Chapter Twenty-Four

On Friday, when my period had stopped, Jason and I planned to go to the Mediterranean Sea to visit his mother. Afterwards, we would go to see his father at the other end of the sea. I was excited, but also nervous. I had skipped two days of school because of pain and returned Friday. When the first bell rang, everyone scampered through the hall to their classes.

"B-Blake!" A hand grabbed mine. I turned to see Brice then pulled my hand away, about to walk away. "Wait! I want to apologize!" I faced him again.

"Apologize all you want. It won't change what you put me through." I frowned.

"I know. I just... didn't want anyone to know about my... secret." He looked to the floor.

"I don't care if you're gay! I just don't want to be your target!" The late bell rang so I left him standing in the middle of the almost empty hall. I didn't want to talk to him anymore, making it to class just as the last bell rang for class to start. I knew Jason would be late because he had to get last minute supplies for our exam project. We would graduate in a month if we passed.

"Blake, where is your partner in crime?" The teacher asked when everyone started on their projects.

"Jason will be here soon. He had to go get a few things." I pulled my poster board out.

"Atlantis, is it real?" He read. "Very interesting. I am looking forward to it." He walked away and I started to cut out the paragraphs that was printed on paper. Jason rushed into class, moving past the other tables to ours.

"Hey." He sat next to me.

"Hi." I smiled. He pulled out a small cylinder with a tiny button on the side. My trident.

"Jason!" The teacher walked back to our table. "I hope you don't intend on being late again with your project due in two weeks."

"No, sir. I just had to find some things for it." Jason smiled. The teacher nodded, giving us one last look before walking away. We were done by the time lunch came and spent it talking while others studied. Samantha sat next to us.

"Your project? AMAZING! Do you really think Atlantis is real and that they are further in technology than humans?" She babbled. Jason and I looked to each other and smiled. She looked to Jason then leaned across the table to me. "Doesn't his sexiness drive you insane?" She whispered.

"I thought you were into girls." I bit into a baby carrot.

"Yes, but even I can't resist wanting to be in those strong arms." She sat back in her seat, almost falling. Jason lifted his eyebrows as he looked at me. "He takes such good care of you. It would make anyone jealous."

"I'm sure your friend at the table next to us would take care of you." I motioned to a pink and black haired girl with dark makeup who had been staring at Samantha since she sat down. Samantha looked over briefly then down to her plate.

"Been there, done that." She grumbled.

"Okay, what's wrong with her?" I dropped my carrot, nearly jumping out of my seat to catch it before it fell to the ground. Jason looked at me as if I was weird.

"She's a biter." Samantha watched me bite the carrot.

"A biter?" Jason raised an eyebrow again.

"Privates. Any part that comes to your mind." She explained. I choked on the carrot as Jason shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

"That's a lie and you know it!" The girl raced over as I coughed.

"I have THREE scars from you, Beth." Samantha didn't look at her. I gasped for air, the carrot lodged in my throat.

"You told me to do it!" Beth exclaimed. I felt pressure build in my face as I coughed. The milk cartons began to shake.

"Blake?" Jason hit my back.

"Oh my goodness." Samantha looked to me.

"She's turning blue!" Beth gasped.

"Duh! She's choking!" Jason got up and placed his arms me with his fists right above my stomach. He slammed my back against his chest then pulled several times, his fist pressing under my sternum sharply. Everyone around us was standing and staring as several teachers approached. Jason pulled me again, harder, and I could feel the carrot propel out of my mouth. I gasped, grabbing Jason's hands. Where he had been pushing ached and my nose and throat burned. I realized I had started crying as I fought for air. He released me, letting me sit back down.

"Are you okay?" A teacher questioned. All I could do was nod as I tried to breathe normally.

"That was scary." Samantha sat back down.

"I thought you were going to die. You were blue!" Beth agreed.

"Well, I'm glad Jason didn't wait for you to finish arguing before helping me." I huffed, leaning against him. "Thank you."