The Boy Next Door

Secret Crushes (Part 2)

I whip around to see Jayden starring at me. My pulse rises and my hands get all sweaty.

"Look, about that note...," he trails off. I open my mouth to tell him that it wasn't me and that it is all a lie when a voice stops me.

Just give him a chance. This could be good.

I swallow my fear and look up expectantly up at him.

"I... I just... don't feel the same way," he says slowly." I'm sorry."

The ground crumbles underneath me. My heart stops. Tears threaten to break loose. He gives me a sympathetic look and walks away. My head starts to spin and I feel dizzy.

"Malia! Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry. We didn't think-"

"That's right. You didn't think. You didn't think about my feelings or how he'd react to this," I snap at all three of my friends who have gathered around me.

"Malia...," Zamora trails off.

"Just... just don't," I say holding my hand up. I push through them and start to walk home. I sob all the way there, not caring who saw me. I burst through the door and see my mom isn't even home. Nobody to comfort me.

I sob and run up the stairs and into my room. I kneel on the floor and start to cry my heart out.

I didn't even get to catch up or ease back into being friends. Now it's always going to be awkward and never gonna be the same again.

I stand up and open my curtains. I open the sliding glass window and step outside hoping some fresh air will make me feel better.

Nothing. I sob again and run back inside, not bothering to close the door. I sit down with my back against my bed and pull my knees up to my chest. I close my eyes and rest my head on my knees.

"Are you okay?" A husky voice splits the silence.

I whip my head up to find Jared standing above me with a worried expression on his face. I quickly wipe away the tears on my face and take a deep breath.

"Yeah," I manage to say.

"Were you crying?" He asks. I look up at him.

"No, my eyes are just sweating," I says sarcastically."Yes, I was crying." I wait to hear his nasty remark on how weak I am, but it never comes. Instead he holds out his hand.

"Come here," he says softly. I take his hand and slowly get up. Why is he being kind to me when he knows I hate him.

"Lay down," he says. I give him a confused look."Trust me." I lay down on my bed. He soon climbs in with me and lays down right beside me. He puts his arm under my head like a pillow.

"Scoot closer." I do what he says and he takes my hand, placing it on his chest. I don't know why, but somehow being near him makes me feel a whole lot better.

"What happened?" He asks softly. Usually I'd just snap at him and say it none of his business, but right now I feel like I could tell him anything.

"I got rejected," I state.

"Whoever did that was clearly blind," he says.

"Why would they be blind?" I ask.

"Cause I would never reject someone who's as beautiful as you," he brushes some hair out of my face. My stomach does a summersault and heat runs to my cheeks. I can't help, but smile at his words. He smirks back at me.

"No ones ever told me that before," I tell him.

"Well then everyone else who thinks other wise can go fuck themselves," he says. I laugh and instantly feel so much better. I close my eyes and snuggle closer to him. Because I'm worn out from crying, I accidentally slip into sleep.

*************************************
I open my eyes to my dark bed room. I go to get up and instantly stop, realizing the position I'm in. Jared lays asleep next to me in same position as when I fell asleep. Shivers run all over my body from him being so close. I lay my head back down on his arm and take in the moment. I look up at his perfect jaw line and partly open lips.

"I can practically feel you starring at me," he smiles and opens his piercing blue eyes. My face instantly turns as red as a tomato.

"I was starring in disgust," I retort and he chuckles. He turns on his side so he can face me. I move to get up, but a strong arm snakes around my side pinning me to the bed.

"What's the rush?" He says. I glare at him, but inside my heart is pounding.

"I have homework to do," I reply.

"No you don't. We just have that project and that's not due for another week," he mumbles. Damn it! He right.

"Well I want to get up and move instead of sulking around." I tell him. He just stares at me for a moment, thinking. Then, like there was a ghost behind me, his eyes widened.

"I know exactly what we're going to do," he states. He sits up throwing his legs over the edge of the bed.

"Um. I'm sorry, you said we?" I ask as he gets up.

"Yes I did. Thanks for stating the obvious. Now go put on something fancy," he rushes as he moves out the glass door and over to his room. I stare at the space where he left, in confusion. Whatever.

I get up and move over to my closet. I pick out a mint green dress that has a V cut in the front and an open back. It fans out right below my boobs making my body look perfect.

What am I doing? What am I thinking? Going out with JARED SMITH!! The player! I must have lost my fricken mind.

But what about earlier? He was kind and gentle. Maybe there's more to him than being a jerk.

That's it, Malia Archer has officially lost her mind.

While my brain fought over what to do, I put on the beautiful dress. I went to the bathroom and got freshened up. Putting on a little bit of makeup and lipstick.

"Malia! Someone at the door is here for you," My mom yells for me. "And he's super cute!" She calls after a minute, which I'm sure was spent checking him out. Oh my god, mom!

I run down the stairs and see Jared standing in the door way smirking. I quickly grab my favorite converse shoes and head towards the door.

"Oh, honey. You can go out wearing those with that dress," mom says, pointing at my shoes.

"Says who?" I retort.

"The fashion police," she replies with a smug look. I give her a hard glare.

"Umm. I think she looks fine, Mrs. Archer," Jared interrupts. She rolls her eyes and waves us out the door. I give Jared a thank you smile and walk out the door.

"So, where are we going?" I ask as we get in his truck.

"Not telling," he smirks. I take a minute to see that he's wearing a skintight grey shirt underneath a leather jacket. The tightness forms around his abs perfectly and my heart picks up its pace.

His black jeans and perfect spiked up in the front, chocolate hair completes his whole outfit. The least you could say is that he's hot.

"Could you at least give me a clue?"I pry.

"It involves having fun," he chuckles." And it has killer music."

"That's barley a clue!" I slap his arm.

"Owww! That hurt," he says, holding the place I hit him. I roll my eyes. After about 10 minutes of driving, we turn a corner and I see where he's taking me.