The bell for recess shrieked, a jarring sound that sent Emmie scrambling out of the classroom. Her heart hammered against her ribs, each thump echoing the frantic pace of her feet. She had to find James.
She spotted him by the oak tree, his back to her, his head bent over a worn copy of "The Hobbit." Emmie took a deep breath, willing herself to be brave.
"James!" she called, her voice barely a whisper. James always found a way to flutter her heart without even trying. She couldn't ever fathom how he noticed her in the first place, How he is dating one of the best football players in school.
He turned, his brow furrowed in surprise. "Emmie? Baby? What's wrong?"
She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. She was feeling quite shy under James' intense scrutiny.
"Uhmm... I want to talk to you about something. Could you spare some time, kindly." her pleaded, quite unsure of how to begin that kind of conversations.
"Sure, anything for my girlfriend. I would do anything for you. Come here, sit on my lap." James said smirking, guiding her to his lap, leaving Emmie a blushing mess.
"It's Alison," she stammered, "and Micha. They..." Her voice cracked. "They were so mean to me."
James's expression softened. "What happened, Em?"
Emmie took another shaky breath. "They called me names, and they… they pushed me." She pointed to a small, bruised patch on her arm. "They said I was a loser and that no one liked me. And worse, that my hair looked ugly, the one to selected for me to wear."
James frowned, his eyes scanning her face. "They wouldn't do that, Em. You know Alison isn't like that. She's nice. And Micha wouldn't be mean to you, not when they know you're my girlfriend."
"But they were!" Emmie insisted, tears welling up in her eyes. "They laughed at me, and they… they made fun of my new hairstyle."
James reached out, his hand hovering over hers. "Em, you know Micha is popular. She has an interest in keeping her name and reputation. She wouldn't pick on someone like you. Maybe you misunderstood."
Emmie pulled away, her heart sinking. "No, I didn't misunderstand anthing! They were awful. And Alison, she was even worse. She told me I should just disappear."
"Em, you're being dramatic," James said, his voice laced with a hint of impatience. "They're probably just messing around. You have nothing to worry about."
He stood up, his gaze distant. "Come on, let's go. I want to play some football, you can watch me like you always do. You'll feel better after that."
Emmie stood there, her throat tight with unshed tears. James didn't believe her. He thought she was making it up, exaggerating. She felt a wave of loneliness wash over her, a feeling that was colder and deeper than the sting of the playground bullies.
As James walked away, his back turned to her, Emmie felt a strange sense of detachment. She was alone, with her hurt and her fear, and no one, not even James, seemed to understand.
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James stormed into the dimly lit parking lot behind the school gym, his sharp footsteps echoing against the cracked pavement. His fists clenched at his sides as he spotted Micha and Alison leaning against Micha's car, laughing about something that immediately irritated him.
"Are you two stupid?" James spat, his voice low but venomous.
Micha raised an eyebrow. "What's your problem?"
"My problem," James seethed, stepping closer, "is that you two have been messing with Emmie."
Alison rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. "Oh, please. It was just a little fun. She's such an easy target."
"Yeah, James, why do you care?" Micha added, smirking. "You're not actually catching feelings for her, are you?"
James let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "You really think that? That pathetic little girl? Give me a break. The only reason I've been nice to her is because she's easy. I had everything lined up—make her feel special, get what I want, and then walk away. Simple. But no, you two had to go and mess it up by making her paranoid and scared."
Alison's lips curled into a smirk. "So that's what this is about? You're pissed because we're ruining your little plan to sleep with her?"
James exhaled sharply, his irritation growing. "Exactly. She was practically putty in my hands, and then you two show up with your childish bullying, making her suspicious of everyone. She barely even looks at me now, thanks to you idiots."
Micha chuckled. "Man, that's cold."
James shrugged. "It's just how things work. She was never gonna be more than a fun distraction. I was doing her a favor, really." He turned to Alison, lowering his voice just enough to be dangerous. "And before you start acting like this is about me caring—don't kid yourself. Emmie means nothing to me. She's just something to pass the time."
Alison tilted her head, studying him. "So you're sure? No feelings, no regrets?"
James scoffed. "Please. As soon as I get what I want, she'll be just another name I barely remember. You of all people should know I don't do attachments."
Alison gave a satisfied nod, her smirk widening. "Good. Wouldn't want you going soft on us."
James clenched his jaw. "Just don't screw things up again. I need her to trust me, and you two acting like high school villains isn't helping. Stay out of it."
Micha shrugged. "Fine, whatever. Have your fun. Just don't come crying to us when she figures you out."
James gave them both a cold stare before turning on his heel. As he walked away, he forced a smirk onto his face. He would make sure Emmie fell right back into his trap. And once he got what he wanted—she'd never see him again.