CHAPTER:5
I was flabbergasted-my heart skipped, why in the world he invited me to dinner? Why me? I was not perfect for him.
His smile faded, and something inside me sank-I hadn't meant to crush him.
then he said, "it seems like you didn't like the idea"
"No, I didn't mean to hurt you, I didn't think that-I"
"It's ok, jane". he left silently, and disappointed, I felt bad for him, maybe I was rude to him, even though he was kind to him.
I hesitated, but I stood up approached him, held his hand and told him, "I need some time to think about it"
His face lightened up, and his eyes softened, just a little and said, "take as much time you need".
"I don't need too much time; all I need is three days"
"Thanks, jane" and left the school
I stood there, frozen in time, thinking why did accidently I pushed myself when he got hurt by me
then I went to my plac e and finished my lunch, while laughing
but every girl surrounded me, and asked, "what did he ask you? Why did you hold his hand? Do you think you can simply steal him from us, especially from Ashley?
and they began to even go further by saying, "you look like a pig, jane. you don't deserve someone like Zack, who is a precious diamond, you, ugly pig"
their words were true I am ugly like a pig, I don't deserve someone like Zack
The bell rang, everyone left, but I stood there with hopelessness while holding the keychain, I knew I didn't deserve him.
then I went to the class along while holding my keychain
the whole class I was hopeless, then Luke came over to my bench and told me, "Where is your self-possessed smile jane? Was it all acting to get Zack's attention?
but I was zoned out, thinking whether to accept his invitation or reject it, if I rejected it, he would think me as ungrateful or if I accepted it everyone will bully me, or worst, Zack too
I don't want Zack to get bullied because of me, then Luke yelled at me, "hey, idiot I am talking to you"
so, I snapped and looked at him, "Get lost Luke"
he was shocked and told, "get lost? how dare you to tell me that you b..."
all of the sudden Mr. Peter son stormed into the classroom and shouted, "everyone sit in you places"
so, Luke went to his bench, but still I was not concentrated, therefore Mr. Peter son scolded me, "Jane, what are you dreaming about?
I stood, "it's nothing sir"
"Meet me after the class, okay"
"Is it detention?", I asked with low-esteem
he laughed and said, "no, jane it's not detention"
"Then what is that supposed to mean?", I asked with a puzzled face, while sweat, eyes tried.
he rolled his eyes and replied, "you will know very soon" and told me to take my sit
I sat in my place with a lot of confusions, while my head was spinning around
but still I was concerned about Zack invitation should I accept or reject it.
it was kinda irritating, but if I accepted it, I will be once again get bullied or if I rejected it, Zack will think me as ungrateful, therefore never speak with me, ever again.
what should I do? maybe I should reject it telling that my mother was sick, or, I was sick, or, my grandma was…. I don't know, something?
once again bell rang, school is over, and so am I, sweating like I ran a marathon, so I packed my bag and stood up to exit the emptied classroom, as I was exiting the classroom Mr. peter son called out my name, then it Strock me, he asked me to stay
so, I turned around to see him, he was tried, dark circle around his eyes, his voice shows exhaustion and still he raised his hand to stop me from leaving the classroom, so I stayed there, my heart was pumping like a machine, my hands stared to move on its own, I controlled it by holding my dress
"Jane, are you ok?"
when he asked that question, I began to shiver, my eyes were holding my tears, I wiped with my hand, but when I speak my throat broke unable to speak that I am okay but still I was managed to tell my sir
"I… am alright, no need to worry about me"
but he asked with concern, "don't lie to me jane, I know that"
what did he know that Zack had invited me to dinner, but how? its impossible for anyone to know this except me.
I asked with suspicious, "how do you know tha…..."
but he interrupted me by saying, "isn't obvious? I know its all because of Luke"
when he mentioned Luke, I had a relive that he doesn't know about Zack's invitation, so I sighed and told, "no, sir its not Luke"
"Then what is it?" with a puzzled face
I have no option other that to lie so I told him my mother was very sick and I was worried about it, then he told me not to worry and take care about my health, after that I thanked him and went out
I walked out of the classroom, my cheeks still stinging from the small scolding.
Mr. Peterson hadn't given me detention, but he had definitely noticed my distraction.
I had only gone a few steps down the hallway when a presence blocked my path.
Luke was leaning against the lockers, his hands shoved into his pockets, waiting.
I tried to walk around him, but he shifted, pinning me in place.
The noise of the departing students began to fade, leaving us in a charged silence.
"Took you long enough to finish up with the old man, Jane," he said, his voice quiet but thick with disdain. "Always working so hard to look like the perfect, broken daughter."
I gathered the courage I had found that morning. "Get lost, Luke. I'm done with your games."
He chuckled—a dry, horrible sound—and took a step closer, his eyes cold. "Games? Is that what you call it? You know what a real game is? It's this new routine you've got with Zack."
He looked me up and down, a sneer spreading across his face. "The handsome, rich, mysterious savior. You always fall for the pretty ones who promise you something you don't have. Don't you ever learn?"
The old fear, the humiliation from our past,
washed over me. I remembered his cruel kindness, and the way I had clung to him when I was drowning in grief.
"He's playing you, Jane. He's putting on a show for the class. Give it three weeks, and he'll drop you flat. Just like I did."
He leaned in, his voice dropping to a poisonous whisper. "You're still that lonely little girl who I begged you to stay, and you deserve every second of this new heartache."
I snapped. "You're wrong. He's not you."
Luke merely smiled, that familiar, arrogant, mocking smile, and shrugged. "Maybe. But you'll see. Now go enjoy your walk home, Jane. See if your little hero comes back for you."
He pushed off the lockers and walked away, leaving me frozen in the suddenly empty hallway, his hateful words echoing louder than the final bell.