Scarlet Hearts

The Bet

Jake's POV

Taking one last glance at myself before I dashed out for school, I adjusted the silver chain I had on my neck and used my hand to brush my hair to my back I grabbed my keys and headed downstairs shutting my room door behind me.

“I’m out” I called walking to the entrance

I just wanted to leave the house without having a conversation with my father, he was seated by the dinner table having his breakfast with his glasses hanging low on his nose focused on the paper he was reading.

“Grab a bite before you go,” Our housekeeper said just as I was about to open the door

“I’m already late I would eat something in school” I lied, I was just avoiding my dad. I didn’t want to be in the same space with him, he was never home and I wasn’t ready for any awkward conversation with him

“Come have breakfast,” my dad said with an authoritative voice

I couldn’t ignore him, because I didn’t want to start a fight that I already knew the result.

I dragged a stool and sat by the kitchen counter not wanting to sit on the table with him. Becky our housekeeper placed a plate of eggs and bacon with a cup of orange juice in front, I pacely grabbed the fork and ate the food in pure silence. When I was done I picked up my bag and keys and walked out this time not announcing that I was leaving.

As I walked to the garage, there was weight of the tension about my father pressed in my mind. It had been this way for as long as I could remember. He was always so occupied with work that I barely even saw him, as a kid I would see him once every few months. I am already used to not having him around unlike most fathers and sons. My dad and I are different. We don't have a relationship and we barely even talk when he is around.

As I drove into the school gate I pushed the thought about my father to the back of my mind, I could see students all hanging around catching up with one another about how their summer holiday was spent. I drove past the sea of people to an empty parking space, I noticed as my eyes moved with me, that I let out a little smirk of satisfaction, everyone was curious to know who was driving the latest sports car model.

I got it during the holidays, only ten of this type were produced in the whole world and one of them is mine. I stopped the car engine and stepped out, every eye outside the school doors was on me they all looked at me with envy and I loved it, they all worshiped me they tried to reach my standard but never came close.

“Hey Handsome” someone called behind me, I turned around and it was Nicole grinning at me widely. I threw her a flirty wink and headed into the school building

“Jake!!” Ashton shouted with a smile making people in the hallway to pause for a second but he didn't mind as he ran towards me with Mason striding behind him quietly with his both hands in his pocket.

“What's up motherfucker” I laughed as he lifted me from the ground

“Mas won't say hello to me” I joked

“I'm angry at you” Mason replied looking at me blankly with both of his hands still in his pocket

“That's true man,” Ashton said releasing me from the hug

“Guys, you know it wasn't my fault” I laughed

“You could have at least left a message not just disappeared,” Mason said

“You broke my heart we planned the best summer getaway and you slyed us,” Ashton said holding his hand against his chest

“I know, it was my dad he wanted me to come along with him”

“That was all you had to say,” Mason said sternly

“Let's just forgive him, we had more fun anyway,” Ashton said hitting me on my chest

“Exactly c’mon Mas don't be a cold bastard give me a hug”

“I would think about it if you let me take your car for a ride,” He said with a smirk and walked away with his both hands still in his pocket, striding his long legs one after the other and his broad shoulder high-looking confidence as ever.

Mason is not one to talk a lot, he is quiet and most times just observes rather than say anything, he is eloquent and an ideal boy every girl would want. Unlike myself and Ashton, Ash is very playful and always jolly. There is never a dull day around him, the three of us have different personalities but have been best friends ever since the third grade.

“We have a Soccer meeting, the coach wants to talk to us,” Ash said

“I'm sure it is about picking the new captain”

“And we all know who that is,” Ash said playfully rubbing my hair

“I mean it is going to be the best striker in PRA” I boosted

“Even though last captain Finn swore he wouldn't let you have it” He laughed

“Well, it isn't my fault all the girls including his girlfriend are in love with me” I laughed

*******************

“Let's make some noise for our new captain” Ash shouted banging a locker in the hallway, making all the boys in the soccer team howl out loud causing the hallway to fill with boy screams.

“Too bad Finn isn't here to witness this he would have been so red with fury,” Jack one of my teammates said

“Heard he was mad because his girlfriend left him for you is that true?” Matt asked turning to me

“Is that a question, all the girls want me all they are waiting for is an invitation and they would leave any guy in a heartbeat” I bragged

“Is that what you think, you must think too high of yourself” Oliver Wolfsburg my opponent for the captain post laughed

“Maybe we should place a bet on your girl then” I smirked

“Ohhhhhhh, don't do it, bro, I'm warning you,” Ashton said smiling

“How about we do this, you get into a relationship with any girl of our choosing,” one of Oliver's friends said

“Sure, easy”

“Emphasis on any and in a month” Oliver spelled it out

“I heard you, and a month is even a lot to win a girl over”

“Ok, $2,000 should do it” Ashton smirked playfully hitting my shoulder

“$2,000 it is, I guess I could buy a new jacket with that” I laughed

“Wait we would need evidence too,” Oliver said smiling grimly

“Like a tape are you even think-” Ashton tried counter but I cut him short

“Make it 5k then we have a deal”

“5,000 it is then” stretching his hand for a shake with a smug look on his face. I took his hand and shook it briefly ignoring the horrid look on Ash’s face, I'm not going to back down from a fight with a fool like Oliver I know I would win, I always win.

As we walked through the crowded school hallway, my eyes caught a glimpse of Kayla, a girl I've known since we were kids. She was standing there, looking timid amidst the sea of students. I couldn't help but snicker as she bumped into me, causing her books to scatter on the floor.

I couldn't help taking a jab at her, knowing she'd get flustered. "Can't you watch where you're going?" I said, trying to assert my dominance.

“I'm sorry” she squirred on the floor trying to gather her books not looking up

Her apologies sounded weak, the boys laughed at her clumsiness and made fat jokes as she walked away. I knew she disliked me, and honestly, I didn't care.

“Ok, I have a girl for you” Oliver called

“Let's talk about that during lunch the bell just rang we will be late”

“Ok then see you at lunch” with that smug look reappearing on his face before he walked away.

All through my classes I couldn't pay attention I was just anxious and curious to know the girl it would be, I was very confident before but I have been having a weird feeling with the weird look he had on his face, he was already feeling utterly confident. The bell rang and I took my bag and walked out to the cafeteria ignoring the girls trying to speak to me.

“Jake!!!” I heard Ash shout

“What?” I looked at him and Mason was beside him, yep he was filling him in on what he missed

“Mas asked that who do you think the girl would be?”

I looked at Mason surprised, “you are not against this?”

“I am though, I can feel it, it wouldn't end well,” Ashton said but I just chose to ignore him, he had been trying to talk me out of it

“I'm supposed to be but it is Oliver no one should lose a bet to a loser like that especially when the person is my friend never” Mason said, he always hated Oliver.

We sat down at a table and I picked up my sandwich as Ashton continued to give us fifty reasons why we shouldn't go ahead with it.

“There you are” I looked up and it was Oliver with that same smug smile I felt like punching off his face

“Just say the name and f**k off,” I said taking a full bite of my sandwich

“The name of the girl is Kayla Miller” with a huge smile of satisfaction

“Who is Kay-” I wanted to ask then realization dawned on me, the sandwich in my mouth felt like hot sand.

“What!!” I shouted.