"Well, you tell that bitch that the next time I see her I'm going to rip her hair out by the roots." She swayed slightly like a breeze had all of a sudden wafted past.
"Okay," I replied and sat back down resuming my conversation with my friends.
“I mean it!” She shouted. “You tell that bitch!”
“Okay.” I shook my head. “Do you believe this crap?” I looked at Monica. “I’m texting her your message right now. Give it a couple minutes and I’m sure she’ll drop everything and rush right over here to let you try and pull her hair out by the roots.” My phone beeped that the message was sent. “Happy now?”
The dancing that had been taking place all around us had now practically stopped and the music was lowered to a low thumping.
"You don't even belong here." Monica hissed. "I didn't know that Lucas Prine let stray cats in his house spreading their diseases and filth." There were several gasps and chuckles at Monica's comments but I just shook my head.
"Monica, you do know that school is over, right?" I stood back up and took a step closer. I wasn't a fighter. I had never been. But during our freshman year, a rumor was spread about me that I never confirmed or denied letting it fester into fact organically.
I was dating a dreamy sophomore named Dave. I really liked him. He was kind and handsome and sometimes could be very funny. Puppy love is what they called it. But alas, Dave had a dark past in the form of an ex-girlfriend who was appalled by his ability to move on. After all, love in high school is supposed to last forever, right?
Anyway, this poor girl was so distraught that she sent her friend, Michelle, with a message for me. At first, I thought it might be one of those messages that make great country-western songs about please don’t take my man, or I still love him or even a warning about his tomcat ways. But I was wrong. When she approached me in the hallway in between classes she didn't have anything nice to say at all.
“You’re nothing but a bitch and everyone knows it. I’ll kick your ass. You just try me.”
What? This wasn’t the pleading on behalf of a broken-hearted woman. This was a lunatic who I didn’t even know getting in my face. So I did what any girl in my position would do. I shoved her. So she turned around and slapped me across the face.
As I said, I’m not a fighter. I react purely on instinct. And my instinct made me grab Michelle by her stringy blond hair, yank her backward and slap her right across the face. Did I mention I didn’t even set my books down?
Well, before I could really do any damage a substitute teacher split us up. He was such a newbie he didn't report it to the principal so life just continued at Riverbanks High School until the next day when Michelle didn't come into school. Or the day after that. Finally, when she did arrive it looked like she'd run face first into a Mack truck.
Everyone thought I did it. The stories were fantastic. I waited for her after school and jumped her in the parking lot. I found out where she lived and went to her house and jumped her there. There were even a couple of people who swear they saw me do it.
“Did you beat Michelle up?” I was asked over and over all day long.
I gave them that Robert DeNiro Goodfellas look that said what the fuck are you asking questions for without saying a word. Of course, I didn't do it. I'm not going to go wait outside alone in the dark. There are weirdoes out in the world.
But my reputation was set that day.
So, when I took a step toward Monica she took a step back. As luck would have it she took a step back a little too quickly. I’m sure the room shifted in front of her and when she reached out to steady herself the only thing within her reach was a beautiful painting in a thick gold frame. Both Monica and the painting crashed to the floor.
Chapter 8 – Lucas
I was angry with Tilly for bringing up Jenna. I’m not sure why. Even as Tilly pulled at my shirt and had her body pressed close to mine I felt like I was teetering on an edge. I hate Jenna and do everything I can, take every opportunity to let people know I hate her. But something made me push back at Tilly. I just didn’t think she had the right.
“You really don’t know anything about my situation.” I scolded. “With Jenna, that is.”
“No. I only know what you told me.”
“Yeah, and that wasn’t a lot. So maybe you should keep your mouth shut on the topic from now on.”
“Hey, pal. You brought her up.” She withdrew from me. Tilly not only pulled her hands away but her mind and spirit as well. I could feel it and it made my heart sink.
“I’m sorry.” I took another swig from my flask. The warm liquid distracted my brain from what I was feeling. “I don’t know why I’m jumping on you. I’ve got a lot on my mind and you’ve kind of distracted me from all of it. When you mentioned Jenna it stuck in my brain. She’s one of the things I’m trying to forget.”
I looked at Tilly hoping she believed me. I was being serious.
“Did you ever get a spanking growing up?” She asked, her right eyebrow arched sexily.
"Never," I answered quickly.
“There’s your problem.” She laughed at her own comment. But before she could lose the smile on her face I slipped my arm around her and pulled her to me. My lips found hers. They were soft like rose petals and her skin smelled clean and fresh. There was no heavy make-up and expensive perfume smell that most of the girls I got with had.
I was sure she was going to lean back and slap me good and hard across the face. But when a moan of pleasure escaped her I knew she was enjoying herself. Her tongue slipped between my lips while I felt her scoop up a handful of my hair.