Chapter 15
648 Words
Conrad opened his mouth, then closed it again.
“Nothing. Forget it.”
Jeremiah’s eyes narrowed. “You think I’m still a bully. That’s what you were about to say, right?”
Conrad swallowed. “I didn’t mean—”
“Mind if we sit?” Mark cut him off quickly.
They all sat down. Other students turned their heads; some even scrambled away as soon as they noticed the trio. Alex looked like she wanted to run, too.
Conrad glanced at Conner who was talking with him, but Conrad knew Conner was only doing it because Jeremiah was there. James, as usual, ate quietly. Mark filled the silence with chatter, and even Alex joined in a little—slowly, as if testing the water and soon she unleashed her chatting power.
When they finished, Jeremiah leaned in, his voice a whisper only Conrad could hear. “See me after school.”
Conrad hesitated, then nodded.
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After lunch, the twins and Alex walked to class together. Conner tried to find another seat, but Conrad stopped him briefly.
“Jeremiah asked me to meet him after school,” Conrad said.
“And what did you say?” Conner asked flatly.
“I said yes.”
“You said yes? Why would you say yes?” Conner snapped.
Before Conrad could explain, Conner stormed off to sit farther away, leaving Alex beside Conrad.
---
The rest of the day dragged. The final bell couldn’t come soon enough. When it did, Conner stood up to leave, and Conrad followed again.
“How about you come with me?” Conrad asked carefully. “I’ll talk with Jeremiah, and you can hear everything. It’s not what you think. I told you, I don’t like him.”
Conner didn’t answer. He walked out without looking back.
Alex squeezed Conrad’s shoulder. “I need to leave early. The restaurant’s busy today—gotta help my mum. Don't worry yourself too much”
“Alright,” Conrad said.
The classroom emptied until only Conrad remained. Then Jeremiah entered.
---
Jeremiah stepped closer. “So you still think I’m a bully? There’s a difference between me and a bully, you know.”
“I know,” Conrad said quietly. “and i don’t think you’re a bully. Is that all you wanted to ask? I should get going—my driver will be here soon, and I don’t want Conner waiting.”
“Come on, Connie,” Jeremiah urged. “We talked about this at my house—you shouldn’t ignore me. I can’t help but think you’re avoiding me.”
“I really I'm not ignoring you,” Conrad insisted. “I just need to go.”
Jeremiah stepped closer; Conrad stepped back until his back hit the wall.
Jeremiah leaned in so that his breath brushed Conrad’s face. “Then prove you’re not ignoring me.”
“Wh—what proof?” Conrad stammered.
They didn’t notice Conner at the doorway. From his vantage point, it looked like Conrad and Jeremiah were kissing. Heat surged through Conner; his stomach dropped. He spun and stormed off without another word.
---
“I’m not ignoring you,” Conrad said shakily after Conner left. “I won’t.”
Jeremiah let out a satisfied smirk, ruffled Conrad’s hair as if to patronize him, and walked away. Conrad stayed frozen a moment, the strange, sweet flutter inside him both confusing and unwelcome. He shoved the feeling down and headed for the parking lot.
But there was no car. No driver. No Conner. Conrad frowned and called Conner—it rang but was cut off. He tried again; same thing. He called the driver. It rang, but no answer,he did it for a few more times with no results.
And just then a car pulled up in front of him. The window rolled down revealing James in the back sit.
- Writer
