Chapter 1: Junior Year

I took a deep breath as I sat under the tree in the court yard, waiting for Ayden, Jennette, Joey, and Mike, Jennette's boyfriend. I let it out slowly and let my apple green eyes close for a couple of minutes. Some one came up behind me, slipping an arm around my waist and pulling me to their chest. I was about to turn around when the person slipped their other hand to my eyes.

" Guess who?" the Southern drawl of my best friend whispered, and I could hearing the smirk in his voice.

" Ummm, Joey? Mike? Kevin?" I listed off the names I knew would get to him the most, my other best friend, Cocoa's boyfriend, and my ex-boyfriend who ended up cheating on me. For some reason he and Ayden never got along. I never knew why.

" Wrong. One more guess or you have to suffer the consequences." he warned, even though we both knew it was false. I moved my index finger to tap my chin, putting on a thoughtful look.

" Ummm, Ryan?" I guessed, smirking when I felt his muscles tense.

" Who the fuck is Ryan?" he growled, his temper slipping. I smirked, trying to squirm out of his grasp.

" For me to know, and you not to find out," was my teasing reply. Before Ayden could do anything Jennette, Joey, and Mike came into view, laughing about something.

" Wait until after school," he growled smirking. I rolled my eyes, giving him a crooked little smile.

" Oh I'm so scared I'm shaking in my boots," I told him, my voice not losing its teasing note.

" Yo, Cocoa, do you know a guy named Kevin?" Ayden called, once they were a few yards away. Jen raised a perfectly thin eye brow causing the mocha colored skin of her brow to raise some.

" Yeah, what about him?" she asked, her tone guarded as her eyes passed from me and back to him.

" Just curious. Is he a friend?" he answered, his smirk widening.

" Yeah, he's Mikey's friend. He's a pretty cool guy," Cocoa answered, plopping down under 'her' tree.

" Would you mind if he lost a few teeth?" Ayden questioned, raising an eyebrow. Mike looked confused, sighing.

" Yeah, we kind of need him for the basket ball game," Mike answered, picking up a fry from Jen's lunch tray and pushing it into his mouth.

" Well, he might just lose a few teeth?" Ayden mumbled. I shook my head, planting my hand on my hips.

" I don't see what the problem is Ayden. I'm Kevin's friend too. You can't go around smashing every other guy that isn't you, Joey, Mike, or some one you approve of faces in," I scolded him, narrowing my apple green eyes.

" Most of the guys are pricks, Jessie. No offense but you have bad taste when you pick your friends," Ayden said as if commenting on the weather. I could feel my temper slipping as my fist hit his jaw. I was heaving, practically panting to catch my breath. Ayden touched his jaw gingerly, his eyes wide at the fact that I punched him as hard as I could.

" You know what? Justin, Kevin, Nick, and Chris are right. So are you Ayden. I do have bad taste when it comes to picking my friends. I'm going to head home, alright Cocoa. I'll see you tomorrow," I said, turning on my heel and walking to the office.

I knew Ayden and Joey were arguing now, fighting about me. I took a deep breath, I was only a few yards away when I felt my phone go off. I slid it from my pocket, checking the number.

" Yeah?" I questioned, seeing Justin's name on the screen.

" Sign yourself out and get your ass over to Nana's as fast as you can. Bring a couple of friends if you want, but Ma's here with her latest boy toy and they ain't leaving," my eldest brother said, his voice practically a growl. I cursed as I hung up, looking over my shoulder.

" Joey, Cocoa, Mike, Ayden, come on," I told them. They didn't ask any questions, they never did, they just started walking with me to the office, knowing exactly what was wrong.

" Babe, you okay?" Cocoa questioned, her brows knitting together in confusion. I nodded, not ready to voice anything just yet.

" Jess, you sure?" Mike asked, worry lacing his tone as well.

" I'm fine. I just need you guys to help me out," I answered, shaking my head.

" With what?" Mike questioned, confusion was the only thing in his voice. Ayden watched me carefully, the only reason I knew this was because I could feel his eyes on me.

" Ma causing trouble again?" he questioned quietly, leaning forward so his lips were level with my ear. I bit the inside of my cheek, looking at him out of the corner of my eye.

" What do you think?" I growled quietly, still mad at him for what he said not even five minutes ago. Ayden sighed, knowing it was going to take me a while to cool down.

" Who's riding with who?" Joey questioned, and immediately Cocoa answered.

" Mike and I are taking his truck. And since Jessie is the only one with a car big enough to fit more than two people you and Ayden are riding with her," Jennette answered, opening the door to the office. I sighed, shaking my head.

" You're going to making me baby sit so Play Boy over here doesn't get his ass beat? Like we all know he deserves?" Joey questioned, looking scared for his life.

Jennette smirked, nodding her head as she walked up to the secretary and started to sign out.

" Basically. Jess, you want me to sign your name too?" she asked, looking over at me worriedly. I nodded, putting on my best sick face.

" Sorry to hear you're not feeling well dear," she told me comfortingly. I forced a weak smile, nodding my head.

" Ayden, want me to sign you out?" Mike questioned, knowing Joey wouldn't.

" Yeah, that'd be great," he said, acting as if he was taking care of me as we waited for everyone else to sign out.

" Jess, you still pissed?" he whispered, knowing by the look I was. I closed my eyes, not bothering to answer. I took a deep breath and looked up when Joey came next to us. He nodded, letting us know we could go. I pushed myself up, ignoring the hand Ayden held out for me to take.