Chapter 8: Chapter 7. After All, A Bite is Bigger Than Its Bark

School is the bane of my existence. Truly, it is. I. Loathe. School. I couldn’t care less about needing an education, because I’m already acing all my classes. But Ashley and her posse of followers, they’re the ones I can’t stand.

I mean, I really can’t stand her! You wouldn’t believe how much I wish she’d step into a boxing ring with me. I’d definitely put that girl in her place.

It was Wednesday, lunchtime. I was about to escape to my favorite rock in the woods... but no. Ashley and her “gang” blocked my way.

My fists were balled up and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could resist the urge to punch that perfect little face of hers. Just one punch… let’s see how pretty she is after that.

Ashley was smirking at me, her attention seemingly focused on her freshly manicured nails, as if they were the most fascinating thing in the world.

“What do you want?” I managed to spit out through gritted teeth, struggling to control my urge to grab that bleach blonde hair of hers and yank it out.

Finally, she stopped admiring her nails and looked at me. Her eyes hardened as she glared at me. But I’ve been boxing for what? Two years now. I’m used to it. So, it didn’t faze me in the slightest.

“I heard that Blake took you out last night,” she finally said, as if she was making casual conversation, not about to threaten me. But I knew she was.

I knew she despised me. And, I knew why. But that’s a tale for another time.

I nodded, growing impatient with how long this was taking. Ashley took a threatening step forward. I didn’t even flinch.

I knew that she might act tough on the outside, but inside she’s just a scared, cowardly, child. After all, a bark is often worse than the bite. And Ashley can talk trash all she wants.

But when it comes to a real fight, I guarantee you she’ll be running away faster than a race car. That’s the coward she is.

“Look, let’s just get something straight. Blake is mine. He’ll always be mine. Not yours. So don’t bother trying. And remember, in the end, he’ll just leave you.”

Ashley let out a dark chuckle as she leaned in close to my ear. “Just like James.” With that, she tossed her head back and she and her crew walked away.

Tears welled up in my eyes and my nails dug into the palm of my hands as that name echoed in my head. ~James. ~James. I exhaled heavily as I sprinted to the woods.

I was trying so hard to hold back the tears. To be strong and not keep crying over that jerk. But it seemed like I couldn’t hold back the tears much longer.

As soon as I reached my rock, I climbed up on it and finally let the tears flow. I know it’s been about two years, but I still love James. It’s pathetic, I know.

But my feelings for him just won’t fade away. I still remember the first time he told me that he loved me…

~“James.... where are we going?” I giggled as my 15-year-old self was being pulled down the sidewalk by James.~

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~James turned to look at me. A sudden look of admiration flashed across his eyes as he smiled at me. “You’ll just have to wait and see now don’t you?” He smirked. I groaned, but didn’t say anything after that.~

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~It was our six-month anniversary. James claimed that he had something special planned and no matter how many times I’d ask, he would never answer.~

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~He knows I hate surprises. But of course, I could never hate him.~

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~Finally, James stops us at a small public park. I turn to look at James. Confusion in my eyes.~

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~James just chuckled and grabbed my hand again. The familiar warmth and relaxation, I always got when James and I made skin contact, ran up my arm.~

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~He led me through a small trail. Once we stopped again, I realized where we were and gasped.~

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~We were at the same tall hill where we first met. I looked around. The bright, green grass and tall trees surrounded us.~

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~The sun shined down on all of the flowers, plants, and trees. Giving the scenery around us a brighter and happier vibe. A small blanket sat in the middle, along with a picnic basket and some apple cider.~

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~I turned to face James. “Is, is this for...” I trailed off... a smile gracing my lips once he nods and slips his arms around my waist.~

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~“All of this is just for you babe. Happy Anniversary,” he whispered as he kissed my neck from behind. ~

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~I grinned and turned around, placing a peck on James’ lips before leaning back. I grabbed his hand and, eagerly, dragged him to the blanket. ~

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~“Well, come on. Let’s eat. I’m hungry,” I told him. A small chuckle left his lips at my happy face.~

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~After we finished eating the delicious food he got from a diner down the street, we both laid down on the blanket next to each other. I cuddled into his side as we watched the bright, warm sun go down. ~

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~Pretty soon, stars littered the black night sky. The air became slightly chillier, but I was still warm.~

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~My head laid on James’ chest as his arm wrapped around my waist. I was happy and content.~

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~“Claire,” James whispered. I raised my head from his chest and looked up at James. His warm, brown eyes looked at me with nervousness, and a kind of emotion I couldn’t quite detect.~

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~He breathed out and then started to sit upright, bringing me in his arms with him.~

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~I looked at him with a raised eyebrow and cocked my head to the side. “James,” I called out, lifting my hand up to graze his soft cheek. “What’s wrong?” I asked as he leaned into my touch.~

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~He wrapped his big, strong hand around mine and sighed. ~

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~“I’ve never been good with words, Claire, and you know that. So.... I guess I’ll just flat out say it,” James told me, opening his eyes and breathing deeply, before opening his mouth again. “I love you,” he finally said.~

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~I froze. He said the L word. James and I agreed to never use the L word unless we truly meant it.~

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~I’ve been wanting to tell James that I love him since the third month, but didn’t, afraid he may not have the same feelings.~

~The moment the boy I’d been in love with for three months said those three words I’d been longing to hear, I was stunned.~

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~I must’ve taken too long to respond because James started cursing under his breath and raking his fingers through his dark brown hair.~

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~“Damn it! I should’ve waited. I shouldn’t have said it so soon,” he muttered to himself.~

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~I blinked, and just as James was about to stand up, I leaned in and kissed him.~

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~My arms wrapped around his neck as his hands quickly found their way around my waist, pulling me closer. I ran my fingers through his hair and moved even closer to him, if that was even possible.~

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~When we finally had to pull away for air, we were both breathing heavily.~

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~I smiled at James. “I love you too,” I whispered.~

~

That was a day I thought I’d always remember. I believed that was my happy ending and that James would be my forever. But life isn’t always that simple.

I should’ve known it wouldn’t be that easy. I should’ve known better than to be so naive.

By now, my nose was red and puffy from crying. My eyes were undoubtedly red and teary too.

Whenever I get upset, my eyes darken. And when I’m happy, they lighten.

My cheeks were flushed and I was curled up in a ball. I hate moments like these. Sometimes, my emotions become too overwhelming and I can’t hold them in. I have to let them out.

I can hear the school bell ringing in the distance, but I don’t care.

My sadness is starting to fade, replaced by a new emotion. Anger, rage, betrayal. My eyes harden as I jump up and grab my phone.

I run back to school. The halls are empty, the only sound is my footsteps. I stop at my locker and grab my things.

I don’t care about missing class. I can make up the work later.

Right now, I ~need~ to let off some steam.

As I turn around, I bump into something solid. Before I can fall, two arms wrap around my waist and I gasp, my eyes widening.

I look up and see Blake. He smirks and helps me stand.

When he lets go, I feel a sudden wave of cold and emptiness, but I quickly shake it off.

“Playing hooky, Miss Walker,” Blake teases.

I roll my eyes, remembering Ashley’s threat. I know I could take her down in seconds, but I don’t need the drama. I have enough of that already.

So, I tighten my grip on my bag, nod, and walk out of the school as fast as I can.

I hear footsteps behind me and force my legs to move faster. But it’s not fast enough.

“Claire, wait up! Where’re you going?” Blake catches up to me.

I groan inwardly and stop. Blake stops too, and I turn to face him.

“Why are you following me?” I ask.

He shrugs. “School’s boring and you’re skipping too, so why not?” He says casually.

I sigh. “Blake, not now. I have somewhere to go. Besides, I’m sure you have other friends to skip school with.” I mumble as I start walking again.

Blake easily catches up to me. “Yeah. And where is that?” he asks.

Just as I’m about to tell him to leave me alone, someone calls out.

“Hey, Blake!” a voice calls from behind us.

I freeze. It’s Nick’s voice. I haven’t seen him since last night. Blake stops and turns around.

Taking my chance, I look forward and practically run out of the school.

I’m heading to the gym.

BLAKE

“Hey, Blake!” I stop and turn to see Nick running up to me.

He has a bruised jaw, a cut lip and eyebrow, and his nose is slightly crooked. I’m surprised he didn’t end up with anything broken.

White Wolf usually breaks something when she fights. Guess she went easy on Nick.

Then, I remember Claire. But when I look back, she’s gone. When I look down the hall, I see her figure disappearing down the hallway.

I know I shouldn’t, but my curiosity gets the best of me. As soon as Nick gets close enough, I grab his arm and pull him with me.

“Dude, what the hell?” Nick whispers as I pull him out of the school.

I look around, then straight ahead. I point across the street where Claire is looking both ways, as if checking for anyone following her.

“Is that… Claire?” Nick asks, sounding shocked. I nod. “As in, Claire Walker? The school’s biggest nerd?” he asks.

I chuckle. “Looks like Claire’s not the goody-two-shoes we thought she was,” I say with a smirk.

Nick and I look at each other, then grin. “You up to find out what our little nerd is hiding?” Nick asks with a mischievous grin.

As much as I know it’s wrong, I’m curious too. “Let’s go.”