Chapter 9

Jonathan was in the high school hallway getting a drink of water out of the water fountain. When he finished, he turned around to see Andrew Martin.

"Oh my god," Jonathan said. "You scared me."

"Are you enjoying the dance?" Andrew asked.

"Yes," Jonathan said.

"Do you really like Lydia?" Andrew asked.

"Of course I do," Jonathan said.

"You just turned 16 a few days ago," Andrew said.

"Yeah," Jonathan said.

"And Lydia just turned 14 recently," Andrew said.

"Yes," Jonathan said.

"14-year-old girls are always love-struck and easy to influence aren't they?" Andrew asked.

"You're making it sound like I just want Lydia to jump into bed with me," Jonathan said.

"Maybe," Andrew said.

"That is not true!" Jonathan shouted. "I would never use Lydia like that!"

"Sure," Andrew said.

"Why are you always such a jerk to me?" Jonathan asked.

"I don't like you," Andrew said.

"And I don't like you," Jonathan said walking off.

Andrew laughed as he took out his phone.

"I hope it recorded all that," Andrew said. "A little editing and I'm all set."

Later, Jonathan and Lydia were dancing as Chase and Haley, who were volunteering at the refreshments table smiled at them. Lydia looked over to see Andrew staring at them.

"I'll be right back," Lydia said. "I just need to get rid of a pest."

"Okay," Jonathan said.

Lydia and Jonathan shared a kiss and Lydia walked over to Andrew.

"Come on!" Lydia said in an angry tone.

Lydia grabbed Andrew by the arm and dragged him into the hallway.

"Quit watching me!" Lydia shouted.

"Lydia," Andrew said. "I'm just concerned about your well being."

"No you're not," Lydia said.

"Jonathan is not the nice person you think he is," Andrew said. "He just wants to get you into bed with him."

"No he doesn't," Lydia said. "You're stupid."

"I recorded his confession," Andrew said.

"You recorded him?" Lydia asked. "Creep!"

"I did it for your own good," Andrew said as he played the altered recording.

"I just want Lydia to jump into bed with me," the altered recording played.

Lydia gasped.

"Oh my god," Lydia said heartbroken. "How could I be so stupid?"

"It's not your fault Lydia," Andrew said. "You got swept away. But I like you Lydia. Will you go out with me?"

"I wouldn't date you if you were the last guy on Earth," Lydia said disgusted.

Lydia stormed into the gym. Jonathan walked over to her with a glass of punch.

"I got you some punch," Jonathan said.

"Me too," Lydia said before punching Jonathan in the stomach.

"Lydia!" Jonathan said in pain. "What the hell?"

Lydia stormed out of the gym and Jonathan followed after her. Chase, noticing this quietly followed behind.

Jonathan caught up with Lydia in the hall.

"Lydia," Jonathan said. "What's going on? Why did you punch me?"

"I can't believe how stupid I was!" Lydia shouted. "I know all about your plan to get me into bed!"

"What are you talking about?" Jonathan asked.

"Andrew played me a recording saying you just wanted to get me into bed!" Lydia shouted.

"I never said that!" Jonathan shouted. "If he recorded me talking, he must have altered it!"

"We're over!" Lydia shouted.

Lydia ran out of the school and Jonathan followed after her.

"Lydia!" Jonathan shouted. "Wait!"

"Stay the hell away from me!" Lydia shouted.

Lydia ran off, leaving Jonathan standing there. Jonathan felt a hand pat him on the back.

"Jonathan," Chase said.

Jonathan turned around to see Chase.

"Dad," Jonathan said.

"Are you okay?" Chase asked.

"No," Jonathan replied. "No I'm not. Can we go home?"

"Of course," Chase said.

"I just want to go straight home," Jonathan said.

"Okay," Chase said. "I'll order pizza when we get home."

"Thank you," Jonathan said.

"You're welcome," Chase said.

Chase and Jonathan got into Chase's car and buckled in. Chase began driving.

Jonathan felt like someone was tearing out his insides.

"You can wait until you get home," Jonathan said to himself in his head.

Jonathan managed to hold it in. They were almost home. However, once Chase stopped at a red light, Jonathan knew he could no longer hold it in and burst into tears.

"I know," Chase said softly.

The light turned green and Chase drove home. Once home, Chase and Jonathan got out of the car and went into the house. Chase and Jonathan sat on the couch while Jonathan continued to cry.

"I know you heard that conversation," Jonathan cried. "But I promise, I never said I wanted to get her into bed with me. Andrew was saying weird things to me and I said that he made it sound like I just wanted Lydia to jump into bed with me. I guess he'd been recording the conversation and altered it on his phone. You have to believe me."

"I do," Chase said softly.

"I didn't do anything," Jonathan cried. "I just wanted to take my girlfriend to the dance."

"Come here," Chase said softly.

Chase held Jonathan tightly.

"Let it out," Chase said softly.

"I don't know what I'm going to do Dad," Jonathan cried.

"Just let Lydia cool down," Chase said. "Right now just cry it out. It's going to be okay."

END OF PART 1