Chapter 7 A DILEMMA OF DESIRE

Jenny's POV

The bell rang, signaling the start of the school day, Mrs. Anderson welcomed us students with a warm smile. "Good morning, class! I hope you've all had a fantastic summer," she greeted. Her voice was filled with a genuine enthusiasm for her subject.

"Before we dive into our first lesson, I have two special announcements," Mrs. Anderson continued. "First, let's give a warm welcome to our new student, Xavier Rodriguez." She gestured toward a slightly indifferent boy standing at the back of the room, probably wanting all of this to be over. Xavier, with his tousled black hair and green curious eyes gave a tentative smile. The class responded with polite applause and friendly nods, eager to make him feel at home.

"And secondly," Mrs. Anderson beamed, "let's welcome back Jenny Parker!" She pointed at me. The class response to me coming back wasn't that pleasing. Some cheered for me while others just looked at me with jealousy. Nonetheless, I gave a radiant smile.

"Now, let's get started with some exciting chemistry!" Mrs. Anderson declared, turning her attention to the periodic table projected on the whiteboard. She began to explain the basics of chemical elements, such a bore.

As the bell rang signaling the end of Mrs. Anderson's class I was relieved. After her class, Monae and Abby hurried came to meet me, "Oh my goodness, Xavier schools here now?" Monae asked surprised.

"Yeah, I guess." I told them.

"Videos of you guys walking into school together are all over the schools social media, people are thinking you dumped Liam." Abby said as she shook her head, she found it ridiculous.

"I didn't dump Liam. And Xavier's definitely not my boyfriend." I cleared the air.

"He's hotter than Liam though, if I were you I wouldn't hesitate to leave Liam," Abby commented.

I zoned out after what Abby said, my mind drifted back to those early days where Liam was the subject of all my daydreams. Liam had been my crush since elementary school, I've always adored him. But sometimes I ask myself, did I really like Liam or it was just the fact that he was the owner of the schools son. Nonetheless, my heart was fond of him, I was attracted to him and his material things. A part of me still loved Liam, and another part wanted Xavier Rodriguez.

"Jenny, Jenny, are you still here?" Monae's incessant tapping and yapping brought me back to reality.

"Yeah, yes I am." I softly said while looking at Xavier and Liam at the same time.

Mr. Parker's POV

Stay at home dad, it's been a very long while since I've been one. I remember so vividly how Elizabeth made me take a leave for a week just so I could take care of Jenny when she was still a kid. And when she died while giving birth to Sab, I had to take leaves on and off so I could watch my kids grow up instead of giving them up to the maids. Many times I've caught myself getting lost just by staring at her picture. God I miss her so much!

A single tear drop rolled off my eyes but immediately I heard Amelia's knock at the door to my office room, I wiped it off quickly. She brought breakfast at my doorstep,

"I know you're probably busy in there so I decided to bring breakfast to you." She said as she rolled the cart with a tray of food backwards and forwards with delight.

"How thoughtful of you Amelia, thank you." I said to her. For a minute I found myself staring at her for too long and she kept this nervous look on her face and chuckled with discomfort.

"I'm gonna go now," she said leaving the cart behind.

"Wait," I called.

"Sir?"

"Eat with me," I don't even know why I said that but I did. She was confused, so I repeated myself again, "You must be fatigued from all those work you do around here so, come eat with me."

"Sir, with all due respect I'm your worker. In what world does the worker eat with their master?" She innocently asked.

"Mr. Richard Parker's world." I smiled crookedly.

"My deepest apologies sir, but I'm full." Amelia said then she walked out on me. No one has ever declined my offer but Amelia was the first, Amelia and Elizabeth. No, there was something amusing about that lady, something I wanted to have a taste of.

Jenny's POV

Sports time, every year after summer, KSA played against our rival school in a not so friendly game of football. Liam was the football captain because of how skilled he was at the sport and his looks and his mom is the school's principal so he had an edge. On the otherhand, I was the captain of the cheerleading squad because I was his girlfriend.

Out in the field, Coach Johnson stood at the center addressing his team. The rivalry game against Calimary High was just days away, a match that has been the talk of the school for weeks.

"Listen up team!" Coach Johnson's voice boomed, instantly silencing the indistinct chatters amongst the team. His tall, imposing figure and gruff demeanor had earned him respect over the years. "We've got a big game against Calimary High this Saturday, and we all know how much it means to our school."

The field buzzed with anticipation as he continued, "They've had our number for the past few years, but I have a feeling this year is different. We've got talent, determination, and heart. And now, we've got someone new joining us." He glanced towards a distance where a tall, well built figure walked towards them nervously. It was Xavier, the newest addition to the team.

"Everyone, this is Xavier. He's joining us from out of state," Coach Johnson introduced, his tone firm but welcoming. "He's got some impressive skills, and I expect you all to make him feel at home."

"Ain't no fucking way," Liam mumbled.

The girls and I were practicing our cheers for Saturday when I saw Xavier join the football team. Liam walked up to Xavier angrily, from where I stood I could see them exchange unpleasant words to each other, I couldn't help but go over there.

"Jenny where are you going?" Monae asked me.

"Xavier and Liam, looks like they're about to get into a fucking brawl." I said as I took my hair up and jogged over there to meet them.

"You better fucking stay away from my girlfriend!" Liam still hadn't gotten over what happened the other day.

"I live with her so that's not possible bro," Xavier retorted.

"You guys, it's so evident that you hate yourselves." I stressed as I got in between them preventing them from having it at each other,

"I don't hate him, he's being an over protective asshole. Maybe he's just insecure that I could steal you away from him." Xavier said indifferently.

"What the fuck did you say to me mate?" Liam's anger escalated because of Xavier's little remark.

"Okay," I said as I pushed Liam away from Xavier. "Babe, please I want you to abstain from violence," I calmly said to Liam with my hands placed against his chest looking upright at him.

"That Xavier guy's a proper asshole." Liam said in annoyance.

"And I'm with you a 100 percent on that one. But I'm gonna need you to keep your cool if not, you could earn a strike if you hit him. And it's not good for you."

"Oh Jenny, my sweet, sweet, Jenny." Liam caressed my face and hair as he sinisterly said. "By now you should know of the certain privileges I attain since my parents own this school." He added.

"What?" I uttered faintly.

"I can do anything, harm anyone, and say anything I want and life goes on. I could destroy Xavier's life here, I could make him live a very terrible life at KSA, so if you don't tell him to stay away from you, if he as much disobeys me, he'll revoke his scholarship because of what I, Liam Theodore Southgate would do to him."

I got a little scared of Liam the instant he threatened me by my locker and now, he worsened it by threatening Xavier as well. I couldn't believe that sweet little boy I knew four years ago could turn in to this egocentric, proud detestable boy.

"He'll get the message," I responded underneath by breath.