Chapter 19

*Let's go Raven, let's go!
Let's go Raven, let's go!
Let's go Raven, let's go!*

I looked around the gym as everyone started cheering. I personally hated pep rallies but it was part of being in the dance squad. Jason looked bored beside me and I took hold of his hands.

I smile crept unto his face.

"Let's go Raven!" Dave yelled enthusiastically beside Jason. I started laughing while Ash tried to calm him down.

While looking around, I spotted Nicole sitting alone in the far right of the bleachers and she looked depressed. Oh man, I can't deal with her problems right now. What happened though between now and the day I found out about her and Braydon?

She was looking back and forth between Braydon who was with his football team and the cheerleading squad who was cheering the crowd on.

I watched as she got up from the bleachers and left the gym.

"You okay?" Jason whispered in my ears.

"Yeah." I lied trying to sound convincing. I can't help but feel bad for her and I shouldn't because she is such a horrible person. "I'll be right back."

I got up from the bleachers and followed where Nicole left. I didn't even know where she went though.

I decided to check the bathroom which was where I found her last time. Walking in, I spotted Nicole right away, standing near the sinks, crying.

Here we go again.

I cleared my throat to get her attention. "What do you want?" She asked, "Here to get the last laugh."

Honestly, I just wanted to get to the bottom of this. "No," I replied honestly, "I just really want to know what your deal is."

"Excuse me?"

"You won,"' I said, "you got the only boy I ever loved so why are you walking around all miserable?"

She scuffled a laugh and wiped her tears away. "Do you think this is what I want?" She scoffed, "I thought getting pregnant by the star quarterback would I don't know somehow make me you and I would finally win."

"I thought you hated me so why would you want to be me?" I wondered. It didn't make any sense. She shrugged. "So what happened that made your plan go south?"

"Well," she sighed, "my parents practically disowned me, I got kicked out of the squad and Braydon want nothing to do with me or the baby not until he knows that it's his."

"How positive are you that it's his?"

"Do you know Matt Finerty?" She asked. I nodded. Everybody knows Matt Finerty; he is like the most popular guy in school. "I thought I was special when he asked me out back in Freshman year but all he wanted was sex and when I didn't give it up, he still told the whole school that I was easy." She paused as a single tear rolled down her cheek.

"So to prove him wrong you decided to become a slut?" I asked, confused.

She chuckled lightly. "No," she scoffed, "I just went along with it because it made me popular and guys asked me out."

"Anyways," she continued, "I had a crush on Braydon since forever and then you just waltz in and he instantly fell in love which made me so mad."

"Hence why you hate me?"

"I don't hate you," she confessed, "I was just jealous of you and Braydon and I thought I had the upper hand when we slept together."

She walked past me and when her hand touched the doorknob, she turned towards me. "To answer your question, Braydon was the first guy I slept with and people still think I'm a slut so congratulations, you win."

I sighed loudly as I watch her leave. This is only high school, life isn't supposed to be this tough. I walked out the room but I bumped into someone. I looked up and was met by Jason. "Hey," he greeted, "everybody is looking for you."

I nodded. "I was just about to go back."

"You okay?" I nodded again as I pulled him closer. I planted a kiss on his lips and I got even closer.

I didn't talk much to anybody the rest of the day and I still didn't say anything when we reached home and I went inside with Jason trailing behind me. "You want to talk about whatever is on your mind?" He asked suddenly, looking straight at me.

Since when did Jason want to talk?

I wanted the old Jason back—my annoying stepbrother who liked to play prank on me. I wanted the slut Nicole who hated me not this sad, pathetic Nicole who I feel bad for.

I just want my old life back.

I shock my head. "Don't worry about it."

"Let's turn that frown upside down." He smirked. Before I seen it coming, Jason grabbed me by the waist and threw me over his shoulder. "What are you doing?" I screeched.

"Making you feel better." Jason easily opened our front door while still holding me. He walked towards what I believe is his car. My suspicion was true when I heard a door open and Jason threw me on the seat—a little harshly.

"Hey!"

"Sorry." He shrugged. He walked around the car and got in the driver's seat.

For most of the ride, we were in silence. I kept glancing at him to try and figure out what was going through his mind. I guess he was enjoying it judging by the huge grin stuck on his face.

"Seriously, where are you taking me?" I asked, finally breaking the quiet.

"You'll see." His smirked return.

We drove a few minutes until the car came to a stop.

"Where are we?" I asked. It didn't exactly look like much was around here...

"We have to go on foot from here." He got out of the car and helped me out. The only thing I could do was follow his lead into what looked like the middle of nowhere. What could we possibly do out here?

"Where are we?" I asked again. We were getting further and further from the road and it was almost pitch black.

"Don't worry, you're safe with me." He reassured me. To prove his point, he took hold of my hands to lead me through the woods. For some reason, I wasn't scared.

"We are here." He announced. I gasped. It was breath-taking. I could see the whole town from here. We were on a cliff, I suddenly realized, and I was standing on the edge.

"Where are we?" I asked for the third time.

He shrugged. "No idea. I got a letter from my dad and I just got so angry and I kept driving and I don't know I just stumble upon here."

I nodded. "Why did you take me here?"

"Thought it would help you with whatever you're going through."

I smiled as I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Why you being so nice to me?"

"I have my days." He smirked.

"Can you wait for me here?" He asked, "I'm going to get the blanket in my car."

I nodded and I watched as he retreat back from where we came from.

I turned my attention back to the view and I can't help but stare in awe and just like that all my problems went away.

So Jason wasn't the worst thing to happen to me.

Within minutes, Jason came back with a blanket in his hands. He laid out the blanket on the floor and we sat on it.

"Thanks." I smiled.

"For what?"

"For not kicking me when I'm down." Jason ran his fingers through my hair and pulled me in for a kiss.