Jake's POV

I sigh as I shakily hit "send".

"Man you really did it this time, didn't you?" A voice over my shoulder says.

"Shut up, Kyle," I reply. There's shuffling behind me, but I keep my eyes trained on my phone.

"Wow, I know I don't have the girliest voice out there, but 'Kyle', really?" I turn as she takes a seat to my right.

"Fuck, sorry, I'm just so out of it right now," I sigh again, and she puts a soothing hand on my shoulder, rubbing circles.

"It's alright. Want to talk about it?"

"What do you know?" I turn off my phone in frustration and my head deflates to my hands.

"Come're you goof." We're sitting on a cement wall out back of school, so there's enough room for her to guide me down so that my head's in her lap. I close my eyes in attempt to relax, and Melissa's fingers move to massage my temple. "Well," she continues, "it's not every day you get to see a fuming girl marching through the halls with a broken handcuff around her wrist. And based off the look on your face and your staring at your phone like an idiot, you did something. So...?"

"I word-vomited last night and texted Nick to grab me some pliers this morning."

"You say that as if you do this often," she chuckles softly. "You weren't lying when you said you really liked this girl, huh?" I shrug and divert the conversation.

"How about you? Why are you here so early?" Her fingers pause briefly before continuing their gentle rhythm.

"Step-dad." It's all she needs to say, and it pains me so much. I sit up and drape an arm over her shoulder.

"I'm so sorry about last night, Melissa. I just couldn't go. I meant to text you later, but - "

"It's okay, Jake, really."

"No it's not. I thought you said he was 'going easy on you'?"

"He was. He is...Can we just not talk about him right now? It's giving me a headache."

"Fine," I huff. The tension is in the air, but I relax my shoulders. "I just care about you, yeah?"

"Yeah, yeah. But not as much as a certain somebody..." She trails off with a smirk.

"Shut up." I ruffle her hair and she rests her head on my shoulder.

"You're a good friend, kid." She teases, making me smile.

"You're not too bad yourself." I can hear a door close in the distance.

~•~

"'Least I can avoid her for a bit, you know?" I comment as we walk through the school's back doors.

"Jake Satak and Cassie Waters, please report to the main office. Jake Satak and Cassie Waters to the main office. Thank you."

Melissa snorts.

"Well shit."

"Have fun!" She pats my shoulder and I shoot her a glare.

"Hey, where are you sitting at lunch today?" She usually mixes it up with a different guy, but we haven't talked in a little bit. Plus, she has some sort of ongoing rivalry with Kyle that's always entertaining.

"That depends, you got a free lap, Babe?"

I smirk and play along. "You bet - see you there," I say and continue down the hall.

"See ya."

"Dude, are you fucking kidding me? You know I hate that chick!" Kyle says when I turn the corner.

"And you know we're friends, so tough luck."

"Sometimes I wonder why we're even friends."

"You and me both, pal." He shoves me to the side playfully and I catch him in a headlock.

"Alright, alright, I surrender!" I chuckle and let him go. "Where are you going anyways? Class is this way." He tosses his thumb over his shoulder.

"Gotta head to the main office."

"Oh yeah, I see you're free at last! A little early, though, yeah?"

"I pulled a Houdini."

"No shit? Well I gotta go, but don't think this is the end of this conversation!"

"I wouldn't think any less. See you." I open the door to the office and brace myself. So much for staying away from Cas.

"Hello, Jake." Mr. Limeson beams.

"Nick," I nod his way.

"Ms. Waters and Ms. Tampole are waiting for you in her office." He leans in closer and lowers his voice. "Beware, though, Ms. Waters looked a little upset when she came in."

"Thanks for the heads up."

Shit.

I knock before opening the door.

"Ah, Jake, why don't you take a seat," Ms. Tampole says.

I take the wooden seat to Cassie's left. It feels weird because I've been on her right these past few days. Her silence is eerie. She hasn't looked my way once.

The door opens to reveal a red-faced Mr. Simmons.

"Hello, Anthony."

"Jessica."

"Please, take a seat beside Jake."

Double shit.

My spine goes rigid as the chair to my left squeaks.

"So," Ms. Tampole clears her throat before continuing. "I find it very interesting that you two came to school...separately today." She clasps her hands and leans forward. Insert cricket sounds.

The clock ticks painfully as I continue my staring contest with her desk.

Damn it; I blinked.

"Well?! Do you have nothing to say for yourself? Because this lock has not left my desk, and I think the cuff still on Cassie's wrist speaks for itself!" I mentally cower at Mr. Simmon's outburst and Cassie shifts her hand, eyes still cast down.

"Thank you, Anthony." She turns to me. "Jake, care to explain?"

"Not especially, but thanks for asking."

Mr. Simmons shoots up and slams a hand on the desk. Cas jumps and bites her lip.

"How dare you disrespect your principal? You better answer her this instance or-" Ms. Tampole stands.

"Thank you, Mr. Simmons, but I think I've got it from here. You may see yourself out after you give me the key. And take the rest of the day off, why don't you?"

Ms. Tampole's meets his stern gaze with her own. They stare for a moment before he slams his way out of the room. I turn to Cas, but she seems only slightly shaken up.

"Now," Ms. Tampole brushes her skirt off and sits again. "Let's try this again. Jake?"

"What?"

She sighs and rubs her forehead. "Why did this happen?"

"I got fed up, so I took some pliers and took care of the problem." Cassie doesn't react. We both know I'm just saying this. I'm mortified about last night. I really fucked up.

"First, why don't we take that off of you?" Ms. Tampole nudges her head to Cas's wrist, and Cas moves closer. I hear the click and Cas rubs her wrist. It's only slightly raw and red.

"Thanks," she mumbles and falls into the chair again.

"So, somebody is getting detention today for destruction of property, and going against the rules. Who will it be?"

"We all know the answer, why even drag her into this in the first place?"

"I just need to make sure I know all of the facts. I also needed to free Cassie. Is this all I need from her?"

"She can speak for herself." I snap.

"I know, but I'm talking to you, Jake. Is this entirely your fault?"

A second goes by before I respond.

"Yes."

~•~

It's time for lunch before I know it. I have detention after school today, but was lucky enough to only have it one day. After Cas left, Ms. Tampole and I talked alone. She really is an understanding person; she apologized for the whole situation and Mr. Simmon's "inappropriate involvement" today. I even got to miss half of first block!

"Jake!" Kyle calls from our usual table. I don't understand why he calls out for me every day; we always sit in the same place. I make my way to the table and place my tray down. Melissa's sitting my right, and Kyle's on my left. Immediately, Kyle insists I catch him up, so I summarize to them what happened last night.

"And then I texted her and said to forget about it."

"It?" Melissa asks.

"Us."

"Who?" A new voice asks as a tray hits the table. An opened milk carton spills.

"Julia!" Melissa and Kyle seem just as surprised as I feel, but Kyle's wide eyes hold excitement.

"'Sup," she says.

"No offense, but...uh...what are you doing here?" I ask.

"My seat got taken. You mind?" It wasn't a question, though. She sits and takes a big bite of her burger.

"Who took it?" Kyle asks, but my eyes are already scanning the cafeteria.

Behind me, a few tables down, are Cassie and Fynn.

///

A/N

Hello lovely readers! How's everyone's week going so far?

Question of the Chapter: What are your thoughts on Melissa?

Have a great week!!

Xx, Niki