In love with a bad neighbor

Chapter sixteen - Coffee with the jerk

Vince's POV:

I don't understand why Emma cares so much about what people talk about her. I know that she is scared of her mom understanding that she is with someone else, but I don't want her to stay away from me. It's not like we are dating for real. People may talk about whatever they want, but we know the truth. Moreover, I will never do anything that will get her in trouble. I swear that when I was a bad boy, everything was different. I didn't care about anyone. Neither will I get in trouble or not. Now, I became a good boy. I'm not saying that this is bad, but since when I care so much for one girl. Before, I was every day after a new one. Well, back then I didn't know about Emma. There is still part of me that wants her close only because she is good at making out, but mostly, I want her here, because she is a good friend. Also, sometimes I still feel bad for her. I mean that no one should be forced to date a specific person. People should be free to make this choice by themselves. I know that I can't help her with that, but this doesn't mean that I won't try. Up to now, I have never had a conversation with Ricky, except that day at school, but I won't count it. We were in school and I didn't do anything. I gladly would've done something, but then the jerk would understand everything. It's easy to connect the dots. I can't let this happen. After all, for some reason, I care about Emma.

I woke up and went to get ready. I was thinking about calling Emma, but I don't know where she is. There is a chance that she has breakfast, so it's better if I don't risk it. When I was done, I walked downstairs to have mine. I looked around, but there was no one. I walked to the fridge and I saw a note from my mom. It says that she and dad have some early work and need to go out. I guess that I will eat my breakfast alone. From time to time, I think about my friends. I have been here for almost two months and none of them called me even once. It's not like I care that much. Maybe our friendship wasn't meant to be.

After all, I texted Emma and told her that I would wait for her at our usual spot. I wish that we didn't have to do that, but we don't have another option. Soon she came. I gave her a look, but she didn't understand it. How does she expect me to stay calm when she is dressing like that? It's only ripped jeans, a short shirt, and a jacket, but damn it! As I have said before, she looks hot in everything.

- Why are you looking at me like that?

- Why are you dressed like that?

- What's wrong with my clothes?

- Then you tell me to keep it calm.

- I can go and change, but we'll be late.

- No, it's ok. I'll try my best not to distract myself.

- In that case, I can do only one thing. - she said and zipped her jacket

- Thank you.

- Is that better?

- A little bit.

Both of us walked to school. Emma was still a distraction, but I tried not to show it. We took what we needed from our lockers and walked to class. Ten minutes left until the teacher came. As usual, we spent them talking. Today will be a hard day. It's not visible what she has under the jacket, but I already saw it, and I can't stop thinking about it.

On the lunch break, I walked into the gym. No one uses it at that time, so I expect to be alone. Now, I wish that I wasn't a boy. How I am not supposed to get attracted to a nice girl. To be honest, I don't know what is wrong with me today. Emma always looks good, but I have never acted like that. Soon someone walked in, and I saw that it was her. I won't lie that she is the last person with who I want to talk, but if I don't do it, she will get worried.

- Vince, are you ok? If you are still mad at me for what I said that day, I'm sorry.

- No, it's not that. I have already forgiven you, and I think that you know it.

- I do, but I didn't know why you were avoiding me.

- I don't even know.

- If it's for my clothes, I don't know what else I have to do.

I didn't say anything and just kissed her. Damn it! I know that I shouldn't do this here, but I can't stop myself. Emma didn't pull away, so I guess that she liked it. I carefully lifted her and put her on my lap. I need to stop myself before I go too far, but I don't want to. This feels good. She tastes like heaven. I have kissed many girls, but none of them was like her. After around ten minutes, I pulled away and looked at her. I hope that he won't be mad at me.

- Look, I'm sorry. It's just that...

- I don't know what that was, but I won't lie that I like it.

- What?

- Hello, I am a girl. What do you expect from me?

- Now, you understand why I did it. I am a boy and can easily get attracted to a good-looking girl.

- Thank you for the compliment. Can we go now?

- Sure. Let's go.

After the last class, we walked home. I asked Emma if she wanted us to go out that afternoon, but the answer was no. Maybe she has other plans. The reason was that her mom was at home and if she goes out, Ricky had to be with her. To be honest, Emma being at home is better than her being outside with the jerk.

I stayed two hours at home and decided to go out. I wish that Emma had been there. With her, everything is better. Maybe the next time she will accept. I decided to walk around the town and later go for a drink. I try not to drink alcohol in front of Emma. After all, I have to keep the good girl in her. Otherwise, her parents will understand that something is going on. As I was walking, I heard someone calling. I didn't know if it was about me, so I didn't turn around and continued walking.

- Hey, I am calling you.

Finally, I turned around and saw the devil. What is he doing here? I hope that he doesn't know anything. What I can do is pretend that I don't know who he is, or I can just walk away. I was about to do that, but he came right in front of me.

- Can you move?

- Not until you talk with me.

- And why do I have to do that?

- I need some answers.

- You are talking with the wrong person.

- I want to know who you are and why you helped Emma.

- Who is Emma?

- Don't act like you don't know her.

- If you didn't understand this already, I am new here.

- You might have changed schools, but...

- New in the town. I still don't know anyone here. By the way, who are you?

- My name is Ricky Campbell. Probably you know my parents.

- No, I have no idea who they are.

- Let's go for coffee. I'll pay for it if you answer my questions.

- I won't go anywhere with you.

- I'm not asking you.

- Fine. If this is the only way to get rid of you.

Both of us walked to one coffee shop. Maybe he is not that annoying, but how am I supposed to know? I took a table and Ricky went to order coffee. It's better if I don't tell Emma. Otherwise, she might freak out. Soon he came and sat in front of me. Let's see what the jerk wants to know.

- For what do you want to talk with me?

- From where do you know Emma?

- I don't know her. I just saw that the girl was angry at you and decided to see what was going on.

- Lie! Next question. What are your relations with her?

- I won't lie that you are creeping me, but I will answer you. She is a stranger. Moreover, I can't be with only one girl. I will get bored. It's not like you know it.

- Maybe I do.

- Then where is your girl?

- It's none of your business.

- Why do you care so much if I have something to do with this girl?

- Do you want to know?

- Kind of. I mean, why else am I here?

- Ok, I will tell you. She is my girl. So stay away from her.

- Does she know it?

- It doesn't matter. If I see you with her again, you will have problems.

- I'm not scared of you.

- But you should be. Everybody knows me, so you better don't mess with me.

- Except me. I don't know you. Look, I don't want to waste my time with you. Just say what you want and leave me alone.

- I already told you. I want you to stay away from Emma.

- I can do that, but I can't force her to do the same. If she comes to me, I have no right to push her away. That would be rude.

- I don't care. You will do it, or bad things will happen to you.

- Fine. Here, take this. - I said and left the money on the table

- For what?

- I don't like dirty coffee.

- I don't understand.

- Let me tell you something. You can't force someone to love you. If you want to win her, I suggest you try to be nice. This might work for you. - I said and left

This boy is horrible. I don't know if he believed everything that I said, but I hope that he did. I planned not to tell Emma, but maybe I should. After all, she needs to know if Ricky gets suspicious. I don't know how he found me, but I didn't lie when I said that he was creeping me. He needs to know where to stop.

I walked home and went into my room. I looked through the window and saw that Emma was in her room. I knocked on her window and she came out.

- Hey, how are you?

- I'm fine. I want to tell you something, but you might not like it.

- Why? Did something happen?

- I talked with Ricky. He met me outside and we went for coffee. This boy asked many questions, but I told him that I have no relations with you. I don't know if he believed it, so you better watch out.

- I will kill him. Thank you for telling me.

- No problem. I thought that it would be better if you knew this.

- You helped me a lot. Don't worry about him. I will deal with that.

- In that case, I wish you good luck. He is very annoying and wants to know everything.

- I know. That's why I am avoiding him as much as possible.

Emma and I talked for a while. Ricky was the main topic. I can't believe that he is about to understand everything. I just helped her one day and now he thinks that we have something. Even if we have, this is not his business. I don't ask him with who he is going out, so he doesn't need to know that about me. I hope that Emma will put some sense into him. Otherwise, he will chase me forever. I can stay away from my neighbor, but I won't do it. She didn't do anything wrong and doesn't deserve it. Moreover, she doesn't have anyone else. The situation with her parents is not the best, so only I left. I hope that one day everything will be fine and we don't have to hide. For now, we don't have another option.