Hard Love by Mis Understood (small books to read .txt) 📕

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I was at gym. I had my black Nike Free Running shoes. Today we were doing tracks. First half had obstacles which was against one person. And the second half, two people against two others. Also we had to finish a mile in less than twelve minutes; if not you failed. The mile I could do in probably eight and half minutes. I usually can do much better but The obstacles were going to kill me. I never joined the track team and I never participated in gym in my previous years because it was torture. I hated Mr. Link so much because he’s make me do these exercises that were too much for my condition. Back then, I didn’t know how to control it. My breathing got so bad, sometimes other teachers had to convince him to make me stop playing.

Anyways, that’s why I'm motivated to show him I’m better than him. I don’t mean to be egoistical. I just know if I ever had a student with breathing issues or anything else. I wouldn't put them in the plight of running too much or doing anything where it was bad for them. It just isn’t me.

“Okay for the first half─

Jason versus Jude

Sean versus Harold

Melanie versus Jazielly

Victoria versus Stacey

Lena versus Clarice

David versus Matt….” He continued while everyone got prepared for their match. It’s like destiny was either against me or with me.

“And for the second half, it would be boy-girl pairs. So here’s the list:

Stacey and Matt versus Jude and Lena

David and Jazielly versus Jason and Melanie

Victoria and Clarice versus Raine and Aleeya…”

Destiny was against me.

Few minutes passed after he was done with the list. Since Jason was in the football team and Jude wasn’t, Jason won. Although Jude wasn't bad at running, he just needed more practice. After Harold and Sean raced, Melanie and I were up. I put my hair in a good ponytail and made sure my shoes were tied. I was ready. I didn’t even waste my time giving her my attention. I stayed looking forward, I stayed focus.

“On your mark…..”

A pregnant silence. It’s like everyone knew we didn’t like each other. The tension was almost palpable by how thick it was.

“Get set…”

I bent my knees and took a deep breath.

Mr. Link blew the whistle and I was out! I Inhaled through and exhaled out the mouth. I did okay with the first jump. Then after jumping two more, I got the hang of it. I was ahead, I was feeling good. But all of the sudden, I fell. I don’t know how she tripped me, but no one noticed. She made it look like I fell. Everyone but Dave encouraged me to get up and keep going. His face were focused on Melanie's feet. Then he looked at me, his eyes were trying to tell me something. ‘Keep going’ his eyes said. And I did. And she beat me, but she cheated so it was okay. I’m not going to make a  big deal out of it.

Victoria won Stacey and Clarice won Lena. Hey! If it’s valid point, they’re on the cheerleading team and my friends don’t even run for their lives. David won Matt. Matt was quick but David ran quicker. And man, did his butt look nice in those basketball shorts.

After that, we got into our groups. Dave decided we I should go first. It surprised me he realized how fast I was when we did track in gym. He told me that he could beat Jason, and if I tried hard enough I can beat Melanie. Melanie was a cheerleader so she did run to stay fit. He also told me not to stay to close to her. That’s when I knew that he knew what she did. Mr. Link gave me a bright orange flag, I had to run a mile and pass the flag Dave when I accomplished the track.

I began. I blocked everything and everyone. It was just me and the track. My heart pounded like drums in my chest, letting me know I was alive. The sweat pouring down my face showed how hard I was working. Breathing fresh air, the wind caressing my face, made feel free. To me this wasn’t a competition. To me this was freedom. Before I knew it, I reached Dave. He gave me a bright smile.

He tapped my shoulder and said, “you did good.”

Then he ran off. Mr. Link came up to me and gave me a nod. He showed me my time. Six minutes and forty two seconds.

“Ms. Yung was right. You should join the track time.” With that he walked away. And it’s the nicest thing he ever said to me… I still strongly dislike that old fart!  

David and I won the race. Melanie’s time was eight minutes and two seconds. Jason’s time was six minutes and  ten seconds and David’s time was five minutes and two seconds.  It made me feel good. The gym teachers gave us enough time to a shower and change. When I came out I saw Matt, Jason and David in the corner into a deep conversation. I hid in a corner to hear them. I feel like I’ve been doing a lot of sneaking around lately.

“I saw the way you looked at her, man. You know who she is,” Matt whispered harshly, right in Dave’s face.

“Yeah, and you smiled at her. You never smile anymore,” Jason put his two sense in.

“Did you forget all the things I’ve done to her?” Matt questioned, he pointed at himself.

“All the things I did to her?” Muttered firmly, his hands waved around frantically.

“Guys, stop. There’s nothing between me and Jazielly. She’s no one but my partner. I’d never be with a girl like her,” he explained to them.

I gotta admit, those words hurt. He tried to kiss me on Friday! And how dare him call me Jazielly?!

“Plus, she’s probably still a virgin. Someone has to pop her cherry before I ever get with her,” he shrugged.

They all laughed and slapped him in the back, as if he won the SuperBowl.

That shot me in the heart like a bullet. We’ll see about that. Forget everything I said before; I need to talk to Stacey real quick. Change of plans, he will have his heart broken right after Prom. I’ll make sure of it.

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- Chapter Eleven: Red Birthstone [Jazielly's POV] - 

“And another one bites the dust, oh why can I not conquer love? And I might have thought that we were one, wanted to fight this war without weapons. And I wanted it, I wanted it bad. But there were so many red flags. Now another one bites the dust. Yeah, let's be clear, I'll trust no one! You did not break me, I'm still fighting for peace. Well, I've got thick skin and an elastic heart, but your blade—it might be too sharp. I'm like a rubber band until you pull too hard, I may snap and I move fast. But you won't see me fall apart, 'cause I've got an elastic heart.” -Sia

I wasn't just mad. No I wasn’t. I was angry, furious, offended. My blood was sizzling, my ears felt like they were on fire. I think he did forget what they did to me. How they beat me, cut my clothes off, and then violated me? I never felt so cheap in my life. It was the worse thing ever. I need to remember what it felt like when they made my life a living hell. Because that's what I am actually doing─ forgetting. And I can’t. I needed this.

I needed to get Melanie back. For every slap, every insult, for every time she spit at me, for ever time she tripped me, for every time she abused me, for making my life miserable, for every blood I bled, for betraying my trust. For everything.

I needed to get Matt back. For all the time he touched me, for every time he humiliated me, for every time I walked pass the hallway and he called me names. For every stolen kisses he’s taken from me. Every time he tried or did succeed to taste me. For everything.

I needed to get Jason back. For every time he held me, while they hit me, For downgrading me, for the times where he would help Matt and Melanie. And for trying to unhook my bra. For everything.

Lastly, David. I needed to get him back. For every time he stood there just watching me get tormented. For every time I pleaded him with my eyes to help me. For every time he looked the other way. For every time he hurt me. For every smile I gave him. For thinking of him. For everything and for now. For causing my heart to ache, or saying what he said to Matt. For making me believe people actually can change.

Boy, was I wrong!

These main for people are my focus. Samantha is gone, but if I ever see her I will confront her. Clarice, Raine and Victoria, I’ll get them back. I don’t know when. One thing I know is… I am so done playing nice.

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[David’s POV]

 “Plus, she’s probably still a virgin. Someone has to pop her cherry before I ever get with her,” I shrugged.

As soon as that statement came out of my mouth. I realized how much of a coward I was. I realized what a mistake I’ve made. I realized I was an idiot because Jazielly was more than some girl I mess around with. She deserved better. I realized that I was such a fake man. I am no man, I’m a chicken.

Because When I turned my head and saw long curly hair jogging away. I knew she heard. I knew something was coming for us. I just felt it in my bones. And I was gonna let it happen. And knowing myself I will not bring it up, I will not apologize and I will act as if it never happened. As if I never saw Jazielly jog away after those words left my lips.

“So, who are you going to Homecoming with?” Matt asked.  We went back inside the locker room to get our things.

“No one, I’m going solo,” I shrugged. I grabbed my jacket and my backpack.

“Forreal?” His eyebrows shot up.

“Yeah, Melanie is doing some crazy shit man. She’s always on my case, I can’t anymore!” I shook my head. Matt only knows a bit about our story. Jason knows what Melanie told him since they’re pretty close.

“You know what will happen if you leave her.”

He doesn’t need to remind me.

“And you made her a promise, you can’t break promises,” Jason butted in.

“Don’t you think I know this, already?” I said through my clenched teeth.

“I just… you’re my brother and I don’t want to see you get brought down.” Matt said. His phone vibrated and his eyes lit up. “I gotta go, though. See you later.” I gave him a questioning gaze. We pounded our knuckles then he left.  We looked at the door Matt walked out of and then we looked at each other. Something was changing Matthew. Better