Landmine City

Justin then slowly made his way back to where Jack was. Along the way he stopped to socialize with a few other students. He was very popular with the girls as always, and he didn't mind since they had a lot in common. Eventually he sat next to Jack and watched the game quietly.

Jack was still annoyed by how easily Ashley was manipulating him. He wondered if he was that easy to read or if she was psychic or if she hired a detective to do a background check on him. It was enough to make him want to pull his hair out. So by the time Justin came back poor Jack was on edge again.

Justin: You alright man?

Jack: I have had better days.

Justin: Well they have a track if you need to run some stress off.

Jack: I'll keep that in mind. I'd rather run early in the morning to avoid Coach trying to recruit me.

Justin then noticed Nancy looking their way. He had mixed feelings about her since she was a big fan of gossip. She was taking pictures of all the student on and off the field especially the jocks and cheerleaders.

Justin: Well not to be a Debby Downer and but if you are worried about your personal life staying personal you might want to avoid that girl with the camera.

Jack looked to see where Justin was gesturing at and saw the nerdy girl with the camera. (Nancy Farrah)

Jack: Why is that?

Justin: Well I heard she is part of the school newspaper and yearbook. On top of that she has a sweet tooth for juicy gossip. Seeing as you and Ashley are an item, it might get her attention so be careful.

Jack: As if I didn't have enough problems as it is.

Justin: I feel you man. That's why I am warning you ahead of time. Its only a matter of time before she gets any gossip from the cheer squad.

Jack turned a bit pale as he heard that thought. He knew Ashley would use that chance to tighten her grip on him. A mental image of them being announced as a cute couple in the school newspaper almost made him curl up in a ball and cry. Sadly he had no idea how to stop it from happening. If he tried to stop Nancy she would only get more nosy and if he tried to stop Ashley she would blackmail for more favors. No matter what he did he was doomed. It was just a matter of time before he would be known to everyone as Ashley's guy to the whole school. His cold sweat sent a shiver down his spine as he rubbed his aching temples. It pained him that he was the only one who saw her as a manipulative Devil Girl.

Justin: You alright man? I didn't mean to freak you out.

Jack: I know, but I just feel in over my head.

Justin: Yeah its hard starting in a new school with new rules and new people. If it helps I can try to redirect Nosy Nancy to a juicier topic to keep her away from you but with us being here for four years its only a matter of time before you are on her radar since you are dating a cheerleader.

Jack: Yeah thanks man. I don't like being in the spot light.

Justin: I bet Ashley does.

Jack: Well sometimes when the mood suits her. But I can see her doing it just to spite me.

Justin: Well no relationship is perfect. Why do you think the divorce rate in Hollywood is so high?

Jack: Good point.

Then Jack's heart sank into his chest as he saw Nancy approaching the cheerleaders an taking their pictures. He struggled to swallow the lump in his throat as Nancy eventually began to talk to Ashley. Then he saw Ashley turn to look at him as she smiled at him as if she was reading his mind. Jack instinctively shook his head no at Ashley as if he was pleading for mercy and her grin got brighter. It was then that he realized she was baiting him to play nice with the nosy reporter girl.

Then Ashley gently pointed at her neck to reference she wanted a necklace. Seeing as he could afford it now he sighed and nodded then she pointed at her wrist in reference to the bracelet and he flinched. She raised her eyebrow and he caved in and nodded yes. Then she pointed at her finger and poor Jack nearly had a heart attack and shook his head no. Ashley gave him a crooked smile before she greeted Nancy and talked to her for a bit. The Ashley looked back at Jack and wiggled her left ring finger at him with a wicked smile. Jack shook his head no and she raised an eyebrow at him as if to test his resolve.

He stared at her with contempt before she started a count down with five fingers. Jack tried to act brave as her fingers went down to four then three then two and when she was down to one finger he caved in again. He hated her and he hated himself for giving into her so many times. Then she smiled and blew a kiss at him. Jack was fuming as she got him again. If this continued he was going to get roped into marriage with the very girl he hated. As he came to realize it he was trapped with her for four long years and it scared him as he realized she was not going to stop bullying him.

Since they were also neighbors he could not escape her grasp during holiday breaks or summer time. As a freshman he had a long way till graduation and escaping to a far away college. That was assuming Ashley didn't counter that plan either. As he tried to calm down he realized he was really and truly screwed. He needed time to think of a way out of this relationship but his poor mind was blank. After a few minutes of mental anguish he sighed and spoke up to Justin.

Jack: Hey Justin?

Justin: What's up Jack?

Jack: If you had to buy a necklace, bracelet and ring for a girl what would you suggest?

Justin: Depends, what's the occasion?

Jack: A bribe to avoid pain.

Justin chuckled a bit till Jack glared at him.

Justin: Sorry Jack I was expecting a birthday or Christmas gift idea. So Ashley has you on the ropes huh?

Jack: Something like that.

Justin: Is cost a problem?

Jack: Yeah since I am not rich.

Justin rubbed his chin for a bit then smirked as he had an idea.

Justin: I can look into it for you, but I since she is a cheerleader I would recommend a set with a cheerleader theme to it.

Jack: Huh? What do you mean?

Justin: Well I have seen it a lot of times before. Picture a thin silver necklace with a silver cheerleader pendant on it. The bracelet would be a silver charm bracelet with cheerleader charms dangling on it and the ring would be a thin silver ring with a similar dangle charm like the pendant on the necklace. Each one would run you maybe $20 each. Would that be in your budget?

Jack: Yeah I can afford that. Wow you know your stuff.

Justin: I am a sucker for fashion. Maybe one day I will have my own label.

Jack: Will she like it though? I am not sure how they judge that stuff.

Justin: Relax Jack. You don't need to break the bank when it comes to jewelry. Its best to keep it simple for now and slowly upgrade the quality and price or you will end up in over your head. As for the theme of the jewelry try to keep it related her hobbies.

Jack: Why?

Justin: It makes them feel you are paying attention to them. I know its annoying, but if you choose wisely you might find they can get quite vicious.

Jack: I see what you mean. Man you really do understand girls well.

Justin: And that is part of the reason I not in your situation.

Justin chuckled as he found his hidden joke amusing. Jack smirked as he got the gay reference.

Justin: Once I find what you are looking for, I'll show you how to order it. Are you using cash or plastic?

Jack: Plastic.

Justin: Then no worries Jack. We can look it up tonight on my laptop.

Then Nancy approached them and took a few pictures.

Nancy: Hi guys, I'm Nancy Farrah with the school newspaper and yearbook. Are you having a good time?

Jack growled as he was not in the mood to deal with Nancy. However Justin then stood up and guided Nancy away as he began to talk to her about school gossip. She was so excited she completely forgot about Jack and began to write down on her notepad. Jack sighed in relief as he got lucky thanks to Justin. His poor head was still aching as he rubbed his temples in hopes of some kind of relief.

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