Chapter 61

       I've been battling insomnia for some days. It just makes me stay up all night doing nothing. Sometimes I watch a movie to keep myself busy, play games, or like last night, stalk Emily.

       I stayed on my bed with my phone in my hands. I was trying to get Emily's social media accounts. I wanted to talk to her and tell her what happened earlier was fine and I wasn't mad but I had no way to contact her.

      I tried using her real name to search her up on Instagram but she didn't seem to have an account or she just didn't use her real name. When I finally found an account with her name, it had no pictures of her.

      I growled at the effortless effort and hurled my phone away. The only way to see her pictures was to check Gabby's account. She made fun of her a lot and must have uploaded her picture. I got dressed for school and clutched my bag. I headed outside and put on my hood over my head.

      The purpose of the hood was to keep your head warm and shit but for me, it was to hide my face. I randomly thought of getting a bike or car. Walking to school every day was aggravating, I had no idea if I could continue till my last day in high school.

       I couldn't afford an expensive car but I could afford something simple like the truck Xavier drove. At the thought of him, I saw him come to a halt and Emily coming down from the truck. She was dressed in a blue zip-up hoodie and skinny jeans. She wore a pair of sneakers and carried her bag pack.

     My eyes followed her as she climbed down from the truck and locked it behind her. She didn't wait for Xavier, she just headed straight to the entrance. I wanted to talk to her but I couldn't, her pace was fast and I wouldn't meet up except I shouted behind her and I really didn't have that energy. I waved the thought off and just twitched my lips the moment Xavier's gaze fell on me.

      I held his eyes with mine till he looked away and walked inside. I hated what we had turned into, we used to be friends and it was all lovely. I couldn't afford to sulk over our past friendship when I had a class to attend. I moved inside and took the stairs. There was no way we could fix our issues now.

     Not when we're in love with the same girl. We can never go back to being brothers or buddies or whatever we used to be before Amelia.

     I got into the class and took my locker. The teacher was yet to be in class and I had about ten minutes more. I pulled my phone out of my sweatpants and checked my texts. I saw the notification box notify me of a new text and so I opened it.

    Him: I haven't seen you with Emily yet. Any success with your plans or do you need some money?

     I looked at the text wondering why the hell I accepted to get involved with him. It was James' text.

    Me: I'm in class.

     The moment I replied to him I shoved my phone back into my pocket and raised my head. I turned to the corner to catch a glimpse of Xavier but he was on his phone.

    The fourth period started with the teacher, Mr. Matthew asking way too many questions. I had no idea what I was being taught. He kept doing his calculations on the board and I just wondered when I'd get the hell out.

    I passed the last Maths exam and I was overawed because I don't know shit about Trigonometry. When the class finally came to an end and it was time to go home, I packed my bag into my bag and walked out of the class. I went to the washroom and washed my face again.

      It was a habit and I bet that was why Xavier knew where to find me after school. I washed my face repeatedly and put water in my mouth. I spawled it out and looked at my reflection in the mirror. My phone jittered and when I looked it was another text from James.

    Him: I'll see you after school.

    I removed the text and walked out of the washroom. I walked back and met James at the exact spot I first met him.

    "Hey son," he called, waving from his car. He didn't look angry he just wore a blank expression and his sunglasses hindered me from seeing his eyes.

     I took a few steps forward and got into the passenger seat with him.

"What's up, kid? I sent you a text."

     "I was in class," I huffed.

    "Alright. Why haven't I seen you with Emily yet?"

    "Because I haven't been with her."

     "Do you need me to send in money?" He asked. "Okay text me your Cash app or PayPal, and I'll send you 500$."

     I turned my face to the front door glass and just remained quiet. He was making it so hard to back off. James knows I need this money and he's offering to pay half the money just to have me be with the girl I love.

     "Devin I'm serious, I need this job done."

     "I know," I managed to reply. He wanted his daughter and I wanted his daughter too. We literally wanted the same girl for different reasons. He wanted Emily because he's her father and I wanted her because I was falling for her and it drove me crazy.

     "You can get her interested in you with the money," he suggested.

    Everything but that could work. Emily wasn't going to be moved by my money. She must have thought I was not rich and would wonder where I got the money from.

     I didn't want to impress her, I just wanted to be myself around her. That's how I know I feel something sincere. I don't want to flaunt anything or buy her gifts to get her interested in me. When I was in love with Amelia, I did things for her without her asking because wanted to impress her and make her love me but with Emily it was different.

     "Emily isn't interested in my money. She's scared of me too, she knows I'm a fighter."

    "Ohh."

   "Yeah, so that can't work."

    "We just have to work on your appearance. How about I change your wardrobe? That way you'll appear less intimidating."

  Was he serious? Damn.