Chapter 2
1180 Words
Vanessa's POV
"Hey, you! Yes, you!" Someone calls from behind, and I know exactly who it is.
I turn around to see Heidi with her striking red eyes storming toward me.
I cross my arms and smirk, pleased that Jake blew her off during lunch.
"What's going on between you and the hottest guy at school?" she demands, her high heels making her tower over me.
"Nothing. You can have him," I reply.
"Bullshit! I see the way he looks at you—just like Brenda looks at Logan," she growls.
"With disgust? Then you're right," I retort.
"No, with love," she hisses.
Love? Right now, Brenda is cheating on Logan, and he's too busy daydreaming to notice.
"Not love, because I caught her making out with Chase over the summer," I say.
"You're calling my friend a b***h now," she snarls.
"No, I'm calling her a liar and a s**t. Logan deserves better—someone who appreciates him," I reply.
"You don't know anything about love," she says.
"I know Brenda and Logan's relationship isn’t love at all. They'll drift apart by next month—what am I saying? They already are," I laugh.
"Whatever. Just stay away from Jake," she warns.
I let out a dry laugh. "How can I? Most of our classes are together, and he sits right next to me."
"Don't say I didn't warn you," she growls as she walks away.
"Shouldn't you be telling him that? He's the one always trying to talk to me!" I shout after her.
I turn and head to the parking lot.
"What took you so long?" Mom's boyfriend asks as I get into the car.
"A b***h," I reply, and he laughs.
"Want a smoke?" he offers, taking a puff from his cigarette.
I cough. "No, I don’t want lung cancer."
"Suit yourself. Your mother will be home late, so you have to cook dinner tonight," he adds.
Again?
"I did that last night," I state.
"I don't have money for food, so cooking has to be done," he replies.
"Where in the world did Mom find you?" I mumble.
He slams the brakes.
"What did you just say, b***h?" he growls.
"N-nothing," I stutter, and he continues to drive.
When we reach home, I rush up the stairs and lock my door.
"Well, hello there, princess," someone says, making me jump. I turn to see a tattooed guy sitting on my bed.
"Who the hell are you?" I ask as he approaches me.
"W-what are you doing?" I stutter, my heart racing.
He runs his hand along my cheek. "Such innocence," he laughs dryly.
My heart pounds as his hands grip my shoulders.
"L-leave m-m a-lone," I stutter, shaking and breathing heavily.
"I wouldn't hurt you. Shh, don’t cry," he says, wiping my tears.
He places his hands on my butt.
"Such a nice a*s; I bet no guy has ever touched you there or here," he whispers, moving his hand to my front.
I lift my foot and kick him in the jewels.
"You b***h!" he shouts, collapsing to the floor.
I fling open my door and dash down the stairs.
"Vanessa, where are you going?" Mom asks as I nearly knock her down while opening the front door.
"M-mom," I say, hugging her and shaking like a leaf.
"Oh darling, you look like you've seen a ghost," she says worriedly.
"There's a man in the bedroom," I mumble, and Mom looks confused.
"Huh?"
"Call the police!" I scream, and she panics, pulling out her phone.
"Kyle, it's me. I have an emergency," Mom says, speaking to her officer friend.
Mom has ice-blue eyes and brunette hair. Maybe I got my dirty blonde hair from Dad.
The police arrive ten minutes later.
"Hello, I’m Officer Kyle. What's your name?" he asks.
"Vanessa," I reply, and he nods.
"The tattooed man tried to r**e me," I add, catching his attention.
"Oh sweetheart, from now on, you’ll stay at Dianne's," Mom says, hugging me.
Kyle watches Mom and sighs, looking away. He has the same dirty blonde hair as me, just like Kevin.
"Is Kevin your son?" I ask.
"Yes, why?"
"He goes to my school and looks like you," I reply.
"Thanks for coming, Kyle," Mom smiles at him, and I can tell they have a history.
"No problem, call me anytime," he says before leaving.
"Now it’s time I break up with that jerk," Mom says, marching into the house.
"About time," I mumble.
Jake POV
"Jake, tell Tyrell I don't like him. He keeps commenting on everything I post," Ashley says, annoyed by his obsession.
"Who's upsetting my baby girl?" Dad asks, entering the room.
"Jake's teammate. He won't leave me alone," Ashley sighs.
"Who? Tyrell?" Dad frowns, knowing most of my friends.
"Yes! During lunch, he only smiles at me when there's a girl who keeps staring at him," she replies, rolling her eyes.
"Give him some credit; you're beautiful, and he can't resist," Dad says.
"Well, I’m not interested," she replies.
"Then who are you interested in?" I ask.
"No one can be trusted at school; all the guys are players, except for you and Kevin," she says.
"What about Logan?" I ask, glancing at a picture of Vanessa on my phone.
"No, he's with Brenda, and she's obviously cheating on him. He's too blind to see it," she replies.
"Justin, I need you to watch the cake for me," Mom calls from downstairs.
"Just tell Tyrell you want to be friends," Dad says before leaving.
"Also, Sharon is blind; Chase sleeps with girls behind her back," she adds.
"How do you know that?" I ask.
"Mike told Juliet, Juliet told Carrie, Carrie told Hadley, Hadley told Jennifer, and Jennifer told me," she explains.
"I don't trust Jennifer; she acts like a b***h," I say.
"Oh really? What about your girlfriend Heidi?" she asks.
"Heidi is not my girlfriend; I don't even like her," I reply honestly.
I like Vanessa, and she has no idea.
"Seriously? You're still drooling over that shy nerd, Vanessa," she laughs.
"She's not a nerd or shy!" I shout, storming out of the room.
"What did she say this time?" Liana asks.
"None of your business," I snap, heading to my room and slamming the door.
I lie on my bed, staring at the ceiling.
Why can't I get her out of my head?
My phone rings. I pick it up.
"Hello?"
"I thought you wouldn't pick up."
"Who's this?" I ask, noticing the unknown number.
"It's me, Heidi."
"How did you get my number?"
"I have my ways. I'm hosting a party Friday."
"Can I bring anyone?" I think about Vanessa.
"Sure, one person. All your friends are invited too."
"Okay."
"Great, I'll see you tomorrow."
I hang up.
Who would have Vanessa's number? Dianne.
If I can get Kevin to get Dianne's number, getting Vanessa's will be easy.
"Jake, dinner time," Jeremy announces from outside my door.
I get up and leave the room.
Vanessa, I hope you're up for a party this Friday.
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- Writer
