Chapter 8 Shove It

• I don’t care what it looked like. What I did notice was that people had stopped and were staring at us. I hated being the center of attention and right now, I was the center of attention. I had the sudden urge to run. It didn’t matter where, I just needed to run. I didn’t want to hear anymore. I didn’t need to stand here and feel eyes on me while he yelled at me. It wasn’t any of his business.
• “Abuse. That’s what this looks like,” Levi said. He spat the words out as if they disgusted him.
• “I don’t have to explain anything to you, remember? We haven’t been friends in years. We haven’t spoken in years. Just because you decide to put some effort in doesn’t mean that you’re just welcome to walk back into my life and give me a lecture. I think you’ve forgotten.”
• “Forgotten what?” Levi asked.
• “You’re no one,” I hissed.
• “Oh, grow up, Amia! You’re acting childish! Can’t you see how much danger you’re in?” Levi yelled.
• I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. I tried again and still nothing. I swallowed and decided to settle for glaring at him. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. I watched as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
• “I’m not angry at you. I’m sorry I yelled. I just feel responsible. That night, I—,”
• He started, but he was cut off by Liz as she walked up to us. Noticing how close we are, we both visibly took a step away from each other at the same time. I plaster a smile on my face as she loped her arm in mine.
• “Amiiiaaa,” she sing-songed.
• “Hey, girl, hey.”
• “Soooo, what is going on here?” Liz asked. She wiggled her eyebrows as she pointed between the tow of us.
• “Nothing!” I said and forced a laugh. “He was just leaving. Weren’t you, Levi?” I asked. I turned to him and he licked his lips.
• “Mm-hmm,” she said under her breath. Her eyes darted between us and I knew she was calling bullshit.
• “I have a boyfriend, remember, Liz?”
• She gave me a side look that I instantly knew meant she didn’t give one flying fuck about Dylan. She also wasn’t taking the bait about nothing going on between Levi and me. At least, nothing close to what she was thinking. A girl pushed past the two of us with perfectly loose beach curls that bounced as she walked. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Levi.
• “What’s going on, babe?” Natalie asked.
• She snuggled close and gave me a death glare over her shoulder. Natalie could be a model. She’s tall and has long brunette curly hair. Rumor has it they’ve been hooking up for a few months now.
• “Nothing, I was… just asking her about something we went over in class,” Levi answered.
• He didn’t look down at her. His gaze remained on me and I had the urge to ask him what the hell his problem was. But I don’t care, at least, that’s what I told myself. Natalie moved to his side without separating herself from him. She grabbed his hand, intertwined her fingers with his. She stared at me with a smirk on her face. I glare back at her because of her childish behavior. I’m bored with this whole interaction. She’s obviously asserting her ownership of him in front of me. I rolled my eyes and Liz squeezed my arm.
• “That’s great,” Liz hissed.
• Liz shot daggers at Natalie with her eyes. I bit down on my bottom lip to stop a smile from spreading across my face. Liz is overly protective of me and I can feel her getting ready for a fight.
• “I’d like to talk to you Liz about something,” Levi said.
• “You don’t have to talk to her about anything. I’ve got to go. My boyfriend is waiting for me,” I said nonchalantly. Liz immediately started pouting.
• “It’s not fair! Whenever you guys go out I can’t join because dick face won’t let me follow along!” Liz whined.
• “Alone?” Levi asked. I ignored him and gave Liz my full attention. Liz’s eyes lingered on Levi’s for a few seconds more before she turned to me with an arched eyebrow. Call it best friend telepathy. Her expression literally said what the fuck.
• “I wanted to hang out with you after school though,” she whined. “Where’s fuck-face Dylan taking you today?” She asked.
• I giggle.
• “Don’t call him that,” I scolded her.
• We turned from the couple. I heard him sigh as we walked away but ignored it. He could shove it for all I care. I ignored the sinking feeling in my gut. Maybe I was being stupid but a part of me believed I deserved how Dylan treated me. Not even just a small part of me. A large part of me believed that. I told my best friend about his dinner plans. When we make it to the parking lot, we hugged and waved goodbye before I turned and walked toward Dylan’s Audi.