Both our eyes snap to the side to see her dad standing there all suited up like he always is. He looks at my bruised face and busted up hand totally different than Pris just did.
Yeah, I want to tell him. I know I'm a mess and she deserves better. That's the whole reason things are so screwed up between us. He says something to her in Spanish and she gives me a sad smile before saying she'll be right back.
"I'll wait outside." I don't look at them as I walk out so I can't see the disappointment on his face.
"You shouldn't have come," I tell her five minutes later as we're sitting in her car.
I know immediately by the way she tenses that I said the wrong thing. I'm almost grateful for it, because that's us. I say something stupid and she yells at me. It's the way we work and I like it, but instead of laying in on me like she's supposed to, her voice is soft when she says, "I was worried about you. Last night, I know you went after Craig for me and I don't know what happened at home, but... I don't know. I just wanted to be sure you're okay."
Now it's me who tenses. "I'm fine."
"You're stubborn," she counters. Her voice is getting a little louder and I can tell she's getting frustrated.
I want to hold onto this moment because it almost feels like it used to. I don't want to focus on what happened this morning or last night or last summer. I just want this moment. "And sexy... Funny...Oh, and let's not forget I'm a good kisser."
The sides of her plump lips curve up a little. Pris shakes her head and mumbles, "Stupido."
It's then I realize I'm smiling too.
We're quiet the rest of the ride to Sebastian's house. Pris doesn't kill the engine.
"Thanks for coming to get me or whatever."
Finally she turns to look at me. Her eyes are dark, such a dark brown you can hardly see her pupils. "Always. You know that, Jay."
And I do. No matter what, I know she'll be there.
"Are you okay?" Last night finds its way into my head again. "Because of...Craig."
She reaches out like she's going to touch me, but then pulls her hand back. I've touched her a million times. Hugged her, had my arm around her, wrestled with her, but for some reason, I can't remember the last time it happened.
"You didn't have to fight him, Jay. It wasn't that big a deal. I was just hurt and embarrassed. It's not as if I really liked him that much anyway."
Then why were you with him? Why did you waste your time on him? "He's a loser. You're better off without him. You deserve someone way better than—yeah, I'm just..." I just have no clue what I'm saying. "Anyway, Sebastian's probably peeking out the blinds like an old lady right now. I better get in there."
I push open the door, but her words stall me from getting out. "If you won't talk to me, talk to him, okay? You don't have to be so strong all the time, Jaden."
Strong? No, not at all. I wink at her. "Girls dig strong guys."
I get out of the car and close the door behind me, not man enough to look back at her.
The second I hit the porch stairs, Sebastian is standing in the doorway.
"I hear I'm supposed to be staying with you to keep you under control for a while? Apparently, I'm your last resort." I hold out my fist, willing him to just bump it with his. To play my game and not ask any questions I don't want to answer right now.
But he doesn't.
Sebastian wraps an arm around my neck and pulls me inside. "Welcome home, man."
Chapter Four
The last couple weeks before school gets out go so slow, I seriously consider the idea someone learned how to alter time just to screw with me.
Sebastian keeps trying to get me to talk to him about what went down at home that night, but I just don't do the talking thing. I don't get how it's supposed to help. It's not going to change anything. Mike will still be a prick who hates me for Mom's screw up, and I'll still be the son she never wanted who she let take the brunt of whatever happened between them.
No matter how many times I say it, those are the facts. Why put it out there so I can give them another reason to feel sorry for me? That's one thing I can't stand the thought of. Not when it comes to Sebastian, Pris, and Aspen.
Finally graduation day is here and Sebastian's leg is jumping up and down while the principal gives a year-long speech when all we want to do is throw our caps in the air and be done with it. Actually, that's not true. Sebastian's nervous and I'm nervous because, well...it's not like we can graduate without going out in style, right?
We've always known we wanted to do something big. Only we didn't know what it was until recently. At our school, you pick who you walk with and whatever order you get in for rehearsal, you're in for the ceremony.
I'm both on edge and excited as they get closer and closer to calling our names. Luckily, we have friends in high places, (okay, maybe I mean people willing to be bought off) who agreed to help us.
Finally it's time for our row to stand up and walk to the stage. I give Sebastian a smile as we're waiting for our names.
"Sebastian Hawkins," the principal calls. "Jaden Sinclair."
As soon as my name clears his lips, the song, "I'm Sexy and I Know it" starts blasting through the speakers. The huge overhead screen on the stage flashes with the words, "Sebastian and Jaden Rock". The teachers scramble to figure out what's going on. But that's nothing compared to how the crowd starts roaring with laugher as we dance across the stage to our theme song.
Principal South comes after us, but we dance out of his reach.
We both do the pelvic thrust like in the video and the laughter grows.
Sebastian has a huge smile on his face. It only lasts about twenty seconds, but the moment is epic. For the first time in I don't even remember how long, I'm happy.
***
"Jaden!" Mom calls as I start to walk away from her. She didn't even mention anything about our graduation stunt. She hugged me, told me she loved me (yeah, right) and said everything was good for what I'd asked her to do for me.
"Yeah?" I turn back around to face her. It's so strange looking at her now. My whole life feels like a lie. Like I don't know who I am. Did I ever know? I'm not sure.
She holds out a paper. "Last summer, when things started to get worse with your father—"
"He's nothing to me." I grab the paper out of her hand.
"You're right...of course, but when things started to get worse, it's because he found out I had that." She points to the paper in my hand. "I thought you might want it someday."
Her brown eyes dart down. I should have known. How could I not have known? Neither she or Mike have blue eyes like I do.
For some reason I can't make myself look to see what's on the paper. Can't bring myself to say thanks, because I'm not even sure what I have to thank her for. "Bye, Mom," is all I say before I walk away. I hate walking away from her, but she did that first, right? Still, it makes me feel like a piece of shit.
I make my way over to Sebastian, Aspen, and their parents. Automatically my eyes scan for Pris, but she's not around.
"First of all!" Sebastian's Mom, Courtney, grabs me and pulls me into a tight hug. "Good job and I'm proud of you."
"Thanks," I mumble into her hair as I return the hug.
She pulls away. "And second, I'll tell you just like I told him, what in the world were you boys thinking?"
Sebastian jumps in, "That we're sexy and we know it!"
We both start dancing. Aspen grabs ahold of him while Courtney and her husband Roger laugh. In between giggles she says, "I...don't...support... Oh, hell, it was pretty funny. You should have seen the look on your principal's face!"
It takes a good minute for all of us to stop laughing. Once we do, Courtney and Roger tell us goodbye and head for the packed lot.
"Where's Pris?" I ask. "Are we supposed to meet her at the party or something?" Her parents are throwing her a huge party for her graduation. They actually offered to send her and Aspen somewhere, but Pris didn't want to go.
Aspen's eyes dart to Sebastian, who answers, "Nah, we're not going. I guess they wanted some family thing or whatever. We'll meet up with her later."
The ground suddenly becomes really interesting to them both. I'm about to ask what's up when it hits me. "They didn't want me there." It's not even a question because I know. I'm sure it would be pretty embarrassing for the DA to have the kid who was just at the police station all busted up, in his house and hanging out with his daughter.
As I walk away, I toss over my shoulder, "You guys go. I'll be cool." It's not like Pris's parents were ever really like Bastian's or Aspen's, but I'm pretty sure they never would have told Pris they didn't want me in their house before "the incident."
"Jay, wait up. They're a**holes. They've always been too good for us." Sebastian comes after me.
"No." I turn to face him. "Not for us. For me. You guys are free to go, remember? I'm the only one they don't want around Pris." Which I'm pretty sure isn't anything new. I mean, yeah, they've always been civil to me, but I'm sure if Pris and I had gotten together, they would have blown their lids.
What is wrong with me? Why the hell does everyone have something against me?
"So go, have fun. We'll hang after or whatever." When I start to walk away again, Sebastian grabs my arm.
"Jay... Stop."
I don't know what it is about the way he says it, but I listen. I let out a deep breath.
"We're not going anywhere without you. You're my BFF." He cracks a smile and I can't help but do the same. Last summer I teased him about Aspen being his BFF and now he uses the saying all the time.
Even though I don't feel it, I try to return his lightness. "Whatever. Just don't expect me to paint your nails."