The Jealousy Plot

27) 'Model' Behavior

I knock loudly on the familiar wooden door four times before stepping back and praying that Luke wouldn't check the peephole. For some reason, the gods are on my side and the door flies open to reveal the very annoyed, ever attractive face I had come to be familiar with.

Before Luke can shut the door on my face again I speak up. "Don't hate him-"

"The only person I'm not exactly fond of right now is you" he deadpans making me want to shrink away in cowardness but instead, I force myself to look him straight in the face. 'So this is what looking a lion straight in the eye feels like' I think to myself.

"Please Luke, this is important" I say, a slight whine in my voice. He stares at my face a second before responding. "I have nothing to say to you".

"But I have something to say to you" I say in a fast pace and step forward to stop the door from slamming on my face. "Luke, listen to me, please".

"What Claire?" he asks exasperated. I don't miss the fact that he says my real name instead of 'sleeping beauty'. The fact twists my stomach more than I would think it could have.

"Well don't be mad. He was just doing what he thought was right-"

Luke interrupts me by whipping back around faster than I expected. "What did Zack do?" he asks, basically growling.

I scrunch my eyebrows together. "What? No, Luke this has nothing to do with Zack. This is about you and how you are failing English right now" I explain.

I watch as Luke's eyes turn dark blue. "You really need to mind your own damn business and you can tell Mr. Solender to do that too" he snarls, turning away. I follow him to the kitchen. I start to protest. "What did you think he was going to do? Mr. Solender cares about you Luke and he wanted someone in you're life to try and help you-"

"So why did he pick you?" Luke coldly asks, turning back to me. "The last time I talked to you was almost 3 weeks ago and our last conversation wasn't pretty".

"You were drunk, I know you didn't mean anything you said" I start. He holds up a hand, silencing me. "That's the thing Claire. I meant every word I said. You need to stay away from me. I don't care about you anymore. Besides, you have a boyfriend now. How is the superstar doing lately?" he asks, the word 'superstar' dripping with sarcasm.

I cross my arms across my chest. "He's doing great. That reminds me, do you have any condoms? We ran out a few days ago".

My question sends Luke surging forward towards me with clenched fists and a face with a mixture of rage, envy and hurt "you better be fucking joking".

"Yeah, I am" I answer. "See? You do still care about what happens to me". His face turns stony "you don't know him like I do". I laugh at his words. "And you do? You just don't like him because I'm dating him".

Suddenly Luke throws his hands into the air "well congratu-fucking-lations Claire! You have me wrapped around your little finger! Is that what you were aiming for? Because you did it. You got the notorious player to fall for you. Lesson learned. I won't ever treat a girl bad again. Now get the hell out".

"Is that what you think I'm doing here" I breath out in barely a whisper. "You think I'm hear as some kind of game? I care about you Luke, whether you want me to or not. I still think of you as my friend and when you are failing a class, your friend is supposed to help you. Please, I just want you to succeed Luke. You once told me that you wanted to get out of this small town. Let me help you do that. Please".

He stares at my pleading face for what feels like an eternity before turning towards the long dining table. "You get the books. I'll get some drinks".