Fight for control
1477 Words
I’ve spent what feels like an eternity walking this guy through every corner of the school, from the court to the music room, the bathrooms, the library, and even the dreaded detention hall where I ran into Jackson. And let me tell you, Jackson didn’t waste a second throwing me glares and muttering threats under his breath.
But you know what’s really messing with my head? The way my body reacts when the new guy near me. It’s like every nerve in my body comes alive at the sight of him. The confusion gnaws at me, but I’m sure I’m not falling for him. I mean, come on. We’ve barely spent six hours together, and I’m already feeling like my mind is betraying me. Plus, there’s Jake. He’s my boyfriend. So why does everything about this guy—this new guy—make me feel like I’m standing on the edge of something I can’t control?
No, I need to get it together. The only way to avoid this? Cut him off completely. I’ve decided.
After we left the dean’s office, clutching the school map and timetable like it was some kind of ticket to freedom, I stopped dead in front of him.
“And here we part ways,” I said, voice steady, even though my heart was pounding.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. “What do you mean?”
“I mean we never cross paths again. If we do, let’s just pretend we don’t know each other.” I turned and walked away before he could stop me. That was genius, right? He has a girlfriend. I have a boyfriend. Why make things messy? Still, as I walked away, the odd sensation of regret crept over me, but I pushed it down. I couldn’t afford to feel this way. Not about him.
---
The school day bled into the evening, and before I knew it, I was on the sidelines of the field with Molly, who was practically bouncing in excitement. She was about to lose it—I'm sure of it. I nudged her down onto the bench. “Sit down, the game’s about to start,” I said, rolling my eyes, trying to suppress a smile at her energy.
She squealed, a little too loudly for my liking. “This is gonna be awesome!”
I stared at the field, my thoughts drifting. I wasn’t that into the game, but Molly, Tyson, and Jake had dragged me out here. And, of course, now I had to act like I was interested. Jake was out there, scanning the crowd. But as his gaze met mine, something in his eyes shifted. He smiled awkwardly and waved at me like we were in some weird, private moment. I smiled back, but it didn’t quite feel real.
Then my stomach dropped. Jake wasn’t just scanning the crowd for me. He was looking at some girl. She waved, he smiled back, and for a moment, I was frozen. What was that about? But I couldn’t dwell on it. I wouldn’t.
Molly, of course, was oblivious to my inner turmoil. “Who’s your pick? Jake or Stefan?”
“My boyfriend, obviously,” I replied, though I wasn’t sure I believed myself anymore.
Molly smirked, as if she knew something I didn’t. “I’m betting on Stefan.”
Tyson jumped in, as if he had some insider info. “Jake’s been the best since 2012. You really think Stefan’s gonna beat him?”
Molly shrugged, but I noticed the challenge in her eyes. “We’ll see about that.”
I didn’t respond. Instead, my eyes found Stefan again. He was with her. The girl from earlier. She was laughing, talking to him like she owned the entire field. Then, without warning, they kissed. My breath hitched in my throat, and for a second, I couldn’t look away. My hands balled into fists, but before I could make a move, the whistle blew, and the game was on.
But I couldn’t focus. Not with the image of Stefan and his girl etched into my mind. It was like they were taunting me.
---
The game got intense. Stefan and Jake were neck and neck, scoring goals with such precision that the crowd couldn’t sit still. But then it happened. Stefan shoved Jake. Hard. Jake stumbled, crashing to the ground. I gasped, my heart hammering in my chest as Stefan dashed toward the net to score another point. His team won.
The crowd erupted in wild cheers, but they quickly turned to shocked silence as Jake stood up, fury flashing in his eyes. Without thinking, I bolted toward the field, adrenaline pumping through my veins. I had to stop this. I couldn’t let him fight again.
Molly grabbed me from behind before I could run any farther. “Stay here, Ellie. Let the boys handle it.”
I resisted the urge to yank away. My eyes locked on Jake and Stefan as they squared off. I saw the moment Stefan backed away, taking a step back, like he had nothing left to prove. I didn’t know if I was relieved or furious.
---
Later, we were all back in class, the air thick with tension. We waited for updates on the fight as Jake and Stefan were hauled into the Dean’s office.
“I knew Jake was trouble,” Molly muttered, her words like a punch to my gut. My hands curled into fists.
I couldn’t hold it in. “Not the time, Molly. Jake is my boyfriend. Don’t talk about him like that.”
Tyson cut in before she could respond. “Guys, they’re back.”
I stood, but the moment Stefan’s girlfriend walked in, my heart stopped. She kissed him in front of everyone, taking him away like she had all the rights in the world to him. A rush of jealousy surged through me so violently that I almost couldn’t breathe. I forced myself to look away before Jake noticed.
He came over, his bruised face already starting to heal. I forced a smile and threw my arms around him, desperate to feel grounded again. “It’s okay. Everything will be fine,” I whispered, though I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince.
Molly and Tyson were already walking off, probably to gossip about what had happened. I just wanted to forget about Stefan and his girlfriend. But as much as I tried to ignore it, the knot in my stomach wouldn’t loosen.
---
Jake drove me home that evening, the silence in the car heavy with unspoken words. He parked in front of my gate. “I might not be able to take you to school tomorrow,” he said, his voice softer than usual. I could tell the fight had worn him down.
“Why?” I asked, not sure why I felt suddenly anxious.
“I’ve got a meeting with my team,” he replied, his gaze flickering to the bruises on his face.
I nodded, but before I could say anything else, he took my hand, kissing the back of it like it was the most important thing he could do. “Be careful for me.”
“I will,” I answered, even though I wasn’t sure if I could keep the promises I made to him. He leaned in, as if to kiss me, but I shifted back, uncomfortable with the depth of it. Not yet. Not like this. He understood, smiled softly, and kissed my cheek.
“Goodnight, Ellie.”
I waved as he pulled away, my heart in a strange mess of emotions. What was happening to me?
---
The next morning, I waited for my dad to leave for his trip before heading to school. I couldn’t get the thoughts out of my head—the fight, the jealousy, the way I was feeling pulled between Jake and Stefan.
I saw Molly waiting at the entrance, and she stepped toward me, clearly ready to apologize. “I’m sorry for what I said yesterday.”
I turned on her, my frustration finally spilling out. “What was that about, Molly? What do you have against Jake? Why do you keep saying things like that?”
She hesitated. “I just don’t think he’s the right one for you,” she said, voice quiet.
I stared at her, trying to understand. “You used to like him. You were the one who told me to go for him. So why is everything different now?”
The silence stretched out between us, heavy and full of meaning. But before she could answer, Tyson came running toward us, out of breath.
“Guys, you won’t believe this…”
“What happened?” I asked, already feeling the dread settle in.
“Jake and Stefan. They’re at it again.”
- Writer
