My Knight in Shining...Ah, Screw It. He's an Egotistical Asshole.

“Do you mind if we go in here?” She asked, motioning to some store. I agreed.
We looked around, and I took off to the right, as Blaire took off to the left. I shuffled between eager buyers on my way to the back, where I saw a cool plaid hat, and matching shoes. I grabbed them and tried them on. Blaire came over with a cute pink strapless top.
“Hey those are cute shoes!” She complimented.
“Ha. Thanks, cute top.”
“Grasias!” She smiled.
We soon bought the items, and headed to another store.
“I love their Jeans here.” She said, pointing to the mannequins that styled a cute pair of dark, denim jeans in the window.
We entered and immediately, I fell in love. I skipped throughout the store. Did I mention I love jeans? Hm. Well I do, pretty greatly. They rock my fabricated world. HA. Alright, anyways… I grabbed like five.
“Hahhaha, you got a lot of jeans too?” Blaire said, when she rounded the corner, holding about six pairs. We laughed as we went to the dressing rooms. I grabbed my number and hung it on the door. Then I tried on the first pair. They were a pair of light jeans that faded. They looked good; they fit my hips really well, and flared out near the bottom.
Definitely a keeper. I thought. Noticing the way it hugged my butt perfectly. You know the kind, they look good and tight, but they’re comfortable? yeahhh.
“You changed into one yet?” Blaire said behind the stall next to me.
“Yeah, you?” I asked, still examining myself.
“Ya, come out lemme see!” She urged.
I came out to see Blaire in medium light jeans on that were plain, but fit her nicely.
“I love those on you!” I complimented.
“Thanks. DAMN girl, you got a juicy little butt.” I cracked up. It was nice to be able to talk about my butt without feeling awkward around my mom. Even though that sentence sounded SO wrong.
“Buy those.” Blaire said.

We continued modeling for each other until both of us were finished. I bought three new pairs. The first ones I tried on of course, these really cool and really dark pair of jeans, and gray skinny’s. All were completely cute, and completely my style.
Blaire and I went to so many stores until my feet hurt.
“Girl, my feet hurt.” Blaire complained.
“Mine too.”
“I think it’s a good thing though.” I added.
She laughed, “For sure.”
I started to head to the door.
“WAIT! I want to go to one more store.” She smiled.
“Seriously?” I whined.
“Yea, common.” Without me having time to argue, she grabbed my wrist and pulled me to the southern end of the mall. Did I mention we were very, very, VERY far north. I could feel my feet screaming at me.
No! No! We’ll do anything! Yes, it was that bad.
As soon as we reached this quaint little store, I sat on the couch near the back.
I could see Blaire check out a few racks, then head to another.
I sighed, and looked around. A few people were talking, some getting checked out. They had some cute shirts, but I’ve seen cuter.
Until my eyes laid on a rack near me, with the most beautiful black dress I have ever seen in my life. It was it’s only kind and I prayed that it was my size. I approached it, and indeed it was a size two. I jumped excitedly and to just tell you how great this dress was, I also did a happy dance. –Yea, that great.
“Ugh. I didn’t fine zilch.” I could barely hear Blaire say beside me.
“Hello, Toby?” My eyes were glued to this dress.
“You going to buy it, or continue to stand there like an idiot.” She asked, smugly. I grabbed my wallet and gasped. I only had twenty bucks left.
“Oh. It’s cool, I’ll get it.” I saw Blaire’s hand reach for her pocket.
“NO!” I screamed, and earned weird glances from passer-bys
“Whoa, ok, ok. Are you sure though?” She asked, hesitating with her wallet.
“Yes. I’m sure.” I said, slowing down my breath.
Like I said, I don’t react well to what people consider charity. **Grumph.**
I almost felt like I could cry, I’d have to come back some other time and see if they still had it, I doubt it though.
“Thanks though Blaire, but let’s just go.” I said, she gave me a sad, sideways smile and followed behind.

***
“Hey, I had fun today.” I told Blaire on the way to her car.
“Yeah, me too. Even if you couldn’t get that dress.” She shrugged.
“Don’t even remind me, it’s like un-burying you’re dead uncle.” She laughed, and unlocked the car doors.
“So are you going to Jacob’s party?”
“Ew. No.”
“I have a life.” I lied. I actually wasn’t doing anything.
“Alright fine, but do you want to like I don’t know, spend the night tomorrow night or something? I’m sure my dad would love to hear more about your mom.” She chuckled.
Sigh. Parents, they act like first graders when it comes to relationships.
After a moment of silence, Blaire started up another convo.
“So. Max is going to be at the party.” She wiggled her eyebrows in a weird roller coaster movement.
“Doesn’t he live there though?” I pointed out.
“AW. You ruined my fun. I think he likes you, ya know.”
“Like… REALLY likes you.” She said, nudging me in my arm with her elbow.
“Nah. Isn’t he just an all-around nice guy? He’s the same to everyone.” I mean I had questioned the thought that maybe he did like me, but I didn’t find it a serious issue, or possibility. That’d be like dating a brother. I haven’t really thought about him, or known him that long. So how could I possibly like him back. No one can.
Then how come you like Jacob? Whoa. I don’t like Jacob. He’s an annoying little twit. That’s it. I subconsciously act like I like him, because it prevents me from ripping his head off, thats all.
Mhmmm…sure. Screw you subconscious-ness, ness. I stuttered in my head, struggling with what Blaire told me.
“Hey, your house is down this street right?”
“Yea. How’d you know?” I’m guessing she just picked the poor side of town, and thought…mhm, she couldn’t afford that dress, I guess she’s the ‘less-fortunate’ type.
“Well, Max told me you ride the bus together, so I figured you lived near him.” Or that, yepp. That works too.
“It’s that house.” I said, pointing to the familiar building.
“K. See ya tomorrow!” She smiled.
“Yea, thanks for the ride.” I said, grabbing my bags and getting out of the car. I gave Blaire one last smile, while shutting the door, before she drove off.
“Home!” I yelled. My mom poked her head out of the kitchen fridge.
“Hey. Where were you, I was beginning to get worried.”
“I was with my friend, Blaire Davis.” I said, putting the bags on the table, and sitting on top of them to talk to my mom.
“Oh. Is she Richard Davis’s daughter?” She asked, pulling out different items from the fridge, and setting them near the stove. Then she opened a cabinet above her.
“Yea. Isn’t he your boss or something?” I asked. I was going to let my mom in on the secret that he liked her, but I was afraid it might scare her. After her relationship with dad and such.
“Yea. How’d you know?”
“Oh, uh… Blaire mentioned it once.” I lied.
“Oh, gotcha.”
“That reminds me.” I began, “Can I sleepover at Blaire’s tomorrow night?”
“Yeah, actually that works out great, because I’m meeting your father, and his lawyer tomorrow.” She said, with fake excitement.
“Funnnnn.” I replied with mirrored sarcasm.
“Be strong, k?” I said, giving my mom a one-over worried glance.
“Will do.” She smiled, and began pouring ingredients in the boiling pot.
“Hmm. That smells good.” I complimented.
“Thanks.” She said, stirring with a wooden spoon.
“Alright, well I’m going to be upstairs I said. Call me down when dinner’s ready!” I yelled as I went up the stairs.

After dinner, I had a couple of scoops of ice cream before heading to bed.
I couldn’t help but worry if my mom is lying when she said she’s ok with seeing dad again. I knew he couldn’t hurt her. But I still couldn’t help but be worried, you know?

* *
I woke up this time, not in such a rush, and had time to straighten my wavy hair. I finally tamed my hair, and slipped on a cool navy blue cami, and my new jeans, along with the new cool blue-plaid shoes I bought yesterday with Blaire. I smiled. I actually did have fun. Something I didn’t think I’d ever allow myself to do. But hey, it’s high school. You’re supposed to change.
I did my normal daily routine that involved makeup, teeth-brushing and normal hygiene must’s.
I grabbed a pop tart from the box, and hugged my mom, who was scooping sugar into her coffee cup.
“Good Luck today.” I said, warmingly.
“Thanks sweety. Have fun at your sleepover, and tell Mr. Davis I said Hi.” She smiled.
As I put my shoes on, I couldn’t help but notice a little twinkle in her eye at the mention of the sleepover. Did she like Mr. Davis too? Hm. Maybe. Although, I haven’t heard her talk about him before… so I wouldn’t know.
“Heyya, Max.” I smiled at him as I took my normal seat beside him.
“Hey. Where were you after school? I wanted to talk to you about something.”
I gulped. He wasn’t like… making a move was he?
“Oh. I went shopping with Blaire, you guys have a really cool mall here.” I said, avoiding his eyes nervous for whatever that ‘something’ was.
“Oh. Yeah we do, but I need to inform you of something.” Max said, grabbing my chin, making me look him in the eyes. His smoldering… angry, gray eyes.
“Stay away from my cousin, ok?” He said, voice shaking. Border-lined furious.
“Ok. You know I hate him, right?” I said, returning my hardened stare.
“Yea. But I’m just warning you, he takes girls for advantage. He doesn’t date; he just uses girls and throws them away. I don’t want one of them to be you."
I blinked back my hard stare. That was actually… really sweet of Max.
“Wow. Thanks Max, it means a lot that you care about me enough to warn me.” I said, as he let his hand fall off my chin.
“Yea, but anyways. I know you hadn’t planned on coming to the party tonight, but I was just wondering if you would go, for me. I wanted to talk to you about something… else.” He said, and his eyes flickered with a soft, unfamiliar emotion.
“Besides, my parents are coming home tonight, and I’ll be leaving the party afterwards.” He sighed.
“So I won’t be riding the bus anymore.”
“WHAT! What am I going to do about Cody?” I said his name in a whisper.
“Well. I was wondering if you wanted to ride with me to school?” He asked, rubbing his hand on his neck, and biting his lip. Something he did to distract himself.
“Actually, that’s a very smart idea Max.” I smiled, and he locked his stare on me again.
“K. Cool.” He returned the smile as the bus came to a stop.
“After you.” He motioned. As I got up though I saw a specific bleach-blonde wink at me. I ignored the voice in my head screaming.
SOMETHINGS NOT RIGHT WITH THAT BOY!!
And continued to file off the bus.
Math was boring, but I had fun talking more with Blaire, Max and Adam. I had a weird feeling that Blaire and Adam might have a thing going on, but I’d ask her about that later tonight.
Mostly though, they kept trying to convince me to come with them to the party. But honestly, I didn’t have anything cool to wear. Plus, I didn’t know if any feelings I had been surpressing would come out tonight, seeing Jacob flirt with all those girls...

I had to take a breather; I had started to clench my fists. But… all this was just a cover up not to kill him. So it’s nothing serious.
BUT. Most importantly, I had a big carton of cookie-dough ice cream with my name on it.
“Hey.” Jacob said, outside of Theater.
“Hey.” I gave him a hesitated glare, why was he walking in with me?
“Do you think you’d want to come over to my house after school to work on the project?” He said, with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
“Sure. But I’m not staying for the party.” I shot.
He raised his hands in defense. “Ok. Ok. I’m just asking.” His eye twinkled with some hidden agenda, and I ignored it.
I was ignoring a lot of things when it came to the subject on Jacob Naughtingham.
I even ignored the odd sensation to rip Bridgette’s head off as she raised her hand, in volunteer to do the make-out scene between Romeo, and Juliet. Only because Jacob was Romeo.
“I might be going out on a limb here, but I was wondering…” Mr. M paused. “Tabitha- would you mind doing this scene for me. I’m debating something in my head, and this would help to clear the confusion if you did.” He could go insane with confusion for all I cared, and the name was TOBY. Not Tabitha, my brother use to call me that when I was younger. It’s TOBY. I thought, disregarding the pang at the image of my brother that threatened my memory.
“It’s Toby.” Was all I said to him.
Everyone’s eyes were on me. I regretted my decision as soon as I made it. This town was most definitely making me go soft.
“Fine. No kissing though.” I said with a glare, and I could have sworn Jacob frowned. I shook off the thought as I joined Mr. Romeo on stage.
The horrible scene played out before me, only because it wasn’t that hard to pretend to not hate Jacob this time. Not hard at all…
My breath caught in my throat, and my eyes went wide with anticipation as he glided toward me. Breaking the distance between our role-playing figures. He said his romantic line as he leaned down, cupping my face possessively; but gently. I could feel the brush of his muscular stomach against my skinny one. I feared he could hear the sudden jump of my heartbeat; accelerating faster and faster. His ocean eyes locked on to mine and I felt like I was watching the waves pour, and crash around me. Numbingly lost in the depths of the sea. I felt like I could tell him all of my secrets, right then and there. Tell him how truly scared and alone I felt.
My body became limp in his grasp as he grabbed my waist for a better support system. His lips started to look more inviting as their soft, glossy demeanor advanced near mine. I froze, waiting for him to lean in. He looked at me, and I silently breathed out a sigh, a trigger to let him know that I wasn’t about to punch his face in. Normal Toby would, but this numb and annoyingly weak Toby could not to save her life. He took that as a sign and approached.
“CUTTTTTT!!!!!!! CUT! CUT!” Roared an annoying, high-pitched voice.
Bitchette… I groaned inwardly as I recognized it, and jumped back in horror at what I was about to do if she hadn’t of stopped me. I almost fell, trying to flee from a pissed, and longing Jacob. His eyes fell guilty as my face gave away how truly shocked and pissed I was. He had… he had tricked me! It was against my will! I wanted to shout out.
But I wanted to curl up in a ball and cry, to know that I had done that willingly. I put my walls down to someone other than my mom. It could cost me my mom if he reported what I had told him. I would lose my house, and be in a foster family.
Damn him…
Damn him
DAMN HIM.
I shook my head, and sighed out relief as the bell rang.
I shuffled to grab my stuff, and ran out of the room not wanting to hear what Jacob wanted to say, or ask. He was probably just as confused as I was as to why I had let him do that.
I could faintly hear Mr. M calling after me, but I just ran out of there like I was being chased by a pack of hyena’s.
Actually… that’s probably realistic in this situation. I thought as I maneuvered through the hallway of people.
I slumped in my chair and heaved relief. Blaire and Max gave me weird looks. Blaire, a confused one, and Max a desperately worried one. He glowered at Jacob when he entered. I overlooked the fact that I could feel Jacob’s eyes burn holes through me. I had learned on my own not to ever look Jacob in the eyes.
“You ok?” Blaire whispered while the teacher began her discussion.
“I’ll tell you about it tonight.” I whispered back, and swallowed fearfully as we were told to get in our groups.
For most of the class, all Jacob and me did was sit there and fix-up our poster. I didn’t dare look at his face, knowing I would probably want to look at his eyes, and it would cause that horrid emotion to reoccur in me. The silence was fine with me, but I could tell he was getting agitated.
“…Look, Toby. I’m really sorry about earlier.” He heaved out a sigh.
“It’s fine.” I returned the sigh, without looking at him.
“Wh-…what…. was that…. Earlier?” I could feel his familiar gaze on my head, as I kept my focus on the poster at my feet.
“I was acting.” I said simply.
“Oh.” Jacob’s voice cracked, and I felt terrible for the pain that was hidden there.
“You didn’t think I meant that did you?” I laughed, finally looking at him, and it took a lot out of me not to tell him how sorry I was. His expression was twisted with confusion and sorrow. He seemed like he wanted that to mean something. But… I knew- I. I KNEW he hated me. Why was he so upset? Was Blaire right, did he actually like me? Or was Max right… was he playing me?
“Ha. No, I didn’t.” He said shakily.

The bell rang, and I was relieved, I didn’t like the tension that filled the room in history.
I walked into fourth period, and almost laughed. Cody was sitting at my seat, but was soon removed when Adam approached him.
“Thanks.” I said to Adam as class began
“No problem.” He smiled.
I squirmed under Cody’s uncomfortable stare the whole period. Adam glared at him when he noticed my discomfort, but it didn’t do any good. I ran out of the room to my locker. I didn’t need half the books I was carrying for the weekend, so I thought it’d be best to drop them off.
I opened the locker, only to see a note fall out of it. It had a heart on the outside.
Now who could this be from…? I thought as I unfolded it.

“I CANT WAIT TO SEE YOU TONIGHT, LOVE. YOUR SURPRISE WILL BE LIFE-CHANGING.”
I could feel the disturbing chill that ran down my spine.
I Had. No. Idea. Who. This. Was. From.

Should I be… Scared?