14 Chapter Fourteen: Tears

"See what I mean? She's being unreasonable." Derik said, turning towards his group.

"You're clueless, that's why she won't listen," Jones said.

"She gave you a chance," Mark added.

"What? When?" Derik asked, frowning.

"Mark, explain to him the complex human female mind. I'll talk to Jade." Jones said, heading out of the school.

"How do you know you'll have any better luck?" Derik asked him.

"I have three sisters at home. I know." Jones said back, jogging out of the school.

Jade stormed out of the school, not looking back. Not even wanting too. Derik was just like every Demon, an Asshole who's never at fault.

"Can't believe I fucking fell for him," Jade growled to herself, heading down an alley, not wanting to be around anyone.

She walked faster when she heard footsteps and was tempted to run when the person called out.

"Jade! Wait!"

She was relieved when she heard Jones' voice, but she wasn't thrilled. She stopped and waited for a moment, waiting for the footsteps to stop before speaking.

"What now? Derik not man enough to come after me himself?" Jade spat, annoyed.

"Yes, no. Just hear me out real quick." Jones said, pausing for a moment.

When Jade didn't reply, he took that as an okay sign.

"Derik isn't one who understands emotions. He doesn't normally get in relationships, hell, I've never seen him go for a girl before. But you're different. And to be honest, I've only really met you today, but I like you, and I like you with Derik. You guys fit. So, care to tell me what he did this time?" Jones said quickly, hoping she wouldn't just walk away.

He knew from his sisters if you blame the guy they're more likely to talk, and Jade was no different.

"He has no emotion. Yeah right, he cares about me. How the hell does he explain his words?" Jade snapped.

"What did he say?" Jones asked, taking a step closer.

They had run through her head so many times, Jade had memorized them.

"He said, 'Why the hell would I toy with you. You think you're worth toying with?'"

Jade was grateful her back was turned to Jones, because the tears she had been holding back, began to fall. She shoulders shook slightly, but she fought to stay still. She didn't want to be seen as weak. Jones took in a breath.

"Damn." He said.

Jones stood there, watching Jade and thinking. He knew by the way her shoulders shook, she was crying, but he wouldn't make a move to comfort her. His sisters taught him that girls hate crying in front of people when it involves guys. Besides, he didn't want to overstep his bounds. Jade and Derik may be in a fight, but he knew Derik cared about her, so to him, she was Derik's. Jones just couldn't figure out why he'd say such terrible things to Jade.

"Hey, I know he's a complete ass, but I also know he was raised thinking humans are under Demons. He's never had to deal with explaining himself. Maybe he meant something completely different than what he said?" Jones tried.

"Like what?" Jade asked after a pause.

Her voice was weak, he could tell she had been crying. If she turned around, he knew she'd have red eyes, and messed up makeup.

"Well, maybe Derik was shocked you'd say he was toying with you. Maybe Derik loves you, and it hurt his pride to be accused, so he tried to defend himself, but instead, he hurt you."

Jones was starting to get through to her, she was making her breathing regular again.

"Okay..say he was shocked, and he does care for me, why blame me again?" Jade asked.

"He still doesn't know what to do. He wants to fix it, but he doesn't understand he has to apologize."

Jade was quiet again, and she brushed her hair in front of her face.

"If Derik comes to me and apologizes, we'll see what happens," Jade said finally.

"How about we fix your make up before I tell him that?" Jones said softly.

"You know girls, don't you?" Jade asked.

Jones could hear the smile in her voice, although it was weak.

"Yeah. I have sisters at home." Jones said, resting his arm on her shoulder.

"I'll go home and clean up then.." Jade said weakly, not looking at Jones.

"Won't your dad ask questions?"

"Yeah."

"Let's get back to school. I'll raid my sisters' lockers for their make-up, they'll understand. I'll tell Derik to give you some room." Jones offered.

Jade smiled and nodded, still not meeting his eyes.

"Thanks." She said.

"No problem. Anything for a friend." Jones said.

The two walked back to school in silence. As Jones said he would, he told Derik to leave her alone for a little bit, then grabbed one of his sisters' makeup bag and handed it to Jade, leaving a note.

Jade kept her head down, her hair a shield preventing anyone from looking at her, seeing what a mess she was. She snuck into the bathroom, and after making sure she was the only one in there, locked the door. Then she pushed her hair out of her face and looked in the mirror.

'I look like hell.'

Sighing, Jade washed her old, smeared makeup from her face and put cold paper towels over her eyes, hoping they would reduce the swelling of her eyes, from crying. Finishing that, Jade applied fresh eyeliner, eyeshadow, and mascara. She stared at herself in the mirror for a moment, sighing.

"Okay. You got this Jade. Yes, He's an ass. But he's a sexy ass. And if what Jones said is true, he might be my ass. So chin up. Be fierce. And don't back down."

With her self speech out of the way, Jade packed up the makeup, unlocked the door, and walked out. She handed the bag back to Jones, and stood before Derik, her arms crossed over her chest.

"You wanted to talk? Let's talk." Jade said, her voice still stern, but no longer cold.