"What happened to your eye?" Tara asked in History the next morning. I had heard that three times already and it felt like everyone was staring at me and could see right through my clothes to where the faded and fresh bruises were. But I kept my head held high like I was perfectly fine.
"I tripped and fell and the doorknob of my bathroom door decided to try to catch my face," I said, smiling slightly. I knew it was a believable story because I had actually done it before when I was 13.
"Ouch," She said. "At least it was only your eye."
Oh if she only knew. But that was the thing – she didn't, and she wasn't going to know and neither was anyone else. I don't know why I was keeping this a secret when I knew that I should probably tell someone but I just didn't want people to know. I didn't want the added drama thrown into my life and everyone asking questions so I was just going to have to live with it.
"So, I'm not one to gossip but I'm dying to know," She said, looking almost excited. "Are you and Jack together?"
I nodded, "Yes sir we are."
She squealed slightly and threw her arms around me, making me wince. "I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks," I smiled.
"You two are seriously adorable." She grinned. "But I secretly thought you and Alex would get together."
"Why's that?" I asked, my curiosity hitting the roof.
"You obviously don't see the way he looks at you. It's like you're the only girl in school and I've known Alex since preschool and I have never ever seen him look at a girl that way before. I just can't wrap my head around why he'd be with Emma instead of you."
"You and me both," I commented, rolling my eyes and her name.
"But he has always been the type to use girls for sex so. He's such a horny guy." She chuckled.
I didn't know if I should be glad he was only with Emma for sex or worry that if he and I were to get together that would be the only thing he would be interested in. I guess I was going to find out if my plan worked. I was waiting for the guilt of using Jack to kick in but I guess I had convinced myself that I wasn't using him so there was no need for guilt.
A few minutes before the bell rang I got a random text from Alex. His name lit up on my screen made my heart skip a beat.
To: Brooke
From: Alex
Two things. One, are you really dating Jack? Two, don't open your locker.
To: Alex
From: Brooke
Yes I am and why not?
To: Brooke
From: Alex
Just don't okay?
I rolled my eyes and him and followed Tara out of the room when the bell rang, heading to my locker. In pink lipstick BITCH was written across my locker door.
"Mature," I chuckled to myself as I entered the combination.
"Brooke, don't!" Someone yelled from behind me as I open my locker. There was a bang and before I knew what happened I was drenched in bright orange paint.
The hallway burst into laughter as the realized what had happened. I turned around to see Emma and Katie standing behind me laughing harder than anyone else.
"Wow," I shook my head, glancing at Alex who just stood there like always.
Katie stepped forward, getting into my face. "I told you to stay away from Jack, but you didn't listen."
"Because I don't take orders from cheap whores," I said, meeting her icy glare.
She had nothing left to say, but an idea that would probably end up with my head on a silver platter popped into my head. Katie turned to walk away. "Wait, Katie." I said, and she turned to face me again as I threw my arms around her and squished her against me. As quickly as I had grabbed her I let go and she screeched.
"What the fuck?" She yelled, looking down at her now stained uniform that matched mine.
"Oops," I smirked before grabbing my bag and slamming my locker shut and pushing my way through the crowd.
"Brooke, wait!" Alex called after me, following me.
"What?" I asked, raising my eyebrow. "If you're here to apologize, just leave."
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"Besides being covered in acrylic paint, I'm a fucking ray of sunshine."
"That's not what I'm talking about." He said.
"Then what are you talking about?"
"Where'd you get that black eye from?"
"My own stupidity," I answered, my heart rate picking up realizing what he was getting at.
"Really?" He asked skeptically.
"Yup," I answered, trying to dodge away from him but he followed me in to the gym and right into the girls change room. "Can I help you?"
"Yes, you can tell me the truth." He said.
"I just did," I sighed, dropping my bag on the ground, "Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like some privacy."
"I'm sure you can change in front of me." He said, plopping down on the bench.
"No thanks."
"Why not?"
"I'm self-conscience," I stated. That actually wasn't that much of a lie this time. I was definitely no virgin. I had gotten naked in front of guys before, or just changed in front of them. I liked my body and didn't mind showing it off, but with Alex sitting there – even without the bruises – I suddenly felt really conscience.
"Oh please, someone who looks like you can't be self-conscience," He said, and looked at me expectantly.
"Why do you even care?" I blurted, probably giving everything away.
"Because I care about you," He said.
"Bullshit!" I yelled, "If you cared about me at all, you wouldn't be ignoring me because of Emma and you wouldn't be with Emma at all."
"You're with Jack now so why does it even matter?" He asked, jumping up off the bench.
"It doesn't." I stated and we fell into an angry silence. I was sick of standing there in slowly drying paint so I slowly started to unbutton my shirt while Alex sat back down and cross his arms. I found a way to pull my shirt on while taking the other one off so not a single bruise showed and no paint got on my clean shirt. Changing from my skirt into shorts was a lot easier.
"There. I changed. Happy?" I said before starting to try to wash out the paint from my hair.
"I'm happy if you're happy with yourself," He said before leaving the change room. I took a deep breath before giving up and throwing my hair into a pony tail and washing my face off the remaining paint.
I considered going after Alex and just telling him the truth, but instead I sat down across the bench he was sitting on and wondered what the hell I was going to do.