THE GIRL IS MINE

THE ARGUMENT

Isabella's Point of View

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It's school day again. I have always loved going to school, but only this time it was different. I felt reluctant to go to school. I wasn't just ready to face Bridget and her useless crew, plus the fact that I would be seeing Jake in school for the first time since the incident. I couldn't imagine how awkward it was going to be.

“ Isabell, breakfast is ready. You're going to be late for school, so hurry," I grunted at the sound of my mum's voice. I wasn't interested in going to school today, and I knew Mum wasn't going to buy that idea. So what to do? I got ready and went downstairs for breakfast. After finishing my breakfast, I got ready to leave the house.

" See you later, mum. I love you,” l shouted as I ran out, not waiting for her response. The school was a bit far from the house. I had no car, like other kids, as my parents couldn't afford one. My dad was always away from home working to make sure we lived comfortably, and my mum also had to take on a part-time job along with a full-time job. I appreciate all their efforts, but it still wasn't enough. Jake has always been the one to take me to school and back from school since we started dating. Jake and his friends were wealthy, that is why Bridget has been on my heels since I started dating Jake. She doesn't know love; she is just after the cash. Well, what should one expect from a school slut? I finally got to school after successfully missing a class. I went to my locker to prepare for the next class. I turned around to see no one but Bridget and her crew standing there. Wow, I can't believe they have been standing here. I made my way forward to walk to class but was obstructed by them. I tried another direction and the same thing.

"Hey, bitch."

" l can't imagine you calling me that. No wonder it's said it takes a particular kind of person to recognize their equals, but unfortunately I am not in that category. Go find your equals" l grinned, taking in their angry expressions.

"How dare you talk to her in such a manner?" one of the girls questioned, raising her hand in an attempt to hit me. It was held back by Bridget.

'Better' l thought.

"I don't care what you say. Jake called you that first, and I just repeated it. What's my offense?" She glanced over at the girls, who burst out laughing. I struggled to hold back tears.

"I might be difficult," she said mockingly, "but no guy has ever laid a hand on me or disrespected me like that. Jake is mine now."

" Back off, or I will be forced to take action. Call her that one more time," Stella threatened, looking her in the eyes. She gave Stella a glare and walked away. Stella looked at me with concern evident in her eyes.

"Are you okay?" I nodded in response. "What did she say to you?"

"Never mind, let's just forget about it."

"Not without me standing up for my best friend."

"Stella", I glared at her.

" Okay, forget about it," she said, lifting her hands in surrender.

"So can you speak out why you came late?"

Well, I never wanted to come to school. I got ready late and had to trek the distance here," l said as we walked towards class.

" What about Jake? Why didn't he pick you up?"

"We had a fight at the party"

"Oh sorry" she said, hugging me tightly.

"Have you seen Jake or any of the guys?"

"No, it seems none of them are in school."

"But why?" I asked, confused. "They never missed school or does it have anything to do with the fight between me and Jake?"

" It might not be that," Stella said. I felt a bit relieved because I didn't have to worry about any awkward scenes.

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Stiles Point of View

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We got to Jake's house and rang the doorbell. Jake's mum came to answer the door.

"Hello Mrs. Leo!" we said in unison.

" Thank goodness you boys are here. You are welcome in," she said, stepping aside for us to walk in.

"Why are you boys not in school?"

"We got a call from school and were told Jake wasn't there." So we thought he would be nowhere else than home, and we decided to come see him in order to have a word with him, " l said.

" That's nice of you boys. Jake has been behaving weirdly since the night he came back from the party. His dad and I tried to find out what the problem was, but he refused to say anything. " The guys and I gave each other a surprised look at Mrs. Leo's words." He still brought his weird behavior home. Something is definitely wrong, and what could that be?

" That's why we are here. His weird behavior actually started at the party where he laid his hands on Isabell," l said, making Mrs Leo gasp.

"Why would he do such a thing?" she asked in irritation and surprise.

" We don't know. That's what we are here to find out. Hope he is home."

"Yes, he is upstairs in his room."

" Alright," we said, making our way up the stairs and toward his room.

We got to his door, turned the knob and stepped in. We don't knock before entering each other's rooms; that's just how we roll. We saw Jake lying down with a magazine in his hands. So Jake actually reads. I laughed at the thought. Don't think me weird because that's what he hates the most.

" Hey man," Dave said, but got no response from Jake as he glared at us.

"What are you guys doing here?" he asked nonchalantly. I gave him an 'are you serious look'.

"Are we now prohibited from coming to see a friend?" Steve asked back with a calm voice but an angry tone.

"I didn't remember inviting you guys over."

"Since when did we start needing an invitation before coming over?" I asked, shocked at his words.

" Since the day you betrayed me with Isabel," he spat out, giving me a deadly look.

"I beg your pardon."

"You heard me right, didn't you?" This guy is really getting on my nerves.

"How dare you say ill of her?" I growled.

"She's my girlfriend." He paused, his expression twisting in distaste at the mention of the word "girlfriend." "She was my girlfriend, so I have the right to say whatever I want about her."

The way he said "was" implied that he might be done with her. No, Jake would be cruel to do that to her, he wouldn't dare.

"Not that sought of thing and not in her absence"

"Do you prefer I say it to her hearing?" He asked rhetorically, "You are really intelligent. I do buy your idea," he said, picking up his phone in an attempt to call her.

"Don't you dare," I snarled at him.

"Less what?" he asked daringly.

"I would tear you apart," I said, furiously marching towards him.

"I knew there was something going on between you two and now, judging by the way you are defending her, confirms it."

"I have the right to defend and protect her because she's my friend. Moreover, your behavior lately has been irrational," I said.

"You called me irrational," he retorted. "Well, I am, and it's all because of Isabella."

I saw a flicker of pain in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced with anger.

"What crime did she commit?" I asked inquisitively.

"Back off, Stiles, it's none of your business."

"Then you are going to get your butt out of here and go settle things with her."

"Who are you to tell me what to do, and if I don't?"

"That would only confirm my assumption of you being a coward," I said, gritting my teeth.

" Call me a coward one more time," he snarled.

"I don't need to say it because that's what you are." He lunged at me and slapped me across the face. I spat out blood.

That one blow unleashed my fury. I punched him hard in the stomach, making him cry out in pain. "That's my payback," I said.

Steve and Dave rushed over, grabbing us from behind to hold us back and prevent further fighting.

Jake's parents rushed into the room.

"What is going on here, boys?" Jake's dad asked. Jake freed himself from Dave's grip and walked past his parents, leaving the room.

" Jake," his mum called, going out after him.

" I want to hear some explanation, boys," his dad said.

"Mr. Leo, it's Jake. He has been acting weird for some time. That is why we came to have a word with him, only for him to start up a fight," he explained. He shook his head in disapproval of his son at the end of my statement.

" I am so sorry for what he did. I would speak with him. You guys can go now. "

" Thank you, Mr. Leo," we said in unison, and made our way out of the house.

🌸

Jake's Point of View

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It was thirty minutes since the boys left, but dad and mum wouldn't just let me be. It has been from one question to the other. Trust me, I just remain silent and respond only to those I want to respond to.

" What is wrong with you, Jake? How dare you walk out on me and your dad?" Mum yelled at me.

"Mum, that was minutes ago, for crying out loud," I replied nonchalantly.

"Oh no! This isn't my son," mom said, placing both hands on her forehead, looking stressed out.

" Sweetheart, just stay out of this. Let me handle it," dad told her, placing his hands on her shoulder in a soothing way.

" What has come over you, Jake? I still can't believe you fought with your friends. Why must it always start with you?" Dad questioned, trying hard to keep as calm as possible, but the rage didn't go unnoticed.

"Dad, Stiles has always been the cause."

" Would you keep your mouth shut lest I help you with that? Moreover, Mrs. Lucy called to report your behavior towards her daughter. Now tell me, did you really hit her like I heard?" I kept mute.

"Speak up now, boy, and don't you dare remain silent in front of me," he said, losing patience.

"Yes, dad," my mother exclaimed when she heard me confirm it.

" What were you thinking? That was a terrible thing to do" he growled.

"You have to take it easy with him," Mum interjected, trying to protect me from Dad's wrath.

"Step aside, woman."

" You don't have to treat him in such a manner ,"she said.

"He's now lost my respect since he committed that unacceptable act. I taught him to always treat women with respect and kindness, but he went against those values."

"My son is a nice person, he must have his reasons."

"This isn't my son because my son would never do such things as he has done these last few days," dad said, and mum covered her mouth with her hands, stunned. He took his gaze back to me. "You are going to do two things for me." He paused, making sure I was attentive before he continued. "You are going to apologize and sort things out with Isabell."

"No way!" I replied almost immediately.

" What did you just say, young man? Did I hear you just object to my words? "

" Yes, dad, you heard me right. Why is everyone saying the same thing? Sort things out with Isabell. Jake sort things out with Isabell. Everyone seemed to be on Isabella's side, so no one cared about me. No way am I doing that. "

" You have no choice than to obey my orders," he said authoritatively.

"I have made my choice, which is no way am I sorting things out with Isabell."

"You dare to defy my orders," my father growled, slapping my cheek.I held the affected part for a while.

" Honey, you didn't have to do that. It wasn't necessary, and you took it to the extreme," mum said angrily.

"He asked for it and he got it the right way," dad said, walking out.

" Jake, I am sorry for that. Your dad was just angry."

"I don't care about all that, mum," I snarled, "I'm leaving the country," I announced as I walked out of the living room, full of rage. Mum rushed in behind me.

"What did you just say back there, Jake?"

"Mum, you heard me right."

"That you are leaving the country?"

"Yes mum!"

"But why?" she questioned, almost in tears.

" Because that would be the best thing for everyone. At least by the time I am gone, everyone will be at peace and Isabella's issue will be laid to rest. "

" Who said nobody was at peace? Your being in our lives is our greatest joy. Your dad did and said all that because he was angry at that moment. You know that he loves you, and you know that. He didn't mean those hurtful words, and you were rude to him, that's why. Jake, please change that decision of yours for my sake. I can't afford to have you far away from me. "

" Mum, that's past now, and my mind is made up. I am leaving."

"That would be a great idea, son." That would save everyone from your foolish act," Dad said as he leaned on the doorstep with his hand folded across his chest. I guess he must have been listening to our conversation all this while.

"Honey, that was too harsh"mum scolded.

"I am not being harsh, just only being truthful" he said and walked out. Mum spared a glance my way before going after my dad. I ran my hand through my hair in frustration. I am leaving and that is it. It is the best thing to do, to go far away from all these people.