The unspoken Rule by June Whitfield

short. Jake was there.
     
    I watched in horror behind a large potted plant as Jake made out with Cynthia.
     
    No! My heart screamed in betrayal. How could he do this to me? How could he?
     
    He hadn't changed at all! He was the same playboy going around and kissing random girls. Did he not know how close our relationship was to toppling over?
     
    No, of course he didn't. Because he was Jake Miller. And he was notorious for being this way.
     
    Why didn't I listen to my intuition the last time he kissed Cynthia? I had told myself I wanted nothing to do with him. Absolutely nothing. And I would follow my gut. Jake wouldn't be part of my memories anymore.
     
    I tried to blink back the tears. But I couldn't. He had caused me to cry more than funerals, he was so awful.
     
    I felt awful standing there, watching. Seeing the one you loved kiss the one you hate.
     
    They were pressed up against each other, Cynthia running her hands through his hair. He had his arms wrapped around her tiny waist, definitely not protesting against the kissing.
     
    And so I sat next to the plant, shrouded in leaves, and sobbed.
     
    Jake's POV
     
    I had been upset. Torn, depressed, and lonely.
     
    Frustrated too, that I couldn't have Maria. After all the secrecy, it had turned out we weren't meant to be. After all that.
     
    Cynthia had came up to me, noticing how distraught I was. And so she kissed me. I didn't resent it, I sure didn't. When we kissed, I kissed with only some effort. I really didn't care for it. Maria was much better than Cynthia.
     
    In truth, I wanted Cynthia's kiss to be Maria's forbidden kiss. Like a stress reliever. I wanted to release my feelings and toss them into the air.
     
    That's why we made out in an empty hallway. I didn't want anyone to see us, especially Maria. We had our rough spots and if she saw us, it would ruin our chances of getting back together.
     
    I loved Maria. More than anything or anyone else in the world. I didn't want to hurt her, or mess with her heart anymore. She didn't deserve that.
     
    But I did feel a little better after kissing Cynthia.
     
    I released her, pulling back and staring into her sparkly azure eyes. She gave me a dazzling smile.
     
    "I always knew we were meant to be, Jake." She murmured, leaning in close.
     
    A small sound. I wasn't even sure if I really did hear it.
     
    "Hold that thought," I told her.
     
    I listened carefully again. Where were the sounds coming from?
     
    I glanced at the end of the hallway, and saw a flash of brown hair. Who was that?
     
    I ran off, trying to catch the person. I didn't want them to spread gossip about Cynthia and I. It would just add more to the drama. And plus, I really didn't want Maria to find out.
     
    And so I jogged after them. The person pressed on, through the throng of students in the lunchroom.
     
    "Hey!"
     
    "Watch where you're going!"
     
    The teens cried as I hurried past them rudely. The person jumped in the lunch line. There was no way I'd be able to find them in there. It was too crowded, too packed.
     
    Frustrated, I searched the cafeteria, hoping I had misjudged where the person went. I saw no one running, no one looking suspicious. All looked normal.
     
    Now they were going to spread news about Cynthia and I, and it would catch like wildfire. And it would have the same effects. It would destroy my chances with Maria, for sure.
     
    There'd be no amount of apologies that would make Maria feel better. Or forgive me. And I didn't blame her.
     
    But I had been so glum, so angry that I couldn't have her! She was the one for me! And I knew it, too! As in the one who I might marry. Start a family with. Go through life with. Get old with.
     
    And now the person was gone.
     
    I went home that day, feeling like my emotions were on a rampage. My blood was boiling and I couldn't think straight.
     
    I sat on the couch and flipped on the TV, hoping it would take my mind away from things. And it did for a while.
     
    Laura