Chapter 3
Jesse despised Paul with a passion. They'd met over the summer in the Pebble Beach Hotel and Golf Resort where Jesse had worked as a life guard. Paul, of course, was a guest.
Paul, Jesse had found out, was both deviant and evil. As well as selfish, self-obsessed and greedy. There was not one good quality about him.
Before the devil incarnate could reply to Jesse's sarcastic question, Father Dominic, principal of the school, started the assembly.
"So," Paul said after a silent (and very long) 15 minutes and the assembly was over. "That new girl."
Jesse clenched his fists. Still not knowing why but he didn't like hearing Paul go on about her.
"She's hot! I think I might even ask her out."
"You wouldn't dare." Jesse hissed threateningly.
"Awww, is little Jesse jealous?" Paul patronised him before continuing on, "Too. Damn. Bad."
That was the point at which Jesse snapped. He raised his clenched fists and punched Paul right in the nose.
Blood gushed out of the organ and Paul reeled back in shock.
"You little…"
Paul retaliated with a cocked fist, ready to strike. Only, Jesse managed to dodge and instead rained blows onto Paul's stomach.
"Never talk about her again."
Each word was punctuated with another punch.
"You've never even seen her." Paul rasped out through the pain, stunning Jesse into stopping.
He was right. He hadn't seen her. He'd only heard her name and background from her stepbrother and not the girl herself.
It was then that Sister Ernestine came running over.
"Honestly! It's the first day of school! Mr Slater - to the nurses office. Mr de Silva - follow me. And the rest of you - get to class!"
Jesse dejectedly dragged himself behind the vice-principal, kick at the ground in annoyance.
He'd never been in trouble before. Despite his status as jock, Jesse received straight A's. He'd never been in a fight before today. Yet, as soon as word of a new girl reached him, he'd changed.
"Sit."
Sister Ernestine gestured to an empty seat outside the principal's office. Jesse took the seat, keeping his gaze locked on the floor.
Soon, he heard footsteps approaching the reception.
"Hi. I'm new. Susannah Simon?"
That caught Jesse's attention. He looked up to find himself looking at the prettiest girl he'd ever laid eyes on.
"Hey, is this seat taken?"
Jesse wordlessly shook his head and received a smile from the angel.
"I'm Jesse."
He introduced himself using his nickname. It felt right.
"Suze." She replied. "Well, Susannah really."
Seeing his raised eyebrow she explained.
"As in, 'Oh Susannah Don't You Cry For Me.'"
"Susannah," he said, testing it out on his tongue before flashing her a smile. "I like it."
"Thank you." She honoured him with a pretty blush.
"So," Suze began after a moment's silence. "Whatcha in for?"
Jesse laughed.
"Fighting."
They started into an easy conversation then, about the school and the teachers. They found it so easy to talk to each other. Suze couldn't help but admire the movement of Jesse's strong chin as he talked. And what she could see of his chiselled chest.
"This may be a little soon," Jesse began. "But, do you want to, maybe, get a coffee or something? After school?"
Jesse held his breath while Suze's heartbeat sped up.
"Sure," she smiled. "Sounds fun."
"Great."
Before they could make plans. Suze's name was called and she went in to talk to Father Dominic while Jesse stared after her, grinning idiotically.
His giddy mood was soon shattered though, when Paul waltzed through the door. Jesse smiled in satisfaction when he saw the bruising marring Paul's otherwise - apparently - flawless face.
"Hey Jesse." Paul spat out his nick name knowing it would aggravate the other boy.
The name sounded so much better coming from Suze's lips.
"Paul." Jesse gave a curt nod.
"I see you're feeling better," He added with a sneer.
Paul snorted.
"Sure. Whatever."
They sat there in silence until the door to Father Dominic's office opened and Suze walked out while Jesse's name was called.
Paul perked up when he saw her. At least until she walked over to Jesse.
"Meet me here after school, kay?"
"Can't wait," he coolly replied, impulsively kissing her cheek.
He watched as Suze walked on to her first lesson while Jesse walked into the room she just vacated, smirk firmly in place on his face.
'I bet Paul just loved that.'
Sorry didn't realise there were so many mistakes. I'm going through the chapters now and editing them. Sorry.