Zaine walked Demi to each of her classes before lunch, holding her hand the entire way. He wanted to kiss her but refrained from doing so. Lunch time came and the two of them were on separate lunch breaks. Victoria had heard the news about a couple getting affectionate before school. She had an idea it was Demi and Zaine but wanted to tease her anyway. She spotted Demi in the lunch line with her tray. Having a packed lunch she jumped the line and wrapped her arms around her friends shoulder. “I hear you’re the talk of the school.”
Demi flinched hearing that. Its possible Michelle may have heard it too. “Where’d you hear that?”
“Oh just some classmates. I even seen him walking you to your class. I take it you’re looking for him to eat lunch with?”
“No. Well, he already told me that he has second lunch. So it’s just me and you.”
“Finally! I feel like I haven’t seen you all d
Victoria and Demi headed to her house. Demi stayed for a couple hours before heading home. When she arrived home Michelle was waiting for her at the front of the door. She had a bag packed, slung over her shoulders. “What’s going on?”“I’m going live with dad.”Demi heard her mother in the background, “No you are not! Over my dead body.”“Then I wish you would drop dead. Why did you have to run him away?”Demi tried to step past her, while shaking her head but Michelle grabbed her arm. “I know you’re dating Zaine. I’ll make sure your school life is the same as it is at home.”“Ooh don’t threaten me with a good time.” Demi had it with Michelle and her attitude. “If you so concerned about Zaine, why don’t you just ask him out. For all you know he probably doesn’t even like you.”“He likes me. every guy likes me. y
Michelle had seen the two of them together and came running up to her. Demi didn’t want to be bothered with her at the moment but she grabbed her and pulled her into a hug. “I knew that rumor was a lie. That guy looks more your suited for you.”She tried to pull out of Michelle’s grip. “What do you mean?”“I mean a guy like Zaine is too close to perfection for someone as flawed as you. He deserves to be with another near perfect person, such as me.”Demi shoved her off her, she rubbed her temples then spoke. “Zaine doesn’t like you. He could never like you. Aren’t you living with dad? How’s that going?’Michelle ignored her about Zaine. “It’s great. His new girlfriend is pretty cool, she’s close to me in age.”“I don’t think that’s something you should be bragging about. That means she’ll steal your clothes and dad will most
Demi tried to pull her hand from his but he was surprisingly strong for their age. Braden pulled her to the back of the school, keeping watch of any possible teachers looking for straggling kids still finding their way around the school. “I may not look it but I’m plenty smart.”“Yeah, then you should be smart enough to stay in class.”They reached the back gate and slipped out. Once they were down the road a little ways Braden let go of her hand. “School isn’t necessary. You’ll learn that soon enough.”“Well in order to get a job or anywhere Braden you need to have a diploma. But it’s your life you do what you want with it. where are we going?”He gave her a smirk but kept walking. “You’ll see. Soon enough.”They came upon a shabby house, the shutters were hanging crooked, the door was a dark forest green compared to the panels of the house that were a
Demi rolled her eyes at him. There wasn’t much she could do with him wanting to call her that. The two of them sipped their drinks and talked. Braden wasn’t as bad as he tried to make himself seem. She wondered why he acted the way he did. “Hey Braden?”He paused taking a sip of his drink to answer her, “Yeah?”“Why do you act like that?”“Like what?”“Like a bad boy. You really aren’t. I honestly half expected you to try and do something to me.”“I have my reasons.”“Yeah, and you can’t tell me?”“Nope. Maybe if we make it to a month then I’ll tell you. But I can tell you now I never keep any girl longer than 3 weeks.”“Sounds like you searching for something.”“Maybe.”“I know what you mean.”He glanced over at her then took a drink of his soda.
Braden noticed the tiny smile that was blossoming on her face. “SO do you like your sister or not?”Demi didn’t say anything for a while, the school loomed over them before she actually answered. “I don’t know. And that’s the truth. How could you like someone that gets everything handed to them but then how can you hate that person because it wasn’t necessarily their fault. Well look we’re going in separate classes so see you I guess.”The bell rang, signaling it was time to change classes. Demi parted ways with Braden and went to her next subject. Braden watched her be immersed in a sea of other students. He was sure that there was more to her than she wanted others to know. Part of him was intrigued but the other part only wanted to make sure she satisfied his urges. Just like the rest of them did.He turned and headed towards the principal’s office; it was better to let his mom know that he skipped c
Victoria knew when Demi got like that, there was no telling her anything. It made her sad when she did that but she still wanted to talk sense into her. “Demi, maybe he still wants to be with you even though he’s at a different school.”“Ok, maybe you’re right.” Demi shoulders slumped. “How about I make a decision after meeting with him on Saturday?”“That could work. I mean I know you don’t want to have one boyfriend but I really think that Zaine is good for you. Just keep an open mind ok.”Demi placed an arm around Victoria’s shoulder. “you’re the only person I can depend on and trust to tell everything too. So, thank you. Ill do what you say just this once.”Victoria wrapped an arm around her waist. “You do listen more often than you think. I’m like your conscious and you try to ignore me but you eventually listen.”“If I don’t
The two girls ate and chatted while Maxine called to talk with Delanie. “Hey, I just wanted to let you know that Demi is over here with Victoria. I’ve given her fish and chips but she’s a growing girl figured she would want something else later.”“Thanks. I’ll be there to pick her up in a while. I’m a bit busy right now.”“It’s no problem we really do love having her over.” There was a pause before she said anything else. It was hard for her to say anything but figured it was better than ignoring it. “I uh… seen that Mark moved back in the house with someone else. Are you alright?”Delanie sighed, “I have to be strong for my girls but yeah he um…” she started to sniffle.Maxine moved away from the girls to have a bit of privacy. “I understand you don’t have to say anymore. Listen, I don’t know if you want to but there’s a house f
Demi felt in that moment that he was much more mature than most of the 8th grade boys in their school. “Yeah, well I haven’t had a chance to talk with Zaine about it. He unfortunately transferred schools the next day. I did get a note from him so I guess were going to do a long-distance type deal.”“That doesn’t sound terribly bad.”“Maybe. I know where he lives and I got his phone number. But again, not sure. But why would you say that?”She walked in the classroom ahead of him. He followed behind her answering her question. “Well, I think you’re a beautiful person inside and out. I don’t think you’re a brat as you say.”“Thanks James but I am. You’d know that if we started dating.”“Then why don’t we?”Demi stopped just before she got to her seat and looked at him funny. “Uh did you mean that or are you pulling