Hot Coffee (The Hollens) novel Chapter 69

Emily's POV

As I stood in the hallway at my locker, getting my text books for the last subject of the day, I overheard a group of girls whispering about me. It was funny how they were talking about me and I standing right there. They knew I would hear them so, of course, they were seeking my attention, and I ignored them.

I continued to get my textbooks and closed my locker when one of them said his name-- my Sebastian's name. Something in me lit, like a flare shooting into the skies. My blood boiled and I turned towards them and approached them.

"You have something to say, say it to my face!" I snapped at the ring leader, Ania Haynes. 

She backed away a few feet behind her friends, Samika James, Karrie George and Jamie Sams.

"All we were saying is that Sebastian is cheating on you," she said.

I paused to process what she had just said, but I couldn't believe her. Those girls were miserable with their own dull lives, and only set out to make others miserable as they were.

"Misery loves company" is a true phrase.

"You're lying," I said to her and turned my back to leave but Jamie stopped me. 

She shoved her phone in my face, showing me a picture of a girl and a guy kissing behind the bleachers-- typical high school spot. Then it dawned on me, the guy in the picture was, indeed, Sebastian, but the girl he was kissing wasn't me-- it was Regina.

Regina Powers was popular and beautiful. Every girl in school wanted to be like her. They copied her fashion, her hair styles, her makeup, the way she laughed and carried herself-- all except me. I hated Regina Powers and Sebastian knew I wasn't fond of her, so I didn't understand why he'd be kissing her. 

I looked at the picture carefully to tell if it was photo-shopped or not. I couldn't trust these girls. He said he'd never hurt me. He said he only has good intentions for us; He said he loved me. For Pete's sake, I took him home to my mom and dad. If this turned out to be true, and he'd already broken my heart three months into our relationship, Dad would have his head.

I rushed away from the girls and headed for my last subject. They began giggling behind my back. I would find Sebastian and tell him about this after school.

After school I found him in the hallway, as usual, talking with his friends and getting stuff from his locker. I walked up slowly to him and tapped him on his shoulder.

"Hey baby," he greeted and pulled me into a big hug. 

He wouldn't do this to me, he loves me.

"So, um, there's something I have to ask you."

"What's up?"

"Were you kissing Regina Powers, your ex, behind the bleachers?"

His friends let out that 'ohhh' sound, which was boy code for busted. 

I shook it off and looked at my boyfriend's reaction. He hesitated to answer. 

He took my hand and walked out of ear shot from his friends. "Where did you heard that?"

"It doesn't matter where I heard it! I just want to know if it's true or not!"

"Shh, keep your voice down. Of course it's not true.

"I saw a picture Seb!"

"Someone is trying to mess with us."

"Why would someone try to do that?"

"I don't know. Jealousy maybe."

"So it's not true?"

"Baby, I love you. I wouldn't hurt you. It's not true, okay."

I nodded my head and let him kiss my forehead. 

My phone buzzed in my pocket. Luis was here to pick me up. I hugged Sebastian goodbye and walked out the hall.

_________________________

The next day at school I was in a better mood. Sebastian and I had talked for the entire evening and Mom and Dad said he could take me out on a date. It was Friday, and I was excited to tell him the good news. I could have told him over the phone last night but I wanted to see the look on his face.

I found him by his locker. His face lit up when he saw me smiling.

"Good morning sweetie. What has you so happy?" he asked, hugging me, as always.

"Well, my mom and dad said you could officially take me on a date."

"Wow, really?"

"Yes. How does tonight sound?"

"Oh, um. I can't do it tonight babe."

"Why not?"

"I have a ton of assignments to complete. How about tomorrow night?"

"Okay. Sure."

"Gotta get to class now. See you later?"

"Yeah."

I watched as he turned away and headed towards the home economics room. 

He doesn't take home econ, so why is he going there? 

The bell had already rung to begin classes, but I trailed behind Sebastian at a distance so he wouldn't notice me. I peered into the glass portion of the door. I saw him talking to Regina! The same girl I asked him about and he said it wasn't true. So why the hell was he talking to her now? I waited outside the door. 

After what seemed like five minutes, he walked out and saw me. He looked like he was about to jump out of his skin and let his skeleton run away to a graveyard. I tapped my foot on the tiles.

"Baby, shouldn't you be in class?" he asked, rubbing his neck to ease his fright.

"Shouldn't you?" I asked him back.

"Yeah. I'm just heading to class."

"Why were you in home ec?"

"Oh, um, I forgot my book there yesterday when I went to see--"