Forgetting Billions | ?

06 | Forgetting Rules

"Sorry," he muttered, "I'll speak to her after she comes back from school."

Bianca gave him a curt nod in return as he hurried away to work, swinging his laptop bag beside him absentmindedly. She seemed to have made up her mind that if he wouldn't treat her with respect, then he didn't deserve her politeness either. However, she retreated back to her room and the solitude that came with it after the confrontation as if she no longer had the energy to knock on Jasmine's door once more.

Soon, it was Monday and Jasmine was about to begin her usual twenty-minute walk to school when she spotted a familiar beat up truck outside her house. Remembering Friday, their fight at the Burger Palace, and their experience at Bianca's, she wasn't even sure why he was here. If she was Shayan, she would have never talked to her again.

He was always better than she was at forgiving and forgetting, though. He may have a terrible anger and he may never listen to anyone other than himself, but he could never hold a grudge, which is more than what she can say for herself.

She found him leaning against the side of the car, and when she reached him, he grabbed her by the waist. Jasmine gasped as he pulled her into his arms, feeling his biceps flex around her body. Her cheek was against his defined chest and her eyelids fluttered shut at the touch.

"Don't you dare risk your life like that again," he whispered into her ear, "You could have been hurt."

"I'm sorry," Jasmine murmured, pulling out of his grasp and looking into his eyes, "But I can take care of myself, Shayan."

His lips quirked upwards, "You always know how to turn well meaning concern into something related to your self-absorption."

Jasmine shook her head at him, "Being a strong woman is the furthest thing from being self absorbed." When he continued to flash her that teasing smile, she reluctantly chuckled, "I appreciate your worry, though."

He pressed his lips to her forehead, grinning down at her, "Was that so hard? It wouldn't kill you to open up to someone outside of your family. You never know what it could lead to."

"Don't get your hopes up, Shayan," she quirked an eyebrow up at him, praying that the tingling feeling that had just spread throughout her body did not show on the outside. It would go straight to his head if he knew just what his touch did to her, especially when she was trying so hard to ignore it, him, and the rest of his advances. "I can open up to you without making you entitled to a relationship with me."

"Who said I wanted that?"

She groaned, deciding to change the subject while she still had the chance, "Do you plan on driving me to school, then?"

"Anything for you, Princess Jazzy Pants."

No one other than her closest family knew to use that nickname and she had no idea why he cared enough to remember such insignificant details about her. Her eyes ran over his face as she stepped into his car, wondering if this ride to school was a peace offering– if it meant they were friends again. To her, it felt like they were merely pushing back their hurt and anger for the greater good. Maybe they needed each other too much to bring everything out into the open just yet.

Jasmine was snapped out of her thoughts by her phone buzzing, the screen illuminated by a text from her aunt.

Bianca Karesh: Did I just see Shayan pick you up for school?

Jasmine Karesh: Yes, he did. And before you ask: no, we are not together.

Bianca Karesh: Good. He's a Khan and you know the rule.

Jasmine Karesh: I thought you would understand the absurdity of that rule, considering you married Uncle Rahul.

Bianca Karesh: That's up to your parents, not me. Don't worry, though. I believe you. If you say nothing is going on, then I see no reason to tell your parents about your new ride. Have fun at school.

Jasmine was astounded by the messages she just received. Shayan Khan was most definitely not her significant other. A boy and a girl could just be friends without being more. Also, it wasn't like she could even think about dating him. He was strictly off limits.

She involuntarily let out a sigh and ran her fingers through her knotted black curls.

"School stressing you out already?" he asked, hiding a sliver of smile by turning away from Jasmine and facing the road.

"School really isn't a source of my stress, you know that."

He laughed, unable to contain his amusement any longer, "Unless it's history."

"Don't even talk about that abomination of a class," Jasmine whined, playfully giving his shoulder a little push. He pretend to swerve off the road in response, causing her to slam her hands on the dashboard.

"That reaction would have got us into more trouble than my tiny shove."

He raised his eyebrows, "I'll have you know that my driving is so amazing that not even your most monstrous shove could make me run off course."

"I would say challenge accepted, but I'm in no mood to gamble with my life," Jasmine muttered under her breath, "It already seems to happen enough to the people around me."

Jasmine turned to look out the window as they approached the school, effectively cutting off what would be the rest of their conversation. She hoped today would be a anxiety-free, with no messages from SS, no death threats towards her aunt, and no unwanted encounters with Ms. Vienna.

He drove into his parking spot and Jasmine offered him a tired smile, "Thank you for everything, Shayan."

"Anytime, sweetheart."

Jasmine exited the car and she heard a group of freshman girls giggling behind her. It seemed as if the female population at Mayfair High was already taking notice of Shayan Khan and his relationship to her. She ignored the unwanted attention and walked into the school, where Evan approached her as he did every morning to wait for Selena.

"Did I hear incorrectly or did Shayan drive you here?"

"How did you already know?" Jasmine inquired with a lift of her brow.

"Freshman girls buzz around fast," he shrugged, "But speaking of that certain boy, did you know he's joining the football team? And as captain, I'm required to know everything about our new members," he wiggled his eyebrows at Jasmine who groaned even louder.

"He's just a friend, Evan."

"That's what they all say." He crooned.

"Like you're one to talk, Mr. Hopelessly In Love With My Best Friend's Best Friend," she smirked at him triumphantly.

"First of all, Selena is not your best friend. I am," he bumped hips with her and she couldn't help but laugh, "And secondly, Selena and I are just friends. Not that I wouldn't kill to change that, but the ball is in her court and there's not much I can do about it."

"That's cute. It's also extremely sad. You could get any girl in this school just by pointing a finger at them. Why do you keep trailing Selena like some lovesick puppy?" Jasmine asked.

"Because I don't want anyone else. I want her. Hopefully, though, I'll get over her soon." Evan sighed and Jasmine wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Don't worry. She'd be stupid not to fall for you."

Jasmine tracked Evan's eyesight, which had distractedly wandered to the entrance to the school, and automatically knew who he was looking for, "She's probably just sick. Come on, let's get to class."

The warning bell rang and students began cramming through the hallways to get to their first period, Evan and Jasmine a part of them. Everything was going well so far and if she was lucky, it would stay that way.

She just needed one normal day, nothing more than twenty four hours in the typical life of a high schooler. It couldn't be that hard to accomplish.