He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

  Chapter 12

  It’s Monday, of course and I need to go to school. Aria is going to make me talk about having the party, because whatever she wants, she gets.

  “Hey.” I say, nervous because I really don’t want to have the party, but I kind of do. I had a long talk with myself last night before going to bed. I know, I sound crazy talking to myself but I just had to. Half of my mind doesn’t want to have the party because I don’t want to get in trouble by my mom, or worse, the cops. But the other half of me wants to have this party because Jackson will come, and also because Jackson will come. I want Jackson to come so badly, but I feel like if I invite him, he will invite Amanda Smith and I don’t want that to happen.

  “So, how do you feel about having the party?”

  “Um, well I….” I don’t know, but maybe the party will be fun, and so will Jackson.

  “If you don’t want to have the party, we won’t have it.” She says which is making me happy, but sad. I see how sad her face is, and when she’s sad, I’m sad.

  “No.”

  “No?” She says looking confused.

  “No, we are going to have this party, and it will be the best damn party there has ever been.” I say because I do want to have the party, and I will. Ugh, first the piercing and now this, what next? An abortion?

  “Yay!!!!!!!” She says while jumping up and down on her seat and making the car shake.

  “Please stop, you're making me dizzy.”

  “Fine, it’s just… this is making me so happy!!!”

  “Hmm, great. I knew it would. Now could you please drive because we need to go school? I don’t want to be late and neither do you.”

  “Ok, fine.” She says, smiling. Aria doesn’t stop smiling until we get in the school and when she does, I think I know why.

  “What the hell is Michael doing?” I say because, I’m so confused. I really don’t know what the hell Michael is doing, and I really don’t want to know.

  “Um… I…um….” Aria says while looking at Michael with shock. Michael is making out with Amanda. That little slut that screws with every boy. It just makes me want to throw up and slap her in the face until she bleeds to death.

  “Aria, calm down. Don’t cry please, just don’t cry.” I say because I really don’t want Aria cry, because if she cries, I cry. Sometimes.

  “No, I’m not going to cry, but what I will do is get out of here, come on Mia.” She says while tugging on my sleeve. Hell no, I am not going to leave just like that, but I will do something.

  “Wait a minute Aria.”

  “But Mia!” She says looking concerned but knowing what I’m going to do, and so she lets go of my sleeve and lets me go, lets me go all the way to Amanda and Michael making out. Thank god lots of people are looking so I can make them looks like fools, not like they aren’t already. I go all the way to them and tap Michael’s shoulder. He turns around and looks confused but feels like he knows why I’m here. Amanda also gives me the death stare, which I don’t give a shit about, because I really want to hurt her.

  “Hey Michael, just wanted to tell you that you are a little douche bag, and I hope when you die, you go to hell.” I say while looking like a sweet girl and then I slap him. Hard. This is for you Aria.

  “What the hell!” He says while taking a step back from Amanda and I and rubs his cheek.

  “Oh, and Amanda, why don’t you just stop screwing guys for a day, or even for just a minute, ok?” I say and she looks mad and shuts up. Damn this feels good.

  “Why you little...”

  “You little what? Well Amanda, you should know that even if you call me that I really don’t give a shit because I’m not the one screwing boys in the hallway, ok? You are not me.” Damn, I am on fire!

  “Mia wait!” Michael says while I walk back to Aria. I am so not turning around because I am done, I finished my job and now I just want to hug Aria and go to class.

  “Come on Aria, let’s go.” I say while taking Aria’s hand in mine and walking straight to class, screw Michael, and screw Amanda.

  “Thanks.” She says whispering in my ear.

  “Anything for you, my darling.” I reply, feeling very happy and heroic since I showed them who the hell is boss

  Chemistry was boring, and I feel bad for Aria because she had to work with Michael. His cheek still has the red mark from where I slapped him, which makes me feel good about myself. Amanda hasn’t talked in class yet and I’m thinking it’s because I embarrassed her, which makes me feel even better. Meanwhile I am working with Jackson and somehow, I haven’t been paying attention to him but he has been paying attention to me!

  “What?” I say because he hasn’t stopped looking at me, I know this should make me happy but this is making me mad because that means he is just like any other boy.

  “Oh, I am… I just wanted to know if you’re ok.”

  “Oh, I’m fine thanks, why though?”

  “Because you're not paying attention to the assignment and because of what happened earlier.”

  “Oh, I’m paying attention, and I um… I’m ok.” It’s amazing how Jackson cares about me, but I don’t want him to care. I don’t want people to pity me and say that they know what I’m feeling and how they are sorry and all that crap.

  “Great, so for the project you want to work at my house?”

  “Um, what?” I say because I cannot believe it, Jackson Reed wants to invite me to his house? Well, I mean for a project, but still... his house!! I mean this is the best opportunity ever!! But I don’t want to sound like those girls who are crazy and want to agree right away to go to their crush’s house.

  “Do you want to come to my house so we can work on the project? We can meet after school and I can pick you up in my car.” He looks so embarrassed asking me this, which makes me want to laugh because his cheeks are getting red. It’s so cute, and so not what most boys do.

  “Um, yeah sure, after school?”

  “Yeah, but if you have something today we can schedule it for some other day.” Jackson looks so embarrassed asking me this; it’s making me want to just kiss him. I don’t know if I should go to his house after school. What would Aria say anyway? I take out my phone and text her right away. I hope Mr. Davon doesn’t notice me texting her in class or else he’s going to take my phone away from me.

  “Um, just give me one second ok?”

  “Yeah, sure. I’m going to write more ideas.”

  “Great, be right back!” I walk all the way to the back of the room because if I go to talk to Aria, Mr. Davon will send me back to my desk, so that won’t work. I go to the back of the room quietly and text Aria as fast as I can.