Chapter 12

When class was over, I found a note in my locker.

Football practice until 4. Sorry.

–Adam

Of course he got recruited in the football team. I mentally groaned and sighed in faint annoyance. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for the dude but I do not have a good experience with the football guys in this hell hole.

I guess I’m doing my homework early then.

I took a hold of the thick ass book for history and business studies. This is a pain in my ass, I mean look at these shits. Who in their right mind would even have the time to create a book this fudging thick?!

I finally finished sorting out the things I wanted to bring with me to the bleachers and took my files out to shove in the papers I got from my lectures. Cue mental groan here. I’m so going to fail future tests if I don’t get my shit straight ASAP.

It took me a few minutes after looking around that I realized it was quieter than usual and hushed tones were spreading around me. I tried to ignore the prying eyes of my schoolmates as I stuffed all the books and files into my bag and closed my locker.

Still, people wouldn’t quit staring and me, acting as a nerd, has no power in changing that because I’m expected to be weak, voiceless and a pushover. Not saying that’s what nerds are, honestly, nerds are awesome but these bitches are just too bitchy to even consider it.

I have always tried my best to not draw attention towards me or anything which obviously hasn’t been working. It’s like I’m a retarded, walking, sparkling, rainbow colored dolphin. Okay, maybe not that much but you get the idea.

I jogged towards the school’s hind grounds where the field is. I scanned the place from the bleachers for Adam and finally caught him standing in a half crouched position, with the team’s jersey and a helmet on. I think it’s supposed to be some strategic position, I mean it must be since the coach is practically screaming his head off pointing everywhere like a madman.

Cut me some slack, I know street fighting, not football. Adam finally took his helmet off, his hair was damp with sweat and he wiped his forehead before catching my eyes. Even from where I stood I still can see his smirk and him wiggling his eyebrows. I made a grossed out face, sticking my tongue out and he laughed loudly which was apparently not allowed because next thing you know, he’s getting yelled at by his coach.

“Jones! Get your head in the game and stop laughing! Be serious about this! The season’s coming up! You’ll be fighting our biggest rival!” His coach ranted. I stuffed my fist in my mouth to hold back the hyena-like laugh that’s about to blow out.

He averted his eyes from me, yelled a ‘Yes sir’ and put his helmet on, getting back to his former position.

After an hour of waiting, the practice was finally over and I’m done with my homework. Adam jogged up to me after a shower and after changing into a new set of clothes.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” He smiled sheepishly. “Nah, it’s cool. I finished my homework so we can hit it at the Underground Place.” I smiled as we walked towards his bike and he fished the keys out of his pocket.

“We’ll make a quick detour to my house, you okay with that?” I just nodded to that, as long as we get this over with.

He revved up the engine before riding towards his house which, by the way, was extremely huge with all sorts of things. It’s not a mansion, just bigger than most houses. Which I guess makes it a mini mansion. Okay now, I’m rambling, I’ll shut up about his house now. All in all, it’s magnificent.

He invited me in while he changed, missing out on the little minor detail that his parents was home and that they are very interrogative about his friends so I spent the next half an hour answering their questions about school, my family and all that sort. Aside from that, I was also pressured/blackmailed into calling them Carla and Jeremiah or Jerry.

“So, all in all, you have a high GPA, your parents are rarely home because they’re business people but loving as well and you help your maids do chores when you have the time, you have a deceased sibling caused by a car accident-”

Yes, I told them about that. It was surprisingly easy to let out but I guess it won’t hurt,

“... and you know self-defense.”

I nodded, confirming everything.

His mother smiled at me and hugged me, “You’ll make a fine daughter-in-law, dear. I approve.” She left me gaping there after her while she winked. Did she- She did not- Holy- Hell no!

“No, no, NO. Mrs. Jones, you got it all wrong!” I was waving my hands all around in a rush, trying to get her to see me from another picture. I don’t even like the guy. But suddenly my outstretched hand was gripped tightly by a huge hand. I quickly shut up and trailed my eyes from the hand on my arm to Jerry’s face. “She’s right. You’re a decent girl for Adam. If he doesn’t treat you right, I give you full access to kick him in the balls.”

I forced out a nervous chuckle, they’re kind of creeping me out. Where the hell is Adam?! My eyes looked around frantically as I let go of his hand and vice versa. Suddenly there was a voice behind me,

“Kick who in the balls?”

I jumped in surprise as an unfamiliar dude appeared out of nowhere.

“Err, hey. Are you one of my bro’s flings?” Mrs. Jones whacked him upside the head and scolded him, telling him to be nice and that she has presented the whole interrogation and I’ve came out clean.

“Hmm, so you’re the sister-in-law?” His eyes seem to be evaluating me as they went up and down my body and by the way his nose is slightly scrunched up, I can tell he doesn’t like what I’ve got on. It hid my physique and I’m glad it did.

“What in law?” Adam asked. A foreign sound came out of the back of my throat at the sight of him out of relief. I have never been so glad to see this jerkface in the period I’ve known him.

He shook his head at Adam while clicking his tongue in disapproval, “Little bro, you could’ve done better.”

That earned him another whack, this time from Adam. “Not all girls are for flings you dimwit.” He muttered. I chuckled and he smirked at me. “Besides, if only you knew...” He mumbled as his eyes were trained at me that caused an audible coo from his mother and I blushed furiously.

Stupid family’s making me feel all jeebies and stuff. I mumbled angrily in my head.

“I’m gonna head out now, don’t wait up, I’ll be home late!” He told them as this time, he grabbed his keys.

“Don’t forget the condoms bro!” His brother called out and I glared at him. Fucktard. I’m sorry for the language. But he really is and I can’t help it.

Adam, though, settled for a laugh and a wave before opening the door for me and shutting it after himself.

When we were outside, I turned to him, remembering something. “Hey, can I borrow a hoodie or something? It’s kind of cold tonight.” I rubbed my upper arms for extra effect, hoping to be convincing.

In all honesty, it’s kind of breezy but it wasn’t the kind that cause chills up your arm, just the warm kind of breeze that you get after a rain pass and the air is just humid. But I need that hoodie in case anyone recognizes me and besides, judging from Adam’s built, his hoodie will swallow me whole and no one would suspect a thing.

Fool proof. I hope.

“Sure, I’ll be back in a sec.”

He jogged back into the house and I stood there, thinking back to what his family was like. His parents seem nice. His brother, though? Maybe not so much, I mulled thoughtfully as my mind went over all the snide remarks I could’ve thrown his way.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

“So...” A voice called out from behind me and I felt my whole body jolt.

I turned around real quick and was about to go all kung fu up the dude’s ass when I saw who it was and relaxed just by a bit. My face was void of all emotions the second I decided to have a staring contest with him. Hell no bitch, I’m not backing down anytime soon.

“Oh. It’s you.” I stated in a mono-toned and bored voice.

“Don’t look so excited to see me, sweetheart.” He stated sarcastically with a smile. It wasn’t warm, though. It was those smiles the cashier people in the supermarket would give you, the one that somehow makes you want to punch them.

“What do you want?” I demanded.

He smiled cheekily at me and I hated how much it looked like Adam’s. I have no means in acknowledging that this bitch-ass- licking-horse has anything to do with the Adam I know.

“I never caught your name back there before my brother whisked you away,” He smirked as he leaned on the wall beside the door that was ajar.

How come I didn’t hear his footsteps? Was I that distracted?

I narrowed my eyes at him, “Why would you want to know? I don’t think you go around asking your brother’s flings for their name.” I spat out at him and mustered up my most menacing glare.

He tsk at me and shoved his finger up my face, ticking it around. “But you’re not just a fling, if I heard correctly back there, you’re my sister-in-law.”

I glared at him harder and my jaw ticked, ready to lunge at him and maul his face off when we were interrupted by an annoyed looking Adam.

“What are you doing, Pres?” He gritted out.

“Why, I’m trying to introduce myself to this beautiful young lady here because a certain someone decided that I wasn’t important enough to be introduced.” He feigned innocence and you could hear the sarcasm dripping off his every word.

I rolled my eyes, not even a little bit flattered by his little comment about me. It was obvious that he thinks I’m a hideous old hag.

Adam gave me a grey hoodie that I presumed was his before standing in front of me, blocking his brother’s view of me.

“Leave her alone, Preston. She doesn’t need your bullshit.”

I could see the veins popping in his neck as he restrained himself from doing any physical damage to his brother. His muscle jaw was ticking and I could see that his will to not punch his brother was thinning by the second.

I tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to drop it and leave.

He took a few deep breaths before taking my hand and guiding me towards the gates and I found myself turning my head around to catch a glimpse of Preston winking at me with a mischievous smile plastered to his mouth.

I took a risk and whipped out my middle finger.

What? Don’t look at me; he was the one who pulled my strings.

With that, I kept on walking and left a flabbergasted Preston behind without a second look.

I mounted Adam’s bike after pulling the oversized hoodie over my head and strapping the helmet on and Adam slid in the keys in the ignition and started the engine. I held on tight on Adam’s shoulders.

So with all that settled, we rode off to the sunset, together. Nah, that’s too cliché.

We rode off to the Underground Place.

Not exactly romantic but I never said I was going for romantic.