» CHAPTER NINETEEN «
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Amanda took a look around her glancing at all the orange papers. She knew what she did was wrong; she only did it for revenge at Alex to try to win Joe back. But after Joe had told her he wasn`t the father, only then did Amanda`s plan backfire on her.
Joe ran around the corner to the girl`s bathroom to try and find Alex. He was standing outside of the girl`s bathroom, where he heard loud sobs coming from within the bathroom. Joe decided to then say something, not knowing if it would be for the better or for the worse, but he continued anyway.
“Alex,” he started. “I know you`re upset, so am I, but you can`t stay in there forever.”
Alex slowly walked out into the light where Joe was standing, her cheeks and eyes red, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Joe, I don`t know what to do anymore.” She cried even more.
Joe wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug.
Alex continued, “She just won`t stop. She`s in the 12th grade, you`d think she`d me more mature than that by now, but she`s not. And she won`t stop!” Alex nearly yelled, outraged.
“Hey, I`ll be right back, I`m going to go say something, I think I know why she did this whole thing.” Joe responded.
He made a sharp turn around the corner, only to face Amanda again.
“You know what Amanda,” Joe started. “If you did this whole thing to try and win me BACK, you`re very mistaken. The whole reason I started liking Alex is because, one - she`s MATURE, something you lack to a very DEEP extent, two - she has personality and is caring and sensitive, and three - I LOVE HER. She makes me happy and as soon as I started talking to her, I immediately knew there was going to be a strong bond between us. So if you think by doing this stupid insensitive thing is going to get me to have feelings for you, you`re WRONG. All you`ve proved to me by doing this- is that you showed your true colors, none of them for the better. And if you DIDN`T do this to try and get me back, if you merely did it for Alex`s sake, you need to GROW UP. Try being a mature person, actually act like you ARE in the 12th grade for once, instead of, oh I don`t know, Kindergarten!?!? You honestly CANNOT have that much hatred towards someone, there`s another reason behind it, and I don`t know what, but it`s PURE STUPIDITY, Amanda, PURE STUPIDITY.”
Joe finished with an angry expression on his face, almost out of breath. He had felt this way for quite sometime, and it felt good to finally get it all out.
Amanda had a big smirk on her face, nearly smiling. Joe couldn`t believe it. He had just told the girl off, and she had the nerve to smile.
“Alex gets whatever Alex WANTS, WHENEVER Alex wants. I`m sick of it. It`s always Alex, Alex, Alex! Well for once, it`s gonna be about ME!” Amanda shouted.
Joe looked at her with a disgusted face. “So then it`s jealousy. Gosh Amanda, If you`re that desperate for some stupid attention, go to a counselor. They`ll give you PLENTY of attention there. Not only that, but you could really USE a counselor too.” Joe suggested.
Joe and Amanda hadn`t realized it, but a big group of kids were gathered around them in a circle, listening to their conversation.
After Joe`s last remark, several “ohhh” `s and “ooooh” `s came from the large crowd. He also heard a couple of “burnnnn” and “dissss” `s as well. He chose to ignore them, and walked back over to where Alex had been.
Alex looked amazed. “Oh. My. Gosh.” Alex said.
Joe had a soft smile. “What?” he asked.
“That was incredible! I would`ve never had the nerve to say those things but I`m glad you did.” Alex replied.
“Yeah, me too.” Joe said quietly.
“Hey,” Alex started.
“Yeah?” Joe questioned.
“You think we should get revenge?” She approached the idea carefully.
Joe shook his head. “Nahh, if we got revenge that would just prove that we would be just as immature as she is. And then my speech would be worthless then.” He let out a small chuckle to lighten the mood a bit.
Alex smiled too. “Yeah, I guess you`re right.”
**********************************************
The last 3 periods had passed rather quickly, when Joe and Alex were seated in the Escalade while Mrs. Jonas drove them home from school.
When they reached the house, Joe and Alex sat on the couch in front of the TV working on their Algebra homework together, while Mrs. Jonas prepared dinner.
“So then that means x equals 19.” Joe thought out loud.
“Yeah, that`s what I thought.” Alex responded.
When dinner was ready, everyone took their seat at the table, and took turns dishing out the pasta onto their plates.
Joe and Alex explained the Orange Flyer issue to Mrs. Jonas, and she then commented how rude and insecure that was of Amanda, and a couple of other things too.
Then Joe went downstairs with Alex, and they soon fall fast asleep.
*************************************************
The next day when Joe and Alex had reached their school, they hopped out of the car and into the building, down the hallway to their first period .
But before they reached their classrooms, Joe and Alex heard numerous laughs and giggles, so went to see what all the commotion was.
Alex looked at Joe with an angry expression. “Oh my gosh. Not again,” She said.
This time there were dozens of lime green papers scattered everywhere.
Alex went up to one of the walls to read what the bright green flyer said.
WANT HIV? ASK ALEX GOMEZ HOW TO – SHE
SHOULD KNOW ALL ABOUT IT... AFTER
ALL, SHE HAS ONE HERSELF.
Alex was so angry, she screamed at the top of her lungs. Joe couldn`t believe it either, but there it was, on bright green paper and in large red print.
Just then, Amanda came walking out of the bathroom with a big sassy smile on her face. She walked up to Alex and Joe, and Alex stared her right in the eyes.
“You and me,” Alex started. "NOW." Alex lunged forward but Joe reached for her. “Alex,” Joe whispered. “Don`t. I know you want to, but it won`t be good for your baby... Or you. Just keep it together.”
A look of calmness immediately washed over Alex’s face, and she turned back around to face Amanda.
“Fine,” Alex began. “I`m not going to fight you Amanda.”
Amanda just kept looking at her with the same big smile planted on her face.
Alex started back up. “BUT,” she said. “I AM going to do THIS.”
Alex gave her books to Joe, and before anyone could stop her, she extended her hand out towards Amanda`s face, and slugged her as hard as she could manage.
Amanda fell to the ground, jaw bleeding .
Alex was surprised at herself for doing this, but was happy she did it. After All, Amanda deserved it.
Joe was speechless, but just followed Alex as she walked.
Alex turned around one last time to look at Amanda, and watched the drop of blood trickle down from Amanda`s nose and jaw.
