Chapter 25 Harassment

"I didn't mean to! *It was stupid and I was drunk*. I didn't think it would hurt her!" He tries to explain to himself. "It was just a dumb picture! *I don't even know why I took it. I didn't realize it would be passed around. I didn't think people would think she was a slut! It wasn't my intention-"* He started rambling but I was tired of hearing his damn excuses. None of them were actually fixing the problem.

It wasn't just her, but it was me. Now girls were coming up to me like they expected me to just hook up with them on the spot. *What the hell is wrong with people?* Has no one thought that maybe we were more than just a damn hook up? Couldn't even just one person think, *oh, they are actually together? Let's leave them alone so they can be together?*

"Yeah, well you'd better find a way to fix it! *My GIRLFRIEND does not need to be harassed! I* *don't need people thinking she'll sleep with anyone*. She's still a virgin, man! *I haven't touched her!* And you go and pull this crap!" I snarl, emphasizing the word 'girlfriend' so everyone knows what she is to me.

At least half the class have the decency to look somewhat ashamed of themselves. Others still give me looks like they can't believe I'd actually take her as a girlfriend. I don't know why they think they know me so well to tell who I would actually date or not. None of them know a damn thing! I'm not really a private guy, but then again, I don't go blabbing my life out in front of the whole student body!

I may be on the baseball team, but my private life has always stayed private... Until Tabby made it public. But that was a completely different situation. I don't really care that everyone found out she was sleeping with Rhett. Because she was a bitch and totally deserved it. But that is not Jamie! She is pure and has been untainted by whatever the hell it is that possessed Tabitha to be... whatever it was she actually was.

Just then our teacher enters the classroom, closing the discussion until later. *I'm not letting this go until he can undo what he did!*

I'm barely able to take any notes. I'm fuming the entire time I'm in class, well aware half of the class has seen that photo of me and Jamie. Hopefully they will think twice before opening their mouths and spreading more gossip, *or they will end up with a bloody face*! I don't know when it started happening, but I am losing control of my self-restraint and I'm starting to get more aggressive when it comes to Jamie. I don't know if it's some stupid caveman thing where I have to protect her or what, but I swear I'm spiraling to crazy town!

At the end of the class I gather my things and give Ryan one more look and a warning. *"Fix what you screwed up or you won't like me much tomorrow,"* I promise, before turning from him and stomping my way through wary glances of my fellow students, trying to block me from making my way back to Jamie.

I watch as a group of girls sneer and torment Jamie. *What the hell is wrong with people? Is this what she went through when she was back in Louisiana? She told me the popular girls used to pick on her because she was a nerd, but this seems unnecessarily mean. Not to mention, there is no reason for them to be picking on her in the first place! She hasn't done anything wrong! I guess I'm going to have to make it clear to the whole damn school!*

I grumble under my breath and make my way to my sweet Jamie. I pull her into my arms and I feel her shaking like a leaf. *My poor baby!*

*That's it! I can't let this continue for one more moment!*

*"LISTEN UP!"* I shout to the students milling around. *"I DON'T CARE WHAT THE HELL YOU THINK YOU KNOW! BUT JAMIE IS MY GIRLFRIEND AND IF YOU MESS WITH HER YOU WILL BE SORRY!"*

They all stare at me in shock and look nervously between me and my hold on Jamie. Some of the students back away, including the girls harassing my sweet Jamie. *Smart, because if they come anywhere near me right now I'm gonna blow!*

I don't spare them a second glance as I shepherd her to the dining hall. I have no intention of eating here*. Every time we try, something always goes wrong.* Plus, I really just want her all to myself right now. We go stand in line for a sub place and grab our sandwiches and drinks and take them back to my dorm.

We eat in silence for a few minutes before I've regained my composure. I'm trying to calm down before I talk to her and apologize. She didn't need me making a scene back there, but I just couldn't help myself. Like I said, I'm losing my control over my own control. I'm barely hanging on by a thread, and that thread is named Jamie! She is the only thing keeping me grounded right now.

"I'm sorry princess," I sigh, finally finished with my lunch. I look up at her pretty blue and green eyes to find her watching me.

"Why are you sorry?" she asks. She looks confused. How can she be confused? *Doesn't she know?*

*"For everything!* For Ry and that damned photo. For the rumors spreading through campus like wildfire. For me losing my temper..." I try to explain.

I'm surprised when she gets up and straddles me on my chair, throwing her arms around my neck. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her closer to me. *She feels so good like this. I need this. I need her.*

I just hold her close and breathe her in. She is so warm and soft. Everything about her soothes my raw nerves. She is perfect. If we could just stay in this happy little bubble for the rest of my life I could die a happy man. No outside distractions. Nothing harassing my girl. *NO idiots trying to pull us apart.* Just us.

"It's not your fault people are stupid!" She insists. *"None of that was your fault*. I don't blame you at all!" She kisses my lips softly before pulling away and looking at me with a sweet smile.

I don't know if I should believe her or not. But I want to. I want to think that it isn't my fault for the rumors spreading around campus. I want to think I'm not a bad guy and too selfish to let her go to save her from all the bitches trying to hurt her. Because I really don't think I could let her go, even if it would make Gwen happy and all the other girls would leave her alone. She's mine and I need her to stay mine!

I search her eyes and she seems to be telling the truth. I pull her head to mine and capture her mouth. She opens for me, moaning into my mouth and then she starts grinding on me.

*Yes! This is exactly what I need!*

*She feels so good. I go instantly hard and pull her hips down on mine causing more friction*. I want to feel more of her. I slip my hand under her sweater and touch her soft skin. I want to touch every inch of her body with my tongue.

I deepen the kiss, angling her head for better access. She tastes sweet, like the strawberry drink she just finished.

I run my hand up Jamie's back, reaching up for her bra clasp, just as the front door slams open. And there, standing flabbergasted were Ryan, Crew, Axel, and Neo.

*What the hell do they think they are doing here?* They better leave if they know what's good for them!

*"Oh Sh-"*

I snarl at all four of them before they slam the door on themselves.