Page 5 of My Rules for Revenge (Twisted YA Mysteries #1)

I never believed Eddy’s friendly nature.

Maybe I was jealous that nearly everyone liked him and thought he was kind, but I always felt it was an artificial persona he put on to mask what he truly was inside.

To be fair, however, most of the students involved in what happened with Heather weren’t exactly model citizens. That included me.

“Oh, it’s cool. I’m just messing with you. Nice balls, by the way,” Heather teased.

“What? What balls?” He sounded panicked as bullets of sweat rolled down his forehead.

“She means the basketballs, Eddy. She’s a pervert,” Vivian explained.

“No, I’m not. Don’t say that.”

“Yes, you are.”

“I know.”

The three of them laughed while I suddenly felt like I was about to vomit.

“Your name’s Eddy, right?” Heather asked.

“Yes. That’s me. Eddy Chavez— The Benchwarmer .”

“Hey, at least you’re on the team, right?” Heather asked.

“Yeah. At least I’m on the team.”

Heather and Eddy stared at each other for several moments. I had to be honest; I thought I saw electrical sparks that crackled in the air above them. It enraged me.

“I gotta get to class, Benchwarmer . I’ll see you around.”

Heather seemed to wink at Eddy as she scurried away with Vivian.

Eddy blushed and smiled to himself while he continued to carry the bags of basketballs towards the gym.

I motioned for Carlos to follow me as we hurried in Eddy’s direction.

I pretended to inspect the floor as I violently bumped into Eddy, who became startled.

“Dude, watch it,” I said angrily.

“I’m so sorry, man. I didn’t see you; I swear.”

“You’re blind, bro. What happened? Your eyes were too busy drifting to wherever they desired?” Carlos mocked.

Eddy stayed quiet and looked ashamed. Carlos and I walked away, doubled over and practically crying from laughter.

I had to give it to him—that was a perfect line to say at that exact moment.

He had my deepest admiration and respect for at least the next few minutes after that.

I waited until Eddy cleared out before I asked Carlos the question that inadvertently changed my life forever.

“That girl’s name…it’s Heather Chang, right?” I asked.

“Yep, that’s her. She’s hot as hell, but she’s kind of a bitch. She messed with me last year at the movie theater. I’ll never talk to her again.”

“That’s because you don’t know how to treat girls, Carlos. You’re an ape.”

“Hey, she also didn’t let me join her stupid book club and called me a dough-headed dweeb.”

“Jesus.”

“I know.”

“That’s a perfect way to describe you,” I agreed.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Hilarious.”

“It is hilarious.”

I remained quiet and grinned to myself as we walked.

“You’re planning something, aren’t you?” Carlos asked.

“What? How do you know?”

“I see it in your face, Jacob. You’re smiling like a weirdo. Plus, I know you, dude. You see a hot girl you like, and you tend to go after her. Luna rejected you this morning, and you’re already on to the next one,” Carlos pointed out.

“Don’t talk about my rejections.”

That was a sore spot for me.

“Alright, alright. My bad, but you know what I mean.”

Carlos was right. I was one to move on quickly. I wanted to get laid, and I was running out of time. At the end of this school year, I was set to graduate and attend Bright Rock University. So, I tried again. It ended up being the last time.

That same day, a few hours later, I stood outside the book club room with the same sunflower I had tried to give Luna.

This time, I also had a box of gourmet chocolates.

I had briefly left the school with Carlos during lunch to buy it for my upcoming romantic gesture.

In terms of attempting to impress a girl I liked, this was the only way I knew how. I believed this was the way.

Despite my many past failures throughout the years, I kept trying.

I hadn’t realized it back then, but I was at my breaking point.

I was sick and tired of the countless rejections I experienced.

It took a mental toll on me, and it poisoned the thoughts I had towards girls.

Perhaps I never realized it because I had no one to talk to about it.

Carlos was my best friend, but never like that.

Neither was Manny. If I tried to talk to my mother about this sort of thing, she would have insulted me like the crazy old bat that she was.

I peeked through the window in the door.

I saw a neatly organized classroom with many colorful portraits of eccentric art.

One had a six-legged cat falling through a swirl of red and white.

Another was a totem pole with the faces of a robot, an alien, a monster, a dinosaur, and the head of a dog.

A few bookshelves were placed along the walls and stacked to the brim with books.

She was seated in the middle of the room on a beanbag chair. She was reading, deeply involved in the world of her book. She looked beautiful, and it was love at first sight. I stayed quiet and admired her for several minutes.

I took a deep breath and slowly entered the room. She glanced up.

“Hey,” I greeted.

“Hello,” Heather replied.

“I’m Jacob. We had a class together last year with Miss Leslie. You were surrounded by juniors.”

“Yeah, I remember. I’m ahead by a year.”

“I’m sorry, I know I’m intruding on your reading, but I hoped you would have a minute to talk.”

“Yeah, okay. Sure. What’s this about? Book club?”

I casually walked in closer and leaned on a desk. I placed the sunflower and the box of chocolates behind me. Heather closed her book and placed it aside. She calmly peeked around me and saw what I had behind me. She gave me a slightly surprised look.

“Late Valentine’s Day gift?”

“Yeah, sort of,” I said.

“So, what’s up?”

“Listen, Heather, I’m just gonna come right out and say it—I don’t think there’s any use in beating around the bush—I think you’re absolutely gorgeous.”

Mentally, I scolded myself because my voice shook as I complimented her. My nerves always settled as I continued to talk and got comfortable.

“Oh…umm… Wow! Thanks!”

My heart pounded in my chest, and my palms grew sweaty as I continued.

“I got this sunflower and this box of chocolates for you.”

I grabbed them from behind and handed them to her. She hesitantly touched them but didn’t grab them.

She pulled back and lightly chuckled. She remained shocked in silence for a few seconds.

“I’m sorry. This is very unexpected. I… I don’t get it.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’ve never talked before. Not like this. Look, I appreciate the gesture. This is really sweet, and I thank you for this,” Heather said rather appreciatively.

“But?”

“I’m really sorry, but I don’t see you in that way. I barely know you, dude!” Heather exclaimed.

“Wait, but I bought you this stuff—this flower and these chocolates are for you, Heather. Can you at least give me a chance?”

“Jacob, I’m sorry, but no. I don’t want to lie to you. I can’t accept those gifts. I’m telling you point-blank that I’m not interested. It’s nothing personal.” Heather’s voice was rising in tone.

At this point, my blood began to boil, and there wasn’t much I was able to do to control myself.

“Here’s the thing, Heather. I know I’m a good guy, but I haven’t had the chance to show it to anyone. No one wants to give me a chance.”

“I’m sorry about that, but that’s not really my problem,” Heather replied.

“Yeah, of course it’s not. I’m just telling you things from my perspective.”

“Okay then.”

“Can I ask you a question? This is a serious question.”

“Sure.”

“Do you think there’s any chance that you and I could, you know?”

I winked at her. She gave me a look of utter disgust and stood up.

“What the hell are you suggesting?”

“Whoa, relax, it was just a question!” I exclaimed.

“A very inappropriate question. You don’t know me like that. Get out of here!”

I was taken aback by her hostility, but I continued.

“Heather, we’re just talking. Why are you getting mad? Jesus!”

“Are you out of your mind?” Heather asked.

“No, my mind is perfectly intact.”

“Doesn’t seem like it.”

“Wow! That wasn’t nice,” I remarked.

“It wasn’t supposed to be.”

I began to grow frustrated and impulsively laughed to myself.

“Alright, Heather. Whatever. Look, I swear I’m a good guy, and I’ll prove it to you,” I assured her.

“I don’t want you to prove anything to me. Get the hell out!” Heather demanded.

“Just hear out my offer first. Please. Like I said, it was a serious question.”

“Dude, what? You’re pissing me off,” Heather said angrily.

“If you were to have sex with me, I would pay you,” I offered.

Heather rapidly blinked and appeared to be even more revolted than before.

“What… I’m sorry, what?”

“Heather, I will pay you a lot of money to help me lose my virginity. I swear,” I reassured her.

Heather slowly sat back down.

“Holy smokes… This can’t be real life. You’re insane.”

“I’m not insane. I’m being serious.”

“It’s incomprehensible that you are this horny.”

Heather laughed aloud for several moments while I began to grow increasingly frustrated.

“Why are you laughing? I’m opening myself up to you. I literally just told you that I’m a virgin.”

“Yeah, and I literally don’t know why you would tell me that.”

“So, what? Is that a ‘NO’? ”

“Obviously, it’s a ‘No.’ You’re fucking weird,” Heather scoffed.

“Hey, I’m not weird. I was just making you an offer. There’s no need to insult me. You’re acting like teenagers never have sex. It happens all the time. It’s a normal thing to talk about and discuss.”

“You’re talking about it like it’s a fucking business transaction. I’m not a hooker. Please leave. I’m shaking because of how mad I am right now.”

My frustration reached a boiling point and quickly grew to anger. I grabbed the box of chocolates and smashed it on the floor. They scattered everywhere. Heather angrily stood back up and walked closer to me.