Chapter 32: Supernatural Cure

KARA

The championship game had happened the next day. I cried all day knowing that I was supposed to be there wearing his jersey, cheering him on.

I had been so excited for it that I planned my outfit and everything. But he had ~Sarah~.

Layla told me that Sarah had worn his jersey! That bit of information threw me into a deep depression.

It’s been a week since I last saw Jason. A week full of agony and heartbreak. I’ve been avoiding him at all costs. I convinced my mom to call me out on Monday and Tuesday.

She and Charlie watched ~Supernatural~ with me all day.

The Winchesters were definitely the cure to a broken heart.

Jess and Layla helped me catch up with all my homework. They also helped me avoid him for the past three days at school.

I was now in my last class of the day, and I was thrilled that it was Friday. I could stay home and watch some more ~Supernatural~.

I was just waiting for the last bell of the day to dismiss me and let me go home to my chocolate cake. This week has gone by ~way~ too slowly.

It was the longest week I’ve ever been through, and I had only been to school for three of the five days.

The bell finally rang, and I ran out of the classroom and straight out to the parking lot. It was a cool day, and I was happy that I brought my jacket with me.

“Hey, mami,” Jess greeted me as I walked up to her car. I replied with a smile and jumped into the passenger’s seat. “So,” the dark-haired girl began. “Quintin’s throwing a party tonight and—”

“No,” I snapped before she could even finish. There was no way that I was going to Quintin’s party. Especially since he’s that asshole’s best friend. “You can go, but I’m not going.”

Jess sighed and began to drive me home. “I understand, just thought I’d try.”

I glanced at her from the corner of my eye. Guilt hit me. I was making her go by herself. Layla couldn’t go because she had to go up to another city for a dance competition.

Quintin and Jess had been hanging out a lot more, and I’m guessing she wanted to go meet up with him tonight.

I would go with her, but I was too terrified to go and take the risk of bumping into Jason. I was just starting to feel a little better, and seeing him would just make all the pain come back.

What was it with me dating cheaters? I have poor taste.

Once Jess pulled up into the driveway, I said my goodbyes and walked into my house.

Things were better now that my mom was sober. The divorce ruined her, and I finally had a bit of understanding of how painful it can be.

Obviously her situation must’ve hurt a lot more. My heart went out to my mom.

My mom was doing a lot better now. She deserved the world.

“Hey.” My mom came downstairs as I threw myself onto the couch. The TV turned on, and I immediately went to Netflix.

“How many episodes does ~Supernatural~ even have?” She chuckled, sitting down next to me.

“Enough for me to get over Jason three times.” I turned my head to stare back at my mom. Her black hair was held in a tight ponytail.

After Charlie and I had come home from pancakes, we saw our mom watching a movie. We were surprised to see her up so late, and that’s when I broke down in her arms and told her everything.

My mother’s hold was comforting.

“How was school?” She rubbed my back. I instantly relaxed against her motherly touch. It had felt so long since we bonded. I was glad to have her back to normal.

“It went by slow. I’m just glad it’s finally Friday,” I replied and stared at the paused screen.

“Did you see the devil?” My mother’s mood turned into a murderous one. I shook my head, a part of me laughing at the nickname she had stuck Jason with.

My mom sighed, and I raised an eyebrow. “Can I tell you something?” I nodded to let her know to continue.

“It’s not about you and that boy, but it’s just some advice from my own experience.” My mom looked serious.

“It has to do with your dad.” My eyebrows shot sky-high.

“You saw how horribly it affected me. I married the love of ~my~ life, just for him to leave me for the love of ~his~ life.” She smiled painfully. I had to hold back tears.

“You deserve the world, Ma.” My arms wrapped around her, and she let out a shaky sigh. Her body quivered. I knew she was trying to stay strong.

“You do too, mija. My point being, don’t let yourself hide in a shell because of anyone, let alone a boy. Go out and have fun.

“Experience life and make memories. You won’t meet someone who treats you right by surrounding your heart in a layer of ice.”

I nodded, taking in her words. My mom was right.

I didn’t want to let Jason ruin anything else. I didn’t want to give him that power over me, like the way my dad did over my mom. Our situations didn’t even compare, but she was right.

“Thank you, Ma. Te quiero mucho. I’m going to go with Jess tonight.” My hand reached for my pocket, and I searched for Jess’s number in my phone.

“Hi,” Jess answered, mouth full of food. I heard voices in the background. She was most likely absorbed in a telenovela.

“I’ll go tonight,” I immediately answered.

My friend replied with excitement. Jess agreed to pick me up at nine, and I let out a shaky breath.

I needed backup though, because I didn’t want to pull Jess away from Quintin the entire night. My fingers typed a quick invite to my brother, who I knew would accompany me.

I was nervous, but began to mentally prepare myself for anything.

***

Jess let out a low whistle as I got into her car. “You look hot.” Her dark eyes held admiration. I complimented her back. I admired her natural Mexican beauty. Jess didn’t need any makeup.

Tonight, I wore a flowy red shirt that hung off my shoulders, along with a pair of ripped jeans that showed off my curves.

To complete my outfit, I wore black knee-high boots and styled my hair into long, loose curls.

I owed it to myself to feel good. I’m not going to let this happen to me again. As much as it was going to hurt, I refused to sit at home and pity myself.

I did that with Adam, but I couldn’t do that to myself again.

The butterflies increased the closer we got to Quintin’s. By the time we arrived, they were erupting. I stared at the house as she parked.

The place where it all started.

I slightly smiled when I remembered our first night here. Jason looked so intimidating at first. He left me in awe and anger that night.

“Are you ready?” Jess gave me an encouraging smile. I nodded. The cool night’s breeze wisped my curls around, causing me to shiver.

We walked up to the door side by side, and I could faintly hear the music playing.

Charlie was helping my mom with her car and agreed to meet up with us afterward.

The door opened, and Quintin appeared before us with a giant grin on his face. The curly-haired boy greeted Jess, and then glanced at me and froze, obviously not expecting me to agree to come.

“Kara.” His brown eyes widened. Quintin fixed his composure, giving me a friendly smile before greeting whoever else was behind us. The music filled the small house, and I could hear people chatting everywhere.

Jess led us to the dance floor, where everyone was having the time of their lives. I laughed, remembering when we were first here.

How ironic.

I was first trying to get over Adam, and now it’s Jason.

Jess handed me a drink, and I gladly chugged it.

I didn’t usually drink, but I was going to need this to calm down. I was a nervous wreck, and it was going to eat away at me if I didn’t have a drink—or a few. Jess agreed to be my sober cab so I could enjoy myself tonight.

Once the liquor started to kick in, I finally felt at ease and danced with Jess.

We laughed, and for just a second, all of my worries went away.

They all came back when Jess stopped dancing. Her large brown eyes were staring in shock at something behind me. Jess glanced back at me and tried to say something, but it was too late. I turned around.

I wished I hadn’t.

Everything I wanted to say to Jason earlier died in my throat. He was coming down the stairs with Sarah latched onto his arm. She was radiating with joy, practically ~glowing~.

Nausea consumed me. I felt my heart shatter right then and there. So it ~was~ true. I was hoping the whole time that maybe, just ~maybe~, it wasn’t anything.

Every ounce of hope I had shriveled up and died.

Jason and Sarah continued to walk, but he stopped when his blue eyes met mine. Our gazes remained locked together until Jason looked away when Sarah said something to him.

I made a run for it before he could look back.

Tears began to blur my vision, and I had no idea where I was going. Everything around me was making me dizzy, and I felt sick to my stomach.

Someone grabbed me, and I collapsed into their arms. I glanced up, and through the tears, I saw my brother, who looked livid. Charlie said something to me before handing me to Jess.

JASON

I glanced back at Kara, but she was gone. I wanted to run after her so badly, but I couldn’t. My fists tightened again as I tried to calm myself.

“Don’t even think about it,” Sarah hissed. I turned and glared at her with so much hatred. She looked shocked for a second, but her expression was then replaced with a smirk.

I’ve never hated anyone as much as I hated Sarah. I couldn’t ~stand~ being next to her.

“Let’s go.” Sarah grabbed my arm and brought me back upstairs.

We were just up here. Why the fuck were we going back?

Sarah opened Quintin’s bedroom door and dragged me in. I tried not to gag as I was suffocated by disgusting perfume.

Sarah sat on the edge of the bed. “Can you at least ~try~ to act like you want to be with me?” she snapped. I froze, slowly turning to give her my cruelest stare.

“That’s because I don’t ~want~ to be with you,” I nearly fucking snarled, letting out my rage.

“Will you ~ever~ understand that? I’m only with you because you’re ~blackmailing~ me!” She flinched when I raised my voice, but tried to play it cool.

“Keep shouting, and I’ll let the whole school know about Kara’s pathetic mother,” she hissed. Every part of me was flowing with rage. I was beyond livid.

I had tried to convince her to let go of her grudge toward Kara. Sarah only threatened me even more.

The whole reason Sarah hated Kara so much was because her parents split up when Sarah’s father started seeing another woman.

Turns out, Kara’s mom was the other woman. Not only that, but she knew that her mom was an alcoholic.

I didn’t pity Kara. I just wished she would’ve told me. If she didn’t tell me, I knew for a fact that she wouldn’t want the whole school to know. I would never wish that upon Kara.

It pained me so much to see her cry because of me. She was never going to talk to me again.

All because of the bitch sitting in front of me.

I hated using that word. But I lost the best damn thing because of ~her~.

“Fine,” I snapped through gritted teeth. “Let’s go.” I threw the door open, leaving her behind. I jogged downstairs and just as I entered the living room, I was shoved from behind.

Already seething, I turned around, ready to let them have it. My blood ran cold when I saw who it was. All my anger vanished.

~Charlie.~

“Didn’t I say if you hurt her I’ll break every bone in your body?” Charlie growled, barely audible due to the music. I glanced around the room, noticing that people were already starting to crowd around us.

My attention returned to Charlie, who was enraged. Someone behind him moved, and my eyes landed on the familiar brunette. Once again, the air left my lungs.

Kara looked gorgeous tonight. All I wanted to do was hold her close to me and kiss her sweet body.

My stomach turned when I saw Kara giving me a look of disgust and pure hatred. Charlie took a step closer to me. I focused back on him.

“You can easily beat him, Jason!” I heard someone from the crowd shout. I knew that I could, but that’s not what I wanted to do.

This was one of the hardest things I was ever going to have to do.

I had two choices: either beat Charlie in the fight and definitely lose Kara forever, or I could lose my first fight ever and ruin my undefeated “title.”

I swallowed my pride. I’ve always hated my ego. Kara was too damn perfect to let go. She already hated me, so I didn’t want her to hate me even more.

I wasn’t going to let this end this way. I had to tell her before it’s too late.

“C’mon!” I snapped back into reality when people began to shout all around me.

I took a step closer, acting like I was going to fight him. My eyes landed on Kara again, who looked disappointed. It was a look that made my heart drop to my stomach.

~Please don’t give up on me.~

My eyes locked with Charlie’s, and I saw him swing. I could’ve easily blocked it, but I pretended to react too slowly.

So, instead, I let him hit me, and a sharp pain hit the side of my face, causing me to fall backward onto the ground.

Gasps filled the room around us, and then altogether the room went silent.

I was finally defeated.