I was sitting in History class copying down notes from the projector staring at the clock.

It felt like it was 11:15 for the past 20 minutes.

I looked at the window of the door and saw no one.

Ms. Lewis spoke monotonously about The Cold War. I saw a shadow near the locker from my peripheral vision. I looked window and saw Jackson peer his eyes at window and lock eyes with me. His eyes danced from me to down the hall.

I picked up what he was implying and looked at Ms. Lewis and around the class. No one was aware of what was going on. I looked from the corner of my eye and noticed his shadow pass.

I raised my hand and watched Ms. Lewis look at me after I cleared my throat.

"Yes, Melissa?"

"May I use the washroom?"

She looked at the clock and sighed.

"There is 10 minutes left could you wait?"

I inwardly groaned and felt everyone's eyes on me. Make a decision Melissa! Do it!

"Um, I guess I can."

I heard a few snickers and realized it was coming from Eric in the back of the class.

"Would you like to say something, Eric?" Ms. Lewis spoke deadpanned.

"Oh it's nothing, just thought the timing and CAUSE was interesting." I felt my eyes grow. Did he see Jackson?

"Eric, stop antagonizing Melissa."

If I wasn't embarrassed enough her comment totally set me off.

Jackson's POV:

I waited in the corner for a few minutes and Melissa still didn't show.

I looked at my watch and realized she must have gotten the stupid lecture that class would end in a few and to wait.

I decided to go down the hall and hang near the bulletin board. A few kids were walking around the area since they had their free period.

I ignored some of the stares being thrown at me. The rumours weren't dying down so I decided after my walk with Melissa last night that I would clear the air with her.

I heard the bell ring and watched everyone leave their classes relieved.

I waited with my schoolbag in hand and saw a petite Asian girl wearing a long red skirt and T-shirt. I smirked when I saw her wave enthusiastically.

I stopped leaning against the wall and slung my bag over my shoulder.

"Hi Jackson! I'm sorry I got tongue tied with my teacher and - "

I stopped her and shrugged my shoulders.

"It's alright. I've been there before. Are you free for lunch?"

I noticed her grow flustered so I spoke up cautiously.

"Unless you're busy..."

"No! No... I just need to tell my friend Nathan that I'm not eating with him."

We walked down and I slowed down and allowed her to lead us to her locker.

I watched her stumble as she put her binder away. I smirked as I remember our odd encounter when I left Ms. Smith's office.

She still had the same awkward charm to her.

I looked to my right and saw an Afro and Melissa's face light up.

"Hey Nathan!" I watched the two hug and noticed his look of confusion due to my presence.

"Mel, can I talk to you in private for a second?"

I noticed her look cautious and I decided to set her with ease.

"Melissa, you can go talk to him. I don't mind." She looked at me once more and I nodded.

I watched her go to a corner with Nathan and could tell the topic was me.

Melissa's POV:

"Nathan that is so rude of you to ignore him like that."

"I didn't see him make an effort." He retorted annoyed.

"Yeah well you weren't exactly giving him a good vibe!"

"Melissa, I know that you told me not to listen to people but my uncle told me that he had to do Jackson's paperwork at Juvie a week ago!"

My heart sank when hearing this. I looked over at Jackson and noticed him getting antsy.

I took a deep breath. "Nathan I appreciate you telling me this but Jackson asked me to have lunch with him and I'd - "

Nathan groaned exasperated. I locked eyes with Jackson and noticed him walking towards us.

Jackson's POV:

As I watched Melissa talk to her friend I could tell she heard something that really hurt her. I tensed up feeling some paranoia from my incident with Tony coming to mind. I watched her speak up but lose confidence when Nathan interrupted her. I decided to go and step in.

"Hey man, I sorta have plans with Melissa... and it's been almost 5 minutes..."

"What's your deal with my friend?"

I clenched my jaw at his tone.

"Nathan!" I heard Melissa speak in shock.

I rolled my eyes and looked away.

"All I'm saying is I care about her and frankly I know about you and how you were in Juvie a week ago."

I kept my face neutral and was thankful no one was around.

I let out a sigh at being reminded at how much I hated most of the people at this school and I started walking towards the exit.

I'm so fucking over this school it's unbelievable.

I heard footsteps and a faint voice calling my name.

I kept walking out the doors until I felt a small soft hand grab my bicep.

"Jackson, please!"

"He's right, you know."

I looked into her eyes and saw her face hold no expression.

"I don't care."

I looked at her surprised and smiled slowly when she began rambling.

"I mean I do care. But not about that, I care about you. No matter what I'd believe you. I just wanted you to know that." She spoke in a rush.

"Breathe, Melissa!" I told her jokingly.

She grinned and finally relaxed.

I looked at my watch and realized we had a little over half an hour left.

"Listen, I'd like to... explain myself over what Nathan said."

"You don't have to if you don't -"

"I want to." I spoke silencing her nerves.

"Alright. How about we go to the back field to the bleachers?"

I nodded and followed her lead. We walked in silence and noticed how empty the bleachers were. It was always packed during lunch.

I raised my eyebrow in surprise.

"It's 50% off at Mandarins today..." Melissa spoke up sheepishly.

I let out a small and brief chuckle and we walked up and sat in the middle.

Once we got comfortable I looked out at the field and could see Melissa sitting there patiently.

"I just want to say again, I really... admire your personality. Melissa you're so genuine and kind it's hard to believe your real."

I paused for a second trying to think of how to start.

"There are a lot of things people don't know about me. I've... seen a lot and gone through some stuff."

I let out a shaky breath thinking of Josh being stabbed again.

I felt her hand squeeze my knee comfortingly.

"Jackson, you can take your time. I'm not going anywhere."

I swallowed harshly embarrassed I am breaking down slightly in front of her.

"Last week... I went down to see some of my old "friends" and just needed to see people who would get me. Out of all them only one was really someone I consider a friend. His name is Josh and he's a year older than me. There were a couple other guys, Tony who is sorta the lead in the group. He has a record... and is someone you don't want to screw with."

I looked over at Melissa and noticed how engrossed she was and I continued.

"Tony was sorta taunting me over the fact I live here and just started pissing me off. Then there's Rick, he's the guy who just agrees with Tony for the sake it. He joined in as well and then everyone was saying crap but Josh."

I stopped talking, as the story progresses it gets... hard.

I felt Melissa cautiously wrap her arm around my torso.

She was rubbing my back soothingly.

"Take your time, Jackson."

"Josh got annoyed and told everyone to shut up and that pissed off Tony. He started threatening Josh and before I could blink he... he stabbed him."

I felt my throat tighten and I fought hard to make sure no tears appeared.

"What happened to him?"

"He's in a coma... I was the only one who stayed with him and the cops are keeping me as a suspect."

"But if Tony did it, why couldn't you just report him?"

"Because he's good at hiding and if Josh doesn't wake up there is no proof to back it up. Everyone is too intimidated by him and he could create an alibi no problem."

I looked at her with a sad smile on my face.

"A guy got hurt, because of me. I was told to stay away from them but I went there. He got hurt and now I'm going to pay the price." I spoke sadly.

"But you're innocent Jackson. You can't just let them put you in jail. You have to testify and tell them this!"

Melissa's POV:

My heart broke when hearing all of the trouble Jackson got surrounded by. It wasn't fair he didn't deserve this.

I watched him snap when I told him to report the matter.

"I don't have to do anything, Melissa. Don't you see it? I deserve all of this! I was given warnings and I chose to ignore them. I don't deserve good things, they never last."

"Jackson, you didn't know any of this was going to happen. You need to stop beating yourself up. You deserve great things in life! You've fought harder than anyone to make it out here. Don't let them paint your picture. At then end of the day, you control the paintbrush."

Great, I had to use a lame art analogy.

I watched him stare at me for a long time.

A faint sound of the bell rang in the silence. I realized that today I had Bio then free period.

"You need to get to class don't you?"

I nodded deciding against speaking and ruining the moment.

We got up and started walking down the bleachers.

"Do you have class?" I asked curiously.

"Yeah, English. Haven't really been in any of my classes."

I looked at him for a second and spoke up carefully.

"Well, you should... consider going. You know, at least make an effort."

I bit my lip at my choice of words.

He didn't seem too offended and even smirked.

"That would shock Ms. Smith."

I giggled awkwardly at the thought of our guidance councilor.

We entered the school and I was thankful that my class was close to this entrance so I wouldn't be late.

We stopped near the Bio room and I spoke up awkwardly.

"So are you going to English?"

I noticed him look down the hall and sigh.

"Yeah... I guess I can try to give Shakespeare a chance... even though I don't understand a damn thing."

I laughed feeling his pain. "Well maybe I could help you sometime. I had English already."

"You'd be my hero!"

I grinned at his words.

"So I'll see later?" I asked nervously.

"Yeah, we share the same free period."

I smiled upon the news.

"I'll see you after."

I smiled at the fact he wants to see me after.

"Uh definitely! Good luck in English!"

I watched him sling his bag over his shoulder and walk down the hall. I entered the noisy classroom and saw a very pissed off Nathan.

Well this will be interesting...

Hope you enjoyed it! Review! Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians who are celebrating it! Oh and to any Jackson fans, Johnny Pacar has a single out called One Last Wish, it's on youtube so check it out! If you like it a lot purchase it on iTunes! I love it! Just felt like saying that lol!