The screen door slammed shut behind me and I leaned against it, closing my eyes and breathing deeply. But peace didn't come. I could still hear the party raging behind the door and the noise kept me firmly grounded in my reality. I straightened and looked around the room for something to wash my shirt with.
To my left there was some sort of sink or something and I splashed some water onto my shirt, determined to get rid of the stench and stain before my mom saw it.
The door burst open and my solitude was destroyed by none other than Rayanne's make-out buddy and the cause of my current shirt dilemma. My eyes darted away and I moved further back into the shadows, not wanting to attract his attention yet again.
He swore loudly and I jumped at the sound of something breaking against the wall. Hesitantly I looked into the main room, remembering it as the place where I had my first conversation with Jordan Catalano.
He kicked the couch angrily and with an angry swipe of his arm, knocked the lamp onto the floor. He still had the beer bottle in his hand-or another one- and he threw that too. I gasped as it shattered against the wall and he whirled to face me.
For a moment, we simply studied each other. He was breathing heavily and he ran a fist through his hair, turning away from me. I bit my lip, feeling as if I owed him some sort of explanation. "Sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"Catalano's girl, right?" He cut me off abruptly, his voice smooth and understandable despite the amount of alcohol he had consumed. There was a sudden intensity in his eyes that I didn't trust and I hesitated before nodding cautiously.
His eyes narrowed and slowly ran the length of my body. The blatant scrutiny made me uncomfortable but I wasn't sure what to do. Gorgeous guys didn't often pay attention to girls like me…well, except Jordan that is.
I cleared my throat and his dark eyes met my hazel ones. A friendly grin appeared on his face and I started. "You wanna wash that?"
"What?"
"Your shirt." He gestured and my cheeks burned at the realization that there was a huge dark circle in the middle of my shirt from the alcohol and water.
"Uh, yeah, thanks." I muttered. Though my gut told me not to trust him, I couldn't forget the trouble I would be in when I got home.
He nodded, his hair falling further into his eyes. He walked over to the door I had tried last time and put his hand on the knob.
"That's locked." I called.
Casting a scornful glance over at me, he pulled a key out of his pocket and unlocked the door. I followed behind him, "How did you-"
"Come on," he interrupted again, opening the door and walking into the other room.
He led me over to a washing machine and looked at me expectantly. That was when it hit me that I would actually have to take my shirt off to wash it in the machine. "Um, actually do you just have some soap or something, because I don't-"
It was like he'd been waiting for that because he was already pulling off his shirt before I'd even finished. He tossed his green over shirt at me, "Wear this."
I held the shirt in my hands and hesitated. Wearing some guy's shirt that wasn't my boyfriend's seemed to be crossing some sort of line.
He rolled his eyes impatiently, "Relax. I'm not gonna rape you. Now hurry up, I wanna get back outside."
The tone of his voice was condescending and I felt childish. Still, I asked, "Could you turn around?"
"Why? It's not like you've got anything I've never seen before." He smirked, eyeing my chest.
My jaw dropped. "Excuse me?"
"Never mind." He muttered and abruptly spun around.
I quickly pulled off my shirt and put on his, keeping an eye on him the entire time. "There aren't any buttons."
"Well I'm sorry my shirt isn't good enough for you." He snapped rudely, turning around.
I quickly clenched the fabric together, "I didn't mean it that way."
He closed his eyes, his jaw tight. When he opened his eyes, he spoke again, his voice sounding insincere. "Sorry. Here." He took my shirt from me and started the washer. "You'll have to wait 'til it's done."
I trailed after him then stopped as he opened the door that led to the party. He glanced back at me questioningly and I shook my head.
"I'm just gonna stay in here." He shrugged carelessly, but I stopped him before he left. "Wait, what about your shirt?"
He glanced back at me again, his eyes glinting, "I'll come back for it."
And he did. Not twenty minutes had passed before he returned with a smirk. I had made my way through the mess to wait uncomfortably on the couch. Most of my thoughts were on Jordan and our fight. I wondered where he was and if he was looking for me yet. Or if Sharon was right and he had forgotten about me in his search for Tino.
I was so absorbed in my thoughts I didn't even notice he was there for several minutes. Only when the couch shifted beneath me did I glance over to find him lounging in the spot next to me. I scooted away. "The washer isn't finished yet."
His eyes were closed, but I knew he wasn't asleep. "I know."
"Oh. Well what are you doing here then?" I asked, looking down to check that I was fully covered.
"Waiting," he muttered.
"For the washer?"
He didn't answer.
The next several minutes passed silently with him peacefully resting and me glancing back at him every couple seconds. I urged the washer to go faster but nothing happened. "What's your name?" I finally asked, just wanting to break the uncomfortable silence.
He didn't answer and I peered closer at him, curious to see if he had really fallen asleep. Unfortunately the darkness prevented me from finding out.
My neck ached. I leaned back against the cushions and relaxed, surveying the small room with utter boredom.
The next few minutes happened so fast I barely had time to react. From my position on the couch I suddenly heard voices outside, coming towards the door. The door handle started to turn and out of the corner of my eye I noticed the dark-haired teenager was sitting up, clearly awake. I moved to get off the couch, my heart pounding, but my journey was interrupted. Smoothly and swiftly the guy slid a hand around my neck and covered my mouth with his, kissing me roughly. My eyes widened in shock and I put my hands up onto his chest to push him off. He simply moved closer, trapping my hands between our bodies and pushing me farther back onto the couch. I tried turning my head away but his lips followed mine, and I couldn't get away.
I liked Jordan's kisses. He was much more experienced than I was, and his kisses were exciting and left me wanting more. But even beyond that, there was always emotion in them- his lips conveyed anger, happiness, lust.
This dark, mysterious boy was just as talented as Jordan. I couldn't deny that under other circumstances- if I didn't know Jordan…I might have been tempted to respond. But the kiss was missing one essential thing- emotion.
Immediately I knew he hadn't done it out of any sort of attraction to me. Through the loud pounding that was my heart I heard catcalls and whistles. My heart dropped at the same time a light bulb turned on in my head. It was all an act… a performance he was putting on for them. But why…
He pulled back slightly and grinned at the large group of boys behind him, intentionally keeping my face hidden. His arrogant voice called out lazily. "Hey Jordan?"
I closed my eyes.
There was a shuffle and I recognized the voice- his voice. "What Tino?" His tone was friendly but there were traces of pride and authority. Jordan was still Residue's lead singer.
The dark-haired guy…Tino…released me and stood up. I avoided their eyes and rushed to cover my bra and stomach with the green shirt. The task couldn't block out the dead silence that dropped over the room like a cloak. The only sound I could hear was my own ragged breathing. I was in shock- I couldn't believe this was happening. It was like some sort of horrible soap opera, only it was real. Viciously real.
I raised my eyes slowly. I counted maybe five or six guys standing there. Several I didn't recognize and due to their confused expressions I knew they didn't recognize me either. Travis and Joey were there, as well as the long-haired band member. They looked surprised and nervous, their eyes darting between Jordan and Tino. Shane was there too, his eyes frozen on my shirt. As I stared at him he raised his eyes and sent me a glance so full of scorn and anger that I caught my breath.
And finally, I looked at Jordan. His whole body was tense, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. The expression on his face made me want to cry; disbelief and anger were obvious, but underneath that I could see the hurt. I tried to catch his eyes but he glanced down and away. I couldn't tell what he was thinking but I knew I had to say something fast.
I opened my mouth but no sound came out. Shakily I stood up then immediately wished I hadn't when all the guys' eyes dropped to my legs. I glanced down and realized the shirt was long enough to cover my skirt, so it appeared I was only wearing the shirt.
"Jor-" I started, my hand involuntarily stretching out towards him.
He sent me a piercing glare and I shut my mouth audibly. I'd never seen him so angry, especially not when it was directed at me. Ice-blue eyes stared me down and I couldn't quite get up my courage to speak again.
Tino looked down at me and I stared back, a million questions swirling in my mind. I hated him. I had never hated someone as completely as I did at that moment. He used me…as a weapon of revenge. And I was the one that was going to suffer for it.
Tino's lips curved into a smirk and I wondered faintly how I had ever thought him attractive. Turning from me, he walked over to Jordan. All eyes were on him as he slapped Jordan's shoulder with a suggestive smile. "I don't blame you for keeping her around. She's pretty feisty once you get her going."
I gaped at him, but Jordan's reaction was much more violent. One second he was standing there clenching his jaw and the next he had swung around and punched Tino so hard he hit the floor. Most of the guys shouted and jumped back, but Shane grabbed Jordan before he lunged again and held his shoulders tightly. "Catalano! Jordan, calm down! He's drunk."
Jordan's eyes narrowed at his friend but Shane held his gaze steadily. The other guys stood tensely; ready to jump in if there was a fight.
Tino stood up and felt his jaw, his eyes locked with Jordan's. After what felt like an eternity, he turned and left the house silently. Jordan stared after him and shrugged Shane off harshly, keeping his back to me.
The rest of the group eyed me and I suddenly realized how animals in zoos must feel. Or a goldfish, even. Laid bare for everyone to judge…on display to whoever feels like looking.
Despite his obvious disgust in me, Shane seemed to realize we didn't want an audience. With a final look at Jordan he muttered, "Let's go guys."
Reluctantly they left, calling goodbyes to Jordan over their shoulders. Not one acknowledged me, but I understood the snub. I wasn't part of their group. None of them would be sad if they never saw me again, though I'd bet several would be relieved.
The door was shut quietly, but somehow that made the immediate future seem that much more ominous. Jordan rubbed the back of his head and slowly turned to face me, his eyes catching and holding mine captive.
"Jordan, I swear this isn't what it looks like-"
He interrupted me furiously, "And what's that Angela? What the hell does it look like?"
He took an angry step towards me then stopped abruptly and clenched his fists. I hesitated and he continued in a lower, more intense voice. "Like you just had sex with Tino after…after all this time?"
I flinched. "I didn't! I didn't even know he was Tino until you said his name-"
"So what, you just slept with someone you didn't even know?" He demanded.
"No! Of cour-"
"Is this because of what happened before?" The thing was Jordan was serious. He actually thought I would have sex with one of his friends to get back at him. The realization felt like a betrayal.
"NO! Would you just listen to me?" I cried out and he fell silent. He crossed his arms and glared at me, but his mouth remained closed. "Look, nothing happened. Really. I bumped into him and he spilled beer all over my shirt. So he gave me his shirt to wear while I washed mine."
Jordan held a hand up towards me, his voice still tense. "Stop. Just…stop. Quit makin' excuses."
"I'm not!" I yelled at him and then closed my eyes in an attempt to calm down. "I'm telling the truth Jordan."
"Yeah, well. You have a way of leaving things out when you tell "the truth"." He snapped, pacing a little.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I demanded. "Why don't you believe me?"
"Look around Angela! The place is a mess, I walked in on the two of you all over each otherand you're wearing nothing but your underwear and his shirt!" He yelled at me.
I looked away, teeth gritted. "I can't believe this. You're being such a hypocrite."
He looked over at me and stopped walking. "What are you talking about?"
"You slept with my best friend, and now when you think that I did the same…even though I didn't, you're acting all outraged and disgusted."
"That's not the same," he muttered, but herefused tomeet my eyes.
"Why? Because that was real and this isn't?" I cried out, hating the weakness of my voice.
"No! I didn't- that was...we weren't even together then!" He caught my frown and sighed, rubbing his forehead, "No that's not…look it's just different, okay? You know I've slept around a lot, but…for you it's just different."
My jaw dropped, "What? I'm not allowed to cheat on you, but you can cheat on me?"
He growled. "That's not what I said." He exhaled loudly and turned away, and we were both silent for a minute.
"I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry that I put his shirt on and that it looked like I slept with him. But I didn't. So can't we just-"
"What? Forget it ever happened?" He asked with a laugh. He stopped and gestured to the door forcefully, "Gaw-Angela, my friends were here! They all- they all saw you. With him. I- They're not going to forget that. They've had to accept me being with you-"
"Well excuse me, I didn't know I was such an inconvenience to them!"
"Shut up! Just, you don't understand. I punched Tino, Angela! Does that mean anything to you?"
I was taken aback by the emotion in his voice. To me it seemed simple: Tino was a jerk. He deserved to be punched. But to Jordan…he believed we had both betrayed him. And as long as he believed that, there was no hope for us.
My shoulders slumped. Quietly, I asked. "Why can't you just trust me?"
His eyes rose from the ground and he shook his head slowly, "Because… I can't."
We stared at each other and then he looked away. He spoke again, but his voice was detached like that of a stranger's. "I'll take you back to your house."
Defeated, I followed him out of the house and away from the party.
Outside Chase's House
We pulled up in front of my house and unlike usual, I immediately got out and slammed the door shut behind me. I stood on the curb and rolled my eyes as the tires squealed and he sped away. I exhaled loudly and turned around, annoyed to find Brian Krakow sitting on his bike watching our entire exchange curiously.
I ignored him and walked towards my front door but he rode over to me. "Hey, Chase! How was the party?"
I shook my head but didn't answer.
He stopped his bike and I glanced over my shoulder to see him staring at my outfit. "Is…is that Jordan's shirt?"
"No!" I snapped at him. "Gosh, Krakow! Just mind your own business, okay?" I sighed and rubbed my forehead guiltily. "Look, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell at you. Well, okay, I did…but I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at…oh just nevermind."
He nodded slowly, "So uh, who's shirt is it then?"
I groaned in frustration and ran up the steps and into my house, hoping I could escape this night as easily as I had escaped Brian's questions.
I shut my bedroom door behind me and leaned against it. Thankfully Mom hadn't been around to see my clothes. I couldn't believe that after everything I forgot my shirt at Tino's. It could have been used to prove my story.
I turned my radio on and crawled onto my bed, collapsing against the pillows. On my bedside table was my copy of Othello and I stared at it absent-mindedly. I found myself picking it up and flipping through it until I reached Act 5 Scene 2.
"…have you mercy too! I never did offend you in my life; never loved Cassio but with such general warranty of heaven as I might love: I never gave him token."
I slammed the book shut on Desdemona's pleas and threw it across the room. I couldn't read the death scene. Not tonight.
Author's Note- dun dun dun So…how's that for excitement? What'd you think of Tino? And the fight? Who do you feel more sorry for- Angela or Jordan? Any thoughts on what you think should happen next? Review and let me know!
Thanks to all my fabulous reviewers!
Rebecca- hey! Thanks so much for reviewing again! I was wondering where you went! Haha So was that 'mystery guy' involved enough? Haha Poor Jordan, I feel so bad for him. So what'd you think of everything that happened?
Gabster07- Don't worry, Rayanne and Angela's problems are not going to magically disappear just because Rayanne apologized. Yes, Jordan's friends are…odd. Haha It's actually funny because that's usually the type I go for in real life (not completely serious, but just kinda the way Angela was in the beginning about Jordan) and so I'm basing their actions off of some of my own experiences. so much fun.
Chris- if you don't like Angela and Jordan fanfiction that's perfectly fine but you really shouldn't keep reading my story if it bothers you that much. You aren't going to make me change my plans for this story simply because you called it boring.
Guardqueen22- well, hello again. Haha I feel like we're just back and forth between reading each other's stories and reviewing. I'm glad you thought the fight was realistic- hopefully this last fight was just as realistic for you. It's especially hard because Jordan's character was always changing and showing different sides in the show, so it only makes sense that he'd keep developing in certain areas. But then it makes him seem less Jordan-like. Isn't Shane great? I love how he supports Jordan, unlike his other stupid friends. So what did you think of this last chapter? Dramatic enough? Haha
inTHEgrid is where I live- yay! I'm glad you think it's getting better and more exciting! So much of it is slow and developmental, I wasn't sure how readers would react. Angela is pretty self-conscious, huh? And Jordan just…isn't. I loved the bit with him wanting to kiss her and her not. I wasn't going to put it in but it just seemed to fit each of their personalities. Thanks for all your comments and I hope you liked this chapter!
