“I grew up in the same park where you live in now. Don’t let your roots control where you end up in life.”
I was speechless for a minute. The principal was from my trailer park? I didn’t see that coming.
“Thanks.”
I kept my head low as I walked down the hall. There were students everywhere, and they were all giving me the same cold glare. I ignored the whispers as I walked by. I knew they were talking about me, but I really didn’t give a fuck. I’d never belonged here, and this just solidified it to everyone. I walked outside and down the sidewalk to the parking lot. I tensed as I heard footsteps approaching rapidly from behind me.
“Jesse!” Emma called.
“Go back inside, Emma.”
“What happened? Everyone is saying that you attacked Todd and James.
I told them all that they’re wrong. You wouldn’t do something like that.” “Just go back inside!” I yelled as I turned to face her.
“Kiss my ass! I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what happened.”
“Fine. You stay right where you are, but I’m out of here.” I walked to my Jeep and got in.
She ran to the passenger door and jumped in beside me. “Oh no, you don’t!”
“Emma, just let it go.”
“Please talk to me. I want to help,” she pleaded.
“Fine. You want to know what happened?” She nodded.
“Todd and two of his buddies attacked me. I won, but it’s my word against theirs. Of course, they’re going to lie, so I’m suspended.” “Why would they do something like that?” she asked. “Apparently, Todd doesn’t like the way I watch you.” “What?” she shrieked.
“Yep. They attacked me over you.”
“Oh my god, I don’t even know what to say. You’re okay, aren’t you?”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m so sorry, Jesse. I have no idea why Todd did that.”
“Because he wants you.”
She looked down at her lap. “I didn’t know. I mean, I think I knew he was interested, but I never thought he cared enough to do something like this.”
“I don’t know how you missed it. I even knew it.”
“It doesn’t change anything with us.”
“Who said there was an us?” I asked. I winced at my words. That was harsh.
“Do you want there to be an us?” she asked.
Do I? I had no clue. I just didn’t want to leave this beautiful girl alone. I wasn’t even sure if I could. Didn’t I try to ignore her at first? For some reason, I couldn’t, and that worried me. I didn’t want to get attached to her.
“Your silence says everything that you aren’t,” Emma said as she started to open the door to get out.
I leaned over and grabbed her wrist. “I don’t know what I want. I don’t do this.”
“What is this exactly?” she asked.
“Fuck. I don’t know.”
“Are you scared of me?”
I shook my head. “No, I’m not scared of you. I just don’t get close to people.”
“You’re afraid to get too close because you don’t want me to hurt you. Let me tell you something though—I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Maybe not on purpose.”
She shook her head. “Nope, not even by accident. For some reason, we’re under each other’s skins, and I want to find out why. I think we should try this and see where it goes.”
“What is this exactly?” I mocked her.
“Dating.”
“How do you plan on dating if we can’t even tell anyone about us?”
“I’ll figure that out later. I just want to know that when you leave here, you’re not going to go to some other girl. I want to stake my claim on you.”
What the hell am I supposed to say to that? If I agreed to this, I was sure that we would crash and burn eventually. How could we not when there is so much against us?
“Emma—” I started.
She stopped me by leaning over and kissing me. She always let me take control when we kissed but not this time. Instead, she palmed the back of my head and held my mouth against hers as she slipped her tongue between my lips. When she flicked her tongue against mine, I growled. I’d actually growled. Fuck it. She’s mine.
I pulled away. “Damn it, Emma.” “What?” she asked innocently.
Innocent my ass. “Fine, you want to stake your claim on me? Go for it, but it works both ways. If I see Todd touch you, I’ll break his arm.”
She grinned. “Fair enough. I’ll deal with Todd, I promise. He won’t bother you again.”
“We’ll see about that,” I grumbled.
The guy was an ass, and I knew he wouldn’t leave her alone just because she asked.
––––––––
“I need to go,” Jesse hinted as I stared at him.
“Right. Of course. I’ll text you later,” I said as I stepped out of his Jeep.
He waved as he backed out of the parking spot, and then he drove away.