“Jay plays too, don’t you?” Sarah smiled at him and then
me.  So that figured how Jay knew Sam so well.

“I can’t, I’ll be at the dance show,” I snapped at Sarah
and her stupidity.

“Oh, and just a heads up, I heard Ella’s got loads of people
from school going to your dance show tomorrow.” Jay warned me but he still
looked completely cold towards me.

“I knew she was planning something!” Bex looked furious.
“It’s going to be a disaster, she’ll make sure of it!”

“Why do you care anyway?” I snapped at Jay. I couldn’t
help it, I was hurt.

“Just thought I’d let you know. You can get out of it now
and save yourself the embarrassment. You know, Riley won’t wanna know you
anymore if everyone’s laughing at you.”

I couldn’t help but think that the last comment from Jay
was low. He was being so mean. Bex was staring at me, looking for clues because
she knew something was going on and Sarah just looked confused as usual.

“You don’t know me very well at all, do you?” I half
shouted. “I’ve made a promise to a bunch of kids that I‘ll be there tomorrow
and I never ever break a promise. I couldn’t care less if the entire school is
going to laugh at me for being there for those kids.”  I couldn’t hold
back the tears any longer as Bex made her way over to me.

“Come on, let’s get you home.” She said as she put her
arm around me. I shrugged it off, not because I wasn’t grateful but because I
felt like I could and should stick up for myself.

“You’re right what you said earlier Jay Jackson, you
don’t know me at all!” And then I turned and left without giving anyone the
chance to say anything more and I marched straight out of the front door and
into the cold, crisp November air with tears streaming down my face.