Fooling Ourselves

How He Lost it....

                 

The door to my bedroom opened suddenly and a worried looking James barged in. I jumped up out of my bed frightened as he paced my room clearly bothered. He finally stopped pacing the room and looked at me.

"Skylar you have to help me," he walked over to me and placed his hands on my shoulders, "I can't lose my Ari."

"You hurt my best friend," I told him.

"I know and I promise I'll give it all up. All the girls that I sleep with, the wild parties, I'll give it up for her. I just want her. I only need her," James assured me. I fought the urge to smile as I realized our plan had worked. He was finally ready to commit.

"I don't know-"

"Please. You're her best friend. You know Ari best. You have to help me," he shook me slightly.

"Okay first, remove your hands," I said and he placed his hands by his sides letting go of my shoulders, "Now take five steps back."

"What? Why?" he frowned.

"You want my help or not? I have something to show you. Just do it," I rolled my eyes at him and he followed my instructions, "Thank you. Now goodbye."

I slammed the door in his face and locked it quickly. I heard him swear and bang on the door begging me some more which caused me to giggle.

"Sorry I'm team Theo in this one!" I yelled to piss him off some more, "Check me tomorrow instead but I think you have this under control. You know what to do James."

James was a sweet guy. He'd figure things out. I couldn't exactly tell him what to do to fix things anyways. It would ruin all the fun and this was something he had to do on his own. He knew Ari way better than me. Besides, I told Ari I wouldn't help him and everything was my plan originally.

"Please Skye," he begged, "You don't know how much she means to me."

"I do, which is why you must do this yourself," I explained and then added, "You're a hot football player who is a crazy flirt. Use it."

He finally left me alone once again to return to my work. I sighed and focused on my history project before me. I cleared my mind and continued to write my essay. I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen at school tomorrow.

***

Everything practically happened at lunch. Ari and Theo were flirty in the hall that morning again and James was blazing with anger. They seemed more like friends to me but with James' jealousy on the loose he wouldn't see anything else but red. Theo almost got attacked by him but Jace pulled him away before anything serious could happen. Then Dylan mentioned something about the 'hideous couple' needing counseling.

But really, things got bad at lunch when we were all sitting at the table. Ari was texting on her phone and laughing, completely forgetting about us. Jace and I were joking around and James was just staring at Ari. Theo joined us then and put his arm around Ari, kissing her forehead as he sat. James completely lost it.

"Why are you here?" James groaned.

"My girl friend is here," Theo smirked teasingly.

"No she isn't. Now leave. You don't belong here. Your seat isn't with us," James growled.

"Well I'm sure Ari's coming with me. Right, Ari baby?" Theo grinned knowing he had hit home. James was the only one who called Ari that.

"Sure babe. I'll just gather my stuff," she agreed and got up.

"And you!" James jumped up now clearly having more than enough. He threw his hand wildly in the direction of Ari, pointing accusingly.

"Me?" she pointed at herself.