The Boy Next Door

Jayden's Confession

My heart stops and I have the sudden urge to puke.

"Go away Emma," Zamora growls beside me.

"And you must be Jared," Emma says, completely ignoring Zamora. My eyes flicker between Jared and Emma, thinking about the promise he made earlier.

"Look, I don't know who you are, but I don't want to have anything to do with you," Jared says without looking turning around to look at her. Emma scoffs and stares at him, or rather the back of his head, as if she just saw a ghost. I can't help, but let a small smile spread across my face at his reply. I give Emma a look as if to say "haha."

"But, you havent even looked at me yet. If you looked at me, you might change your mind." She glares back at me. My blood runs cold at her remark. Emma is very pretty and has a slim body with the perfect curves. She's exactly the type of girl a player would go for. And Jared's a player. I bite my lip in nervousness. What if he goes for her? Even after I made him promise? Even if I'm his girlfriend? From where I'm sitting, I can see Jared has an annoyed look on his face. Stop worrying. He's not going to do that to you, Malia. He wouldn't hurt you.

Jared swings around in his chair, so that he's facing Emma. She puts on a seducive smile as he looks her up and down. I hold my breath and watch his face for any reaction. But he keeps a straight face, giving me nothing.

"Nope. I don't want to have anything to do with you," He says, looking her right in the eyes, with a blank stare. I let out the breath I'd been holding. I can't stop the smile that creeps onto my face and I glance at Emma.

Emma face is dropped and her jaw slacks a little as soon as the words register in her head. She blinks a few times then glances at me Jared. Soon a daring glare covers her eyes and points directly gaze at me. I try my hardest to not to squirm and hold my brave posture. Her head snaps at Jared, and for a second I thought I could see a little panick flash across his eyes, but he quickly covers it.

"You're with her, aren't you?!" she basically screams. I flinch at her high angry tone and an uneasy eeling fills the pit of my stomach.

"Yes, I am," Jared slowly answers. Emma's eyes darken.

"You have no idea who she is. She is a monster. A selfish bitch that will rip your heart and out and stomp all over it with spiked shoes!" My heart jumps into my throat at her words and tears sting my eyes.

No ones has ever talked about me like that and I never thought Emma would be the one to say that, even after everything she put me through. Lydia, Allison, and Zamora gasp at the same time. Jared blank stare turns into a cold, harsh glare that even makes me a little scared.

"Malia is not, or ever will be what just came out of your mouth," Jared growls, standing up. Emma takes a step back, but doesn't drop her glare."You've made a mistake coming over here and I sugest that you turn and leave right now." By now Dylan, who I forgot was even here, tugs on Jared's arm. Jared eases up a bit, but doesn't sit back down.

"The one who's made a huge mistake here is you, for choosing her. She doesn't disurve love or any kind of affection." That was it. I couldn't take to hear anymore. I quickly stood up and rushed away from them. I heard a male voice faintly call my name, but I couldn't tell if it was Jared or not. The pounding of my heart had filled my ears and my vision blurred. I ran out of the cafetearia and headed straight for the girls room.

A stong hand grips my arm before I reach the restroom, but it's not the familiar toughness that I've come to recognize. I stop and the boy turns me so that I'm facing him. Gently, he wipes away my tears and my vision becomes clearer.

Jayden stands in front of me, worry lines creasing his forehead. He looks a cute with that face and I start to remember why I liked him. His hands caress my face for a second before he pulls me into a tight hug. I hug him back and smile against his shirt. He pulls away and looks into my eyes.

"Are you okay?" he says, his voice low and husky. But not as husky as Jared's voice.

"Yeah," I whisper. He smiles and pulls me into a hug. I stay in his arms for a moment before I remember something I've been dying to ask him.

"Why did you punch Jared?" I ask, pulling away from him. Fear seeps into his eyes and he runs a hand through his hair. I wait for a moment, but he doesn't say anything. "Jayden, why did you punch Jared?" Silence. I give him an expecting look.

"Because I was jealous and confused. After you told me you liked me I didn't know what to do. At first I just wanted to stay friends but, then I saw you behind the school with Jared. I wanted to protect you from getting hurt, so I kissed you hoping it would make you forget about him. But after I kissed you, I realized I had feelings for you too. I was going to tell you, but when I went to find you, I found you making out with him in front of the whole school. I was so angry and confuzed and jealous. I lost it for a moment and took it out on him. I'm sorry I punched him, Malia. But I'm not sorry that I kissed you. It opened my eyes to all the feelings I hadn't realized I had for you."