Free In the Heart of Forever by Jo-Anna Walker Page B

let him go,” I demanded. Jake didn’t even hesitate. He darted down the aisle and was out of our site quicker than I expected. If anyone was going to do the hurting, it would be me.
    Rave stood there behind me. Frozen.
    My heart thumped rapidly against my chest and I turned towards him, wanting to help ease some of his pain.
    He released my hand and shoved his fingers through his hair, walking past me.
    “Rave,” I frowned.
    He paused in his steps and walked back to me. He cupped under my chin and placed a hard kiss on my lips and then my nose.
    “I need to be alone.” He walked down the aisle, leaving me in the darkness of the corner. And here I thought it would have been me that needed help, when really both of us were screwed up.
     

Chapter 12
    After Rave left the library, I didn’t see him for the rest of the day. Was his sister really in the mental hospital? I wished he would talk to me but then on the other hand I wouldn’t talk to him…so that wasn’t really fair of me to ask.
    I tried not to speak to Jake in Chemistry class but that didn’t last long.
    “Jesse, please. I’m sorry. I wasn’t jealous until Melanie…”
    I turned to him when his voice trailed off. “Until Melanie what?”
    He looked down, chewing on his bottom lip. “I was happy for you that you met a friend other than me. I was concerned cause of the crap I had heard, but I knew you could handle yourself.”
    “Okay and?”
    He sighed. “Melanie approached me, putting all of this stuff in my head about how I lost my chance to be with you and that I should fight for you and crap.”
    I shook my head. “Of course she did. Why wouldn’t she? She wants Rave all to herself.”
    “I’m so sorry.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Whatever, Jake.”
    “Jesse, I am. I should never have said those things to you.”
    I grabbed his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. “It’s not just me that you have to apologize to.”
    He nodded.
    After class, I headed to my locker, in hopes that I would see Rave but he was nowhere around. My stomach twisted with unease.
    “Hey, four eyes.”
    I glanced up and saw the Triple M’s headed in my direction.
    Being lost in my own thoughts, I didn’t even notice them until it was too late. “Haven’t you caused enough shit, Melanie?”
    She smirked. “Who, me?”
    I rolled my eyes. “Putting lies into Jake’s head so you can get Rave all for yourself?”
    She smiled, her blue eyes going cold with satisfaction. “Rave deserves better. Where his talents won’t be wasted on a short, inexperienced ho bag.” She waggled her eyebrows.
    I huffed in disgust.
    “I don’t want you at the party.” She said as I walked by her.
    “Like I’d want to go to a tribute to your own pathetic importance.”
    She grabbed my arm, spinning me towards her. “Everyone wants to go to my party. You’re just jealous that you’ll never be one of the cool people.”
    “If you are the definition of ‘cool’, no thanks,” I snapped, shrugging out of her hold. I continued walking down the sidewalk.
    “I don’t know what Rave sees in you,” Melissa shouted.
    I sighed but didn’t comment.
    “Did you put out? Is that why he’s interested in you?”
    My cheeks heated and I turned towards them. “That is none of your business.” There was no point denying the rumors, that wouldn’t make them believe it any less.
    Miranda laughed. “I think the rumors are true.”
    “So tell me, four eyes. Is his…you know…” Melanie licked her lips. “…big?” The other girls giggled. “Cause I think it is. He’s hot. I bet even though he’s so young—” The sound of a rumble interrupted Melanie’s sentence.
    We turned to a black muscle car stopped beside us. “Thanks for the chat, ladies. It’s been fun.” I bit out and headed to the car. The door opened as I approached it and I slid into the passenger seat.
    “When you’re ready for a real woman, give us a call,” Melissa called out.
    I turned to the girls and glared