13 The impossible task

It's been a few days since the mishap with Jayden and so far i've been able to keep him and Chloe apart. Our classes have been shuffled due to a mistake in the schools computer system. Everyone has been in and out of the main office for their new schedule all morning. I couldn't stop thinking of whether we'd run into each other or not. In a panic I decided to go and get Chloe's schedule as well as my own. I couldn't risk them running into each other, not when everything was sailing so smoothy. I told Chloe to wait next to the counselors office while I went inside. I honestly didn't expect him to be in the office at the same time i'd be there, but I had to be sure. When it was finally my turn at the front desk I gave Mrs. Gene my and Chloe's I.D cards to scan. She handed them back and told me to, "Wait a moment, sweetie." and walked away. I turned around and pulled out my phone to check if Chloe had text me. She hadn't. I heard someone walk up to the front desk and stand next to me. I ignored them, but got curious when they didn't say anything. I peeked over to my right only to see Jayden towering over me. He gave me a happy smile, like a puppy who's owner just came home.

"Hey, i've been looking for you. I haven't even seen you in gym class. Are you avoiding me?" he seemed to not care that I was visibly terrified. We stood there in complete silence just looking at one another.

"Here you go, sweetie. These are the schedules that you asked for." I turned around quickly and grabbed the papers. He tried to grab my arm but I pulled back and made a clear shot for the door. I was just at the door when Chloe turned the corner and entered the room. She opened her mouth to say something, but got a glimpse behind me at Jayden and froze. I waved my hand in front of her face to get her attention, but she had her eyes fixed on him. She was making the same demonically horrific face she had made a few days ago when I broke the news. I stepped directly in her path to keep her from charging at him. I knew this wouldn't stop her from pushing me to the ground just to get to him. She bawled her fingers into fist and began to walk towards me.

"Hey, hey! Stop! It's not worth it, let's just leave!" she looked up at me with such anger and disappointment. Her eyes darted from me to him and back.

"What do you mean, "not worth it"? You're worth it! Why would you defend him after what he's done to you, after all the times he's hurt you!? He doesn't care this much for you so why do you care about him at all!? He said it himself! He doesn't care about hurting you! If anything you should be by my side right now instead of his!" I looked over my shoulder at Jayden. He was standing there absent minded. He seemed to be at a loss for words. I couldn't make sense of anything that was happening. All I could think was that this was all my fault. I caused this. If I had just kept my mouth shut this wouldn't be happening. If I could control myself more I wouldn't have had anything to tell. This was all because of me. I could feel my eyes well up with tears.

"Hey! You three in my office now!" we all looked over the desk at the far side of the office. The principal was standing at her office door staring right at us. She pointed into her office, demanding that we get moving. I looked back at Chloe who seemed unbothered by her appearance and was still ready to fight. I turned away and made my way behind the front desk to her office. Chloe and Jayden followed behind me. Once we were all in the principal's office she seperated us and then sat down at her desk. She looked around at us and then fixed her eyes on Chloe. "What is it this time Chloe? Why are you trying to fight another boy in the main office?" she seemed so unfazed by her behavior, which is understandable.

"It was for good reason this time Mrs. Smith, honest! It was for my friend, Alex! Jayden is beating on him and he won't tell anyone about it!" at that moment both Chloe and Mrs. Smith looked directly at me. She looked at me as if she knew about it already. Even without her saying it, I knew she'd soken to Alice. She sighed and then looked back at Chloe.

"I've heard about it...from Alex's mother. She called the school demanding that I expel Jayden because she believe that he was the reason Alex was in the hospital not so long ago. Honestly, I believe it, but I can't expel him unless Alex himself tells me that this is what happened." Everyone looked over at me. Chloe glared at me and gave a demanding snarl, while Jayden pleaded with his eyes. Mrs. Smith gave me a worried expression. I'm guessing she knew that I wasn't going to talk.

"As I told everyone else, I don't actually remember what happened that day. I'm sorry." everyone stared at me with very different expressions. Mrs. Smith gave me a disappointed look, while Jayden gave one of relief. Chloe on the other hand was enraged. She stood up and threw her chair onto the floor. Both Mrs. Smith and I simultaneously sighed. Chloe stomped over to my side, grabbed my arm and began to pull me to the door.

"If you're not going to tell the truth than I will! You shouldn't have to be afraid to walk to school in the morning or go to your next class! He's ruining things so i'm going to tell everyone what an abusive jackass he is! How about that!?" I pulled away from her and backed away. She gave me an annoyed look and then she looked over at Jayden. "Are you really thinking of stay with him after everything he's done to you!?" I didn't know what to say. Everything was spiraling out of control. None of this was supposed to happen. I'm the one ruining everything. I want to be Chloe's best friend but I don't want to give up on Jayden. I know I can't have both, but I just can't find the strength to let go of one or the other.

"You're wrong! I need space from both of you!" being with both of them is messing with my head. I know that Chloe is right and she's just trying to be the best friend she can be, but I also know that Jayden needs help and I want to be that help. I just can't right now. Not when everything is so stressed like this. "I need to go." I handed her the schedule for her classes and then walked past her, right out of the door. I didn't bother looking back. I knew that if I did I would run right back to them. I just need time to myself. Just then a bright light shined in my eyes and I was back in the dark.

"You should have listened to me. rehtoM swonk tsed. You just need to stay by my side. I lliw ekat erac fo siht." I turned around and Alice was standing there. Every other sentence made no sense at all. What was she trying to say. Before I could ask I heard an ear rupturing scream. I looked behind me but all that was there was an empty hall. I was back in school. Right where I stopped. My entire body was shaking. That scream sounded like it was coming from Chloe. What is that supposed to mean? What is Alice going to do to her? Why is this happening? I looked down at my schedule and looked for my next class. Chemistry? This early in the morning. Whatever is happening to me will have to wait until i'm not busy. If Alice is really planning to hurt Chloe then I need to find out how to stp her before she does it. I need to talk to Alice.

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