Boys Like You by Jaye Pratt

 

 

 

The bile rises in my throat as the fear crawls over my skin. Rory’s face flashes like an old black and white movie before my eyes fly open. Sweat drenches my clothes. I quickly take in my surroundings; I’m still on the floor where I fell asleep watching movies. I feel like a ninja, jumping to my feet from my back, I race to the bathroom, losing the contents of my stomach in the sink. That same sinking feeling washes over me. Someone is coming for me.

I don’t know what it means that Rory’s face flashed before my eyes. That’s never happened before. Perhaps it’s my subconscious worrying about him? He did seem off when he came back last night.

“Knock, knock.” Rory stands at the door. “Are you okay?”

I turn off the tap and turn to face him. “Not really. Close the door for a minute.” He steps in and shuts the door. “You were in my dreams.” A smile reaches his lips. “Not like that.”

“Oh.” He goes white.

“It was just a flicker, but it’s never happened before. I think it’s because I’m worried about you. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, nothing out of the ordinary.” His face still looks slightly drained of colour.

“You’re lying to me, I can tell.” I’m whisper yelling at him, and he looks conflicted, like he wants to tell me but can’t. “You were different when you came in yesterday.”

“It’s Cindy stuff.” I can tell he is still lying. “I can’t tell you.”

“Can’t or won’t? Why do I get the feeling it has something to do with me?”

“Can’t, so drop it,” he snaps.

“Fine,” I snap back, turning my back on him. We barely know each other; he doesn’t owe me anything and I’m just acting irrationally.

“Fine,” he throws back, opening the door and slamming it on his way out.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, even though he is no longer in the bathroom. I don’t know what came over me, I just acted like a jealous girlfriend.

I quickly shower, trying to avoid the guys, knowing they will all have questions. Not having my uniform in here, I wrap a towel around my body and step out into my room. Four guys look my way.

“What?” My tone sucks right now, and they all look surprised.

“What was all that about before? Rory just stormed out,” Levi says, the only one that would have no issue taking on a hormonal teenage girl.

“He’s hiding something. I asked, he lied, and we had a fight and I acted like a jealous girlfriend when he mentioned Cindy. I didn’t mean to, but she makes me furious. How can I hate someone I don’t really know?” I throw my hands up in the air in frustration, glad I tucked the towel in well.

“We know he is hiding something, JD, that’s Rory, he bottles all his shit up. We can’t force him to talk. He feels guilty because our pasts are all real shit and he had a life of luxury. We never compare it, but he does. He feels like a burden if he asks us for help, all we can do is support his choice.” Levi always has to be the logical one.

“I feel terrible for causing a fight, I don’t know why I acted so crazy.” My phone buzzes, and so does everyone else’s. We all take out our phones.

Maximus: PMS

I turn to him. “You think I have PMS? Like the only reason a girl could act crazy is her period and nothing to do with the fact I’m most likely bat shit crazy? I did block out my whole damn life…oh maybe you’re right.” The guys all laugh at my expense. “Sorry, Maximus, I didn’t mean to bite your head off.” He types something on his phone.

Maximus: We should hug it out

“You want me to hug you?” He nods, not making eye contact. “You don’t have to ask if you want a hug. I’m down for hugs.” He comes to me and I wrap my arms around his waist. The other three start to argue about who gets to shower first. Rocky races into the bathroom before anyone can stop him, and the others go to get breakfast.

“Thank you,” Maximus whispers in my ear. If it was any softer, I wouldn’t have heard it. Inside I’m freaking out, but I don’t want to make a huge deal out of it because it is huge. I look up at him, his big dark chocolate brown eyes stare back at me. I push up on my toes, placing a soft kiss beside his lips. His hand slides to the back of my head, our eyes still locked. I see his hesitation, his worry. I know him being able to touch me and now even whispering would be confusing for him. He would never cross a line, and before I overthink it, I put my lips on his. At first we stand still; he is still in his own head. But his wall drops and he kisses me fiercely, like if he doesn’t kiss me right now his world will end. He walks us backwards until we get to the couch, and we fall on it together. He crushes me to him a little too roughly, and I whimper; my ribs are still slightly tender. My pain causes his wall to slam straight back in place, and he falls to the floor in tears.

I run my hands through my hair. What the hell did I just do to him? I’m an idiot, not thinking it through. I race out to the kitchen and get Levi, who knows as soon as I look at him.

He takes one look at Maximus and one look at me. “What happened?”

“I…I…”

“What did you do?” he shouts.

“I’m sorry.” Tears start to fall. “I was trying to help.”

“Clearly you didn’t,” Levi snaps, bending down next to Maximus who now has his arms tucked around his legs.

“Don’t speak to JD like that, Levi, or we will have an issue,” Mercer warns.

“We kissed, okay. It’s not what you are all thinking. Maximus spoke to me, and it was beautiful, I felt special. I leaned in to kiss his cheek, but I could see the anguish in his eyes. Even though I know he struggles, I went for it. It was stupid.”

“Really fucking stupid. This could set him back.” I feel so bad. Levi only has everyone’s best interests at heart. I royally screwed up.

“How about we see how Maximus feels before you go all father Levi on us? Are you okay?” Rocky asks Maximus. He looks up at me and I see the regret on his face. He pulls out his phone.

Maximus: I’m so sorry, JD, I didn’t mean to be rough.

“You didn’t hurt me, I promise.”

Maximus: You cried out in pain when I pushed you down.

“You pushed her? You better explain really fast,” Mercer says, his hands balled into fists. I take a step in front of him.

Rory: WTF what did you do Maximus? Is JD okay?

Maximus: I kissed her. I wanted to see if I could, but then something came over me. I was too rough. I didn’t mean it.

The air is thick with tension.

“Will you all fucking calm down? Do you not see how amazing this is? Maximus spoke to me. He kissed me, and while I may not know why it’s such a big deal, I just know it is. He didn’t hurt me on purpose; my ribs are still tender, that’s all. I should be the one saying sorry. I can’t do this every time we have a moment. You all mean so much to me, and I keep messing up, causing problems.”

“You’re not causing problems, I just overreacted. All new friends have teething problems, and I guess one girl and five guys are bound to have a few. We will all have to learn how to navigate this,” Levi says.

“Let’s all finish showering so we’re not late for school. I don’t need an excuse to get kicked out on my second day, and I need to hunt down Rory and beg for his forgiveness.”

“Don’t beg, you’re not in the wrong, you were concerned about him and he lied instead of being honest.”

“Can we please address the elephant in the room?” Rocky demands.

“What elephant?” I ask.

“The fact you kissed Maximus,” he says.

“What’s the big deal? He wanted to see if he could do it and she didn’t seem to mind.” Levi stares at Rocky.

“So you get to change your tune and are cool with it?”

“Just calm down, little spoon, we’re all friends here. Some lines may become blurry at times, but as long as we’re all open about it, there will be no issues.” Mercer says his piece, grabs his towel and walks towards the bathroom.

While the guys finish getting ready, I find Beth upstairs, dressing the small kids.

“Hey, Beth, where do you keep the girl products?”

“There’s a box in the pantry, top shelf. Take what you need, I keep all kinds in there.”

“You’re the best. One of the guys will drop me off after school.”

“Don’t get kicked out today.” She winks at me.

“No promises.” I wink back and walk from the room. By the time I get back downstairs, all the guys minus Rory are waiting for me by the front door.

“Let’s go, or we’ll be late,” I say, grabbing my backpack and walking past them out the door. “Shotgun!” I yell and run towards Mercer’s car. Since we don’t have Rory here, Maximus jumps in with us and Rocky goes with Levi.

I watch as Mercer drives. He gets small frown lines when he concentrates, but it doesn’t detract from how good looking he is.

“Why are you staring at me like a creeper? You’re giving me a complex.” His lips curl up into a smile, and I hear Maximus laugh from the back seat.

“I just wonder how none of you have girlfriends, you’re all seriously hot. If I were a guy, I would have a boner all the time.” They both laugh at me. “I’m being serious right now.”

“I’m sorry but I don’t think if we had girlfriends that they would like us picking you over them.”

I love how soft his face goes when he talks to me. Mercer puts up a tough front, but the guy is a big softy.

“Oh and trust me, we have boners very often while you’re around.”

“You do not.” I look back at Maximus, and he nods his head yes.

“This morning when you came out wrapped in a towel, pretty sure we all needed to leave the room instantly.”

“Shit, I didn’t think.”

“I didn’t say we minded.” I whack his arm and instantly regret it. His arm is made from rock.

Levi is already parked when we pull in.

“What class do you have first?” Mercer asks as we jump out of his Hummer.

“Cooking with Rory. I hope he turns up.” I look around to see his car isn’t in the carpark.

“He wouldn’t leave you alone in class. It’s not how we roll,” Rocky says.

We all walk together into school. They provide a protective area around me again. I spot Savannah and her friends as we walk through the school.

“JD!” she screeches and runs towards me. I brace for impact. She picks me up and swirls me around. “I heard that you pushed Cindy over and you two had this awesome bitch fight.”

She lets me go when Levi steps closer to me. “The pushing part is correct; she needs to pick on someone other than Maximus.”

She turns her eyes to her brother. “You didn’t tell me she was being a bitch again, Maximus.” He shrugs his shoulders at her.

“No offence,” I say to her. “But I don’t think Maximus wants his little sister to defend him, I’m sure even me doing it took a big hit to his ego. Plus, I have nothing to lose. You all have your scholarships to think of.”

“You’re right. Hey, you should sit with us at lunch and have some girl time.” She looks so excited, I feel bad for wanting to say no.

“Not likely,” Mercer adds. “JD sits with us.”

“And no offence, but your friends are like, weird and pervy. The Asian one looks at me like she wants to eat me.”

“Rocky, Becca does not look at you like that. You guys are hot; they think being friends with you will help their social standing.”

“You can sit with us anytime, but the others are a hard no.” Levi stands his ground, and Savannah pouts as she looks at them all waiting for one of them to crack.

“How about we organise a day or afternoon and I can come hang at your house with you and we can have a GIRLS only day?”

Her high pitch squeal is a giveaway on how excited she is.

She goes back and joins her friends when the bell goes. Still no Rory, I hope he really isn’t that pissed at me.

“I need to pee; I’ll meet you all in form. Cover for me?” The cramps in my stomach almost have me stuck in place.

“Can’t you go after form?” Levi complains.

“I could, but this is more a me problem than an actual need to pee problem.” I see when the look of recognition washes over his face.

“Oh, well there is a toilet block just down from where our form room is. We’ll walk you there. You come straight to class when you’re finished.”

“Yes, dad.” Levi flips me off.

“You can call me Daddy,” Rocky jokes when we stop in front of the female toilets.

“Never, ever, ever will I be calling anyone Daddy. It’s just weird and wrong.”

“Come on, little spoon, let’s go to class before we get another day off school.” Mercer grabs Rocky and they walk off, Levi and Maximus follow behind.

I take care of business and wash my hands. The doors push open while I pull a paper towel from the dispenser. Cindy prances in followed by Naomi. I roll my eyes. Of course my two favourite people have to find me alone, I can hear the sarcasm of my own thoughts.

“Your guard dogs left you alone,” Naomi chirps and Cindy giggles at her.

“Jealous much?” I throw at her. “Levi has been on your radar for how long and won’t even entertain the idea of you, yet here I am.” Her face drops and anger flashes in her eyes.

“You really think any of them would actually want you?” Cindy spits, placing her hands on her hips.

“Wouldn’t you like to know? I don’t need a supporting role in Mean Girls, they’re my friends, what you think doesn’t matter.” I am more than done with this…whatever this is.

“Stay away from them or else,” Cindy snaps, blocking the exit to the door.

Naomi steps in close to her, folding her arms across her chest. “And Savannah too.”

“Or else what? Clearly I gave you both the impression I give a shit when I really don’t. Do your worst.”

I take a step towards the door and Naomi jumps forward and pushes me back, grabbing at my hair. I use my leg to kick her and she lets my hair go.

“What is your problem? A boy doesn’t like you and you go all batshit crazy.”

Of course Cindy wouldn’t do her own dirty work. Naomi rushes towards me again and this time I take her down, she lands on her back with a thud. I’m not sure how I did it but I’m just as shocked as she is. I use her stunned silence to step over her and I push past Cindy, shoulder barging her and open the door, ready to leave them behind.

“Ask Rory where he was last night.”

I turn back to face Cindy. “There it is.” I clap my hands. “You think you can make me jealous? Newsflash, Rory is a big boy and can do what he wants. If he’s stupid enough to waste his time with you then I will support him, because that is what friends do. I suggest you have a talk with him before airing his business; if he wanted me to know he would have told me.” I leave her standing there and storm back to class. The teacher raises a brow at me, but I just place my head down on my desk. A headache is forming from my hair being ripped from my scalp.

“Everything okay, JD?” the teacher asks.

“PMS,” I reply, and half the class laughs, with a few ewws and TMI comments thrown into the mix.

“That’s my cue to back away slowly and get on with the notices.” I give him a thumbs up, tuning out whatever he is talking about.

“You okay?” Mercer whispers in my ear.

“Peachy.”

When the bell goes, I jump to my feet and leave class. I can feel the guys following behind me. Stopping abruptly, I turn to see five guys all stumble over each other.

“Are you all planning on coming to class with me?”

Rocky jumps forward and places his hands on my shoulders, looking down at me with his amazing blue eyes. “That was the plan. You seem pissed.”

I take a deep breath, catching Rory’s eye as he pretends not to listen. “It’s nothing, just a run in with some bitches in the toilet, nothing I can’t handle. I just want to go to class, we can talk later.” He seems happy with my response and kisses me on the forehead. He takes off for class with the others, leaving Rory and I on our own.

We’re in some sort of a standoff when my favourite bald teacher walks by, telling us to get to class. Rory takes the lead, and I follow. When we get to class, I’m introduced to Mrs Lace. Mac waves to me from across the room.

“Oh good, you have a friend,” Mrs Lace says.

Rory grabs my hand. “They’re not friends.” He takes me to an empty table, while Mrs Lace hands out a book to everyone. It’s a cookbook, but one we can write our own recipes in. She pairs us up and sets us to work devising a menu. We’re to plan and cook a meal with enough for the whole class to try. Seems easy enough.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper once she stops talking.

“For what?” Rory asks, looking over at me.

“Being a bitch this morning. I don’t know what came over me.”

His hand covers mine. “I’m not mad at you, just dealing with stuff.” He sighs. “My mum has relapsed again.”

“That sucks.” I don’t know what else to say.

“I honestly don’t care anymore; it just brings back memories I would much rather forget.” Changing the subject, he asks, “What was up with you in form?”

“I had a run in with Naomi and Cindy. They tried the whole mean girl act, and when it didn’t work, Cindy tried to make me jealous.” He sits up straight in his chair.

“What did she say?”

“Just to ask where you were last night. Don’t worry, I set her straight that you and I are just friends and you would tell me if you wanted me to know.”

“You were mad because you think I saw her.” I see the way he looks at me when he says it, like he is waiting for me to get jealous.

“No, of course not. I’m pissed that she would air your business; if you were with her, she shouldn’t be using it to try and make someone jealous.”

“You’re amazing; do you know that?” He wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his side.

“It doesn’t hurt to hear it out loud.”

He laughs. “You’ll be lucky to fit through the door if I keep telling you that.”

We both go back to planning our menu, Mac comes over a few times to try and talk but Rory tells him to buzz off which just seems to encourage him more. He even invites me to come and watch him practice, when I tell him I can’t he seems to catch the attention of a busty brunette in the class and she keeps him occupied for the rest of the lesson, leaving Rory and I alone. Which I’m grateful for, he doesn’t talk about anything other than the class but he seems to be in a better mood.