Stuck Between A Rock And A Hard Place || Michael Clifford

1. She Loves You

     "Brent stop yelling at me!  I didn't mean to!"  I pleaded at the boy with the fire in his eyes. 

     He can just get so mad at the smallest things.  He turns into a completely different person.  At this point I was backing away from him because in the corner of my eye I saw him pull his fingers up for his hands to make fists.  He has never hit me, but he's been close many times.  I don't think he would actually hit me though.  Brent isn't like that.  Yes, He gets mad, a lot.  But he loves me.

     "Damn it!  Are you blind?  You seriously can't do anything right, can you Jordan?  Clean it up!  Now!"  He yelled once more as he watched me flinch.

     I looked over at his empty glass on his bedroom floor along with Dr. Pepper soaking into his light colored carpet.  I accidentally hit the cup with my foot when I got up from his bed.  He was playing video games, laying on the floor so his shirt and jeans soaked up most of the soda.  That's mostly why he was mad.  I don't blame him.  I'm clumsy and can't do anything right.  What he said was true.  I deserved to be yelled at. 

     "Okay.  Don't worry.  I'll have it spotless in like 10 minutes.  I'm so sorry Brent."  I apologized and started to walk towards him with my hands held out for a hug.  My face was beat red with embarrassment.  He pushed my arms down to my side, turned me around to face his door, and slightly pushed me to it.  I looked over my shoulder to Brent just staring at me.

     "Well, go!  Old rags are under the sink.  Hurry before it stains!"  He brought his yell down to just loud talking.

I turned back to the door to open it and ran downstairs.  Brent yelled at me from his bedroom.

     "-And bring me another Dr. Pepper!" 

     I found the rags and some cleaner under his kitchen sink.  I walked to his fridge for the soda. 

A tear fell from my eye and onto my cheek.  I wiped it away quickly and scoffed at myself.

Seriously Jordan?  Why are you freaking crying?  You deserved me be yelled at.  You're worthless and lucky to even know a perfect guy like Brent.

My thoughts were interrupted with him yelling my name.  I hurried up the stairs to find him digging through his closet.  He was only wearing underwear when I walked in.  His wet clothes were thrown behind his door.  He found some black shorts and slid them on and then looked up at me.

     "Sorry."  Was all I muttered while tossing him the fizzy drink.  I got down on my hands and knees and started to soak up the spilled liquid.

     "It's okay."  He answered very calmly.

     He resumed his video game and sat on his bed while I cleaned.  He completely calmed down and was just focused on his game.  He looked like he was going to kill his puppy not even 5 minutes ago and now he's perfectly fine.  I didn't understand it, but I didn't question it too much because honestly, I didn't care.  He has anger problems.  So what?  I love him.  That's all that matters.

     I threw the old rags behind his door with the other dirty clothes and walked back over to his bed.  I looked down while passing him.  Just then, I felt a hard tug on my arm and next thing I know I was in Brent's lap on his bed.  I didn't think he was still mad, but I never really know for sure.

     I slowly looked up at him to find a warm smile on his face.  He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer.  I must have had a weird expression on my face, because he stopped and his smile was gone.

     "What's wrong?"  He innocently asked.  His puppy eyes were so different than before.

     "Nothing."  I paused.  I didn't want so say the wrong thing.  "I just thought you were mad at me."  My eyes fell, trying not to make eye contact.

     He quietly laughed and pulled me closer to him.  "I'm not mad at you anymore.  I overreacted."

     I looked back up at him and smiled back at him.  "Oh,  good.  I'm glad."  I hugged him, but he didn't really hug back. 

     "Jordan."  He said, trying to get me to let go.  Just as I did, he kissed me.  I tried to kiss him back, he pulled away leaving me wanting more.  He bit his lip and stared me in the eyes.  He knew exactly what he was doing. 

     I looked him up and down.  He was perfect.  I would describe him as the perfect bad boy.  Black shaggy hair with a lip piercing.  Tattoos covering his arms and his 'I don't care' attitude was hot, to be completely honest. 

     He grabbed my face, pulling me from my thoughts.  He kissed me again, this time a little longer and more passionate.  He let me kiss back this time.  His kisses led down to my neck.  I giggled a little because it tickled.  He giggled with me while coming back to my lips.  He kissed me once more on the nose and looked up at me.

     "I love you, Brent."  I smiled.

     "I know you do, babe."  He smiled back.

     I got up from his lap to reach for my phone.  I had a text from my mom telling me to come on home because it was getting late.  I sighed and showed Brent.

     "Noooooo."  He dragged out the 'O' while puckering out his bottom lip to create what I call a 'pouty face'.  I giggled at his ridiculous facial expression.

     "I know.  I don't want to but I'll be grounded again, Brent."  I said plainly. 

     "Okay.  You want me to drive you home?"  He politely asked while standing up to grab his keys.

     "No, really.  It's okay.  It's just a block away."  I laughed.  He could be such a gentleman.  I loved it.

     "Alright.  Well I'll see you at school tomorrow.  Are we still on for our date tomorrow night?"  He asked.

     "Yep."  I smiled.  I walked across his room to give him a hug.  He ignored me and looked down at his phone. 

     "You better go.  You don't want to be grounded."  He held his phone in front of my face, showing me the time.

     "Oh.  Right.  I'll see you tomorrow then."  I put my arms down and walked to his door.  "Goodnight, Brent."  I added as I turned back to see him.

     "Night."  He was staring at his phone.  I shut his door behind me and walked down the stairs. 

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(Later at Jordan's home.)

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     I crawled under my covers with my favorite black pajama pants.  I really don't wear anything except black.  Some call me emo.  Most call me goth.  I took it as a complement, though. 

     I grabbed my phone to text Brent that I made it home safely.  As I waited for a response, I text my best friend Gabby. 

(Text Conversation)

*Hey Gabby.  Brent yelled at me again today...*

*Jo, you've got to leave him asap.*

*I would never leave him.  I actually deserved it.*

*YOU DONT DESERVE IT.*

*I'm so lucky to have him.  I don't deserve him or his love.*

*Jo you got it mixed up.  HE doesn't deserve YOU.  You deserve someone to treat you like a princess.*

*He does! :)*

*Okay, well I hope you're right.  I just don't wanna see my best friend hurt.   I'm gonna get some sleep.  Love you JoJo.*

*I love you too, Gabbs.  See you tomorrow*

(End of Conversation)

     I checked for a reply for Brent but I guess he fell asleep already.  I truly was lucky to have him.  No one understood he wasn't all bad.  He had a good side, sometimes.  But that's what you have to deal with when you want a bad-boy boyfriend.  I laughed at myself for how cliché and basic I was. 

     I sat my phone down and turned off my light, and set my alarm to 6:30am.  I was thinking about how our date would go tomorrow.  Brent was going to pick me up in his car after school and take me to a nice restaurant downtown.  Darkness took over my thoughts as I gently shut my eyes.