The Party (Part 6)

As soon as Shawn and I walked into school, I could feel the atmosphere around us changing. People began to ogle, and I began to blush like crazy. Shawn looked over at me and grinned.1

"Jesse, relax. So what if they stare?" he told me. I sighed and shook my head.2

3

"You don't get it. When you have the whole entire school PLUS your two friends staring at you, it's not exactly easy to walk down the hall--," I started, getting cut off by Shawn's kiss. I heard girls gasping from all directions.4

5

All of a sudden, my friends, Mandy and Ashley began to converge on us. I groaned and shut my eyes. I turned around and gave my boyfriend a hug.6

7

"Hun, I got to get going. My friends are coming," I replied glumly, my hazel eyes downcast. Shawn laughed and pushed a stray strand of my hair back from my face, his hand lightly resting on my cheek. 8

"Alright. I'll meet you outside of your Algebra II class," he whispered, kissing me softly, tongue and all. I leaned into him, my hands grabbing at his shirt. I felt my eyes narrowing; I could hear my friend Mandy's impatient foot tapping. 9

"That's fine my love. I'll be waiting," I murmured, kissing him back passionately, throwing my arms around his neck. I felt Shawn's lips curve upward in a smile as he embraced me tightly before pulling away.10

11

"Until then." he grinned. "I've got plans for lunch," he whispered into my ear, so low that I was the only one who could hear him. I felt myself begin to melt inside, my heart increasing in tempo. I giggled and patted his cheek.12

13

"Bye," I said sweetly, heading over to my friends. I watched him walk away and felt myself sigh. Shawn was the most amazing guy I knew, and the perfect boyfriend. 14

I turned to my friends and looked over at them. Ashley was staring at me with a look of happiness mixed with...was it resentment? Or was it something more than that? Mandy was staring impassively at me, her eyes tight.15

16

"What?" I said incredulous voice. They both just continued to stare and shake their heads. Ashley was the first one to speak.17

"It's nothing Jesse don't you worry about that," Ashley replied bitterly, brushing past me and down the hall to what I expected was her next class. Mandy was the only one who remained. I gave her a pleading look and she sighed.18

19

"Why is she so mad at me?" I inquired quietly. Mandy came over to me and gave me a hug. I hugged her back.20

21

"Jesse, she's not mad at you, exactly. She's just...from what she's told me she feels...replaced." Mandy confessed. I gaped at her in acute astonishment.22

"Replaced." I stated, the word feeling odd in my mouth. She nodded.23

"It's just because, well..." Mandy started then trailed off. I groaned and pulled her along down the hallway.24

25

"Mandy, just tell me what the hell Ashley's problem is," I told her loudly, earning many bewildered stares from people in the hall. I gave a nervous laugh and walked faster. (Mandy and I had the same Algebra class together.)26

"If you must know Jesse, Ashley feels that you're not going to have time for her and I now that you're dating Shawn." Mandy replied as we walked into our Algebra class. Her and I took a seat together in the back.27

"Well, given that her and I are apparently no longer speaking, will you let her know, Mandy, that she could never be replaced?" I asked her hopefully.28

29

Mandy shook her head, which surprised me. I had no clue what that little headshake meant.30

31

"For once Jesse, I'm not going to do your dirty work. You can tell her all on your own. Besides, if it comes from you, it will probably make Ashley happy," Mandy informed me, turning back to the class to learn about doing stupid equations. 32

33

After the class was over, I walked out of the room and ran into my boyfriend Shawn. He laughed and pulled me in for a warm embrace. I hugged him back, leaning into him, closing my eyes. Mandy walked past.34

"Remember what I said Jesse," she told me seriously, not meeting my gaze as she continued to walk down the hall. Shawn pulled away and stared after her curiously, his eyebrows furrowing.35

"What was that all about?" he asked me. 36

"Apparently Ashley feels that now since you and I are dating that she's getting replaced. Basically, I'm going to have to talk to Ashley sometime today and sort this whole thing out," I gave a nervous sigh. Shawn planted a kiss on my forehead.37

38

"You're going to be okay, my love." he assured me gently. I nodded.39

40

"I know but I don't want to do it right now." I told him, wrapping my arms around his waist. "I'm more interested in those plans you had for lunch," I winked devilishly. Shawn gave a bark of laughter.41

42

"Well then why don't we go find out?" he responded in a seductive voice, leading me towards the front doors of the school. I gave him a puzzled glance.43

44

"We're going to go out for lunch; you and me both have three hours off before classes start back up again for us, so I figured, why not go off campus?" Shawn offered up. 45

46

Before I got the chance to answer, a new voice interrupted me.47

48

"Because my little sister is NOT going ANYWHERE with the likes of you," I heard my brother Josh sneer angrily, moving towards Shawn. I made a move to put myself between them both, my hand on Josh's chest in warning.49

50

"Josh, back off," I warned him, gesturing to Shawn to get into his car. Josh laughed.51

52

"Jesse, I think I can handle this," he joked through clenched teeth. I rolled my eyes and looked down at my feet, slowly counting to ten in my head so I could calm down.53

54

"Well guess what Josh? There's nothing TO handle. Shawn and I are going out for lunch; I'm not little anymore Josh! I wish you could finally see that! He is my boyfriend and I'm going to go out." I stated simply, opening the Ferrari's passenger seat door. Josh grabbed my arm roughly and shook me, causing Shawn to get out of the car.55

56

"I don't care." Josh said angrily. "You are coming back into school with me and are going to eat with your friends." he retorted back angrily. Shawn came up to us both just then.57

58

"If I were you, I would let go of her before I press charges against you for assault, even if she IS your sister," Shawn threatened, his blue-green eyes glowing with hatred. Josh stared at him in revulsion.59

60

"Later Josh okay?" I begged. He shook his head.61

62

"NO. Not later." he stated. Then I did something I never thought that I would do. I brought back my fist and swung it hard, into my brother's nose. I heard a loud crack and felt his hand loosen from my arm, which was sure to have a bruise there. Josh glanced upward at me in surprise.63

64

"Goodbye Josh," I told him quietly, getting into Shawn's car, watching my brother as he continued to watch us leave, his blue eyes sad.65

66

I knew that when I got back to school and had my last hour class at two, which happened to be Spanish III with Ashley nonetheless, that there were going to be some things having to be ironed out between us, not to mention the storm I'd face once I got home. Tonight was going to be a great night.67