HIS UNMATCHED AFFECTION

Chapter 14

Stacy's POV

I know what he wants to say. I can see it in his eyes. We're chilling at our favorite spot in school. Our back packs on the table. He is reading his usual nerd stuff. A science magazine! While guys of his age are probably sneaking in p**n magazines. Jake is avoiding me. He probably thinks it's his fault but it isn't. I got pricked in my right eye while poking my head out of the school bus on a school trip. The ophthalmologist said it will take time to heal properly.

"So you gonna say it?" I ask.

He ignores me. I snatch the magazine to get his attention.

"Do you know....?”

"Know What? That f*******: posts can be used in epidemiological surveillance to predict non communicable diseases and mental health disorders?" I interrupt reading directly from the magazine.

"That one's also true but I was gonna say that you should see a therapist. Most accident survivors may suffer trauma and anxiety" he says confidently.

He is really a handful. But I like him that way. It's his way of showing he cares. His phone beeps. He replies the message and stares at me.

"For God's sake Eric it was just a dislocation am feeling fine already" I argue.

"You keep telling yourself that... What did you want me to say earlier?"

So he heard what asked and ignored me.

"You gonna tell me how a bad idea it was for me to go cycling with Jake when we could have hang out with you?"

"No. Am not a fan of I told you so kinda stuff, accidents happen" He says putting I told you so into imaginary quotes.

Honestly I wasn't expecting that. I thought he'd brag about it and make me feel like a jerk for leaving him that day.

"Anyway what did you want to talk about?" I ask.

"Some stuff you know...”He says looking unsettled.

His eyes are glued on someone behind me. And I haven't forgotten his scent. I used to love it once.

“What have you done?”

James's POV

There was a snowballs chance in hell that Eric will get me closer to her. I've always believed he has some stray feelings for Stacy or else why does he keep protecting her? Am sure Stacy doesn't need a guardian angel and I have heard her saying that to him several times but the browns never give up. They are obsessed with winning in everything they do. To them everything is a competition.

"Hey Stacy" I say seating besides Eric.

I really wish he'd give me some space. I wanna talk about some stuff that doesn't need his presence. But again I can't push him out having given me this chance I owe him that.

"Hey James" She says glaring at Eric.

I know she wanna literally kill him right now. She better does I don't like him either.

"So how's your knee, am Sorry about your accident" I say politely.

"Am fine it was just a scratch", she says looking uninterested.

Fair enough. I was the one who left her on a beach miles away from school after saying it in her face I don't trust her. To make matters even worse Clara shows up too. Now am so f****d up.

"Hey guys, Stacy am so sorry" She says leaning in for a hug.

"Thank you sweetheart. What are you up to?"

"Came to steal this one", Clara says grabbing Eric’s arm.

Things are turning out well.

"You can have him", Stacy says smiling.

"Catch you later", Eric says being dragged away.

The gods are smiling upon me. Who thought that Clara will be a savior? Now I. Have her one on one. I’ve been practicing my apology speech since morning. I just have to make it look genuine and show that I feel so bad about it myself. Some kind of penance will make her happy. She wants to see me suffer and I've suffered enough without her. She is busy on her phone waiting for me to say the next words. My mouth is dry and my tongue is heavy.

"So how are you fairing on?" I finally manage to speak up.

"You mean after you dumped me?" She asks rudely.

"Technically I didn't dump you. I never said its over" I say.

"Ooh! So little Jamie wants to assume this was a space thing. That he can leave and jump back into my life the way he wants?" She mocks.

Stacy knows I hate being called little Jamie. She is provoking me but imma keep my cool. This time am here to stay. Ride or die.

“Eric came to pick you with my car didn't he?”

“After he made you tap out?” She asks laughing.

Now this is getting out hand. Why on earth did he tell her that? He broke the guy code. He is a disgrace to all boys.

“I was going to come back”, I argue.

It’s a lie I wasn't. I was so mad at her and everything. She doesn't know it but I skipped school the whole day and spend the rest of the day working out in gym. Coach always say it helps to calm emotions.

“You shouldn't have left me in the first place James.do you know how it hurts to be misunderstood? Of course you don't because I forgave you without asking too much questions"

"So we're still on my f**k up? You can't let it go?" I argue.

She is driving me to the wall. I came to apologize but she is digging up a whole lot of snakes that we can't kill.

"No I used it as an example James get the difference!" She shouts.

"It looks like you kissed him to get back on me" I say relaxed.

I've been killing myself thinking she loves him. Whatever lands in Jake's grip never comes back and if it does it will never be the same. I know that because I've lend him socks countless times. Speaking of the devil. He shows up out of nowhere.

"Someone ordered an escort?" He asks with a sarcastic grin.

"We trynna talk here men get the hell away!” I order.

"Why don't you ask the lady if she wants me here or not?" he says confidently.

Stacy is avoiding eye contact. When she finally looks at me I see the Betrayal in her eyes. She called him to drive me out.

"We're done here" She says getting up.

"Fine he will just dump you the same way he dumps the other girls...on a text!" I shout walking away.

I can't give them the satisfaction of making a fool out of me.

Jake's POV

I know Eric won’t like me hanging around her after what happened. Am not afraid of him though. It's just that sometimes he knows what she wants but she can't say. He does her biding. Gets his hands dirty to save her. When she texted me she wants to avoid a conversation I was more than willing to come out here. She made it even better when she mentioned it was James.

"Am so sorry about your leg" I say seating opposite her.

"You should feel sorry for what I'll do to you for ignoring and avoiding me”, she says with an evil smile.

This isn't the scale of anger I was expecting. It looks like a two while I was prepared for an eight, nine tops.

"Doesn't it include turning me into a punching bag?" I ask.

"Do you want to be punched?" She asks smiling.

The smile is getting more accommodating as we get deep into this meaningless exchange of words.

"Yeah kind of" I affirm.

"I'll kick you in the balls", she says covering her mouth.

Why is she shy mentioning balls? Is this a sign? No it's too early. James has been here a few minutes ago I don't think she wants to see another set of balls.

"Do anything you want with me but don't touch my balls"

"I can't think of anything else", She says.

"Maybe a walk will help", I suggest going towards her.

Am not good at all this nursing thing but I know she needs my support. Her arms entangled around my neck. There's that feeling again. Her touch is driving me nuts. I help her pick up her cratch and we walk towards her class. Am carrying her bag pack. Everyone is looking at us. They better not start mongering rumors. I've had enough already.

"You don't have to avoid me. I don't blame you it's all my fault", she says when we get to the door of her classroom.

"You're trying to make me feel better?" I ask leading her in.

The other students give us some space.

"No, am trying to stop you from avoiding me", She says seating on her locker.

"Nice time Stacy", I say and turn around to walk away.