Bradin broke out into a broad grin as his eyes located Jessica by the school doors. For the entire past week he hadn't been able to hang out with her. He also had a fairly hectic couple of days and hadn't been able to go too far out of his way to find her. It was Monday now and time for their second tutoring session. Bradin waved at her from his position ten feet away but she didn't notice.

"Jess!" he called, jogging past the other students. He arrived beside her and grasped her arm. She glanced at him, glanced at his hand, and recoiled. "Hey. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were avoiding me…"

Jessica swallowed and adjusted her backpack. How could he not have seen the efforts in which she took to stay away from him? All week long she had left school late, came to school early, darted in between classes inconspicuously and slipped away off school grounds at lunch. A part of her had hoped that he might have forgotten about the 'tutoring'. Jessica's eyes turned downcast and she looked away from Bradin. He was everything she thought she wanted. It hurt her beyond words to see him now.

"Jessica?" he asked with a concerned frown. "Are you all right? What's wrong?" His soft hand gently cupped her chin up so that she was forced to meet his eyes. She angrily swatted the hand away and shoved the door open, walking out onto the hard concrete.

Bradin followed and questioned in genuine confusion, and with a hint of annoyance, "Hey, what gives? It's Monday…as in tutor time."

"You're the one who needs tutoring," Jessica snapped.

"And what do you mean by that? Honestly, what is with the hostility?" Bradin said defensively.

"Did you talk to Jason and Will?" questioned Jessica quietly.

"What? I haven't said anything to either of them since, like, two weeks ago." Bradin shrugged.

"Did you really think I wouldn't find out?" Jessica demanded.

"…What are you talking about?" Bradin's frown deepened. There wasn't anything he was hiding from her. He was sure he hadn't done anything stupid to her in the last while.

"Jason told me you threatened him! How could you? God, do you not want me to have friends?" Jessica snapped. "I really thought you were a better person. How could you do that to Jason and Will?"

"What!" Bradin exclaimed in surprise. "I didn't threaten anyone!"

"I'm sure." Jessica shook her head.

"Jess, I wouldn't do that!" Bradin told her. "I know I didn't even go near Jason or Will in the past two weeks! He's lying!"

"I didn't think you were the jealous type," Jessica bit out. "I mean, we aren't even dating! And don't accuse Jason of lying. He's never lied to me yet, he's always been a great friend to me, and unlike you, he hasn't even used up his first chance yet."

"You're really taking Jason's word over mine?" Bradin looked angry now.

"You punched him because he was my friend and he has the marks to prove it!" muttered Jessica.

Bradin faltered. "Okay, I did hit him. But not a chance in hell did I do it because he was your friend! And I hit him eons ago, any bruise would be faint by now."

"The bruise on his cheek wasn't faint in the least. You really did him in. It's fresh." Jessica accused.

"Then that wasn't caused by me!" Bradin grabbed Jessica's arm. "How easy would it have been for Jason to set this all up? Don't you see? He's trying to separate us. He's setting me up. It's him that's jealous. It's him who doesn't want me hanging out with you."

"Shift the blame elsewhere. Of course. You can't just explain yourself out of this one. You physically hurt one of my friends." Jessica yanked her arm away. "Don't touch me."

"I didn't do anything!" Bradin repeated in an exasperated tone.

"Jason wouldn't stage something like this, honestly what reason would he have? We're just friends, him and me. He's just trying to look out for me. He sees what I've missed each and every time." Jessica answered. "You know, I really was trusting you again. I really thought I liked you."

"I can't believe you think I'm lying." Bradin said in complete disbelieve. "You're seriously believing that weasel instead of me! Yeah, you're friends now, but Jason wants to be more. He's wanted more all year long. He actually threatened me to stay way from you way back on the night I asked you out to begin with. He's getting rid of me so he can have you for himself! God, Jess, please, believe me. I would never lie to you." His eyes were filled with hurt and anger from the accusation, as well as a crippling amount of sincerity and a hint of desperation.

"I wish I could." She whispered. She turned to walk away.

"Wait. Does this-?" Bradin started.

"I can't be around you, Bradin. I can't be near someone who would honestly do that to my friends." Jessica said sorrowfully. "I can't be near someone who could very well turn on me, next."

"WHAT!" Bradin shouted. "Think shit about me all you want but don't you even think that I would ever lay a hand on you!" Jessica just walked off, leaving Bradin standing with his mouth wide open.

Bradin stared for a few minutes before turning around and angrily kicking the wall. Everything was great and that jackass had to come in and screw it all up. Bradin wasn't going to drop this. He'd make that weasel pay. He had forty minutes to look, after all.

After scanning through the school and the grounds, Bradin finally spotted Jason by a water fountain. Bradin could hardly keep from exploding right there but he managed to keep it together until he was right in front of Jason. He put on a sweet smile and asked, his voice full of false calmness, "So, Jason, I hear you and Jessica had a little chat."

Jason's eyes went wide and he managed a weak smile. "Oh, well, you know-uh, I really don't have time to talk, I've got to get-"

Bradin roughly gripped Jason's shirt collar and bit out. "Tell me, why the hell would you tell her all that crap about me? You and I both know I didn't come near you at all in the last while. What'd you, punch yourself so the bruise would be bigger?"

"Hey-" Jason said nervously.

"You know, seeing as though you already seem to think I'm (air quotations) dangerous and abusive, why don't I show you just how nice I am when I really am pissed." Bradin's grip tightened. "I could beat the living shit out of you, Jason. Want a demonstration?" Bradin's hand clenched into a fist and he held his arm back, ready for the punch when-

"Oh my God, I knew it!" Jessica's voice pierced the air. She grabbed Bradin's hand and shoved him back, forcing him to release Jason. "Are you okay?" she turned to Jason. He gave a pathetic nod. Then she whirled back on Bradin. "Yeah, tell me again how this was all a lie? Tell me again how you didn't threaten him." Before Bradin could respond, Jessica and Jason had left.

Bradin started after the two in fury. This didn't look amazing to her. He could see how she would be a bit wary. But really, he stated point-blank that he hadn't done anything to the two. His word should have convinced her. Bradin let out a groan of frustration and knocked over a garbage can on his way out the door.


A/N: Thanks for reviewing everyone, 9 more 'til 100! W00t! Did you all see last night's episode of Summerland? Jesse was BEYOND hot! That tux…him shirtless…I was drooling incessantly, lolol. I thought he was rather scrawny until last night…damn that man is shexy shexy. Cough Yesh, I am in a very strange mood…I'll skip off into the land of the dancing dolphins and leave you to cling to your sanity