Chapter 71 The worst Idea

Chapter 71 The worst Idea
Jayden's Point of View.

I didn't realize I was shouting. In fact, I didn't know why I was so angry. I knew Rachel well enough to notice that she was also startled by Lexie's suggestion and would never agree to something like that. But just the idea of sharing Rachel with someone else besides Jasper irritated me to the point where I simply couldn't disguise it. I knew I was in love with her, despite everyone telling me otherwise, but in situations like this, it became so obvious that it was almost pathetic.

"What's the problem? I think Finn is a great option. He's handsome, sweet, well-mannered," Lexie began listing Finn's qualities on her fingers, and Rachel pretended to agree, but her left eyebrow was furrowed, indicating she disagreed.

"Didn't you think he was your boyfriend's lover until yesterday?" I retorted, and Lexie stumbled over her words.

"You yourself said you knew Finn and assured me that was a lie!" The brunette stood up, arguing with me, and from her expression, I could sense her concern.

"It's not like I slept with him to know. I'm not putting my hand in the fire for anyone!" I said, raising my hands in disdain.

"Jayden, do you think he and Patrick might be having an affair?" Lexie asked, visibly irritated, and I was fed up with this story, so I ran my hand over my face, wanting to tear it off.

"I don't know, Lexie! I'm just saying it's strange that you're pushing Rachel towards Finn after suspecting his sexuality," I crossed my arms in front of my body, and I saw Lexie stumble.

"What do you mean, Jayden?" She asked and mimicked me by crossing her arms in front of her body while Rachel watched everything with a mouthful of chicken.

"I don't mean, I'm saying it. You're trying to use Rachel to test Finn and consequently test your boyfriend's sexuality!" I asserted, and she let out a forced laugh.

"Of course not! I would never do that! Rachel is my friend," she affirmed, and I raised my eyebrows in doubt.

"Of course you would, Lexie. You left Rachel alone, locked in the men's locker room, even knowing she could lose her scholarship because of it. What kind of friendship is that?" I asked, and only then did I realize I had crossed the line when I saw the brunette's eyes welling up with tears.

A silence filled the room, and Rachel lowered her head. I wasn't sure if she was upset about what I said or remembering the brunette's actions. I sighed heavily and ran my fingers through my hair, trying to calm myself.

"That was too much, Lexie. I shouldn't have said that," I apologized, but it was too late; she already had tears in her eyes and shook her head, denying my apologies.

"No, you're right. I'm a crappy friend, and I shouldn't even be here. After all, I wasn't even invited," she shrugged, and a tear rolled down the corner of her eye, but she was too proud to let it fall and wiped it away before walking to the door and leaving.

Rachel got up to follow her, and I thought about doing the same, but I just leaned back, trying to calm myself, and let my body fall onto the uncomfortable couch. I closed my eyes, anticipating the argument I would probably have with Rachel. If she fought with me, she would be right. After all, I had really gone too far. I smelled Rachel's perfume before even opening my eyes and waited for the scolding that never came. I opened my eyes and saw her standing by the kitchen counter with a small pout on her lips, but when she spoke, her voice wasn't aggressive.

"I tried to catch up with Lexie, but she runs pretty fast for someone so small," she said, and I sighed, reaching out my hand to her.

I saw her hesitate for a few seconds, but then she took my hand, and I guided her to my lap, where she sat, and I buried my face in her red hair, which brought me so much peace.

"I know I was a jerk," I affirmed, inhaling the scent of her green apple shampoo, feeling her playing with my fingers intertwined with hers.

"You were, but partly you're right. She really didn't think about me that day," she said, in an understanding tone that surprised me, before continuing. "But I don't think she did it on purpose. You, rich folks, don't really understand that I have a lot of limitations, and not being able to step out of line is one of them. I don't know if I see that as an insult or a compliment," she explained, and I stared at her, seeing her green pools fixed on me.

"What do you mean?" I asked, intrigued, stroking her back.

"Well, a compliment because you guys don't see me as the poor girl who can't do anything. You forget that I'm different from you, and that makes me feel accepted," she explained, and I shook my head.

"I can't let that happen. Rachel, you can't compare yourself to us," I asserted, making a serious face, and she lowered her head.

I lifted her chin and smiled at her, completely enchanted by how docile she was behaving, even knowing how rare it was. "You're better than all of us put together, and I hope you never forget that!" She smiled at me, and I loved it when she seemed to melt when she was with me.

Her usually aggressive personality seemed to disappear, and I loved that duality. She fought against the world every day of her life, and I liked to think that, with me, she didn't have to do that.

"Your hand is greasy from the chicken," she commented, but didn't stop playing with my fingers, and I just nodded.

She didn't move, and I didn't want her to leave my lap. The days had been hectic, and it was nice to enjoy some moments of peace before everything fell apart again, because I learned that it always happened. Eventually, she got up from my lap, and we finished eating as if nothing had happened. I thought she would scold me because of Lexie, but despite being visibly upset about the way the brunette left, she didn't take it out on me.

We studied, or I can say I studied while she watched TV, and only when I asked her something did she take her eyes off the series she already knew by heart and still smiled at some jokes as if it were the first time she was watching it. I felt comfortable here, even though the place was small. At least I didn't feel constantly judged as I did at home. Since Jehan left home, I became the focus of my father's attention, and I confess that many times I left my room praying not to meet him in the corridors.

Rachel didn't even bother to kick me out anymore, and when I realized it, we were already cuddled in bed to sleep. She was lying on my chest, and I stroked her hair, feeling her breath getting heavier. The bed was uncomfortable, and I wondered how much she would curse me if I bought a new one. In fact, many times I mentally decorated her house, imagining everything I would like to buy to make her more comfortable, but I knew she wouldn't allow it. Sometimes I imagined buying an apartment just to take her out of here, but I knew she would never permanently live with me.

What? What's happening? Am I really thinking about living with a girl? I'm startled by my own thoughts and shake my head, but when I look down and see her fingers, which a few minutes ago were tracing an invisible pattern on the tattoo on my neck, gradually stop moving. I know I would do more than that. I would marry her without a second thought, and all I could think was that if this isn't love, then I don't know what it is, but I know this is the closest I've ever come to love. That’s why I knew I would never be able to give her up to Finn or Jasper. Rachel was mine, and I would fight for her, and as I looked at those small walls, I had an idea.