Not So Bad After All (BWWM)(EDITING)

Chapter Twelve

Not So Bad After All
Books One
Chapter Twelve
Jayden's Pov
__________________

"Yeah, bro, she was tripping. I told her I couldn't finish it 'cause of the storm, and she was still busting my balls about it," Ryan complained.

Honestly, I wasn't really listening. A cute redhead a few lockers down was checking me out, and she had my full attention.

"That's crazy," I muttered, just to say something.

"Old bitch just doesn't like me," he shrugged. "Oh, hey, babe."

I barely registered Rose's approach. Like I said, I wasn't paying much attention.

"Damn, you look sexy," Ryan said to her.

I rolled my eyes. He's my boy, but he's got no game. I mean, let's be real—he only gets girls because he's a football player. If he weren't wearing that jersey, no way he'd be pulling half the attention he does.

To be fair, when he and Rose first got together, he was all in. Head over heels. I don't know when that changed or why, and honestly, it's not my business.

Rose gave an awkward chuckle. "Uh, thanks."

Lesson number one: don't call a girl like Rose sexy to her face. Girls like her—good girls—expect more than that. You have to be sweet, say things like beautiful or stunning. Make them feel like you actually mean it, like you're not just trying to get in their pants.

By the way she stiffened, I could tell I was right. Her smile didn't reach her eyes, the way it usually did when she was actually happy about something.

And lately, I've been noticing a lot more about her. The way she moves, her expressions—little things. Like how she always seems tense around Ryan, like she's bracing for an argument. How she smiles the most when she's with her best friend, Sky. And how she doesn't instantly look pissed off when she sees me. That last one? New. And I'm not sure how I feel about it.

It's like my senses go into overdrive whenever she's around.

She's even started dressing differently. No more oversized T-shirts hiding her curves. Now, she's got confidence. A little flirtiness, even. Today, she was wearing light blue skinny jeans and a pale green off-the-shoulder top. Nothing too revealing—just her shoulders—but somehow, that made it even hotter.

Admitting that anything about Rose was hot felt like a familiar punch to the gut. But I'm a guy. I have eyes. And I'm not blind.

"Anytime, boo," Ryan smirked, clearly proud of himself.

Lesson number two: don't call your girlfriend boo. A boo is someone you're casually talking to, not someone you've been dating for a year and a half.

"So, what happened to you Friday, Saturday, and Sunday?" Rose asked, her tone sharp. "You were MIA. You weren't at school, and your phone was off."

"The storm, babe. That shit was crazy. I was home by myself the whole time," he lied, effortlessly.

I chuckled under my breath. He was ridiculous sometimes.

Rose didn't look convinced. "Mhm... right."

"What's the problem? You were home too, staying out of the storm—everyone was. Why is it so hard to believe I was doing the same thing?"

"Actually, she was with me," I said casually. I couldn't help myself.

Ryan shot me an annoyed glance before turning to Rose. "What?" His voice tightened. "Why were you with him?"

"Well," she started, crossing her arms, "Friday, I had to pick up my paycheck from work and got caught in the storm. Sky called Jay and asked him to give me a ride home since she couldn't get in touch with you. And on top of that, I was locked out of my house."