Crying Blood

V.V. Brown

Chapter 15

…

This town was too small. He kept bumping into the people he did not want to see. He knew Clare was with Eli…but to actually see them in each other's arms…here in the park…hurt him.

But as much as it did, he knew they would have ended up here. She was using him as a rebound….that was what he got for even starting a causal relationship. Any relationship only resulted in hurt. His parents taught him that.

They didn't see him….good. He needed this time to himself. It made no sense talking to Clare about the situation….it was like talking in circles.

Marisol saw Jake sitting there. She just wanted some time to reevaluate herself….and think of ways to help Katie. She was selling herself short. She was more than just a girl who had looks…she had to discover it for herself.

Seeing Jake…she didn't want to disturb him….turning around she stepped on a twig.

"Hey…" Jake stated as the sound broke his train of thought.

"…O…I was just….." Marisol began.

"Needed a place to think….."Jake finished as she nodded.

"Yeah…..I can go find…"

"No there is plenty of room here." He scooted over as she sat down. By the way of her face she saw Eli and Clare too.

"Sorry about the breakup." Marisol said.

"Me too…but it's for the best. What brings you here?"

"Just Katie…I mean, she is such a good person and I haven't been as good to her as she has been to me….."

"Sometimes people see what they themselves can't see." He folded his hands together, leaning forward.

"Don't play Jake….what I did to her during the election….was awful…..It's unforgivable." She bit her lip.

"Marisol the only true mistake is the one you don't learn from…." He said turning to look at her.

"….even then it makes you wonder if you yourself are the mistake." She looked crestfallen.

…..

"How's Katie." Drew asked as they lifted weights in the gym.

"She's good." Julian said directly.

"Ummmm….did I say something wrong…"

"No…but Drew you lost that right to when you picked Bianca over her." Julian sat the weight down to drink from his water bottle.

"…I was just…just because I broke up with her doesn't mean I don't care about her as a friend."

"I know Drew….but it isn't your place. And it's not right for you to ask that when you know you are the reason."

"Look, I don't regret choosing B. When did you become Team Katie?"

"I'm not saying that you regret it…but just stop trying to act so high and mighty." Julian rolled his eyes.

…

"So are you going to finally admit it….." Maya made her big sister sit down…handing her a pop-tart.

"Admit what…" She chewed it slowly. She was glad she was able to swallow something without feeling guilty.

"Your crush on Julian…it would explain your blow out on Tori…" Maya laughed fixing her glasses.

"Tori can just be so annoying at times…about guys…" Katie scoffed.

"Because Marisol's sense of chatter is so enlightening." Maya said sarcastically as her sister blushed.

"I don't even know how it happened….."

"Yes!" Maya shouted. "I knew it….I knew it…you two would be so cute…."

"Maya…I swear if you tell him."

"I won't….I promise….but you have to admit….you like the idea too."

"So what if I do…."Katie shrugged…checking her phone as she got a text.

Remember…stay strong…I'll see you later

"Judging by the smile on your face….that was him."

"So what if it was?"

…

Jake didn't know Marisol had this much depth to. Seeing her around school, he thought she was happy go lucky…no care in the world.

"What….surprised the home wrecker has feelings?" She asked.

"No…..well I don't know…" Jake shrugged. "It's just like me. I'm a nonchalant person…so it does surprise people when I get like this."

"We all need time to ourselves" Marisol said…closing her eye. "It really hurts when people call me that….but that's people…the girl gets labeled….K.C. pursued me. I know I shouldn't have done it….but…you wouldn't understand."

"Try me…I know all about casual relationships and feelings getting attached."

"I'm not making an excuse for myself….so I don't want anyone to think that…but I made a vow to hurt boys like they did me….and every time I do…I get burned.

"Why would you do that?"

"….Freshman year…I fell for this guy…and he said all the right things…and I gave into him….then he dropped me…..at that moment…I promised I was going to hurt guys like they hurt me…I wanted the power…the control."

"Marisol…not every guy is bad….not every guy wants to hurt you."

"I know…I know…and I put myself in that situation…"

"…this really sucks…" They both laughed as Jake continued. "I mean can we ever get it right?"

…

"Was that kiss for real…." Fiona asked…realizing they were still in the photo booth.

"Yeah….." Imogen said shyly touching Fiona's lips. "Did you like it?"

"Very much so…I sound so….dorky…" Fiona blushed touching Imogen's hands.

"You could never be dorky…" Imogen leaned in again.

…

"One…we will…." Marisol stated. "…and I'm sorry for complaining about your cabin."

"Water under the bridge…"Jake laughed. "It is pretty old."

"I had no right…I actually have no right to do a lot of things actually." They both laughed.

"Well since you know…." Jake stated.

"I'm one of the HBIC's at school. I can't show weakness…" She laughed.

"It's good to see you like this….low key…." Jake smiled.

"Yeah…jumping into your arms was over the top…." She stated rolling her eyes at herself. Jake would never tell, but he liked it.

"OMG….I got the best idea…"

"…let me guess….party…"

"hahaha….but we all need a pick me up…..your party was definitely something." Marisol stated.

"I didn't know that story would scare you so…." Jake laughed realizing he was forgetting all about Clare and Eli.

"I scare easily ok…." She stuck out her tounge.

….

"Alli is it wrong of me to do Jake like that?" Clare asked as she sat on her best friend's bed.

"Clare you followed your heart. What's wrong with that…." Alli tried to give her friend clarity.

"Sometimes…the heart and mind get confused." Clare stated biting her lip. "I'm immoral…I truly am…I saw Jake there….and I didn't care….the only thing I wanted was Eli…."

"That's life sometimes…we find ourselves in situations where we…."

"Don't care about others….." Clare said with sarcasm.

"No do what is best for us despite everyone else." Alli held her hand.

"You're right…so are you and Dave on the right track…."

"Yes…" Alli blushed uncontrollably reliving the other night in her head so vividly.

"You were right Als…."Clare began.

"No….stop….we were both wrong. We could have done better listening to each other. When you needed me…the only thing I could think of was Drew…heck even Johnny."

"Still though….you're my best friend…." Clare hugged her…as she hugged her back.

….

"Leave it up to Mar…to throw a party." Katie rolled her eyes as she received the text.

"She's only doing it for you." Maya stated handing Katie her pills and a bottle of water. "How is the knee….."

"Good….I don't know how to tell mom though. I don't even want to tell her."

"Then don't tell her….lie." Maya said like it was common sense.

"I can't lie to them…."

"Why not…I do it all the time….no big deal…." The blonde laughed grabbing her sister's hand.

"Where are we going?" Katie asked.

"To get you something to where tonight….Julian is going to be there."

"You don't know that."

"Yeah I do." Katie hid her laugh hoping he would be there.