Chapter 5
1033words
"You better leave because if I see you around my man again, it's not going to end well for you!"
I watched Blossom basically ran away before my fury eyes burned into Brooke.
"What the hell!" I yelled now.
"What? I just so over protective of you. I don't want to see you talking to her." Her voice was lowered and she ran her fingers down my chest.
"Stop. This is getting very out of control, Brooke. Blossom is my new partner for a class project and you just ran her away from me."
"I could care less about her. She's a nobody. A baboon from Africa."
"Stop! What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Jevan, I.."
"I can't do this anymore with you Brooke. And I'm not sorry about it."
I left the roof top with her calling after me.
Blossom's POV
"How was your first day?" my mother asked as I walked into the kitchen and found her cooking at the stove.
"It was fine," I answered.
"You made any friends?"
"Yes. With two girls and...." I paused when I remembered her warning me to stay away from boys.
"And?" she asked.
"And they're super nice."
"What are you their names?"
"Sophia and Nina."
"Okay. I'm happy you're already adjusting here. I'll be starting the new job tomorrow so when you get home from school, I wouldn't be here. Lock all the doors and windows and don't open for anyone but me.
Do you understand me, Blossom?"
"Yes mama," I answered.
"Good. The food is almost ready. Get freshen up."
"Okay."
_______________
The very next day at school, I ran into Nina and Sophia in the hallway. We walked together to our locker.
"Guys, I got this new lip-gloss. You need to try it," Nina said. They rushed into the bathroom and I followed suit.
I watched as they applied lip-gloss to their lips.
"Blossom, try it," Nina said.
"Umm.. okay," I said and Nina help me put some on.
"Well we'll well, they're trying to beautify the African Baboon," a voice said, followed by laughter.
We turned and saw Brooke and her clique, folded arms and in their cheer leading uniforms, standing at the door way.
"Isn't that exciting?" Brooke said again, making steps towards us. She reached up to me and watched me from head to toe then toe to head.
"I don't know if I should just bash your face in or feel sorry for you because you don't have enough common sense to figure out where the lines are drawn around here.
You're new so I'll let this one slide but let me make something clear to you, Jevan Hollen belongs to me. He'll always belong to me so you better watch yourself!"
And with that, she left. Her friends made signs with their fingers slicing at their throats and pointing it at me before following her out.
"I think I'm going to be sick," I said and ran into the toilet.
"Blossom.."
"Bloss. Are you okay?" Nina and Sophia called. I walked out the stall and cleaned myself off.
"How am I to stay away from him when I'm his partner for the baby project?" I asked my friends.
"Maybe have Mrs. Smith give you a new partner. Let someone else team up with Jevan. We did warn you about him. Brooke is crazy. She wouldn't hesitate to beat you silly if she catches you with him again," Nina said.
"Okay Nina, that's enough. You're only scaring her more."
"I'm sorry."
"Guys, let's just go to class."
___________
When it was time for Mrs. Smith class, I went quickly before anyone else could enter the classroom.
"You want to switch partner?"
"Yes please Mrs. Smith. Jevan isn't a match."
"Why do you say that? He's my 'A' student and I know he takes his studies seriously. So what's the real issue with you and him?"
I wrecked my brain for the perfect answer.
"I think he wants to be too close to me and I'm uncomfortable with it," I lied and hoped I wouldn't get him in trouble.
"Hmm. Well, okay. I'll talk to Jevan and..."
"No! You don't need to do all that. Just please pair me with someone else."
"Okay Blossom, I'll pair you up with someone else." I heaved a sigh of relief and my racing heart calm down.
When the other students filed in and took their seats, I did the same. Jevan came in with Jason since he had him for the first night.
"Jevan, your new partner is Cindy. Gary, your new partner is Blossom," Mrs. Smith said once we had settled.
"What, why?" Jevan asked.
"No questions Mr. Hollen. Switch seats now."
Jevan looked at me in confusion and I felt awful afterwards. Without any words asked to me, he got up and went to the back of the classroom, next to a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes.
________
For the remainder of the class, I felt terrible and like a coward. Jevan was the perfect partner and I was looking forward to working with him on this project. I couldn't stop myself from stealing quick glances at him.
He appeared to be comfortable with Cindy.
After class, I quickly slipped through the door and entered the halls.
"Blossom!" I heard his voice calling. I turned around and he was right behind me. There was no getting away from him.
"What?" I asked him, trying to sound bold.
"Why you had Mrs. Smith switch us? Did I offend you? I'm sorry if I did."
"Just leave me alone Jevan. I don't want to be your friend. I don't want to get to know you." I looked up and it was as if my words had cut right through him.
"Fine. Thanks for letting me know," he responded and walked away from me.
Something inside of me ached and squeezed tightly against my chest as if it wanted to burst. I was steeling myself from running after him and tell him all about his terrible girlfriend but I didn't. Plus, I didn't even know Jevan.
