Folklore Love Triangle

James - 1 | Where It All Went Wrong

James sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair and nervously adjusting his tie as he stood before the school doors, debating on whether he should go inside or not.

He was never one for crowds or parties, he hated them in fact, but he was, however, one for his girlfriend, and he wanted to make this school dance special for her by coming to this one, since it was the end of their junior year dance.

Betty had been telling him weeks prior how much she wanted to come, but he hadn't asked her to go himself just yet, but he figured, it was better late than never now.

James took another deep breath before stepping inside. The halls were deserted but he knew the gym would be crowded, so he headed towards there, his hand still somewhat gripping his tie.

"Ticket, please." The people standing outside the gymnasium said, causing James to roll his eyes, and dig through his pockets, before pulling out a blue slip, and handing it over to them.

As the kids examined it, James pursed his lips, he wanted to make a comment on how they didn't need to do that because no one in their right mind would forge a dumb school dance ticket, but he bit his tongue.

"You're good to go." The girl in the front said, and without a word, James pushed inside.

Once James entered the gym, he heard the immediate sound of his girlfriend's favorite song playing through the speakers nearby the doors. It caused a faint smile to graze his lips, his mood suddenly lifted when he remembered why he was even doing this in the first place, on why he was here.

He paused for a moment, letting the music and atmosphere calm his nerves. Just as he was about to make his way over to search for his girlfriend, he spotted her unmistakable brown hair.

His breath stilled as he saw Betty, wrapped in the arms of another guy, her hands wrapped around his neck, and his on her waist, he could see the laughter they shared together, a laughter that made it seem as if they were a couple.

James' could feel his heart almost physically clench, and without a second thought, he swirled around and stormed out of the gym, his teeth gritted as the people running the ticket stand watched on in confusion but made no move to stop him.

He flung the school doors open with a forceful push and sighed deeply as the cool noon air hit his heated face, he knew he couldn't bear being in the same place as those two any longer. So, he decided in that moment to just walk home since he didn't bring his skateboard with him and a friend had dropped him off earlier, and wouldn't be able to pick him up for an hour or two.

The broken cobblestone beneath his feet felt like it mirrored how he felt right about now, the turmoil within him just growing.

His mind kept replaying the image of Betty with that guy, looking cozy, too cozy, and it was with someone who wasn't him.

Suddenly, a car pulled up beside him and he looked up. It was as if the figment of his worst intentions came to life when the window rolled down, revealing a beautiful redhead in the drivers seat.

His breath caught in his throat for a second, but before he could question what she was doing here, or why she stopped, she spoke up.

"James, get in, let's drive." Came from the mouth of a familiar face of a girl named August, causing him to glance around to see if anyone else was there.

Once he confirmed no one was, he climbed into the passenger seat and she drove off shortly afterwards. He knew this wasn't the smartest move, that he should've said no, or could even tell her to stop the car and leave now, but his normally composed and cool mind was clouded with a storm of anger and jealousy, and he couldn't find it in himself to care, so he didn't.

After a brief silence, August broke the tension and asked, "Where do you want to go?"

He blinked, snapping out of his turmoil for a second, he had time to think of anywhere, but for some reason, the words left his lips before he could even process them, "Your house."

The redhead grinned, glancing at the boy through the rear view mirror as she said, "Oh?"

He didn't respond to that, just quietly gazed out the window, but August didn't mind that, instead, she just focused on making her way to her house in the fastest way possible.

Since she lived relatively close to school, they arrived not long after, James had slightly hoped it would take a little while longer so he'd be able to have time to collect his thoughts and calm his mind.

But before he knew it, August stepped out of the car while grabbing her purse that was resting on the center console, and gestured for him to do the same, so he did, and he followed close behind her.

She smiled at him before taking her house key out of her purse, slowly twisting the knob, and looking around after locking the door.

James' eyes naturally roamed the new place, he saw many photos of August splattered across the wall, and some with, who he assumed, were her parents, he couldn't help but find it endearing seeing her so small.

August bolted around, making sure to check everywhere before stopping in front of James again and smiling slightly when she saw his eyes filled with some awe and adoration.

"Are those your parents?" He asked, pointing to some pictures, still not fully turning to the girl, as she nodded with a happy grin.

"Yeah! They're the best, but they're usually not around." She admitted, causing the boy to finally turn his attention to her.

"Oh, are your siblings ever around?"

August chuckled, and James slightly furrowed his brows, not knowing what he said that was so funny, until she said, "I'm an only child actually."

He nodded and said, "Ah, sorry- I'm so used to everyone I know having at least one sibling."

He turned a little pink as he rubbed his neck, apologizing some more before the redhead gently grabbed his face, his rambling immediately came to a halt as his breath caught.

His eyes met her intense green ones, a stark contrast to the usual blue ones of his girlfriend's that he sees, but he couldn't help but be drawn to them anyways. And before he could even stop it, her lips were on his.

He wished he could say he pushed her away and told her he loved Betty, and walked out of the house without ever looking back, but that would be a lie.

Instead, his hands went to her waist as he pulled her closer, the sun was beginning to set behind them, but he didn't even think about that as their kiss grew more heated.

August gripped his tie as she pulled away, her usual emerald green eyes now were more of a jade green as their labored breaths mixed together.

His eyes found their way to her lips again, and that caused her to slightly sigh and drop his tie to grab his hand instead.

He let her pull him to her room upstairs, sitting on the bed as she locked the door to ensure they didn't get interrupted, even though it wasn't likely with August's parents never being home.

With that out of the way, she turned around and straddled James, a small smirk on her face as she watched his eyes roam all over her body.

His mind flashed to Betty for a second, but that thought was quickly wiped away when August's lips met his again.

This would be a problem for future James, but for now, he knew what he wanted.

The image of Betty with another boy was still burned in the back of his mind as he got tangled underneath the sheets with August.

To be continued..