PART SIX | SMOKING AT SCHOOL
IS FORBIDDEN

I don't know how about you, but for me 'we'll be alright' is the saddest thing I've ever heard. Knowing that we never be alright.

"Is that from Jeremy?"

I find a bouquet of sunflowers hanging in front of my locker. Fresh and bright. I take the note and read.

For you, Tara-Jane.

It is handwritten with black ink. I am not sure if it was Jeremy but from the way the sender wrote my nickname completely I couldn't imagine someone else. He is the only one who calls me Tara-Jane, instead of Tara or TJ.

I shrug my shoulder. Even though I wish it is Jeremy I don't want to make an assumption.

"I don't know."

Julia wouldn't let it pass easily. She keeps blabbering about how sweet is Jeremy. We walk through the crowd of students in the hallway. Math is our first class this morning. The class is already occupied by several students. We proceed to our usual table, in the third row. Julia hates the front row and I don't really like sitting in the back of the class. It's a win-win solution between me and Julia.

I have to admit that I am not a big fan of Math. Yet, my eagerness to meet Jeremy today is such a booster of my mood. I manage to do the assignment as fast as I could. Julia senses my sudden love for math equations.

"The flower really boosts your energy, tho."

I ignore her sassy remark and continue to find the x.

I diligently attend the rest of my class before lunch break. I and Julia always have the same class, and only share a few class with Candice and Miko. When we are finished one class and proceed to the next class, my eyes wander through the hallway searching for Jeremy. Yet, I never saw him around. I wonder what he is doing right now.

As the bell for lunch break blasts, I rush my self to my locker to pick up my packed lunch. I made an excuse to Julia before she drags me with her. The sunflower still stuffed in my locker. I smile at the sight.

It's pretty.

I really wish it was Jeremy who gave me the sunflowers.

I walk to the outside of the building. The sky is pretty clear today. I couldn't help myself to hum some tunes in the way to the field. The field is located beside the gymnasium. I pass the gymnasium but someone holds my wrist. The sudden touch shocks me.

Oh, mon Dieu!

I turn around to meet a pair of brown eyes. But that does not belong to Jeremy, the warm brown eyes I get familiar with. It is Johnny. The boy with a leather jacket. He gazes up and down my body. Give me goosebumps and uncomfortable feeling. The area is kind of deserted at this hour. It is just the two of us in here. I gulp to ease my heartbeat. But it doesn't help, I still feel threatened by his gaze.

"Hey, where are you going, babe?"

I could smell his breath reeks of alcohol.

Is he drinking at school hours?

"The field." I manage to answer. I step back to make more distance between us. But he steps forward cornering me to the wall of the gymnasium behind me. My breath hitches as my back touches the cold wall.

"Hmm. Where is the colorful-haired girl?" I am sure he is referring to Julia.

"She is not-"

"Let's have dinner together."

"I can't-"

"Don't you dare to refuse me again." He places his right hand beside my head on the wall. He leans closer but I push him on the chest.

"I really can't. Sorry."

I start to walk away from him but his hand already on my wrist once again. He pulls me and slams me back to the wall. I squeal, I feel my back is burning.

"I said don't you-"

Before he finishes his sentence, his body thrown off to the back. Jeremy grips the collar of his jacket.

"Stay away from her," he speaks through gritted teeth. He looks furious. I never saw this Jeremy before. He is calm and cheeky all the time.

"What the hell Jeremy!" Johnny tries to remove Jeremy's hand. That seems useless because Jeremy grips tighten.

"She said she can't. Fuck off." He chucks Johnny to the ground.

"Ah, is she your new girl?" Johnny smirks. He gets up from the ground, "I hope she doesn't end up dead like Meg."

Without any hesitation, Jeremy kicks him making him fall again to the ground. Johnny groans but he lets out a chuckle. He seems satisfied to make Jeremy angry. Jeremy jumps on top of him and flies his fist to Johnny's face. I see it with horror. Blood rolls down from the corner of Johnny's lip. I have to stop this before Johnny turns black and blue. And most important Jeremy would be in trouble if he doesn't stop.

I pull his arm, "Jer, stop it."

Jeremy doesn't listen.

"Jer!"

Finally, he looks up at me, his eyes soften a bit. Then he looks down at Johnny. He hesitates for a while but manages to get up from Johnny's body. Once Jeremy frees him, he gets up and runs away as fast as he could manage. He spits out blood before leaving us.

Jeremy is still panting from his last encounter with Johnny.

"Are you okay, Tara-Jane?"

I nod and mutter a thank you to him.

"That bastard."

Jeremy rolls his sleeve, "C'mon. We should go."

We walk to the den in silence. I couldn't help myself but think about Johnny's words lately. Jeremy raged at the mentioned of Meg. I thought she was his former girlfriend who died last year. Just like Miko said.

As soon as we arrive at the den, we sit on the rock. I hand him the sandwich I made this morning. My eyes flicker to his hand, I see his knuckles are turning red.

"You're hurting your hand." I point his hand with my chin.

"Don't mind me," he speaks as he grabs the sandwich. The fight doesn't affect his appetite, fortunately. I chuckle at the thought.

"What is it?"

"You're still a hungry beast even in your bad mood."

He bites the sandwich in his hand, "I just punched a boy for you. I need more energy."

"Thank you."

"Stop saying thank you. It's me causing you in trouble. I'll be picking you up next time."

So, we will have lunch together again.

"I heard about Meg. I am sorry."

He remains silent as he finishes his sandwich. His hand reaches the breast pocket of his shirt and pick the cigarette. He lits up and starts puffing a pink smoke. I never imagine myself smoking in school. At least, it is not me who smoke this time.

"Don't tell coach." He smirks. I roll my eyes at him jokingly.

"She is not a good girl. Don't be sorry." A sudden change in our conversation leaves me out of the guard.

Is he talking about Meg?

Is that mean he thinks Meg deserves to be dead?

"What do you mean, Jer?"

"She is in a car accident with another man when she died. She cheated on me." His voice is shaky, I sense he is trembling by the way he holds his cigarette.

"How do you know she was cheating?"

Jeremy glances at me. He offers me a bitter smile, "I knew. I knew it from the first time she lied."

His eyes are full of sadness. It is not hatred. He is feeling betrayed and I could feel it too, now. I grab his hand in mine. He looks down at our hands. A smile creeps on his face.

"Thank you, Tara-Jane."

He frees his hand from mine and taps his shoulder. "C'mere."

I scoot closer so I could place my head on his shoulder as he orders. His arm engulfs my tiny figure. It is comfortable to be in his arm like this.

"Do you like the sunflower, Tara-Jane?"

My heart feels warm to hear that was him.

"Absolutely."

***

The end of chapter 6! What do you think about Meg?

Hope you enjoy the story. Don't hesitate to leave comments and hit the votes button. Love you!fiarfn