Chapter Twenty-Three
Juliet
Why do I care? I sniffle as I look at the books I pulled off the shelf. Some people like to change their appearance when they feel like crap. Some people like to buy clothes. Me? Books and video games are my thing. I buy a bunch and then go on an all-out binge. I could read or play games for days especially when I feel like absolute crap.
Glancing at the selection around me, I sigh. I don’t know what I want to buy let alone start reading first. A creepy sensation fills me like someone is watching me. I look about the open space around me, but no one seems to notice me.
I shake off the feeling and pay attention to the series I collected from the shelves. I’ve been on a huge Austen kick lately and I’ve been dying to read Persuasion so that’s in my will buy pile. I frown at the other books in the pending to buy pile I created. All of them are some sappy romance.
I lift one of the books and a group of giggling girls come over into my section. One of them is being so loud and almost borderline obnoxious. “He’s like the hottest thing I’ve seen in here ever. Wonder if he works here?”
“I’d come here every day if he did,” her friend says.
I shoot them both a murderous glare.
They don’t seem to care because they continue to giggle and harp about some hot guy working probably somewhere in the mall. Their other friend who trails behind smiles at me. “That’s a good series.” She points to a stack of books in my maybe I’ll purchase pile.
“Yeah? Thanks.”
“No problem.” She wonders off and I lift it up then place the first two in my pile. I can’t get all of them today and there are four books total. Oh well, I’ll just pick them up Friday after work.
I place the books that I will not be getting today back where I found them and then go straight to the counter. As I’m handing over the books to the cashier, I notice a familiar person leaving the store. Oh, dear God, what is he doing here? Did he see me crying? Did Jared think it was because of him? I hope not. Even if my sadness has a lot to do with him and my anger.
I wanted an explanation as to why he would switch our tests. I also wanted to know if he wanted to work on Trig at my house because there was no way in hell I’d set foot in his. Not with his father there who would probably blame me for his son’s sudden lapse in judgment.
It doesn’t matter. Whatever the reason because now Jared wants nothing to do with me. I should be grateful it’s what I wanted right? So why does my heart hurt? Why do I cry every time I picture his face as he told me he was ditching me? Ugh. To make it hurt more he did it all in front of Rachel.
“That’ll be $28.65,” the cashier says.
I smile and give her a few bills then wait for my change.
“Yo Juliet!” I hear as I shuffle through the food court.
I turn and instantly regret acknowledging the person. “Justin,” I say.
“What kind of books you got in the bag?”
I pull my books close to my chest and he laughs. “Relax. Just a question. Have you seen my brother? He said he was popping into the bookstore for something and he was supposed to meet me here. As you can see that idiot isn’t here.”
I shake my head. “I saw him leaving the bookstore as I was checking out. I’m sorry.”
“He didn’t talk to you?”
“Uh no. I don’t think he saw me.” I hope he didn’t see me. Even if he did after what happened after school I’m pretty sure I’ll be the last person he wants to talk to.
Justin nods. “All right.”
I start to walk away but I turn around. “Do you want me to wait with you until he shows up?”
“Um … You don’t have to, but can I borrow your phone for a second? Mine just died.”
I hand over my cell.
His thumbs tap the screen at a rapid pace then I hear the chimes of a message being received.
“He should be here in a little bit.” He hands my phone back.
“Okay. Did you want me to wait?”
He waggles his eyebrows at me. “I guess you can keep me company. Want a slushy or something? My treat,” Justin says.
“I’m good. Thanks though.”
“Suit yourself.” He shrugs then darts off to one of the vendors.
I sit at one of the empty tables and take out the Austen books from my bag. As I’m getting into the storyline the table is jostled. I peek over the brim of my book and Justin is smirking with a huge red slushy in his hand. “Our dad has us on a strict diet. This drink is apparently really bad for you, but you know what? I’m going to enjoy every sip of it. So, this is the kind of stuff you’re into. That looks boring.”
“I read everything but yes, my favorites tend to be in the classics. It’s not boring to me.”
“Interesting. Dork-one likes the classics too.”
“Dork-one?” I ask.
Justin grins. “Yeah. My brother. The un-fun one.”
I set my book down and prop my hands under my chin. “Why do you think he’s un-fun?”
“Uh, you go to school with him. Surely you can see how much of a robot he is. Love him to death but he doesn’t exactly get out. I think he tries too hard to keep on our dad’s good side.”
“As opposed to you?”
Justin nods. “Look, I see it like this. I can work my butt off, but if I’m not having fun, and I don’t love it, then what’s the point? People who get into college or pro sports never say, ‘Well, Chuck, my dad forced me to come here. I actually have no intention of playing or giving my one hundred percent because I actually hate the hell out of this sport.’ Do you?”
“I never saw that, no.”
“Exactly. There is a storm brewing between him and my dad, and I’m going to feel sorry for whoever witnesses it.” He takes another sip of his drink.
I open my mouth to say something but a deep voice interrupts. “What’s going on here?” I glance up at Jared.
“I’m sorry. I was leaving. Bye Justin. Jared.” I nod and stumble out of my seat.
“Dude. She was keeping me company while I waited for you. Why are you being such a jerk?” Justin says as I shove my book back in my bag. I refuse to look up at Jared again or over at his brother.
Jared snaps. “Don’t worry about it. Why are you drinking that? Dad is going to flip out.”
“Only if you tell him! Jeez. Juliet hold up.”
Justin grabs my hand which stops me from leaving. I need to go. Being around Jared while he’s like this, looking as if he’d rather throw me inside a magical cabinet that would cause me to disappear is rather uncomfortable. My heart is pounding like crazy. I feel the tears welling up again and I can’t let anyone especially not Jared, of all people, see me cry. No. I refuse to let Jared and his brother see what Jared’s behavior and his crap is doing to me. I glance up at the skyline ceiling and blink a few times before I paste a fake smile on my face.
“Yeah?” I say.
“Remember what I said about the storm brewing? There’s always a calm that follows.” Then Justin winks and lets go of my hand.
What in the heck does that even mean? I don’t stick around to ask because honestly Jared’s deathly glare just makes my need to escape that more pronounced. It isn’t until I reach the comforts of my Wrangler that I let the tears break free.
What is wrong with me? A few days ago, I couldn’t stand him. Now … crap. I pull out my phone and call the only person I trust with boy issues like this.
“Layla’s phone, she stepped out to get something from the kitchen. What’s up Juliet?” Tyler says in a cheery tone.
“I need … I … Need … Her,” I sob.
“Shit! Hold on, I’m getting her. Answer me this did someone hurt you? Are you in a safe place?”
“Another one of your stupid friends did this to me.”
“Ah, son of … where are you?” he asks.
“At the mall. Why?”
“Wait, the mall? I’m confused. You said it was one of my friends, but Jared doesn’t go to the mall.”
I swipe away the rush of tears falling. “He is today!”
“What did he do?”
“Tyler, I want my sister. Please.”
“Okay. We’re coming to you stay there. Layla, babe, we gotta go. No. It’s Juliet.”
“Juliet,” Layla says. “What’s wrong?”
“God. Why can’t we have programmable hearts, so you can shut off all feelings to them?” I blubber into the phone.
“Ty says we’ll be there in ten minutes. Do not even think about driving.”
I snort. “How else will me and my Jeep get home?”
“I’m driving you home,” Layla says.
That sobers me right up. “Over my dead body! I know how many things you’ve wrecked into Layla. The parking meter. The parked car at this mall. The dumpster. Oh, my God, do I need to mention Mrs. Steuben’s mailbox? You don’t even know how to drive a manual!”
“Holy shit, babe. I knew you were a terrible driver but damn. I didn’t know you hit all that shit,” I hear Tyler say.
“Omigod! Do you have me on speaker phone?” I yell.
“I’m not that bad and yes, I do. Sorry, I can’t turn it off right now. I can’t believe you brought up that old hags mailbox. I mean seriously it was the ugliest thing ever. I did the neighborhood a favor.”
“You can’t drive a stick,” I remind her again.
“Fine. Tyler can drive. I’ll drive his Cherokee.”
“Uh …” Tyler says.
“What?” she asks. “Do you not trust me with your baby now?”
I can’t listen to this bickering anymore and hang up. I start up my Jeep and whip it out of the parking lot. Tyler’s words slowly settle in Jared doesn’t go to the mall. Why would he automatically assume I was talking about Jared? Did he know something? I feel like such an idiot.
I drive straight to Chase’s work.
I storm into the Bromwell Gallery as if I own the place. The bell on the door dings indicating a customer has entered. Chase startles as soon as he makes eye contact with me. “It’s just Juliet, Dad,” he says. “What are you doing?” he asks me.
“Thanks, son. Tell me when the Tippman’s arrive.”
Chase has worked for his dad since he was thirteen. I could never work with my mom. Believe me, she tried recruiting me and my sister, but I wouldn’t have any parts of that annoyance. Layla tried it for maybe a week and mom decided she was better off not having us in her office.
“Will do,” Chase says to his dad. Chase looks me over than pats a seat next to his behind the large glass case of photo’s serving as display and his desk.
“I think … no … I know I have feelings for Jared Black. Chase this is a complete disaster. How do I stop it?”
Chase rolls his eyes. “Why do you want to stop it?”
“He absolutely loathes me.”
“Jared Black?” He chuckles as if something in this conversation is amusing. “You really are oblivious. Jared Black doesn’t hate you. In fact, if you told him you liked him I bet the dude would turn the whole thing into a Broadway musical ending. Probably shower you with flower petals and have the entire football team do a can-can act.”
“Liar. He seriously hates me. After he swapped our tests, he told me he is requesting new partners. I don’t understand how or why this happened. He acts as if I’m a plague.”
Chase grabs up a few envelopes from the counter and slips them into some shelf on the wall. “Are you sure you want him?”
“I don’t know. I mean I think I do,” I answer.
“Juliet, you have to be sure. Feet in all the way.”
I nod.
Chase groans. “I’ll help you figure this all out then.”
I wrap my arms around him and breathe. “Thank you.”
“You thank me now, but you’ll hate me in a few minutes.”