Stuck between two bad boys

I took the remnant of pizza and grabbed a juice. It was my breakfast and I needed to eat it hurriedly.

I barely had any sleep, I sat up all night thinking of what James said. He made me worry and it didn’t feel good to be disturbed.

I stretched to the glass and poured some apple juice into the glass. I took a sip first and then gulped it till it finished. I checked my wrist watch and I had fifteen minutes to get to school.

I took my baseball cap from where it hung on the wall and wore it. I grabbed my bag and my phone.

I didn’t want to run late so I took the short route as usual and walked to school. A notification pinged and I checked the screen of my phone. It was an Instagram notification and my brows raised when I saw the post.

It was Gabby’s post.

Wish I could go on a date with the prom king #prom

A furrow appeared on my forehead. I had no idea who the prom king was going to be and I didn’t care. I imagined being the prom king for a minute but I wasn’t going to attend prom. Not when I gave lots of history in beating up people and cutting classes.

I shoved the phone in my pocket as I reached school and walked into the building. A blonde girl turned her head and gave me an awkward stare.

Fuck, this T-shirt. I didn’t take my time to choose an outfit and I knew I wasn’t dressed in the best fit.

I didn’t care though, I just walked to the hallway and headed to the classroom. The seats were occupied as I walked in, the Invigilator was going to be here soon.

I lowered on my desk and placed my headphone on my ear. I didn’t want to remain idle till the first paper so I listened to music instead.

The headphone was blaring loud music in my ears and I just nodded to the rhythm. A figure stood in front of me and waved to get my attention. I raised my brow and removed the headphone.

“Is this yours?”

I looked at his hand and it was my wallet. Fuck, I must have dropped it unknowingly.

“Yeah, thanks.”

I gave a faded smile and he returned it. He was one of the few students I talked to on random occasions, I didn’t have a close friend and I didn’t feel the need to tell a person everything that was going on with me until I met Emily.

My lips twitched as Emily crossed my mind. She was in every thought and everything I thought of. I scrolled up till I reached her number and felt the urge to dial her number.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

I wanted to call her, to hear her voice and to see her. Her smile always lifted my mood and I craved that comforting smile.

I brushed the thought off, James already threatened to arrest me if he sees me with Emily. I tried talking him out of his plans but he ignored everything I said.

I called countless times and sent voicemails and eleven texts but none was responded to. I let out a sigh, it was eating me to be away from Emily. I needed to relax and write my last paper, I needed to write the exam in a good state of mind.

After the exams, everyone in the class tore their books and threw their bags around. They kept shouting in excitement and hugging themselves. I gave a quick smile when someone walked toward me and smiled.

“Hey man, it’s all over.”

Yeah, it was all over but I didn’t feel the excitement as much. I just wanted to get over this phase. I looked around but couldn’t catch a glimpse of Xavier. I thought of talking to him, maybe we could settle our differences and I could explain the whole thing to Emily. I kept checking around, looking over my shoulders but they were just happy kids shouting in excitement and talking about the upcoming Prom.

I swayed my body around and walked out of the class. I walked to the hallway still searching for Xavier.

I spent minutes searching for Xavier but he was nowhere in sight. I wondered where he could be, he didn’t even wait to celebrate with the rest students or something.

I walked toward the library and stopped when I heard his voice. His voice was coming from an enclosed space. I stood by the door and lowered my stance so I could eavesdrop. The door was slightly opened so I peeped and saw Emily.

She was crying and trying to talk back but Xavier was holding her chin.

“Get your filthy hands off me,” Emily barked.

Xavier grinned like a sadist and a sardonic smirk fell on his face. “I’ve told you, Emily, it’s not going to be an easy choice.”

“I’ll rather be with him, Xavier.”

A lump formed in my throat. Was she referring to me? Did she choose me over him?

“You’ll never be fine with Devin. If I can’t have you then he won’t have you either.”

“You’re an asshole!” She spat and he yanked her arms.

“Listen to me.”

Emily tried to wriggle her arms out of his hold but his grip was too strong. She whimpered and looked at him angrily.

“I hate you so much,” she fired at him. She pushed him but he only staggered and held her wrist tighter.

My chest heaved at the sight. I badly wanted to punch him in the face and beat him for holding her that way but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to get myself involved in what was happening, I was already too involved.

I could not be the one showing up to save her, she would get used to me and whenever I wasn’t there, it would mess with her. I clenched my fist in anger as the thought of my helplessness flushed over me. I hated this feeling but I couldn’t do anything about it.

“Don’t you dare choose him.”

“I already did. I’ve chosen Devin! I love him and there’s nothing you can do.”

“I can do a lot, Emily. You have no idea what you’ve turned me into. You don’t realize what I’ve done so I can get you to live a fucking comfortable life. I stabbed a man last night, all for you!” He flared.

Emily whimpered and then held her mouth. She couldn’t believe what she just heard, she couldn’t imagine what he was saying.

“You know what? I’ll do what’s right Xavier, I’ll follow James.”