Page 4 of His Fearless Guy

“I’m hungry,” Taya states, ignoring my comment. Her whiny voice is like a razor shaving down my spine. “Are you going to buy me food at the theater?”

After what Bay told her at lunch, you’d think she’d back off and pull out her own wallet, get herself whatever the fuck she wants. But she’s back to expecting him to buy her ten-dollar Twizzlers and an eight-dollar soda. I’m sure she’ll want a twenty-dollar pail of popcorn too. If Baylor stays with the girl, his trust fund will be drained dry before he even gets to college. Honestly, it’s not even about the money. It’s about the principle. The girl thinks she owns him. And by the way he acts, she does.

“Yeah, I’ll get you food. Sorry I didn’t feed you before we left.”

“You fed me something else.” She smirks, and the angry knot in my stomach takes the shape of jealousy again. Now, I know why he was late picking me up. He was busy getting his dick sucked. Maybe I should start sucking him off, then I might actually get a night with him alone. Fucker.

For once, I’m happy that Taya is monopolizing the conversation, not letting anyone else get a word in edge wise because I’m not in the mood to speak. She drones on for the rest of the car ride, talking about what she should wear to Chase’s party on Friday so she looks just as good as the other girls. I stare out the window, burning one tree down at a time. I’m never making plans with him again. He’s made his choice, and I’m no longer interested in spending my time with the selfishly absorbed girl. Nor do I like to watch them make-out all the time. In the hallway, in the cafeteria while I’m trying to eat, in the back of the car when we’re heading to meet up with everyone. If they start going at it during the movie, I’m walking out.

I go straight to my seat when we get to the Cineplex, not bothering to wait while they buy their food. They show up to their seats well into the credits, Taya causing a raucous as she sits down. Bay holds out a box of peanut m&ms for me, but I shake my head. “No thanks. I’m good.” If he thinks he can buy my forgiveness with chocolate, he’s fucking wrong. He can hand those right over to the girl on his right and buy his next blow job.

“There’s a tall guy sitting in front of me, Bay.” I hear Taya’s not so quiet whisper and so does the man she’s talking about. He stiffens right up in his seat. “I’m not going to be able to see anything. You’d think a tall person would be nice enough to choose a seat in the back row, so he doesn’t obstruct anyone’s view.”

And you’d think an eighteen-year-old girl who comes from a prestigious family and is well educated would have the decency not to be so blatantly rude. But she’s lacking in the nice department and in manners. Another reason I don’t understand why Baylor is with the girl. He’s one of the nicest guys I know. He’ll give you the shirt right off his back if you need it. But it’s obvious Taya knows that and is taking full advantage.

“Switch with me,” he whispers, sounding irritated, though he’s not going to do anything about it, other than give her exactly what she wants and teach her that it’s okay to act like a spoiled brat.

They switch seats and now I’m the one stuck sitting next to her throughout the entire movie. And in true Taya form, she talks the whole time. Asking Baylor questions. Complaining about how boring the movie is. Wondering how much longer until it’s over. Checking her phone and shining the light in the dark theater. If she wanted to see the movie so bad, you’d think she’d be thoroughly engrossed, sitting back with a mouth full of buttered popcorn, actually watching the thing. But she keeps flapping those lips in complaint, and by the time the final credits are rolling, I’m about to lose my shit, ready to get the fuck home.

The lights come on and the tall guy in front of Baylor turns. “If you’re going to be rude and complain throughout the entire movie, you should choose to stay home.”

I want to give the guy a high five. Someone is finally putting her in her place. Baylor is quick to apologize as the guy turns and makes his way down to the exit. The one who should’ve been apologizing keeps her lips closed and glares at his retreating back like she’s casting a nasty spell on him. As soon as he’s out of view, she turns her glare on her boyfriend, slapping him on the arm.

“Why’d you apologize to him? That was so rude. I’m allowed to ask questions during a movie.”

I’m done holding my tongue. The girl needs to get a fucking clue. “You’re the one who was rude. You’re not supposed to talk or shine your light everywhere. You’re lucky the guy didn’t complain and have your ass kicked out. You ruined the movie for everyone.”

I shove past the two of them and make my way outside. Never a-fucking-gain.

The tension is thick in the air as we get in his truck and head back. Now, Taya is silent. The entire movie she was yapping away, and now, she’s not saying a word. At this point, I don’t give a shit what she thinks of me. I’m done pretending that I like the girl. I can feel Bay’s eyes staring at me through his rearview mirror, but I ignore his irritation. He should be pissed at his girlfriend not at me.

I pull out my phone, wanting to make myself look busy and decide it’s time to set up plans with another friend. Someone who actually wants to spend time with me.

Me: Yo Bren! You busy tomorrow night?

I think I might ask if he wants to see the movie with me. I was so fucking distracted, I missed the entire thing.

Brennon: I’ve got detention after school, then I need to study for the chem test.

Shit. That’s right. Forgot we have that test on Friday.

Me: You want to come over and study together when you’re done?

Brennon:Sure. Not sure how long the witch will hold me though.

Me: What’d you do this time?

He’s always getting into trouble. And it’s always over stupid shit.

Brennon: Got caught texting with my girlfriend. Mrs. Bowman was standing over my shoulder the entire time and I had no clue. She started reading my messages to the entire class and I flipped my shit. Dude, she told everyone I was a virgin.

Oh shit, that sucks. Now the guys are going to give him hell in the locker room. Personally, I think it’s a smart choice for him to hold onto his v-card; the girls our age aren’t worth it.

Me: Dude, that sucks. But don’t fucking worry about it. She’s a bitch and everyone knows it. Let me know what time you get out of detention and I’ll order food for us.

“Are you going to get out?”

I look up from my phone at the sound of Taya’s snotty voice. I hadn’t realized we were at my house. My phone buzzes with another text, and my eyes drop back down.

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