The Deal With The Bad Boy

Chapter Three

The following day I dragged myself out of bed, checking my clock I saw I had twenty minutes to get to school.  Running a brush quickly through my hair, I tied it up with a hair band, before grabbing my uniform and slipping it on.  Rushing downstairs I took a seat at the table as mum gave me a warm smile, ‘hey sweet pea’ she gushed as I grabbed the cereal and poured some into my bowl, adding a splash of milk and starting to shovel it down quickly.

‘Slow down sweet pea’ mum scolded as I almost choked, reaching for my glass of orange juice as she banged me on the back.

‘Can’t stop, already late’ I gasped before shovelling another couple of spoonfuls in my mouth and clambering out of my chair.  Racing back up stairs, I quickly brush my teeth before taking the stairs two at a time, pulling on my shoes, hopping impatiently as I pulled at the heel that had decided to tuck under my foot, ‘c’monnnnn’ I grumbled furiously, before it finally popped out again.

Grabbing my bag, I hoisted it onto my shoulder shouting a loud goodbye to mum as I legged it out of the front door and down the path to the road.

Running down the street, I was soon panting from the exercise, my shirt clinging to my body as I finally skidded into the school premises fifteen minutes later.  Racing through the double doors, I hammered down the hall to my locker where Jay was leaning, looking at his watch.

Skidding to a halt in front of him, I gasped for breath, indicating to him with my hand, ‘help, shirt, need, sweat’ I gasped out as Jay stared at me.

‘Umm sorry what?’ he asked finally.

Straightening up I managed to force out, ‘had to run here, need a clean shirt, help me.’

Walking up to his own locker quickly, Jay spun the dial, ripping the door open and pulling out one of his spare t’shirts he kept in there, slamming the door shut and handing it to me.

Pushing me he said ‘girl’s toilet, change now! Use spray girl!’ before leaning back against my locker tapping his foot.

Racing into the bathroom, I barrelled into one of the empty cubicles, stripping off my cardigan and shirt, pulling a can of deodorant from my bag and spraying it liberally before pulling Jay’s t shirt over my head.  It was a bit big for me but beggars can’t be choosers and I'd rather a boys t’shirt than my own shirt drenched in sweat all day.

Pulling on my cardigan, I stuffed my dirty top into my bag and went to unlock the door as the entrance to the toilets swung open. The sound of a girl’s laughter filled my ears as she and her companion stumbled into the cubicle next to me, a very male voice mumbling as the girl’s giggles got louder.

As quietly as I could, I slid the lock back in its housing and eased the door toward me, stepping out and to the sinks, turning the tap as little as I could to have enough water to wash my hands without notifying the couple of my presence.

Turning off the tap I grabbed a couple of hand towels to dry my hands before creeping over to the door and pulling it gently toward me.  The door obviously felt that the world didn’t shaft me enough and let out a loud squeal as it opened.

‘What was that?’ came the male voice angrily, causing me to freeze on the spot, the cubicle door slammed open to reveal Wade who stared at me, his expression unreadable.

‘Umm, I was just leaving’ I squeaked before I ran out of the bathroom as fast as my feet would carry me, leaving the bad boy and his latest bit on the side to themselves.

Grabbing Jay’s arm, I quickly started dragging him up the corridor to our first lesson, ‘what’s the hurry?’ Jay complained, trying to keep up with me.

‘First bell has already sounded Jay, don’t want you to ruin that perfect attendance record because I couldn’t get up on time’ I laughed hysterically, sneaking glances behind me in case Wade had followed me out.

Rushing into our History class, I slumped down into my seat as Jay flopped into the one beside me scowling, ‘baby girl! I almost broke out in a sweat then! You know this body was not built for sports’ he moaned as I gave him an apologetic smile.

Leaning back in my chair, I let out a deep breath, I needed to be more careful, I did not want to be cornered by Wade Simmons again.

The mornings lessons passed quickly and before I knew it the bell rang for lunch and Jay and I shoved out stuff into our bags, slinging them over our shoulders before he grabbed my arm and led me out into the hallway and toward the cafeteria.  Lining up with the rest of the students, we grabbed food from the shelves before moving to the server at the end to pay.  Jay handed over a crumpled twenty dollar note from his pocket, accepting the change without counting it and sliding it back into his jeans.  Stepping forward to stand in front of the cashier, I blushed profusely with embarrassment as I handed her my card that stated I was a low income household and as such was entitled to a free meal, waiting with my eyes downcast while the server scrutinised it before handing it back to me.

Tucking it away in my back pocket, I picked up my tray and followed Jay to a table, feeling like a groupie behind a rock star as he greeted half the student body as we walked past.

Taking a seat at an empty table, I slowly unwrapped my ham and cheese sandwich as Jay stabbed a straw into his carton of chocolate milk and placed it to his lips with an obnoxious groan of happiness as the liquid slid down his throat.

‘Really?’ I demanded in a low hiss.

‘Baby doll, this is the amber nectar of drinks, do not ruin my enjoyment’ Jay responded, giving me a raised eyebrow as he slightly shook his head at me in mock disapproval.

Grabbing my bottle of water, I unscrewed the cap and took a swig of the cold fluid before replacing the cap and taking a bite of the sandwich, chewing it slowly as Jay started to chatter on about our shopping trip after school.

‘You need to look fabulouuuuuuuuuus!’ he sang excitedly as I rolled my eyes at him.

‘I never look fabulous, you don’t find a lot of fabulous in the charity shops Jay’ I grumbled under my breath.

‘Pssh’ Jay said, waving his hand dismissively, ‘we are going to make you look so fabulous that you’ll never be ignored again, girlfriend’ he declared as I cringed inwardly.

Finishing up our food, we quickly cleared our rubbish and threw it in the bin by the door before making our way back into the corridor, Jay giving me a squeeze before sprinting off to his chemistry lesson, me heading right to physics.

Once school was finally over, I breathed a sigh of relief as I made my way to my locker where Jay was already waiting expectantly.

‘Hey girlfriendddddd’ he sang as I rolled my eyes, grinning.

‘Hey boyfriendddddddd’ I replied as he took my arm in his.

‘Come on, we need to get going! So many shops so little time’ he said excitedly as we made our way out of school and toward the black convertible that was parked in the car park.  It was a sixteenth birthday present from his dad, but Jay rarely drove it, finding it too flashy for his taste.

Slipping into the passenger seat, I looked back at the building to see Wade standing by the door, his eyes glaring at me before he turned around and strode off toward his own car, a grossly overpriced red Ferrari that had every girl in school drooling over him.

Dragging my eyes from him, I focused on Jay who was reversing out of the space, chattering about what type of dress I needed.

‘Nothing too expensive’ I begged as Jay rolled his eyes,

‘Will you just let me spoil you once baby girl?’ he growled as I fixed him with a steely glare.

‘I am not a charity case’ I muttered back sullenly.

‘It’s not charity to buy you best friend a gift’ Jay replied, ignoring my mood.

Pulling into the car park of the local mall, I allowed Jay to pull me excitedly from the car and drag me into the building, making a bee line for a very overpriced boutique.

Pulling against him I tried to stop the locomotive that was attached to my wrist, ‘Jay! We can’t go in there, those clothes must cost a fortune’ I protested loudly as my best friend scoffed in annoyance.

‘I am paying and we will shop where ever I decide’ he threw back, continuing to drag my reluctant frame across the walkway and through the door.

A young woman sauntered up to us, smiling widely at Jay in his designer branded shirt before her eyes trailed to me, narrowing as she swept over my second hand school uniform causing me to flinch uncomfortably.

‘She needs a dress’ Jay said loudly, pushing me forward.

‘Of course sir’ the shop worker said with a smile toward Jay before she looked down her nose at me, silently judging me.

I fidgeted under her gaze as Jay walked forward and started to rummage through the racks, pulling out various dresses without checking the labels, throwing them over his free arm until a dozen items were clasped to his chest.

Sidling up to Jay, I plucked at his sleeve quickly, my eyes watching the store clerk as she reluctantly mimicked Jay, pulling out clothes, occasionally sending me disapproving looks.

‘What?’ Jay asked finally, his voice distracted.

‘I want to leave Jay’ I whispered desperately.

‘What? no! Come on Cass, let me get you a nice dress’ Jay argued, spinning around to me.

‘Jay, I really want to leave’ I reiterated, feeling the young sales girl’s eyes boring into the side of my head, her disdain for me radiating off of her in waves.

‘Come on Cass . . ‘Jay wheedled, trying to hand me the clothes.

‘No! I shouted, tears beginning to fall, ‘I don’t want them Jay’ I yelled before I turned and sprinted out of the shop crying hard, Jay shouting behind me to come back.