supposed to know. If she knew that he had anything to do with it, Jared was sure that she would never forgive him. He couldn’t chance it, but he hated to see her so miserable about it.
“I was just wanting to see how you were Clarke. I know we fight and all of that, but I am still here for you if you ever need me. You know that right?”
She nodded, but Clarke wasn’t so sure. The biggest cause of her grief was telling her that he was there to help. It made her dubious at best. “Well I am fine. So if you don’t mind, I need to study.”
“Are you sure you don’t need any help? What class are you working on?”
Clarke sighed and lifted up the side of the book so he could read it. She wasn’t going to bother talking anymore, gesturing becoming her form of communication. She had been bummed for days.
“I could help you with that if you want. I aced the class.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. It doesn’t matter what I do, it can’t be helped.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Nothing. Can you please just leave and let me get back to work?”
“Sure.” Jared wanted to say more, but she had kicked him out nicely, clearly not wanting his company. He turned to leave and he was stalled by her voice. “Thanks for checking on me though Jared.”
***
“I told you that you were supposed to change it back Rhonda.”
She shrugged and batted her eyes. “So she is sweating a little bit. It’s not that big of a deal Jared. Why are we talking about her and why are your clothes still on?”
“Change them back now Rhonda.”
“I already have Jared, just liked you asked.”
“Then why is she still upset about it?”
She sighed and started to unbutton her blouse. He would usually be sidetracked from that, but there was nothing. “I may have forgotten to tell her. Really Jared, why are you getting so mad about this? You know I can’t stand her and the way she treats you, she deserves it.”
“What my sister deserves is none of your business. You will let her know right now, call her and tell her that you made a mistake.”
“But I thought, you were here to, you know…”
“No. Not again.”
“Wait Jared, I am sorry.”
Jared walked away from her with a disgusted look. There was nothing worse than desperate jealousy, especially when he was never hers. She was interesting while it lasted, but he felt nothing as he walked away. She had always just been a distraction.
He made it home in time to see Clarke and she was almost glowing. Rhonda had done what she was supposed to and Jared felt a moment of remorse for being so cold with her. Maybe he would talk to her in time, but for now, he was happy to see Clarke perked up.
“Hey Sis. How was your day?”
Clarke smiled back at him and he almost took a step back from the blow. When she was happy, it was disarming, especially when she looked at him in such a way. “I take it that it went well?”
She nodded. “I don’t know why you are being nice all of a sudden Jared, but I am too happy to care. I still don’t have any money by the way.”
“I don’t want your money Clarke.”
Turning back to him, she noticed that he was a lot closer than before. Her back was against the counter in the kitchen and he took another step towards her. “What do you want then?”
His eyes went to her lips and then down the rest of her body. As much as he had made the case of how wrong it was, Jared wanted her just as bad as Brandon did. He couldn’t put it into words though. How could he say it out loud?
Jared moved forward and brushed his lips against hers ever so gently. Kissing her lips, she slowly started to respond. Clarke’s eyes were closed and she whimpered as softly as he kissed her. He pressed against her harder and she clung to his jacket. He knew that they shouldn’t. But he couldn’t stop himself. He had to have her. Picking her up, Jared set her on the counter and moved in between her legs. It was all she could do to keep her wits about her. He was