Reject Rejecting Rejected

The Aftermath

Amelia POV

They ask you how you are, and you just have to say that you’re fine, when you’re not really fine, but you just can’t get into it because they would never understand -Katy Perry.

That pretty much sums up my life right now.

My mind replays today’s events on loop, exposing my soul to each raw, unfiltered emotion.

I know he doesn’t love me and I’d be fooling myself if I thought that kiss meant something. He was simply being possessive, using me, waiting until he had what he wanted; then, when I least expected it, he would have rejected me, just like he was planning to do before I stopped him. I mean come on, he probably didn’t even know my name until the rejection.

I curl up in bed, clutching my chest as a zap of pain shoots through it. A river of tears soaks my pillow as the sound of uncontrolled sobs reaches my ears.

*Knock knock knock*

“Can I come in?”

“No! go away” I practically scream through tears, yet the stubborn intruder invites himself into my room amidst my protest.

“Sis, do you want to talk about it?” The bed dips and shakes a little. Who gave him permission to sit on my bed?

My head remains buried in my pillow hiding my tear-stained face. “There’s nothing to talk about... Just leave me alone, Jax.”

“Ok..” he stands and immediately the bed feels lighter “then I guess I’ll just leave with this tub of ice cream and the horror movie I rented.” His voice begins to fade like he’s already walking out through the door.

I jump up instantly, wiping my swollen eyes. “Wait!” I sniff, my eyes dropping to the plastic bag in his hand. “Don’t go.”

He smiles. “Tell me you need me and I’ll think about staying.”

I pout, crossing my arms as I glare at him.

“I take that as a no.” He sighs, seemingly dejected as he leaves the room. “I guess I’ll have to eat this all alone.” He closes the door behind him and his footsteps begin to fade in the distance.

Ugh! “Jax! Come back! I need you”

The door instantly swings open and my eyes widen in shock. How’s he here so quickly? A smug look coats his face. “I knew you’ll come around.”

I roll my eyes; the realization of his actions all too clear now. He merely pretended to be gone by reducing the thumping sound of his footsteps until they sounded light and distant, but he never moved.

Congrats, well played.

Jax sits on my bed, pulling out two spoons from the plastic bag, before grabbing the remote. He hands me the tub of ice cream so I can take the first scoop while he gets everything else sorted out. Cookies and Cream- my favorite flavor. Jax knows me well.

One scoop quickly becomes ten while Jax gets the movie ready. He dims the light creating the perfect horror atmosphere before climbing back onto the bed to sit beside me.

“Hey, all isn’t yours.” He frowns, snatching the tub from me. “I had a rough day too.”

I sigh, resting my head on his shoulder. “I know.... how’s your back feeling now?”

“Better than the locker.” He chuckles “And how’s your heart?”

“Well, let’s just say, it’s still beating.”

The tone of the room swiftly shifts to one of solemnity. “Sorry.” He whispers.

“For?”

“For failing you.”

I lean off of him enough to see his solemn expression. “There was nothing you could have done to change the outcome, so please don’t blame yourself.”

He sighs, guilt distorting his beauty. A depressive silence hangs in the air, further dampening the already gloomy mood and goodness knows I am tired of crying.

“Hey.” I nudge him. “Let’s forget out today for one night and have a carefree spooky time.” I smile, grabbing the remote from him.

Play.

Five minutes in, my head is already buried into Jax’s shoulder, scared out of my wits at the gory details of the first on-screen murder. There’s no way my mind could manage to replay thoughts of today while scared out of itself. Perfect, horror-shockingly perfect.

I woke up this morning, a little groggy and more than a little embarrassed at having fallen asleep at some point during the movie. I don’t even know how it ended.

“Don’t forget to pay up.” A voice croaks above my head.

I slowly look up to see Jax’s sleepy eyes barely open with a grin on his face.

I push my head off of his lap to sit up. “Jax, you little cheat. I’m sure you put a sleeping pill in the water you brought for me last night.”

His eyes widen “Rose, don’t be such a sore loser, I won fair and square... you fell asleep first, now pay up.”

“Fine.” I huff, climbing off the bed to fetch my purse. I walk back to him with the five dollars as per request of the bet made last night. “Here’s your money, but just know, for sleeping in my room, that’s a fee of ten dollars.”

“I see. But I already knew you’ll pull something like that... but if I’m not mistaken, it was you who begged me to stay. I believe it went something like this.... ‘Jax! Come back! I need you’” he mockingly imitates with a voice that sounds nothing like mine.

“Ugh! Just get out.” I point, to which Jax happily skips out knowing full well he won this round.

Our relationship is much like the sun and a flower. The flower needs the sun for growth, life, food but that same heat sometimes scorches. That’s Jax, he’s a necessary evil, can’t live with him, can’t live without him. But isn’t that the story of most siblings, yet you love them to death and into the afterlife?

I flop on my bed with a sigh as a ray of sunshine ushers in reality, but I don’t think I’m ready to face the music just yet. I don’t want to face him or see his face... I don’t even want to breathe in the same air as him- which is totally unrealistic but it’s just how I feel.

“Hey, sis.” I look up to see Jax poking his head through the slightly ajar door. “Do you want to stay home today?”

Tempting...

But then again, why should my education suffer for his sake? I refuse to give him the satisfaction of thinking that I’m too afraid to face him.

I shake my head no. “I’m ok... I’ll be ready for school soon.”

“Are you sure? because I’ve already written up an absence letter in case you needed it.”

I smile at him, see why I can’t hate this cheating, lying, manipulating waste of sperm. “I’m sure Jax.”

“Alright, but I’m sharpening my claws just in case.”

I laugh getting up from bed to get ready.

We aren’t rich and it’s just Jax and I but I have no doubt he’d protect me with his life if it came down to it. Our parents were captured in some war years ago causing us to grow up in an orphanage. I don’t even remember what they look like, granted I was too young to remember much. We don’t even know if they are still alive, but after Jax turned 18 he got a job to do kinship adoption, and thankfully it was approved. It’s still less than a year but we’ve settled in and gotten well adjusted to our new life fairly quickly.

“I’m finished pressing your clothes” Jax shouts out as soon as I step out of the bathroom.

“Thanks, but you know you didn’t have to?”

“I know, but it’s the least I can do considering-”

A pillow is hurled towards his face cutting him off, though he catches it just in time. “What was that for?”

“From now on, any talk of yesterday is forbidden.”

He stares at me dumbfounded and confused for a bit. “What are you talking about?”

“You were about to say you pressed for me considering what happened yesterday, weren’t you?”

“What!?” His brows scrunch “I was going to say considering you’ll be making breakfast and lunch for both of us.”

Another pillow flies through the air, this time hitting its target head-on. Bullseye.

Laughter fills the air as Jax charges at me and we break out into an intense play fight. Caught in a fit of laughter the minutes swiftly pass by until we are left scrabbling to head out to make it out to school on time.

Now dressed in my school uniform and waiting for Jax by the door, I munch on the sandwiches I made for breakfast.

Jax soon emerges in his janitor uniform. He works shifts, sometimes having to go to work before school, during school, or after school, while still juggling his education. Add to that taking care of his 16-year-old little sister. I know it’s a lot of responsibility for him at such a young age, that’s why I’m determined to focus on my school work, make something of myself and make him proud as a reward for all he’s done for me.

“You’ve really lost some weight since leaving the orphanage.” Jax sighs, staring at the uniform that practically hangs on my frame.

The orphanage gifted me the uniform when I was leaving, but since then, I’ve slimmed down and I know Jax blames himself.

“Hey, I’m perfectly proportioned.” I smile, trying to keep doom and gloom at bay, but I sense it slowly creeping in and I am determined not to fall prey. “Welp, can’t miss the school bus.” I chirp, hugging Jax. “Get to work safely and hopefully see you later today.”

He smiles, squeezing me tightly, before we part, going our separate ways.

I step through the school gates and immediately an eerie feeling washes over me. Did I make the right call by coming to school today? I mean, it’s not like one day away from school would fail me.

I sigh, maybe I should have stayed home. However, it is too late to turn back now.

I keep my head down, as usual, avoiding eye contact with everyone, just hoping to remain invisible.

I spot Jimothy, my class bully, and his friends in the distance. They’re famous for picking on me randomly, so I hasten my steps to stay clear of their path.

In the hallway, the whispers of students create a choir of chaos, but it doesn’t seem like the usual chit-chat... something is up. I c**k my ears as I pass by, eager to keep up to date with the latest without looking inquisitive. The volume spikes as I step into my classroom and immediately, my heart begins anxiously thumping against my chest.

“Did you hear...” A voice whispers sounding like the background music of Titanic. “Austin is in the hospital and it’s not looking too good.”