Being the Bad Boy's Victim (16 page)

Friday, during lunch

Connor didn’t come to school at all. Last I saw of him was on Tuesday night, and he didn’t look too happy when he left. I was worried. Matt and James were avoiding me, and I even caught them staring at me multiple times.

“So, who’s excited for the big game?” Jess asked Anna and me.

“Me!” Anna gushed, clapping her hands excitedly.

I picked at my salad, glancing over at Matt and James. Once again, I caught them watching me.

“Bella!”

I snapped my head back towards Jess. She and Anna were now watching me with concern.

“What?” I snapped, glaring at them both.

“What’s wrong with you?” Anna asked, looking at me cautiously.

I sighed and looked down.

So many things.

“Sorry, I—I’ll be right back,” I murmured, standing up and grabbing my bag. Ignoring all the weird looks I got, I walked over to their booth, standing in front of them.

“Where’s Connor?” I asked, getting straight to the point. There was a moment of silence before one of them spoke up.

“And you care because?” James asked, his tone cold.

Matt’s eyes widened and he elbowed him in the ribs. “What he means is, why do you want to know?” Matt said awkwardly, giving me a small smile.

“He hasn’t been in school and I was beginning to get…”

“Worried?” James scoffed. “Oh, look Matt, the bitch is worried.”

My eyes widened and I unconsciously took a step back, heat rushing to my face.

“What he means…” Matt tried.

“I mean what I said. I find it surprising that you would give a shit about Connor. Oh wait, is this all another act of yours?” James hissed, his eyes glaring at me with so much hate.

I felt my eyes fill with tears and I tried to blink them away.

“Don’t you usually only think about yourself?”  James spat out, looking at me in disgust.

That certainly hit a nerve.

I raised my hand to my mouth in an attempt to muffle the sob that broke loose. At the look of regret crossing James’ face, I broke. With tears streaming down my face, I left the lunchroom, unable to handle it anymore. I didn’t even think about what I was doing as I hopped inside my car and drove off. I was about to turn onto a street, when I slammed the brakes, stopping only an inch away from the irate guy in front of me.

“Would you watch where you’re going?” he yelled.

I panicked and got out of my car, apologizing repeatedly.

“Hey, it’s okay,” the guy said softly. “No need to cry.”

Only then did I realize I was still crying.

“I… I… I…”

“It’s okay, you don’t have to explain yourself,” he said, rubbing my arm comfortingly.

“If there’s anything I can do for…” I began to say.

“Actually, there is,” he said, his eyes twinkling.

I took in a gulp of air as I waited nervously.

“I want your number.”

I let out the gulp of air in a relieved sigh. Then, his words sunk in, and I took a step back.

“But I don’t know you,” I said, feeling unsure of myself.

“That’s the point. We can get to know each other,” he said, flashing me a breathtaking smile.

I simply nodded as I took his phone from his hand, and added myself as a contact.

“Bella. That’s a beautiful name,” he said sincerely.

I blushed and tried to look away, but I was mesmerized by his sparkling green eyes.

“I’ve got to go now. But I’ll see you around,” he said with a smug smile.

I blushed again and nodded furiously. And just as he was about to turn the corner, I remembered something.

“Wait! You never told me your name!” I called out.

He turned back, grinning. “I’ll save that bit of information for our date,” he said with a wink.

I smiled and went back inside my car. And only then did it dawn on me that he had said “date.”

What have I gotten myself into?

Connor

I had told Bella, out of the blue, that I was done with her. And now, she was all over Liam. Call me pathetic and shit, but that made me feel depressed. Never… never in my life had a girl not fallen instantly for me. Sure, there were a couple of girls who took a while to break, but Bella was different.

I could honestly say that the passion I felt during the kisses we’d shared, it was unlike anything else I’d ever experienced. I wanted her to be mine more than anything else, but it seemed that she really wanted nothing to do with me. As much as I tried to get her to admit the passion between us, it seemed that I was only hopelessly trying to convince her.

And I couldn’t cope with the rejection.

“Connor, baby, what’s wrong? You seem distracted,” Jenna, or was it Lili, said.

I frowned and looked down at her. “Sorry,” I muttered.

She smiled, batted her eyes flirtatiously, and then began to kiss me, rocking her hips against mine.

This wasn’t what I wanted, but I felt weak. Bella didn’t want me so I assumed that getting laid would help.

Douche move,
Connor.
Douche move.

“Connor!” Jenna/Lili moaned, throwing her head back against the pillow.

I pulled out, falling to the side. “You should go now,” I muttered, grabbing all my clothes.

“B-but… why?” she asked, sounding hurt.

I stood up, pulling up my jeans but ditching my shirt.

“Go.” I know, I was being a dick but I was pissed. Nothing could get my mind off of Bella. I even ditched school for the rest of the week, hoping it would help.

As you could see, it didn’t.

I led the way down the stairs as Jenna/Lili followed me, pulling on her clothes in a rush.

“Will you call me?” she asked when we reached the door.

“Probably not,” I said bluntly, not even feeling the slightest bit of guilt as a look of hurt crossed her face. I grew impatient and reached around her, opening the door.

“Bye now,” I said, keeping my eyes on her.

“Connor?”

My head snapped towards the doorway. There she stood, the girl I couldn’t forget, the one who had hurt me, the girl that I might actually like.

“Bella?” I asked, surprised to find her there.

“Don’t bother, hun,” Jenna/Lili spat out. “He’s only good for a fuck and that’s all.”

She stormed past Bella and went into her car, slamming her door extra hard.

I turned my attention back to Bella, her face emotionless.

“A good fuck, huh?” With that, Bella turned to leave.

I frowned and grabbed her wrist, turning her around. “What’s wrong with you?” I asked, confused.

“You,” she hissed out, yanking her arm away. She left in the same manner as Jenna/Lili, and all I could do was stand there, stupefied.

What the hell just happened?!

Bella

So many questions were running through my mind as I drove home, tears cascading down my face.

Why was I hurt when I saw that girl with Connor?

Why did James snap at me?

Did Connor say something bad about me?

Why did I think he liked me?

When did I start liking Connor?

Did I like Connor?

Why was I crying?!

I pulled over and let loose. I dropped my head to my hands and sobbed. Everything was happening so fast, I was completely frazzled, which I guess was why I was having a mental breakdown.

And Liam thinks I like him.

Connor doesn’t want anything to do with me. Why would he? He is nothing but a heartbreaker.

Some random guy has my number, and apparently, we are going on a date.

Twenty minutes later

I leaned back, wiping away the tears left on my cheeks. Then I started the car and drove home, hoping to be able to talk to my mum.

As they say, a mother is always right.

I opened the front door and entered in a hurry.

“Mum! You home?” I called out.

“Pumpkin? Why are you home so early?” she asked, looking up in surprise from her computer.

“I… I need you,” I whimpered.

“Say no more,” she said, making her way to me.

One hour later

We sat on my bed, laughing our heads off.

“You nearly killed some guy and now you’re going on a date with him?” she asked between laughs.

“I guess so,” I said, smiling.

“Wait, he’s not some old man, is he?” she asked me, her eyes wide with fear.

“Mum!” I gasped, slapping her playfully. “Of course not! He’s like my age. I think he goes to a different high school though.”

“Oh, okay,” my mum said, smiling again. “Just be careful, though. He could be one of those serial killers.”

I laughed and nodded.

“Don’t worry, mum. I don’t plan on ever seeing him again,” I reassured her.

She cracked a grin and leaned back.

“So, what are you going to do about the Connor-and-Liam problem?” she asked, sounding serious.

I frowned and said, “I’m not sure. I… I just feel so conflicted.”

My mum nodded understandingly.

“My advice? Go for Connor.”

My eyes widened and I stared at her for a moment. “But after all he’s done?” I said, shocked.

“Honey, you said it yourself. Liam is sweet and kind, but you don’t feel any connection. I know Connor has a bad reputation and all. But you should take the risk, especially if you feel that somewhere in your heart, you like him.”

“That’s the thing, Mum. I don’t know how I feel about Connor. He’s just so confusing. And I don’t want to put myself out there just so he can use me,” I said, falling back onto my bed and lying down.