Ask Norris

32. Ask Norris

🤍🖤💜 Jacob 💜🖤🤍

After getting home, I lay in my bed and hugged Coco for a long time. I didn’t see Natalie much at school today. It was for the best, but it made me feel miserable. She came in late and left early from the classes we had together. Didn’t notice her anywhere in the cafeteria either. I get it they don’t get along. But was it necessary to shut me out without a word? I probably read it too much when we visited my old place. It meant nothing. That day and our last few interactions were nothing.

My phone goes off after some time. I realize I had fallen asleep and Coco was long gone.

West calling…

“Where are you? I texted you an hour ago.” I rub my eyes and his voice breaks my drowsiness.

“What happened?”

“Could you bring something to eat? I will bring drinks. Turns out it’s a surprise party… So we gotta arrange everything.”

“Oh… Will his parents allow us at his place?”

“They ain’t home. I know that for sure.”

“You better be... I will see what I can do. How many people?”

“Just the team.”

I glance at the watch. It’s 6:30 only. I ponder whether I should cook or buy food and be done with it.

I make my way to the kitchen and notice mom making dinner.

“I am going to a birthday party at 8”

“Can I go?” June asks. I turn and see her sitting in the living room.

“It’s only our team, June.”

“But a few girls are coming too.” She whines.

How does she know that?

“Ok but Let me ask if there are indeed any girls joining us. ” I say after giving it a thought. June squeals and hugs me. Little does she know I need to figure out which ass she is talking to in the team.

“You better take care of her, Jacob.”

Sure, Mom. I don’t want your wrath by upsetting her.

West sends me the address and says some girls will probably join us. Kitchen is busy so I decide to buy food instead. I grab two bags full of tacos and a few more snacks on my way to David’s home. June is super excited. She hasn’t been to many parties, so I understand her enthusiasm. Our old place was too far to attend any of the parties my team threw. The neighborhood was sketchy as hell, so she wasn’t allowed to go, anyway.

By the time I arrive, most of the team and some girls are already there. I am relieved.

David looks dazed, as if he is drunk already. After cake cutting and smearing, the party continues as usual with some music and games.

“Tell me the wildest thing you have done with a girl,” Sam, a teammate, asks when girls are not around. I roll my eyes inwardly.

God, why was born in this sexual society? I would have been happier if I was born an alien on a different planet where we procreate like an amoeba. It feels freaking awkward when everyone shares these things like a badge of honor.

“Nothing too wild, but I did it in my parent’s bedroom a few days ago.” Someone answers.

“Yea, bold, but not as bold as trying it in the open on the highway. People honked at us.”

I almost spit my drink at that one. Well, once you turn 18, it’s a ticket to sex offender registry. David starts telling dirty details about his sex saga. I get up from there to save my ears from bleeding.

“Let’s make a guess. What is Jacob’s wildest thing?” He exclaims.

“Oh, I know he probably kissed a girl on the cheek.” Someone answers. I show them a finger and walk out with an excuse of a smoke. I don’t smoke but I had to get out to catch some breath.

“They tease you because you are so fucking hot, you know...”

Oh, God. Can I ever get a break?

“I don’t really care,” I tell her. I don’t mind the teasing. It’s the pretense that’s exhausting. Pretending I am fine with their demeaning comments towards their own girls.

“The way you act, not interested, makes you even more tempting.”

“You should show this interest to your boyfriend, Millie.” I walk away from her.

I need to find June. We should head home. I look around for her and finally hear her voice coming from the bedroom. My heart sinks. She is laughing. I pray to god it’s not what I think it is and knock on the door.

“It’s open,” she says.

As I enter the room, her face drops. She is sitting on a side chair and a boy is standing by the window. I know him. He is a year younger than her. That makes me feel better.

“Seriously! you could have called me.” She is annoyed. I ignore her and walk toward the guy.

“You are an extra… What’s your name?”

“Yeah… I… I am Aidan.” he is visibly nervous. He should be.

“Give me your phone Aiden,” I say in a calm voice, putting my hand out. “I just wanna see something.”

“You are embarrassing me, Jacob! We are just friends.”

Aidan fumbles but gives me his phone. I check if there is any chat history with June.

Yes, there is...

‘There would be girls... Would be great if yo…’

That’s all I can read without opening the chat. I give him the phone and say, “If I ever notice you shit-talking or bragging about her around the team or any other boys. I will break your legs. Got it?”

He nods and mumbles, “I like her, I wouldn’t do that to her”

Good. The last thing in the world I want is to hear shit about June from some boy’s mouth.

“We will leave after ten. Come downstairs by then,” I tell June and I walk out of the room.

“There you are!” David catches me in the kitchen when I am pouring myself some water. “Let’s go out for some smoke.” He drags me along with him.

A few guys are already there. Some usual conversation about the upcoming match is going on. It makes me feel better. Their topic eventually falls at best birthday gifts they have received so far.

“It is my birthday. Instead of talking about the past... you guys should be asking me what I want today?”

“Ok... What do you want, David?” I ask dryly.

“A girl to get laid… Tonight!!” Everyone chuckles and I shake my head in amusement. He had to come back to the same topic.

“Well on such short notice only Natalie can be available.” Sam replies and I see red, “or she could give you a blow job, she is an expert at blowing guys in parking lots after all.”

Everyone laughs and I bark ”Shut your mouth right there!”

Everyone stops laughing and look at me surprised.

“What? That is a fact! Ask Norris.” David tells me.

I clench my fist to keep myself under control, “I don’t care, keep a filthy mouth shut!”

“Oh…. Did she sleep with you already? It’s only your first day… Girl is fast I must say…” I take a step toward him to shut him up for good. But June comes in the middle of us and slaps David.

“She is a close family friend… So you better be respectful to her! ” She tells him.

David wants to retaliate but I come and stand between him and June. “One more word and I will break your Jaw,” I warn him.

He is livid. Ready to hit me. If he does, I won’t back off either. But West interrupts us and pulls him away.

“Let’s go,” June grabs my arm and we get in the car parked right behind the guys. I am so fucking furious and my palms are still itching to grab and beat the shit out of David, Sam, and everyone who laughed at his filthy joke.

I see Norris and Millie coming out of the house.

What? That is a fact! Ask Norris.

Did Norris spread this nasty rumor?

“I am sorry you had to hear that,” June tells me.

“I am glad you were there. I would have broken his ribs or something.”

Or his nose or jaw. I was so furious when I heard that demeaning joke.

“I am sorry…” She says after a while," about those things I said about her that day. More I talk to her, I realize she isn’t like that."

I don’t answer her or say anything to her afterward. As we reach home, I go to my room quietly. It is a shock to me. I never thought rumors would be this bad.

As I lay in my bed after changing clothes, My phone pings with a classic Facebook notification. My heart sinks as soon as I open it.

I thought this day couldn’t get any worse. I guess I was wrong.