Chapter 158: Confusion
Wes' POV
I spent a long time last night pacing in my room after what Jamie told me. *I couldn't shut my brain off.* It replayed over and over and over again. Trying to work out what it was that was going on*. None of it made sense!*
*I am so damn confused.* Nothing seems to be getting through to me right now. I don't seem to have any more answers now than I did last night. Was this about Jamie, or was it a coincidence?
She told me everything, from Neo showing up and putting on a show to Ashlyn getting sick and going home early to finally finding a damn mannequin dressed in Ashlyn's clothes.
*No wonder the girls were freaked out last night!* I was too, and I wasn't even there. *Who the hell in their right mind dresses mannequins like people?* And they even had the hair and eyes right. Now that is just creepy!
I really don't know what to make of all of it... *Well, I know I don't want that bastard Neo touching my girl again, but other than that...*
I finally got to bed last night around midnight. I'd texted Jamie until 10:30 after I dropped her off at her room. She wanted me to stay and *I was so damn tempted.* But I couldn't. I knew what would happen if I stayed, and I don't think she is ready for that yet. I'm still trying to take things slow. *We've only been together for a day, after all.*
Jamie was too wired to sleep until around 10. I couldn't hold her to help her fall asleep, so I decided I needed a compromise. I kept texting her to calm her down until finally she didn't return the last text. I'm taking it as she finally fell asleep.
I fell asleep, tossing and turning to my nightmare. Someone was chasing Jamie, but I was stuck. *I couldn't get to her. I couldn't protect her.* Just before they caught up to her, I woke up sweating and breathing heavily like I'd spent the whole time running, trying to catch the creep who was after her.
I barely got back to sleep after that. All I remember is the feeling of panic and isolation. Something was sending up red flags, and yet I still didn't understand what it was.
I woke up this morning with a headache. I took a shower and some pain pills, hoping it would go away. I grabbed a cup of coffee, but I was anxious to see my girl, so I didn't linger.
The feeling didn't go away until I had Jamie in my arms. She seems a little bit better this morning, but she is still a little jumpy. She held me tight as I rubbed her back and whispered reassuring words in her ear. I just wanted to stay like this for the rest of the day. I know that's impossible, but still...
Although kissing her did seem to settle her nerves, along with settling the unsettled feeling that's been plaguing me all night long, *I couldn't help but think something was off and this was just the beginning.*
I didn't bother paying attention to Gwen and her bitching about getting a room or her yelling at me to consider her feelings. I guess I could be nice and drag Jamie back to her room..*. But then I don't know if I'll have the strength to leave the room without taking exactly what I wanted. I'm weak right now!*
I hold Jamie's hand the whole way to her Chem Lab. We were quiet this morning. I don't know if it's the fact that we are both still tired this morning or if it's the thoughts swirling through our heads that have us quite.
I wish we didn't have classes this morning. Then I would've taken her somewhere quiet and just held her until she felt better. *But that wasn't an option*. She was just starting out and I have another two years to pass before I graduate. Neither of us should be cutting classes.
I kiss her one more time. "I'll be back after your lab," I promise. I really don't want her walking around with all the damn rumors being spread thanks to my stupid roommate!
"Okay, see you soon," she gives me a shy smile before entering her class.
I give everyone a hard stare, daring them to say anything to her about us before leaving for my own class.
Economics is not my favorite, *but it's a requirement,* so... My only saving grace for this class is it's recorded and put up online, so if I don't get what I need I can go back over everything I need.
I happen to share this class with *Ryan and Neo*. I sigh in frustration as my roommate comes to sit next to me. At least he has the decency to look contrite.
A couple girls come up to me trying to flirt. One even sits right next to me, trying to touch me. I push her hand off me and grit my teeth. *"Please keep your hands to yourself. I want nothing to do with you!"*
She huffs and leaves with her friend, deciding to sit a couple rows up ahead of me. They still send sly looks back to me, trying to catch my eye. I just ignore them. *No one has any appeal to me besides my Jamie.*
"Man, I'm really sorry," he whispers. This is the first time he's had the chance to talk to me since yesterday since I shut him out of my room when I came home last night. I didn't have the patience for him yesterday. *I'm barely holding it together today!*
I grunt in frustration. *"Do you even know what you did?*" I demand. Does he have a clue how much this has hurt her? I don't give a damn about *my reputation.* I'm just a freakin' jock! But Jamie... She's already been through so much and now this!
Ryan looks sheepish. He fiddles with this pencil before looking up at me. "I-I didn't mean for this to happen." He sighs and looks up at me with a misery painted on his face.
*That's not gonna cut it! I don't care if he 'says sorry'! That's not enough! He needs to fix it! He needs to know what he's done!*
*"Dammit! There are rumors all over campus about Jamie!* How do you think that makes *her* feel? She's *new* and she *just lost her mother* and you go and *screw with her!"* I try to keep my voice low, but I see shocked faces as the all turn to me.
Many of the faces look ashamed. Others look confused. I pay no attention to any of them and continue to glare at my 'friend' until he shrinks from me.