It Started With A Concussion ??

Later that night we were all hanging out in the basement.

El and Nate were playing games on the couch, Tyler, Cal, JJ, and I were playing foosball, Hannah decided to paint Kayla's nails, and Finn was sitting on his phone.

Me and Tyler were down to our last point when JJ hit the ball and I missed it. The ball shot in and a loud ricochet was followed by a small celebration.

"This game's rigged." Tyler shook his head and walked away.

"You're just mad you lost." JJ boasted. He turned to me and delivered a, "Hah."

I throw my hands up in surrender, "Whatever." I said, rolling my eyes.

Walking back to the couch I sat down with a yawn. It was pretty late and that pasta dinner was about to put me in a coma.

Elliot and Nate had finished a round of their game and called it quits. Similarly, Hannah had finished painting Kayla's nails and they too joined us on the couch.

As we all sat there Finn pitched an idea. "Movie?"

"Yeah." We all nodded.

"I'll get the popcorn. Does everyone want?" I ask, standing up.

I watched them all nod their heads and I climbed the stairs back to the main floor. After a few turns I made it to the kitchen and caught the most unbelievable thing.

Jackson had a whisk to his neck which only made me laugh.

"I didn't know you were here." I said, walking to the pantry.

I don't know if he looked at me but he did respond. "I just got here."

I grabbed three packets of popcorn and threw one in the microwave before turning to him.

"I'm going to assume you took care of everything?" I asked, hiding a laugh.

He turned the whisk a few more times before placing it on the countertop. Throwing me a glare he turned to me and leaned against the counter.

"What?" I raise my eyebrows at him. "I'm just asking." I say in a sarcastic tone.

"What's it look like?" he asks, referring to his neck.

I smile and nod my head, the microwave beeping as I do. I walk and grab a few bowls from the cabinet.

I place another packet in the microwave and wait for it to heat up.

"I have a question," I start, facing him once again.

"Hmm?" he looks up from his phone.

"Why do you hide them—the uh–hickeys?" I ask.

He shoves his phone in his pocket and stands up straight. "That's what you want to know?"

I shrug. "Yeah, I mean, I assumed someone as egotistical as you would want the entire world to know what you're up to."

The microwave beeped and I placed the last bag of popcorn in.

Walking to the island he's standing in front of, I hop onto the counter next to him. "But you always cover them up. And I mean always." I add.

He turns around and leans his elbows on the marble. "I don't know. I guess I just don't want them to be seen."

"Okay...but why?" I press him.

"Personal preference." he says nonchalantly.

I nod. "Well, I don't know if my opinion matters to you, but I think you waste your time on them." I mention.

"I waste my time?" he repeats.

I shrug. "If you think about it, what are you getting out of them besides a quick hookup—and hickeys you end up removing."

"Not sure." he pushes off the counter. "But I guess I'm too much of a ladies man to stop." he boasts, pushing his hair back.

I scowl in response. Ew.

"Whore." I mutter.

I guess my voice was louder than I thought because Jackson glared at me and rolled his eyes. Realizing he heard me I decided to run with it.

"You know it's true." I blurt.

"I know I'm charming." he compliments himself.

"Charming my ass." I cross my arms. "I don't know how they fall for your stupid tricks."

"Maybe it's my sex appeal." he smiles and I notice that small indents on the sides of his cheeks.

Wait.

Why am I noticing that now?

"Definitely not your sex appeal." I laugh.

"Wanna bet?" he challenges.

"No need. I already know someone with way more sex appeal than you." I roll my eyes.

"Who?" This seems to pique his interest as the spark in his eye changes.

Without much thought, I blurt, "Me."

Oh god Em. Way to flaunt your self confidence.

He smirked like he knew I was going to say that. So, in the moment I did the only thing I could think of; I smiled back at him—sarcastically.

"And plus, I don't fall for your idiotic tricks or whatever charm you say you have." I say, hopping down from the counter. "So that's a bonus."

"And what makes you think I can't swoon you over." he challenges.

I pour the last bowl of popcorn and throw the bag away. "Because you swoon over imbeciles. I'm far from that."

"You really think I can't do it?" he asks.

"Positive." I answer. "You can't make me fall for you Riley." I laugh, handing him a bowl as I pick up the other two in my hands.

"And how confident are you in your answer?" he questions me as we walk towards the basement door.

"Very." I reply as he pulls the door open.

"Yeah, we'll see about that." I hear him mutter under his breath.

"We'll see about nothing." I say as we descend the steps. "It'd be a miracle if you could get me to think you're not an asshole. But that's impossible because you are an asshole."

"At least I know I'm your favorite asshole." he mentions.

I roll my eyes and place the two bowls I'm holding on the coffee table. Finn dims the lights and returns to his seat. Looking up I notice there's only two spaces left at the end of the couch.

I just have to be tortured don't I?

Sighing, I walk and sit down, resting my elbow on the armrest. I was not excited to see Jackson walk my way, his smile already irritating me.

He sits down next to me and puts his hand on my shoulder. "Thanks for allowing me to prove you wrong."

I scoff. "You haven't proven anything."

"I haven't yet. But I will, I can promise you that."

I glance at him and he has that stupid smile that he flashes every girl in school. He's ridiculous.

"That smile isn't gonna work." I whisper, not wanting to interrupt the movie.

"It always does." he says without a care and major confidence, like, he knows it's going to work or something.

Stupid of him to think it ever will.

Because I can promise myself one thing. It may work on the other girls, but it's not going to work on me.

That's for sure.

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The bet has been made!!

And this is gonna get a WHOLE lot more interesting! Kisses <33

Thoughts???