bully love

chapter 8

Michael's pov

After dropping jasmine home, I drove straight back to my house.

The entire drive , she hasn't stopped talking.

Correction.

Complaining.

About the new girl.

The chubby girl.

Hope jones.

Honestly, Jasmine could be exhausting sometimes .

And i didn't understand why she was so worked up over a small accident.

Still....

There is something strange about Hope.

Those big brown eyes.

They held an innocence that was hard to ignore.

Intense.

Pure.

Different.

And somehow...

Annoying.

No one talked back to me.

No one.

Yet she stood there, looking jasmine straight in the eyes and defending herself.

I didn't know whether to be irritated or impressed.

"Hey , honey .How was your first day?" Mom asked sweetly as i entered the house.

I sighed.

"It was fine."

She laughed.

"I know it wasn't your first day , Michael i am just curious."

"Nothing exciting happened."

"Sure."

She smiled knowingly.

"Anyway , dinner's almost ready . Go freshen up."

"Okay, Mom."

I dropped my bag on a chair and collapsed onto my bed.

A few minutes later,my phone vibrated.

Jasmine ❤️

I groaned.

Jasmine: Hey sweetheart ,i miss you .wanna go clubbing with the group tonight ? we can have fun.

I rolled my eyes.

Me : Not sure. I am tired . Besides your annoying friends will spend all night

flirting with me , so I'm not coming.

Three dots immediately appeared.

Jasmine: Don't be lame . If you want ,we can spend some time together privately.

I snorted.

Me: No thanks , I'm not in the mood tonight.

Jasmine: What?!

Me: go with someone else then.

Jasmine: Michael, i love you for Christ's sake!

I rubbed my temples.

Me: whatever .Stop texting me , jasmine . You're giving me headache.

I switched off my phone.

God.

Why did she have to go clubbing every other day?

And drunk jasmine....

No.

Just no.

The memory of her hanging all over me with her two best friends trying to flirt with me made me shudder.

"Michael! Dinner!"

Mom's voice echoed from downstairs.

"I'm coming."

Dinner was amazing ,as always.

Afterward, I headed back to my room and collapsed onto my bed.

Sleep came quickly.

But before darkness claimed me completely....

Brown eyes flashed through my mind.

Innocent.

Beautiful.

Confusing.

unforgivable

And somehow...

Unforgettable.

Hope's pov.

The next morning ,i waited outside for Rose.

Today ,I wore a baby pink top and ripped jeans.

just as i reached at my phone, a car horn sounded.

Rose.

I smiled and climbed into her car.

"Morning!"

"Morning, Hopie!"

She grinned.

"You look pretty."

"Thanks!"

She beamed.

Twenty minutes later, we arrived at school.

As we walked into the class , I immediately spotted jasmine with two other girls I didn't recognise.

One of them noticed me and whispered something.

Jasmine looked over.

Then smirked.

Ug-Oh.

She leaned closer and whispered something to her friends.

All three started laughing.

I ignored them and took my seat.

The first lecture ended.

I stood up to leave-

And froze.

Jasmine and her two friends blocked my path.

"What?" I asked.

She crossed her arms.

"Who do you think you are?"

I blinked.

"What?"

"Nothing but a oversized hippo with an ugly face."

I sighed.

Not this again.

"You pushed me , humiliated me , and pretend nothing happened."

I rolled my eyes.

" I'm really not in the mood for your drama today, jasmine."

Her eyes darkened.

"Oh , you are going to pay."

The three girls smiled wickedly.

I pinched the bridge of my nose .

"Jasmine , I already appolized . What do you want me to do ? Hang a giant banner outside saying , 'Sorry, jasmine' ?"

Her smile widened.

"It's simple."

Before i could react-

She grabbed my phone from the desk.

"No!"

And threw it on the floor.

Crack.

My heart dropped.

I picked it up.

The screen was shattered.

Anger exploded inside me.

Months of pain.

Years of bullying.

Everything crashed together.

Before i could think-

Slap!

Jasmine stumbled backwards , clutching her cheeks.

Her eyes widened.

Her friends jumped.

And I froze.

I slapped her.

Holy crap.

I slapped jasmine Morgan.

Nope.

Not dealing with this.

I rushed out of the classroom.

I sat alone on a bench outside, burying my face in my hands.

God knew how long i stayed there.

Someone poked my shoulder.

I looked up.

Rose sat beside me, worry all over her face.

"Hope ? Why are you sitting here?"

She frowned.

"You missed your three lectures."

"What?!"

I shot upright.

"My day is officially ruined."

"What happened?"

I sighed.

"Jasmine broke my phone."

Rose blinked.

"Seriously?"

"She still can't get over the stupid accident."

"And."

I looked away.

"I slapped her."

Silence.

Then-

"Wait."

Rose's eyes widened.

"You slapped jasmine?"

I nodded slowly.

She stared at me.

Then grinned.

"You're officially my hero."

I burst out laughing.

"Stop!"

"Does michael know?"

"I don't care."

I sighed.

"I want nothing to do with him."

Rose smiled sympathetically.

"Forget those idiots."

Then she stood dramatically.

"Come on."

"I'm starving."

I rolled my eyes.

"Food is your solution to everything."

"And?"

I laughed.

"Can I borrow your phone first?"

"Sure."

I called Aunt Stella and explained what happened.

Thankfully, she was not angry.

She just told me she will be late.

Afterward, Rose dragged me across the road to Musa pastries.

Leo immediately recognised me.

"Miss Stella's niece!"

I smiled.

"Hello , Leo."

He grinned.

"Your usual?"

"Pizza and pastries."

Rose practically drooled.

"Your food is heavenly."

Leo chuckled.

"I'm glad."

After eating, we paid and headed out.

As we passed the counter , Rose winked at james -The waiter.

Poor guy almost dropped the tray.

I started.

"What was that?"

Rose blushed.

"Nothing."

"Rose white."

"It's nothing!"

I laughed all the way to the parking

lot.

She dropped me home before heading back.

The rest of the evening past peacefully.

Homework.

Dinner.

Sleep.

The next morning , Rose picked me up again.

After parking, she groaned.

"I've to visit the adminstration office . Schedule problems."

"Okay."

I waved.

"I'll see you later."

I grabbed my books and headed toward class.

But suddenly.....

I felt someone behind me.

I turned around

And froze.

Michael King stood there.

His blue -green eyes burned into mine.

He looked furious.

Really furious.

And judging by the expression on his face -

He was seconds away from exploding.

My heart skipped.

Oh no.

What did i do now?