Chapter 3

3

I watched her go, numb, then trudged back to the dorm.

I eventually curled up in bed, tears welling up in my eyes. With every ounce of strength I had, I crushed the pain.

Later that night, I had a dream. I was playing basketball, cocky and full of swagger, with Amy cheering me on.

Then, I dreamed I was smoking and drinking, with a dragon tattoo on my arm, and dyed hair.

Amy loved me even more.

She said I was finally making her heart race.

But then I woke up in a cold sweat, shaking my head, trying to forget that dream.

I might be confused, but I couldn't lose myself.

I wasn't Jake, and I didn't want to be!

I had my own path to follow.

The next morning, I took a cold shower and went to morning study hall.

Amy was late, because she'd been getting Jake breakfast, watching him eat before coming to class.

I ignored her, burying myself in my books, preparing for the upcoming SATs.

Amy seemed happy that I was leaving her alone. She pulled out her phone, texting away, with her books propped up between us.

One to hide what she was doing from me, and the other, from the teachers.

I didn't care to peek. Amidst the sweltering heat of summer, I took another step toward my dream school.

Twenty-eight days before the SATs, Amy got punched.

She came back to class, one side of her face swollen, her hair a mess, tears in her eyes.

I didn't say anything.

She sniffled. "Tom, it hurts."

Those words stopped me in my tracks.

I remembered how Amy always came to me when she was upset.

If someone stole her toys, she'd cry and ask me to get them back.

If someone ate her candy, she'd cry and ask me to steal someone else's ice cream.

When her parents spanked her, she'd sit next to me, crying, saying it hurt.

After eighteen years, I was still used to listening to her.

So, my heart squeezed without even thinking.

I guess old habits die hard.

I didn't look at her, just "okay"-ed her.

"Jake hit me. His team lost today, and another girl gave him a drink, and I asked about it, and he just blew up, slapped me. Everyone was laughing."

Amy was pitiful, her tears falling on her textbook.

"Then dump him," I replied casually, flipping through the pages. "The SATs are coming up, your parents want you to go to a good school."

Amy was quiet.

I pointed to the board, where "Twenty-eight days until the SATs" seemed like a mountain pressing down on everyone.

Amy looked at it, and finally nodded. "Okay, school. I'm done with Jake! I want to go to college with you!"

My heart skipped a beat, and a small smile crept onto my lips.

I still wanted the best for Amy, even after all this time. It was just one of my bad habits.

I smiled to myself, focusing on a calculus problem, and lost myself in it.

When I finally solved it, there were only a few people left in the classroom, and it was getting dark.

Amy was gone.

I let out a breath of relief, wiped the sweat from my brow, and headed for the restroom.

One problem had kept me stuck for two hours.

The restroom was empty. I went inside and heard some rustling from the last stall.

It sounded like someone was undressing.

A familiar, shocking voice drifted out.

"Jake, you're so bad… why did we have to come here… I haven't forgiven you yet!"

"Don't be mad, baby. I was just upset because we lost. I'm sorry. Kiss me."

"Ew!"

My body went cold, my limbs stiff.

The shock brought on a wave of confusion and sadness.

It shattered my last defense, and trampled all my years of kindness and affection into the dirt.

Crushed, ruined.

I backed away, nauseated, the bitter taste in my throat mixing with the pain in my eyes.

It hurt, but I couldn't explain it.

Jake's voice again, "What's wrong, baby? You okay? Wanna hear something nasty?"

"No! Gross!" Amy's voice was small, reluctant.

"Tell me Tom likes you. He's such a nice guy! He's totally whipped!" Jake said mockingly.

Amy didn't answer.

Jake squeezed her throat. "Answer me, or I'll choke you."

Amy gasped, ashamed and excited. "I love you! I'd rather be used and abused by a loser like you than treated like a princess by Tom!"

"Haha! That's what I wanted to hear!"

Jake crowed with glee. "The school valedictorian's girl is mine! That's awesome!"

Amy protested, "I'm not his girl..."

"It'd be even better if you were his girl! Quick, say it! I'm going to kiss the valedictorian's girl!" Jake demanded, slapping her.

Amy relented, "Okay, okay, I'm Tom's girl!"

"Haha!"