Page 6

CHAPTER SIX

"So, he said nothing?" Aaron asked, and I shook my head as I bit down on my sandwich. We were currently seated in the cafeteria, having lunch alongside our other classmates. "And you are sure he saw you?"

"Yes, Aaron," I said, already tired of repeating myself. "He must have been standing by his window the whole time because when I raised my head to his room window, the curtains were immediately pulled close."

"What if it was Miss T? I mean, you didn't exactly see Mason's face, so it could have been someone else.” My expression must have said a lot because he quickly looked away and muttered a half-hearted, "Sorry."

I sighed, "I just don't want to talk about it, Aaron. I should have known better than to go there in the first place. I knew he wouldn't want me around, yet I went there anyway.”

Aaron lowered his head dejectedly. "I'm sorry, too. If I hadn't pushed you to go and see him, none of this would have happened."

"It's okay," I shrugged, chewing on my food even though I couldn't taste a thing. "At least now I don't have to wonder about him and me anymore. It's clear that he doesn't want me."

"Come on, Kat, don't talk like that. I'm sure if I talk to him, he will come around.”

"No," I said a little loudly, attracting the attention of those seated behind us. "No, please don't. Just leave it alone, okay?" I begged him, lowering my voice. "Promise me, Aaron," I watched him meaningfully, only relaxing when he assured me with a nod.

"I promise," he said seriously and then groaned as his gaze swiveled to something behind me. "Oh, what now?" he said in exasperation.

"What…?"

I didn't get to finish my sentence before Noelle slapped the rest of my sandwich out of my hand.

"What the hell, Noelle?" I yelled at the perpetrator who now stood before me with raging green eyes and a stormy expression. "What was that for?"

"You just can't stay away, can you? You have to have them all, huh?" She screamed in my face with an arm propped on her hip.

I watched on in confusion, having no idea what she was going on about. "What are you talking about…? Jake, what is your girlfriend talking about?" I asked the boy who had come to stand beside Noelle and was trying to pull her into his arms.

"No, you talk to me and not him. Stay the fuck away from Jake,” she said, shoving my shoulder.

Now furious, I pulled a rising Aaron back down to his seat and stood to face Noelle. By now, everyone in the cafeteria was staring at us. "If you would speak with a little more clarity Noelle, that would be much appreciated," I said calmly, holding onto the little patience I had left.

"Stay away from my boyfriend, bitch,” she enunciated.

"Noelle, baby, it's not like that," said Jake as he kept trying to pull her into his arms and away from Aaron and me to no avail.

"Stay out of this babe," she answered him.

I shut my eyes tightly as I tried my hardest to remain calm. "Noelle, I thought we've been over this. I have nothing to do with your boyfriend. Jake and I rarely even talk or hang out anymore. He even stopped sitting with us during lunch. What else do you want from me?"

"That's just what you want everyone to believe, then at night you start acting all pathetic and weepy, making up stories about seeing strange men following you just to get Jake crawling through your window to console you because you know he's a gentleman and that's what he'll do."

My gaze swung to Jake's, the feeling of betrayal sweeping all over me. "You told her?"

"Oh, don't look so surprised. Jake tells me everything," she said with a smirk, looking pretty pleased with herself.

"It's not like that Katrina, I didn't mean…"

"My lowest moments and you told her?" I screamed at him. "I trusted you enough to be my friend, to be there when I needed you, but your precious Noelle just had to know too, didn't she?" I ignored him as he shook his head in denial, "What? You two must have enjoyed mocking me and laughing behind my back at my expense, right?"

Jake moved closer to me and held my hand. "Katrina, I swear, that's not what it is," he said, staring at me with tormented eyes that pleaded to be understood, but I was far too angry to listen.

"Let go of me," I yanked my arm out of his grip.

"Jake, baby…"

"Stay out of this, Noelle," Jake growled at her, causing her to step back in shock.