Chapter 14: Congratulations, You've won the Jerk of the Year Award

Chapter 14

“Lucas?” I exclaimed, smiling widely at my friend who sat across from me. Where had he appeared from? He grinned as he stared at my pizza; a confused look plastered his face for a moment before he smiled.

“Nice… pizza.” He said, mockingly. I smacked him lightly as I pushed a slice to him.

“Want one?” I asked as he shrugged taking the slice.

“How’s everything?” He asked, grinning.

“It’s okay. What about you?” I asked, lying slightly. Most things were okay, just one thing wasn’t. Which turned it into many things but he didn’t need to hear my venting- he was in a good mood and what will I look like to bring him down? Jerk of the Year, that’s what.

“It’s good.” He grinned widely.

“How’s Aria?” I asked, curiously. We texted a few times but we’d both have to cut it short due to activities that were too time consuming and we couldn’t manage to text back. It was all just a nuisance; but Lucas was that friend that you didn’t talk to for 3 weeks and you can go back together like nothing ever happened and that’s what we did.

“She’s amazing, she’s applying to colleges.” He said, smiling.

“How’s that going?” I asked, frowning. If she’s going to college, doesn’t that mean that he’ll have to stay in school an extra year; he’s only a junior, like me?

“She’s applying to community college and colleges in our area. And it’s not because of our relationship, fully. It’s because she doesn’t want to leave her mom and dad. So don't start telling me not to hold her back because I already told her to do what she wants for college, and if we last- we last. But she insisted, so you know?” He said, nodding. I nodded.

“I’m so happy for you, you deserve her.” I spoke honestly, smiling.

“So where’s your Prince Charming?” He teased. I furrowed my eyebrows.

“He’s probably stuck in traffic somewhere.” I said, looking down at my plate, remembering Cyrus who’s probably lying next to Miranda in bed, snuggling up with her. My stomach churned violently. I sighed loudly. Why can’t things ever go good?

Cyrus’s Point of View

Stupid cars! I honked the horn loudly and repeatedly, earning a strand of ‘number ones’ from a row of cars beside me as I cut them off skillfully. They honked their horns at me but I ignored them, I had places to go but I can’t because I’m stuck in traffic! I pounded the steering wheel angrily. I have slight road rage, alright, full on road rage. But you would, too if you were trying to find a girl you like- as a friend, AS A FRIEND OKAY, to apologize for a mistake you made that included her enemy and I; but these stupid people can’t drive to save their lives!

I finally got onto the street leading to the mall and I stepped on the gas, hightailing it to the parking lot of the large mall. Where can she be? Where can she be? I locked the car door, jogging to the opening. Knowing her, she’d probably be… in the food court, right? She loves food, especially pizza. You can only count the amount of times she eats pizza in a week at school. I began my short walk to the food court, my body felt numb.

As I reached the food court, I searched the semi crowded large room for her familiar hair. I found her hunched over pizza. I began walking towards her, pacing myself. I didn’t want to end up running and be winded, where she could barely make a word out of my apology. I didn’t want to end up like my Grandpa.

Maverly’s Point of View

“You don’t keep in contact with Bathroom boy?” Lucas asked with his nose wrinkled.

“Oh, him.” I seethed.

“What did he do?” Lucas asked, confusion covering his features.

“I found him in a bedroom.” I said, calming myself down before I start crying.

“Wow, and that’s a crime? I must be a criminal; I’ve committed so many crimes!” He teased. He didn’t realize the seriousness of the situation.

“With a girl,” I continued. He stopped laughing. “Who I hate, Miranda.” I added.

“Why is it such a big deal? He wasn’t your boyfriend right?” Lucas asked, raising an eyebrow. A smirk was on his face.

“No.” I answered.

“Then what’s the problem? Is it because of what happened with your father?” He asked.

“No, don’t speak of him.” I spat, gritting my teeth. Lucas wasn't bothered by this and continued talking.

“Then what is it?” He furthered. I stayed silent, refusing to reply.

“Oh no.” Lucas said, seeming to catch on.

“You liked him?” He asked. I continued staying silent.

“You like him?” He asked, meaning that I still like him. This, my friend, is the whole reason of my situation. I’ve come to like the boy who hurt me in ways that I cannot even explain.

“When did he do this?” He asked, getting his answers from my silence. This was one that I had to verbally answer.

“Yesterday.” I answered. Lucas rolled his eyes.

“And you didn’t talk to him?” He asked. I shook my head; it was my turn to roll my eyes.

“What was I supposed to do? Approach him while he was in bed with the girl and say, ‘Cyrus, can I please talk to you?’ Besides, it’s hard to talk to someone who doesn’t even care about you.” I said, scoffing at the thought of Cyrus even caring about anyone other than his family and himself.

“I’m sure he cares about you.” Lucas said, crossing his arms.

“Why would you say that, Oh Wise Lucas?” I continued, raising an eyebrow.

“Because he kept you around.” He stated. I laughed, loudly too. It was only semi controllable; I’d laugh and then stop, think about it, and laugh even more. Lucas sat there awkwardly watching me as I laughed.

Cyrus’s Point of View

I was a few meters from the table when I heard her laughing, her soft, angelic laughing. Over the span of about 3-4 weeks, I already like her… as a friend! AS A FRIEND, GUYS! AS A FRIEND. I watched her as she hunched over, laughing and patting the table. What could she be laughing at? Wasn’t she alone?

As I rounded the corner I saw a guy sitting there, the same one I’d met when I rescued her from the bathroom. What was his name? Luther? Luke? Lucifer? Ha-ha, just kidding. Lucas? Lucas! That’s it. He saw me before she did. He raised his eyebrows and dropped them awkwardly as he avoided eye contact. She kept laughing as he slowly and silently slid out of the booth, allowing me to slip into the red booth.

"Treat her right.” He whisper-demanded as he walked away. I sat there watching her as she choked for her breath. I wonder what’s so funny.

"You’re hilarious! H-he could never care for me like that, Luke!” She exclaimed, clutching her stomach as she chuckled at the hilarious thoughts. Who would never care for her like that?

“It’s uhm… Not L-Luke.” I stuttered stupidly. Her green eyes darted open, watching me for a moment before they turned cold.

Maverly’s Point of View

“What do you want?” I seethed, breathing heavily due to anger and lack of breath.

“I just want to talk… to explain.” He calmed. It would’ve worked if it wasn’t for my stubbornness.

“No. What if I don’t want to talk? You know what they say, Cyrus. Actions speak louder than words. And your actions screamed at me bloody murder.” I fumed.

“I understand what I did could’ve been taken out of context-.” He started but I cut him off, angrily.

“Taken out of context? Taken out of context? Nothing was taken out of context, Cyrus. You were with her, that’s what happened. You know what? I don’t even want to know what happened, what you did and what you didn’t do! I don’t even know why I care so much! We aren’t together. Heck we aren’t even friends, now. Thanks to everything. It was looking up. But what goes up must come down, right Cyrus? I’ll just leave on this note Cyrus; when everything was going good, you ruined it. You ruined it, Cyrus. It was finally good. But everything good has to come to an end right? I’m not going to say that it’s your fault, because it isn’t. It’s my fault, for being so stupid. Goodbye, Cyrus and I mean it this time. Enjoy your life without me, not that it makes a difference.” I said, walking off.

My appetite was lost and so was my common sense. He was there wanting to talk about it and here I was storming off like a 5 year old. If he really wants to be your friend again, he’ll keep trying. I ignored that little voice; I knew he wasn’t going to try again at what just happened. He didn’t care. He got what he wanted; I’m hurt. Congratulations. You’ve just won Jerk of the Year.

Cyrus’s Point of View

I feel like my stomach has been stabbed with a knife that twisted and twisted in circles repeatedly, so all in all, I’m hurt. What she said was right, partially. I ruined it, yes I did. The way she said my name, like she was mocking me. It hurts me, a lot more than it should.

Was it normal to feel this way? I haven't even hugged the girl! She's just so... so... special. She doesn’t understand that Miranda and I didn’t do anything together. I felt the eyes of the people surrounding me as I sighed and got up and walked off, tucking my hands deep into my pockets.

I just had to go and drink and frolic off with Miranda. Stupid Miranda, it’s all her fault. But she can’t take all of the blame. I have to take some, too. I’ll get Maverly back though, but this time, not as a friend, as more. Not as a girlfriend, as a mega best friend… okay, as a girlfriend.