Chapter Eight: Let's Get These Teen Hearts Beating Faster Faster

Jesse

After classes finally ended the next day, I cornered Marco. He'd still been avoiding me, but I managed to get him alone in our room. He'd been just about to leave, but I blocked the door.

"I'm supposed to go talk to Andrew," he said, trying to get around me.

"This'll only take a few minutes. Andrew can wait," I told him. He gave in and backed a few feet away. "Marco, I want us to be happy again," I blurted out.

"So do I," he agreed, backing up more and sitting on the edge of his bed.

"Then why can't we be?"

"Because we never have time alone anymore. And we never will!" he shouted. Gracie, who had been giggling and playing on the floor suddenly stopped and looked up at him. "That's why," he pointed at her.

"I can't help it! I told you about the promise I made to Rex. And you know what? Just because I wanted us to work out, I actually considered giving her up!" I yelled right back. Marco was shocked; I could tell by the look on his face. He stood up and walked over to me. I never even knew it was coming, but my cheek stung as he slapped me.

"Don't you ever say that again," he said through gritted teeth. "That baby does not deserve to be abandoned by another person."

"But I thought that…" I trailed off, looking into his eyes.

"You thought wrong. Yeah, I've been getting fed up with her interrupting us every time we try to do something. And yes, I also think that both of us are too young to have kids. But that doesn't mean that I wanted you to give her away. You can't do that to her. Never even think it." I nodded my head and tried not to cry. How could I have even considered it? I'm a horrible person.

"I'm sorry," I choked out. "How will we get some time alone?"

"I think we should hire a babysitter. Or ask one of our friends to watch her once in awhile. We'll make it work," he said, grasping onto both of my hands. "I promise." He kissed me lightly on the lips, then again at each corner of my mouth.

"I believe you," I said, smiling. "Now go talk to Andrew."

I watched him leave the room, finally believing that things were going to get better.

Remy

I knocked on Kelly's classroom door. I wasn't sure what I would do. I knew what this was about; he was going to make me do whatever he wanted or I wouldn't be able to graduate.

"Just a minute!" he yelled. As soon as I heard his voice I wanted to kick his ass. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw who came out of the room.

"Nate, what were you doing in there?" I asked.

"Mr. James is tutoring me. You know how much I suck at Chemistry," he said.

"But Mr. James doesn't tutor anyone. Ever."

"You of all people should know that's not true Remy. He's tutoring you after all," he said before walking away. I wasn't sure what to make of his statement, but I shook it off.

"Come on in Remy," Kelly said from the doorway. I reluctantly followed him into the room where he closed the door and locked it. He pushed me up against the wall and forced his lips onto mine. I didn't fight back because I knew it'd be no use. I had to do everything he wanted if I wanted to leave this place at the end of the year. "I knew you'd come back to me," he said, grinning as he pulled away.

"I'm sure you did," I said, walking away from him. I sat down at his desk and looked up at him. "Let's just get this over with."

"Not so fast. You'll be mine for the next two hours. And since you're doing so horrible in class, we'll have to meet every day," he added, smirking.

"You're disgusting!" I yelled, walking to the door. He followed me and grabbed my wrist, forcing me to face him.

"But that's what you love about me, right?"

Before I could answer, he was shoving his tongue down my throat.

Lindsey

I dialed Sarah's cell phone number for the fifth time in ten minutes. I'd been standing at the same pay phone for over an hour, deciding whether or not I should really do it. She never answered though, so it didn't make much of a difference. I finally hung up for the last time, sick and tired of listening to the voicemail message.

How am I even like this? I'm crying over some stupid fourteen year old. Who falls in love like that? She's way too young for me and that will never change. So why can't I get her off of my mind? There has to be a way…

I trudged down the street as the rain started to fall. It soaked my hair, causing it to stick to the sides of my head. As I walked along the sidewalk, I thought about the trial. I wondered if things would go my way, or if they'd all see past my lies. I hoped for the former, but no one really knew at this point.

If either of the girls told the truth, I'd be screwed. I know Thomas would never give me up, but I'm not so sure about those two girls. They're twin sisters. What if Sarah feels bad for making Kate lie about Thomas being the father of her baby and decides to tell the truth? Or what if Kate just breaks down on the stand? We all know that she will be accused of being a slut if she says she doesn't know who the father is.

I can't believe I'm causing this much pain to everyone around me. All for a stupid girl.

Theresa

"Let's go to the mall," I suggested, grabbing on to Thomas' hand and pulling him towards the door.

"Just because you won't have sex with me doesn't mean that I'm gonna hold your purse while you try on clothes," he said, laughing.

"It's not that I won't have sex with you. We just can't. You're not mad are you?"

"No!" he said, surprised. "I'm just not up for the mall. Why don't we go to the movies instead?"

"Sure."

We made our way to the movies but stopped when we walked by Lindsey leaning against the outside of my school building. It had just stopped raining and he was soaking wet.

"Lindsey, what are you doing here?" I asked, surprised. Did he remember who he slept with the other night?

"I don't know. I was looking for Thomas."

"Oh," I sighed. Thank the lord.

"What's up?" Thomas asked him. "Are you okay?"

"Not really. I can't stop thinking about her," he groaned, looking up at his best friend.

"Why don't you come to the movies with us? And get your mind off of things," I suggested.

"Thanks, I guess I will."

Thomas helped him up and we continued to the movies. Thomas and Lindsey talked the whole way, pretty much ignoring me. I didn't want to end their fun though. It seemed like Lindsey was feeling better and I didn't want to be the one to ruin that.

When we got there, Thomas sat on the end, and I sat next to him before I could be left out. The only problem was that the seat left was on my other side, and then I had to sit between them.

The even bigger problem was that I wasn't really sure which one I'd rather be alone with.

Andrew

When Marco showed up my room, Rory glared at me before he left. He knew what I was going to talk to Marco about and apparently that was his way of warning me not to. Like I was really afraid of him. I snorted, which caused Marco to make a face and turn away from me.

"I'm sorry," I said, closing the door and walking in front of Marco so we were facing each other.

"About what?" he asked, looking down at the floor.

"About us." That caused his head to snap up and look at me. "About letting it end like that. About losing our friendship," I said, putting a hand on his shoulder. I didn't expect what came next. A huge smile grew across his face and he leaned forward and hugged me.

"I'm sorry too. That I never tried to keep our friendship going. We're both at fault. I've really missed you," he told me.

"I've missed you too," I said, smiling.

We sat down and talked for awhile after that, filling each other in on what's been happening in our lives lately. After about an hour, I decided to bring up what I'd wanted to say for a few days.

"Marco, I know that Jesse's a great guy and that he's lucky he has you in his life…"

"I sense a 'but' coming on," Marco said, grinning.

"But I think you're meant for someone else."

"Who, you?" he asked, smiling. I must have made a horrible face, because he stopped smiling and got serious. "I was kidding Andrew," he said. "Who?"

"You're meant to be with…"

"Marco!" someone yelled from the door.

"Hey Rory," Marco said, smiling once again.

"Can I talk to you?"

Marco turned to back to me.

"Only if Andrew doesn't mind."

"No that's fine," I said. I was a little mad that Rory had interrupted, but it also may have helped me out. It eliminated any type of awkward moment between us.

"I guess we can finish this talk later then…?"

"We don't need to," I told him. "Go have fun with Rory."

By the look on his face, he knew exactly what I meant.

Marco

"So…" I trailed off, following Rory. He was leading me back to the park.

"So…" he repeated.

"What did you want to talk about?" I asked him. We made it to our destination and I watched as Rory lay down onto the ground. I joined him but made sure to keep my distance. I knew what Andrew meant. He thought I was meant to be with Rory.

"I just wanted to get you away from Andrew," he confessed.

"Why?"

"He sure can be a handful sometimes. Like a little kid," Rory said, laughing. I agreed and joined in.

"But…did you want us to stop talking…because he was going to tell me something?" I asked. I wasn't sure if he'd tell me the truth, and I was surprised when he did.

"Well…yeah," he said, turning his head away from mine.

"What did you want him to stop from saying?"

"Marco…" he trailed off. He sounded upset. "I don't want to talk about it right now."

"Fine. I don't mind. If you ever want to talk though, I'm here." I slipped my hand into his, and we lay together in silence.

As we faced each other, I looked into his eyes and smiled, squeezing his hand.

"I should tell you," he whispered. He looked like he was trying not to cry.

"Tell me what?" I whispered back.

"Marco, I'm still in love with you," he said, staring into my eyes. We both moved toward each other at that moment and he kissed me.

It only lasted a split second, until I pulled away.

"Rory, I can't…cheat on Jesse," I said quietly. The look on his face was heartbreaking.

"I understand. But I have to go." He stood up and walked away quickly, leaving me behind to watch the sunset. If I hadn't ruined that moment, we'd be watching it together. But I just got things back on track with Jesse, and I can't do that to him. He should be the one watching the sunset with me.

So why did I want it to be Rory?

Nate

I kissed his lips softly before moving on to his neck, and then whispering in his ear.

"I never thought it'd be like this to be with you."

"Is it safe to say that you didn't know what you were missing?" he asked.

"It is." I smiled at him, finally happy for once. It was the first time in awhile that I was with a guy without the drugs.

"Thinking about sticking around?" he asked, dragging me out of my thoughts.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, are you going to visit me again?"

"If you'd like the company."

"I'd love it."

A/N: Yeah, I know…Lindsey's POV was lame…but I couldn't come up with anything for him right now, and since he wasn't in last chapter, I wanted to put something. It is important how upset he is. Next chapter will be the trial though…you'll have to wait and see. I also know that Theresa's POV was boring but I just wanted to have something in there where they're not only having sex. The Nate POV is just a little teaser. This chapter takes place on Monday, January 9th. The title comes from a Panic! At The Disco song and they own it.