Lend Me Your Heart
Sixty

“So here’s the plan,” Joey said as we walked towards the cafeteria. “We’ll go in for dinner and pretend like we’re in a rush to eat and start studying because we have a big test tomorrow. Jake sits with the football team and we both know that’s where Zach has been sitting lately, so he’ll probably be there. I’ll pretend to be getting food while you flirt it up, alright?”
“In front of Zach?” I said with a frown, not wanting to hurt Zach’s feelings.
“Do you want to get him back or not?”
I groaned quietly and hung my head, suddenly realizing that maybe this wasn’t the best idea ever.
“Listen, Jake’s one of the biggest flirts at this school, alright? It’ll be super easy for you to do this. I promise.”
But, I did want Zach back…more than anything.
So, when Joey led me to the table full of football players, I couldn’t help but feel a range of emotions when I saw him sitting there with them.
“Dude, since when do we let chicks sit with us?” one of the boys groaned, slumping in his seat.
I blushed and Joey rolled his eyes.
“We have a huge test tomorrow, alright? We’re just having a little snack until we need to start studying again. We’ll be out of here in no time. Problem?” Joey asked, raising his eyebrows defensively.
Man, he was good at this.
“Guess not,” the boy shrugged, turning back to his friends as talking.
Zach was right across from me.
Zach was right across from me!
Don’t look at him, don’t look at him, don’t look at him, I thought.
My head was screaming with all sorts of emotions but my mouth didn’t speak a word as I took the only available seat next to who I assumed was Jake judging by his buzz cut and the way he had no shame in checking me out as I walked towards him.
I can’t do this, I suddenly thought, looking down at my plate, but it was too late by that point.
“Layne, I’m gonna go get a drink. Want anything?” Joey said, getting up out of his chair.
I looked up at him and shook my head before he walked away, leaving me alone at the football team table.
I took a bite out of my bread, chewing without looking up until I felt somebody’s arm sling across my shoulders.
I looked up and to my left to see Jake with a smug smile on his face.
“What’s your name, sweet heart?” he asked, using the nickname Zach always used on me while everybody else at the table carried on with their other conversations.
“Layne,” I choked.
“Oh! So you’re the pretty girl Zach was stupid enough to break up with!” he chuckled, shooting a competitive look in Zach’s direction.
Zach glared at him, his fists clenching his silverware so forcefully that I thought the metal might snap.
He clearly wasn’t focusing in on the conversations going on around him, but rather the one going on between Jake and me.
I coughed uncomfortably before shifting my eyes to the soda fountain.
Where was Joey?
I looked all around the dining hall only to find him talking to Matt at our usual table.
I sighed, wishing I’d never agreed to follow through with this stupid plan.
“Sorry, princess. I didn’t mean to upset you,” Jake said, using his hand to force my gaze back to his.
“It’s fine,” I said with a shrug, feeling extremely uncomfortable with his hand on my face.
“Has anyone ever told you how gorgeous you are?” he said, looking into my eyes and dropping his hand from my jaw.
I could smell his cigarette breath all over me and I wanted to throw up.
I looked over at Zach and bit my lip.
He was starring back at me.
We were communicating through looks; it was the first form of communication we’d had in months.
His eyes got angry and his jaw clenched, like it always did when he got mad.
Suddenly, his head snapped towards Jake.
“Can you not do this in front of me?” he growled, enraged.
“Fine,” Jake laughed, taking my hand underneath the table.
I looked up at him, completely confused as to what he was doing.
“Come with me, Layne,” he said, standing up with my hand in his.
I swallowed nervously as Jake led me out of the cafeteria, looking behind my shoulder once more to see Zach’s expression.
He looked furious and defeated, and that’s when I knew our plan had worked.
“What dorm do you live in, babe?” he asked, using my least favorite nickname.
“Cottage,” I muttered. “Third floor.”
“So, you and Zach had rooms right next to each other while you were going out? Damn. You kids must’ve done a lot of crazy sh*t.”
“Our relationship wasn’t like that,” I said, suddenly feeling defensive and rolling my eyes.
“Aw, relax. You know I’m only kidding. Besides, it’s not like any of that matters anymore. I mean, you don’t still have feelings for him, do you?” he asked, searching my eyes for the truth.
Unfortunately, he got everything but the truth.
“No,” I lied. “Not at all.”
“Great. Listen,” he said, rubbing his hands together for warmth as we neared my dorm. “There’s going to be this awesome party tomorrow night at my old buddy’s house. He’s in college, so there’s going to be a ton of alcohol and sh*t but they’re always really fun. Come with me?”
So Joey was right all along.
Hopefully this all worked out the way I wanted it to.
“Yeah,” I said with a smile. “Sounds fun. What should I wear?”
He smirked and licked his lips, his eyes scanning over my body once again.
“Anything your little heart desires,” he said.
I laughed nervously and opened the door to my building.
“Alright, then. What time are you picking me up?” I asked, trying to remain calm even though I was freaking out inside.
“How does seven sound?”
“Perfect. See you then.”

Is everybody in school again yet? I just need to know so I don't post new chapters at 2 in the afternoon (like I am now) when nobody's online.

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