Sapphire

"Wait up, chugs!" Ian calls out as I slam my locker shut, finally ready to go home. The school day ended a lot quicker than it usually does, and I make a mental note to hit up the beach. That is, if whatever Ian wants doesn't mess with my plan.

"Chugs?" I enunciate, turning to face him, my arms crossed over my chest.

He chuckles, "Yeah, you chug everything; alcohol, water, juice. Hell, probably even medicine when you're sick."

"Especially medicine," I comment. The faster you get it down, the better. "But, tell me, what do you want now?"

"Gee, I feel loved."

I roll my eyes, "Go to your girlfriend if you want to feel loved."

"I feel more loved by you, if anything." He mutters under his breath. Obviously not something I was meant to hear. A smile takes form on his lips and he leans back against the lockers in a casual manner. "I wanted to invite you to my game. My sister can't make it, so I have her ticket." He holds up the spare ticket and I open my mouth to say something, but he stops me, "Julissa is a cheerleader, so she's gonna be there without the need of a ticket."

"Hmm," I nod. "I would, but Amber is usually my ride home. Thanks anyway."

"I could give you a ride, you know?" He shrugs as if it's nothing.

I look around at the few people left in the hallway, who are rushing to go home. When I meet his gaze again, I say, "I got lucky last time you gave me a ride. She didn't see us, but I'm sure she'll want a ride home with you after the game. Am I supposed to join in on the backseat?" I question, scrunching up my face. "Hell no, I'm no third-wheel and I'm too young to die."

This time, it's his turn to roll his eyes. "She won't do anything. Plus, she never asks for a ride anymore."

"That's kinda weird," I comment, lifting a confused brow. "You guys would always ride home together."

"Yeah, but what can you do? People change, and she's changed more ways than one. Sometimes I even question if she even loves me anymore," he sighs deeply. "No that you care, anyway."

I can't help but frown at the comment, "I care, it's just not my business."

"Right," he mumbles. Then, as if a switch was flipped, his shoulders straighten and a bright smile illuminates his face. "So, what do you say? Would you be my friend and cheer for me at my game?"

I snatch the ticket from his grip, smiling at him as I wave it in his face. "No take-backs."

His face drops, "What are you? Twelve?"

"On a scale of one-to-ten, sure." I offer teasingly, nudging him with my shoulder.

He rolls his eyes and I laugh as we make our way out towards the field. He takes off towards the boy's locker room, and I join the crowd already sitting on the bleachers. Everyone is just waiting for the teams to make an appearance, some stuffing nachos into their face, while others take embarrassing selfies before the game starts. And when our team finally comes out onto the field, everyone cheers at the top of their lungs.

The cheerleaders do their routine, earning a few wolf whistles from creepy men. I look over at the old man sitting beside me, who is staring way too intently. Sir, they're minors . . . Julissa does a back handspring before jumping and landing in a split. My eyebrows rise. That's impressive.

My attention then goes over to Ian. He smiles wide when he sees me amidst the crowd. Julissa notices this and turns to look for the source of his random happiness. I duck behind the person in front of me. As if I'm gonna allow her to have another reason to hate me. Living with him is enough for her to hate me for a lifetime.

* * * *

"Congratulations, quarterback." I greet as he approaches me. Everyone is basically already gone, minus the few people who stayed behind, waiting for one of the football players. "Another one for the books."

"Thanks," he smiles, dismissing one of his teammates when they call out to him. "You ready to go home?"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

He grins, "Let me just grab my stuff and I'll –" his words are cut short as he turns around. And the teammate that was trying to catch his attention nods in approval when he finally sees the scene playing out. Julissa and Ivan are making out, probably thinking that the bleachers are good enough of a hiding place. How dumb can you be? There's plenty of gaps to showcase what they're doing.

My chest constricts for him, and I rest my hand on his shoulder comfortingly. "Ian, come on, you don't need this."

He doesn't say anything, instead he just stares at his girlfriend getting her face practically eaten by his best friend. Losing two of the people he cares most about at the same time. Poor guy.

As if finally having enough, he spins around and grabs my hand before pulling me away. No word comes out of his mouth, he just pulls me along. Finally, we stop in front of his car and I obligingly get into the passenger's seat. He meets me inside and I turn my attention over to him.

"Ian?" I'm almost scared for him to actually say something. But when he turns his face for me to see, a gasp leaves my lips when I see that his eyes are brimmed with tears. "Oh, Ian, I'm so sorry . . ."

He shakes his head, putting the key into the ignition before turning the engine over. Silently, he drives us back to the apartment and I choose to stay quiet. If he doesn't want to talk, I'm not gonna annoy him by trying.

We make our way inside the apartment and I hurry over to the kitchen to grab some water. I'm parched.

When I turn back around, my eyebrows furrow. He pushes his back against the door and slides down to the floor. I hurry over and kneel down in front of him.

"I heard the rumors. I expected this," he pauses to take in a shaky breath. "I guess I was just hoping that it wouldn't be true, that she would somehow prove that it was all a lie. I'm pathetic for even thinking that . . ."

"Hey," I take his hand in mine, forcing him to meet my eye. "You're amazing, okay? And if she can't see that, that's her loss. Someone else will appreciate you and never take you for granted. Of course," I hesitate, "You'll have to move on first, but you'll get there. I promise."

A small smile manages to tug at his lips and I grin, "You look hotter when you smile, no one likes a Debby-downer." I scrunch up my nose. "But I guess you're an exception since your psycho girlfriend just betrayed your trust, and all."

"So, you think I'm hot?" The heartbroken actually finds it within himself to smirk and I can't help but to roll my eyes. "Come on, admit it."

"If I say you're hot, will it make you feel better?"

He wipes at his face. "Sure, yeah."

"Fine." I change my voice to mock an exaggerated high-pitched fan girl, "Oh, Ian Hawthorn, you're so hot I cream my knickers every time I see you."

His face actually contorts to one of disgust and I fold over in a laughing fit. As if I'd actually ever say that seriously. That's not just socially unacceptable, it's weird. For Christ's sake, why would you say that out loud?

"I wish I could go back to when you didn't say that." He laughs, wiping his tear-stained cheeks. "Thanks, by the way. You sure know how to cheer someone up. In very weird, over sexualized ways, but still."

I shrug, standing back up to finish my water. "It comes natural, I guess."

He stands up after me and throws himself onto the couch, "What do I say to her tomorrow? She doesn't even know I saw them – I'm not one to make a scene."

I sit beside him and watch the black screen of the tv. "Wow, you're actually going to school? I could never. I've never been cheated on, but I know for a fact I wouldn't be able to attend school. I'd mope around on my bed for a week straight."

"You're right," he suddenly says, laying down and putting his head on my lap. I casually play with his hair with one hand, the cup of water still firmly grasped with the other. "I'm not gonna go."

"I didn't say that as a suggestion," I object. "I just said what I would personally do. You're not socially awkward like me."

He scoffs, smacking my hand away. "Doesn't mean I know how to handle public humiliation."

I hum, standing up and letting his head flop onto the hard cushion of the couch. He whines, sitting up again as he inspects me walking around the coffee table. "What do you suggest I do then?"

My eyes meet his again and I shrug, "Beats me. The only breakup I had to deal with was mutual. We just didn't want to try long distance."

"Okay, then. I'm not going to school." He states, leaving no room for argument as he bounces up from the couch and strides into his room.

I simply watch him disappear as I finish my water. And when I make my way to my own room, I hear the faint sound of broken sobs coming from his room. I sigh. She really did it. She broke a guy who did anything and everything just to see her happy.