Chapter 17:

The next month of school seemed to have calmed down, I guess. I heard like a week ago that Eyeball asked out this girl Cherry. I know, Cherry? What a dumb name right? It turns out it's a nickname. I can only wonder. Cherry had deep, rich colored, red hair, and bright hazel eyes. She always had gum that she blew bubbles with, and then popped. What an annoying habit. Anyway, things were going okay, when one day, Cherry decided to transfer into my history class. I turned to Ali who sat next to me.

"Ugh! What the hell is she doing here?" I whispered.

"I don't know." Ali shrugged. Cherry came and sat down in front of me. I sighed. She noticed, and turned around.

"Ain't you Jessie Lachance?" She asked, in a terribly nasal voice.

"Yeah, what's it to ya?"

"You're Eyeball's old broad ain't ya?"

"Yes, what's your point."

"I was just wonderin'."

"You do that." She turned around.

I avoided Eyeball the whole day, and thought about what Vince had suggested about Chris. Low and behold, I cannot think for myself. I saw Gordie, Teddy, Elisa, and Chris by Chris's locker, after school. Normally I'd smile, then go off with the Cobras, but today was different.

"Hey guys." I said to them.

"Look what the cat hacked up." Teddy, said.

"Nice to see you too." I retorted. From the corner of my eye, I could see the Cobras heading this way. This was it, sink or swim? Without another thought in my head, I pinned Chris to the lockers, and kissed him long and hard. I didn't think of all the consequences of this action, but I didn't care. I knew Gordie would be mad, but so what? I released, and hesitated to look behind me. I didn't have to. A hand grabbed my shoulder and swung me around. It was Eyeball. Lucky me.

"What the hell are you doing you little slut!!!" Boy! Was he mad at me.

"That's what I'd like to know!" Gordie said.

"Shut up Lachance!" Eyeball said to him. I could see Vince hysterically laughing.

"Well, I was making out with your brother. What's it to you anyway?" I could've sworn I saw flames in his eyes. He threw me to the ground, and picked up Chris by his shirt.

"'I'm gunna knock you up!" Eyeball said, raising his fist. Chris closed his eyes. He was never the type to beg, or cry. Just as Eyeball let his fist fly, it was caught before it touched Chris. Vince stopped Eyeball's fist.

"Get the hell away from me Vince!"

"Eyeball, what do you care if a bunch of kids get some action?" Vince said, and quickly glanced in my direction. "You don't want to do this in school." He went on. "It's better if you kick his ass later, at home. So he can't call for help." Vince said.

"I'll do it now and later, if you don't mind!"

"Don't you touch him!" I yelled. Eyeball and everyone turned my way.

"Why not!" Eyeball yelled back.

"Because, you're mad that I would fucking rather be with you're little brother than you!" Eyeball dropped Chris to the floor. He stormed over to me, and got right into my face.

"I don't have a problem hitting girls ya know." He said sternly.

"Then do it. Hit me." He hesitated. "See Eyeball, you're chicken shit. You don't have the balls to hit me." And just like that, Eyeball hit me. He gave me, to what felt like his hardest hit, right in the face. I fell backwards, onto the floor, in dyer pain. I can't believe he just did that! I take it that it's not a good sign when your ex-boyfriend has just hit you. He stormed away with the Cobras. Vince kneeled down beside me.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"I just got hit, what do you think?"

"Sorry."

"VINCE! GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HER!!!" Eyeball yelled. I have never been so scared in my life.

"I'm sorry. This is my fault." Vince whispered.

"VINCE!!!" Eyeball called again, and Vince left me. Gordie and Chris and everyone ran over to me.

"Jess, are you okay?" Gordie asked.

"Do I look okay?" Jesus, people are so stupid!