69Cat and Mouse
"Oh please, please don't make me!" I begged grabbing for the folder.
Tricia held my English folder just out of my reach, taunting me with her superior grin.
"No way are you backing out," she sneered. "You go ask Jasper Lion out on a date…and we'll give you your folder back. Won't we girls?" Around her Tricia's 'friends' nodded agreement and sniggered at me.
"But that assignment's worth seventy five percent of my grade!" I cried. "If I don't hand it in to Mr Bridge then I fail English!"
"Oh Minnie, Minnie, Minnie," Tricia smiled, shaking her head sadly. "You just don't get it do you?"
"Don't get what?" I asked.
She moved closer, "I don't like you."
"I kinda noticed," I said quietly.
"Shut up, I wasn't finished." she snarled.
I flinched back at her tone and hugged myself tight. I don't like it when people yell at me; really I don't like yelling at all.
I'm the girl who sits at the back of the class room without talking because she's too shy to speak. I'm the girl that guys consider invisible, irrelevant. I'm the girl who gets nicknamed Minnie Mouse because I'm so shy and so short.
But she's is the exact opposite.
Tricia isn't the bitchy, blonde, stereotype that you read about. Normally she's really nice. She's tanned (not fake either), with long brown hair. She's confident and pretty and on most days she's friendly too…but not to day. Three guesses why.
P. M. S.
Actually, even without the whole 'time of the month' issue Tricia has never liked me, I don't know why but she just doesn't. And reason why she's blackmailing me to ask out Jasper is simple; the whole school knows it.
She got rejected.
Yesterday she started flirting with Jasper and he completely snubbed her. He insulted her, mocked her and embarrassed her before walking off laughing with his friends and leaving her shame faced and embarrassed.
So now she's out for revenge.
Or at least…someone else to get rejected so she wouldn't be a laughing stock anymore. And of course I'm the obvious choice, because I'm easily led and a bit of a pushover. Not that much of a pushover though! Sure, I let a few people cut in front of me in lines and I have been known to help with homework if you ask nicely. Or even if you didn't. Plus there were a few times where I took the blame for something even though I didn't do it. But really, does that count as pushover?
"Like I was saying," Tricia smirked. "If you don't want to fail English, you better hustle over to Jasper and ask him out. I'll give the folder back even if he turns you down."
When he turns me down.
"But, but," I stuttered. "Jasper's so scary."
"But so hot too." whispered one of Tricia's friends.
We all glanced over at where Jasper Lion was leaning casually against the bike sheds, rolling himself another cigarette. I think I forgot to mention. Jasper Lion?
He's terrifying.
He's already been suspended twice for attacking teachers, and his well known addiction to pot. And you can bet that every weekend will involve some big party, a drag race or a free lift home from the cops. Not to mention his alcohol level is off the charts. I almost fainted from terror just thinking about asking him out. Most likely he'd just laugh, or maybe he'd humiliate me like he did Tricia. …But there was always the possibility that he might punch me. And that, is not something big on my 'to do' list.
Is it on anyone's?
"Go on Minnie," Tricia sniggered making shooing motions at me.
"But-"
"You want this back," she waved my English folder at me. "You better go over there, now."
I gulped and slowly walked over to Jasper. If he had happened to look up at me at that moment he probably would have seen a face stricken with terror. But luckily he had his eyes shut, exhaling his cigarette. Really it's no wonder Tricia tried flirting. Jasper is undoubtedly the hottest boy at high school in the 21 century.
But he has the attitude to match.
He's got dark black skinny jeans that stick to his legs like glue, hugging all the right places perfectly (and no, that wasn't supposed to sound dirty). Oversized pumps were usually his style, and today his pumps were an acid green. I hope that doesn't mean he's in a bad mood. [Gulp].
He was wearing an electric blue t-shirt that matched his eyes exactly and his arms were covered in dark wrist bands and jelly bangles. But it wasn't his outfit that caught my attention; his pale face with high cheekbones and luscious lashes was enough to make any girl melt. The shark tooth looped through one ear enough to make that puddle of melted girl scream and trickle away in terror.
Geez, Tricia had guts for even trying to flirt with him.
But he was gorgeous, that's for sure. Part of me was actually excited to ask him out. But that part? Yeah, about two percent. The other ninety eight percent?
Pure terror.
And I hadn't even thought about his hair yet. The wavy ice-like strands that stuck straight down, covering his eyes, were just another reason to be scared. No normal boy would dye his albino blonde hair ice blue at the ends and then smash any teacher who told him off for the violation of dress code. And no normal boy with his good looks and intelligence would be leaning against the bike shed smoking cigarettes.
No normal boy indeed.
By this point I was about three meters away from him...and he hadn't even looked up. Was I that invisible? Apparently.
"Um, hi?" I breathed. Really I was trying not to wet my pants or burst into tears or one of the hundred of embarrassing things I wanted to do right now.
Jasper's neon blue eyes flashed up to mine and met me in a cold stare.
"Walk away little girl," he intoned impassively. He once again focused his attention on his cigarette, expecting me to run away in fear. And boy I wanted to! Maybe Tricia would think that I already asked him and give me my stuff back? I glanced over to the other side of the field where she and her cronies were glaring at me.
No signs on pity.
I continued to stare at him, watching fire dance in his eyes as he lit another cigarette.
"Got something to stare at?" he asked without looking up.
"Your hair looks like it was iced blue," I blurted.
Oh good one Minnie, now he'll really punch you.
"What?" He looked back up at me, a trace of surprise flashing across his features.
"Your hair," I repeated. "It looks like ice that somebody dipped in blue."
He smiled sarcastically, "Actually it kinda was."
I blushed red, "Well, I know that but-"
He fingered his hair and muttered, "Iced blue, eh?"
"Yeah, it's pretty." I smiled. He turned his ice gaze up at me.
"Pretty?" he asked incredulously.
Opps.
"You think my hair looks pretty?" he asked again.
I nodded shyly. Please, please don't punch me.
"You're a funny little thing," he chuckled ruffling my hair.
I stood there speechless. Could my life get any worse? Actually speechless is probably better than fainting.
"Got something else to say?" he asked after a minute of me standing there like an idiot.
I opened and closed my mouth, trying to find the words. But what am I supposed to say? Uh, hey. I'm getting blackmailed by the girl you turned down yesterday to embarrass myself so that she'll give me my folder back and I don't flunk English. So if you wouldn't mind ignoring me as I ask you out, without punching me, then I can suffer in this humiliation quickly.
Sound good to you?
Yeah, because then he wouldn't think I was a freak at all.
"I didn't think so," he smirked turning back to his cigarette. With one final puff he tossed it to the ground, scrunching it under his foot and turning to leave.
"Uh, wait," I said as quietly as I could.
"What now?" he asked emotionlessly.
"Uh, I have to ask you something," I said, my voice breaking at the 'something'.
Oh, god I'm pitiful.
He raised an eyebrow, "Really? Spit it out then."
"I…was wondering…if you would…" I trailed off nervously.
"…would…" he pushed.
"Would go...uh" I finished.
"Do me a favor girl," he asked. "Walk away."
"No."
Huh, I said no. I hardly ever say no. Sure my voice was shaking and I was about to wet my pants but still.
I said no.
"Then ask your damn question and get it over with," he said.
"Uh…well… here's the thing," I murmured.
"I can't hear you," he singsonged creepily, at the same time he got out his pocket knife and started sharpening it.
Gulp.
"I said," I whispered. "Well, I was wondering if you'd wanna go out with me. On a date. If you're not busy."
Jasper cracked up laughing. I'm serious he had tears streaming down his checks. He doubled over with laughter and long after it would have been polite to stop, he kept going. I glanced back at Tricia who had a happy smirk set on her face.
Well at least it's done now.
I started to back away from him but wicked fast he stood up straight and pulled me back.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Well, I asked you so…"
He smiled grimly, "Don't you want to hear my answer?"
Not really.
"Uh sure," I muttered. Oh god, he's going to to to- I don't even know!
"Tell me one thing before I answer you though," he asked me. "Why is a little thing like you asking a bad boy like me on a date?"
I glanced down at myself. Yeah I guess I am pretty little but still, it was annoying for him to say so. Not that I'd argue with him.
I had short auburn-brown hair that hung straight to my shoulders, a heart shaped face and two hazel eyes. My skin was fair with a smattering of freckles across my cheeks and my fashion sense isn't that great. Right then I was wearing cut off jeans and a faded blue Disney sweater that was two sizes to big for me.
Not exactly model material.
"What do you mean?" I asked, buying for time. Jasper leaned over and curled a lock of my hair around his finger.
Oh god, I'm going to wet my pants.
"I mean," he replied casually, with a dangerous glint in his eye. "Why do you want to go out with me?"
"Uhhh,"
Oh no. Brain frozen. Does not compute. Does not compute!
"You see," he continued, still twirling my hair. "Tricia I can understand, she just wants me because I'm so good looking, but you…you I can't figure out."
"Blackmail," I blurted. There I said it.
"Ahhh, but who blackmailed you?"
"Tricia," oh no, now Tricia would get me.
"With?"
"My English paper, it's worth seventy five percent of my grade."
"So you thought you'd just waltz over here and ask me out. Get turned down and head back over there and collect your paper from Tricia. Right?" he asked, his eyes still narrowed. His face was much too close for mine.
"Yep," I squeaked.
"Okay then," he shrugged.
"What?" scream-whispered.
"I'll go out with you Minnie, maybe even more than once if I feel like it." Jasper said matter of factly.
"But but you're not supposed to say yes!"
"Oh but I will," he smiled. "Come on then, let's go get your English folder." He casually draped an arm around my shoulders and led me off towards Tricia.
"But…" I trailed off weakly. I couldn't take much more of this. It really just wasn't my day.
"You honestly never considered I might say yes?" he asked incredulously.
I was too scared to speak so I just shook my head frantically.
"Oh come on," he grinned feraly. "I'm not that scary."
"Yes you are." I whispered. I was still trying to decide between bursting into tears, fainting, throwing up or wetting myself.
He carried on like I hadn't spoken, "And you're not that bad looking."
"I'm not?"
"No," he shrugged. "I've seen you around school. Very demure and naive. But you're cute for someone so short."
"Short…"
"Don't worry," he smiled, twirling my hair. "I don't bite…much."
Gulp.
"Okay, you asked me something I've got a question for you," he told me. "What's you real name? I know people call you Minnie cause you're so damn short and you hardly say a word, but what's your real name?"
"Nancy," I replied honestly.
"Nancy," he repeated, like he tasted something sweet. "Hmm, Nancy."
"Yeah…"
"What a pretty name," he smiled dangerously, turning his neon eyes on me. "To match such a pretty girl."
"What?" I squeaked.
Geez, no wonder they call me a mouse, I squeak.
"You don't believe me?" he asked mock-surprised.
I shook my head furiously, because the ability to speak had abandoned me.
"Then I'll just have to…show you…how serious I am, then won't I?" he asked mischievously.
"Huh?"
"Like this," he smiled stopping halfway across the field. I was fully aware that Tricia was glaring at me, but what could he be up to? I was about to ask him this…
But then he kissed me.
And he must have had a lot of experience with it because as soon as his lips touched mine I melted. Even a shark tooth earring couldn't make me run away. He grabbed me by the waist and crushed me to him, my arms dangling uselessly by my side because I'd forgotten how to move.
And how to breathe.
Surprisingly he tasted like coffee and chocolate. Not like smoke at all. I would have loved to have him kiss me all day, but it was over almost as soon as it had begun.
"See," he grinned pulling away. "That wasn't so bad."
Wasn't so bad? Wasn't so bad? That was amazing! Epic, awesome, glorious, breathtaking, heart-stopping, gut-wrenching, sweet bliss. Sure I hardly knew him and yeah, he scared the heck out of me...but he was an amazing kisser.
So I just sighed happily and leant against his shoulder as we started walking again.
"Not so scary now?" he asked.
"Still scary," I murmured. "But hot scary."
"Excellent."
We reached Tricia and her friends, who were standing open-mouthed in shock. Probably still hadn't gotten over the fact that Jasper Lion just kissed me. Heck, I still hadn't gotten over it.
Even when he was kissing me he was terrifying.
"Tricia," Jasper said politely. "Her folder?"
Wordlessly she held my folder out to me, not even flinching when I grabbed it and hugged it tight to my chest. When Jasper and I kept walking past her I noticed Tricia and her cronies all turn around to stare at our retreating backs.
"Jasper?" I asked, stretching my head up to see him. He kept walking us across the field and towards the school gates. "Where are we going?"
He smiled, "We have a date. Did you forget?"
I shook my head, but I was lying. The last five minutes had been survived on stress alone.
"Hey Jasper?" I asked again after a minute.
"Yeah?" he asked, turning his neon blue eyes onto me.
"Why did you say yes?"
He smiled, "Because you interest me. You're not like all the other girls. You're too innocent."
"I'm not innocent," I protested indignantly.
"Oh yes you are Minnie," he grinned down at me. "I've watched you walking around school with your big, brown eyes wide open. You skip around like the entire world will look out for you. But the world won't. The world isn't nice. I'm not nice."
"Yes you are." I replied earnestly.
"How do you figure?"
"You didn't punch me."
Jasper chuckled, "You really thought I was gong to smash a girl that looks like Bambi?"
"I don't look like Bambi!"
"Your right, you look like a tiny little mouse," he told me, still chuckling. We were almost to the school gates.
"If I'm a mouse then you're a cat." I said.
"A cat?"
"Yeah, a cat. First of all there's your name." I smiled. "Then you've got your silky fur," I tweaked his hair, "and your sharp teeth," I giggled, fingering his earring, "not to mention the dangerous attitude and hot looks."
"Huh," he said. "A cat and a mouse. What an odd couple."
"So you're seriously going to go out with me?" I asked, still a little unsure.
He stopped right before the gates. "Yep, it wasn't just for Tricia's benefit; it was to show you something."
"What?" I asked curiously.
He chuckled again and slung his arm back around me, "There you go again with the big Bambi eyes; I can't resist those Bambi eyes."
"What was it you wanted to show me?" I asked.
He led me out the gates and leaned down so we were seeing eye to eye.
"I wanted to show you that I could be nice." he grinned mischievously. Before lowering his lips to mine. And this time the kiss lasted more than a few secounds. It lasted a whole lot longer than a few secounds.
And it was even better than the last one.
I reached up and wove my fingers in his iced blue hair, savoring the kiss and kissing him right back. He pulled away with a grin.
"Maybe you're not a mouse after all." and then he lowered his head back to mine once again.
And then most rational thought disappeared. I was just going to have a really fun time…
…In a game of cat and mouse.
Please review and tell me if you like it.
Can you count how many mouse references there are to Mouse-like things for Minnie?
There are six XD