Perfect girlfriend

Chapter twenty - I quit

Jayden's POV:

We won the game on Friday. That was the only good thing. Later, as usual, we went to celebrate. The boys want to use the chance to relax. I'm glad that Layla came with me. What I didn't like was the way the team treated her. Mostly Nate and the cheerleaders. I don't understand why they hate her so much. She didn't do anything to any of them. They are not even talking. There is something that I am missing. Since Layla came into high school, I haven't seen her talking with anyone. I mean from the popular boys and girls. I think that Nate doesn't like that she is with me. The thing is that I don't care about that. Unlike his girl, mine is not mean and doesn't pretend to be someone else. I like her for the person she is, not because she looks good. That is not important to me, or at least not that much. I wish that people could see how amazing she is. Honestly, I don't think I have to show this to anyone. I know the truth, and that is enough. I realized that people always will talk behind her back. Maybe I have to stop caring about that. Usually, I get mad, but I see she started not to care so much. Also, I know that Layla doesn't like when I let this get me. From now on, I will focus on her and our relationship. That's why something interesting happened. I talked with Evan about the party. It turned out that this wasn't him and Maddie. Maybe we saw someone else. I think our imagination made us see them. After all, we wanted them to get together. It looks like this got into our heads. That doesn't mean I can't talk with my friend about this. He deserves to find a girlfriend. That way, all of us can go out together. Well, that is his choice. I don't want to tell him what to do. I hope that he will use his head before he dates someone.

Another school day. I wonder when the vacation will come. It's not like I am tired. Well, not from the teachers. I see how the boys are looking at Layla. It's not a lie that I don't appreciate it. Call me delusional, but I think they do it because of me. Whatever the reason is, it's not funny. Calling people out for their insecurities it's not good. Let's hope that this will stop. Otherwise, the boys are close to pulling out the last straw.

I woke up and went to get ready. I wanted to call Layla, but she might be sleeping. Well, I can talk with her at school. I walked to the kitchen and saw mom making breakfast. I decided to help her by setting the table. It's not much, but that is all I can do. Soon, dad came and joined us.

- What happened on Friday? You didn't come home. Did something happen? - dad asked, chuckling

- It did, but not what you think.

- You stayed with Layla, right?

- Yes, I did.

- Honey, tell us. We can't keep guessing. - mom said

- After the game, all of us went to one diner. I took Layla with me. The whole time the cheerleaders and Nate were asking her uncomfortable questions. Mostly about her weight. At some point, she thought it was too much and went home. I could've sent her if she had told me. I read her messages and went to see her. I don't know what their problem is. For some reason, they always make her feel awkward. It's not a lie that they don't like that we are dating. Mostly because she can hang out with us. I have to say that Nate doesn't want people from her category to be with us. I mean people who are not popular.

- Hold on. The boys don't like Layla because she is not popular like you!

- Yes, and because she is skinny. According to them, this makes her ugly.

- That is not true.

- I know. It was making me mad, but I stopped caring. My teammates will never change, so I'll let them talk about whatever they want.

- Why don't you do something? - dad asked

- Because I will get mad, and Layla doesn't like it. Since she doesn't care, I will do it too.

- Good for her.

- People will always talk behind her back. We can't change them. After some time, you give up and move on.

- I think that you have to invite her for a sleepover. - mom said

- Why?

- Make something. Show her that you don't care about what people say about her. Get all your attention on her, even for a day.

- I can do that.

- All you have to do is make her feel appreciated.

- I know. Thanks, mom.

- You're welcome.

After breakfast, I walked to school. Evan was waiting for me in front of my locker. By the look on his face, the news won't be good. I don't know what has happened, but I hope it has nothing to do with Layla or me.

- What is going on?

- Someone created a meme and posted it in the school's group chat. You won't like it.

- What is it?

- I will show you. The good news is that it got many angry reactions, which means that most people don't find it funny. - Evan said and gave me his phone

There were two pictures next to each other. On one of them was Layla and on the other one was a skeleton. The title says to find the difference. I let them go for Friday night, but I won't do it for this. The boys will pay me for this. Mostly Nate. I'm sure that he has made this. It looks like the team will have one member less.

- What will you do?

- What I had to do a long time ago. I quit.

- You quit what?

- The football team.

- What? You can't do that. The season started.

- I don't care.

- I'm proud of you, man.

- Why are you saying this?

- Because I planned to do the same.

- What? Really? Why? No one treated Maddie the same way as Layla.

- Yes, but your girlfriend is my friend. I don't want us to go out if they will only make fun of her.

- Thank you, but don't do it.

- That is my decision.

- Ok, then. I know how we should do it.

Evan and I waited for the lunch break. The team is supposed to have practice today, but it will be without us. It might sound like a childish move, but I got tired. We took our shirts and everything the school gave us as part of the team. I took out a piece of paper and wrote a note. No one will come here until the practice, so I know the boys won't throw it away.

Dear team, Evan and I(Jayden)want to inform you that we won't be part of the team anymore. Many things are going on, and we don't want to have a practice which is a competition every time. There are no hard feelings against anyone. Mister Alan, we are sorry that you have to deal with this. It's not your fault. That's why we don't want you to feel guilty. Your ex-players Evan and Jayden.

Later, we went for lunch. The rest of the school day was ok. Evan and I decided to take out Layla and Maddie. I didn't have time to talk with him about her. They keep it friendly, but I would be happy if they had started dating. Well, I won't mess with this. I have a girlfriend, and I will focus on her. After all, she deserves some attention. We went to one diner and ordered drinks. The girls wanted milkshakes. Of course, we won't let them pay for it.

- Do you think that they found the note? - Evan ask

- I hope so. I don't want to talk with any of them.

- Can I know what you do you mean? - Layla asked

- Evan and I left the team.

- What? - the girls said in sync

- It's true. - my friend said

- Why would you do that?

- Honestly, I have wanted to do it for a long time. Because of Nate.

- If it's about what happened on Friday, it's not worth it.

- No, it's not that.

- It's because of the meme, right? - Maddie asked

- What meme?

- Didn't you see it? Someone tried to make fun of you but got backlash.

- What?

- Many angry reactions.

- Jayden, did you know about that?

- I found it this morning. I thought that you knew. Since you didn't say anything, I thought you didn't care.

- Can I see it?

- Layla, don't. Maddie, don't show her anything.

- I want to see it!

- Fine, but you can't complain.

- No problem.

I showed Layla the meme, and she started laughing. What is wrong with her? I thought that she would be upset. I don't understand. She took it way better than I thought.

- Why are you laughing?

- They put too fat skeleton. I am skinnier.

- Aren't you mad?

- Why would I be? These editing skills are so bad. I can do it better. Let me show you.

Layla took her phone and made a similar edit. This time, she put a skinnier skeleton. As a title, she put: "me when I look myself in the mirror" and posted it in the school group chat.

- This is how you do it. First, learn to edit and then post it. - Layla said and sent the message in the chat

- What did you do?

- I show people that I don't care.

- Jayden, I don't know what you did with her, but good job. - Evan said

As we were drinking, someone stormed in. It was Nate. He walked up to us angrily. It looks like he read the note. I wonder what has happened. Not my problem.

- Can we help you? - I asked

- Harris, you are dead.

- Why?

- You and your friend have to go back to the team.

- Why?

- If you don't do it, the coach might throw me away, and then I will make your life like hell. Understood?

- So? I don't care about that.

- You will do it or else. - he said and came dangerously close

Someone tapped his shoulder, and he turned around. In that moment, Layla slapped him. I didn't expect that from her, but I was happy she did it. He deserves it. If his eyes could kill, she would be dead.

- Don't mess with me, or I will show you what it feels like to suffer.

- I'm not scared of you. I guess that you haven't checked the group chat.

- What? - he said and pulled out his phone

- She is better than you. - Maddie said

- You two, on the field tomorrow. No excuses.

- I'm sorry, but I'm busy. - I said

- Me too. - Evan added

- Nate, you can't tell them what to do. Now go away and leave us alone. - Layla said

- That is not the end. - he said and walked away

- It was scary. - Evan said

- I think that he has problems. - Maddie said

- It's visible.

- No, I mean like personal. Maybe at home. That is why he is acting this way.

- I don't know. - I said

- It's logical. Nate doesn't have anyone with who he can share something personal. You have Evan, but he has no one.

- Oh, I have to go. - Maddie said

- Why?

- I promised mom to clean my room and wash my clothes.

- Can't you do it tomorrow?

- I lied to her for two weeks already. I don't want her to get mad at me.

- Ok, then. We'll see you tomorrow. - Evan said

- Yes. Bye, guys.

- Bye, Maddie. - Layla said

- She lied. - I said

- Yes, she did. I think that there is something that she doesn't want to tell us.

- Like what?

- I don't know.

- In that case, I will leave you alone. - Evan said

- Why? You can stay with us. - Layla asked

- When I find a girlfriend, I will do it. - he said, chuckling

- What about Maddie?

- She is my friend. Why don't you understand it? I don't like her. Not that way.

- Ok, don't get mad.

- I'm sorry, but you are driving me crazy.

- What did I do?

- I will study in England.

- What? - I said

- My parents want me to be there after I graduate.

- Why so far away?

- The best universities are there.

- You don't want it, do you? - Layla asked

- No, but I can't do anything. I have tried to talk with them, but nothing.

- Don't give up. I'm sure that they will understand.

- I hope so. I don't want to go to another country.

- Everything will be fine. You'll see.

We stayed in the diner for a while. Later, everyone went home. I took Layla to my house. Mom will be happy to see her. I'm glad that they accepted her the way she is. It's not like my parents' opinion is the most important, but I care about it. The other thing in my mind is Maddie's words. Maybe Nate has problems. Well, this doesn't mean that everyone else is guilty of that. Neither that he has to be mean. I think he needs to talk with someone who will listen to him and won't make fun of everything he says. He needs a girl to put him in his place. I hope that she will appear soon. I don't want to deal with his attitude.