Page 98 of Tattooed Love

“Right,” I smirked. “Bye Mark.”

I turned the corner and looked over bobbing heads, looking for Jax. Why was he taking so long to man up? I thought he would’ve said something last night when I got home, but he didn’t.

Troy had taken me to school that morning; Jax had already left.

And what annoyed me more was the pleasant smile on Cole’s face when he noticed Jax giving me the cold shoulder.

Jogging down the stairs, I entered the canteen and spotted Jax sitting on a bench with his friends; they could be known as his sheep.

I just wanted to go up to him and slap him across his face and tell him to grow a pair.

“Amber?”

I spun around and smiled politely at Rachel. Well, look who it was; my somewhat friend.

“Rachel, how have you been?” I asked as we fell in step with each other.

“Yeah, normal. Hey, I was wondering if you are keen on some drinks at the beach tonight?”

I hadn’t talked to her in weeks, maybe longer, and she was inviting me out?

“I can’t, sorry. Got plans.”

“Right.” Rachel rolled her eyes. “Sure you do.”

“I do,” I snapped, annoyed. “Look I got to go. Bye.” I brushed her off and quickly turned around, now walking in the opposite direction. I didn’t want to hang out with her.

I glanced at Jax, who looked at me, bored. Maybe that was what I did for him now; maybe I was just a bore.

I groaned and pushed the canteen door open; all I wanted was to have him admit he wanted me! Why was that so hard for him to do?

***

I ran my fingers under my t-shirt, outlining the scar on my stomach. This had become a habit of mine. I dropped my head to the side and looked out the bay window, watching the storm roll through. The rain was heavy on the roof, and the cracks of thunder kept making the lights flicker.

I knew any minute now the lights would go out, and I would be stuck in darkness. I watched another streak of lighting across the sky. I turned my head back and stared up at the ceiling, lying on my back in the sitting room.

The room was like another lounge room, apart from the fact that it overlooked the gardens. The lightsflickered again and, this time, they went out. The room fell into darkness and the only light that entered the room now, was from the lighting.

Home alone in a storm; well tonight was just looking great, wasn’t it? I pulled my t-shirt up a little higher and kept running a finger down each line.

It was late and everyone had better things to do than be home tonight. Well, everyone but me. I didn’t want to beg Tyler to stay home but when I saw the storm warnings on TV, I knew I should have.

“AMBER?”

I sat up straight “JAX?”

I narrowed my eyes, trying to make out the figure that had just pushed the door open.

“Are you ok?” Jax’s voice was laced with panic.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I crossed my legs, watching Jax’s chest rise heavily. He pushed the wet hair from his forehead.

“You didn’t answer your phone,” he said, his breathing settling slightly.

“I lost signal.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Sorry.”

“It’s not your fault,” Jax muttered, and then pulled his patch off, and peeled the wet jumper under it off. “Fuck, it’s awful out there.”

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