Fighting to Be Free

He smiled and shook his head. "Nah, it'll go in a little while. Want to go back in?" he asked, standing back up again. I tried not to notice that he was checking his watch again as we walked back into the gym. It was almost as if he was counting down the minutes until this would be over or something.

After another hour his headache was getting worse. He was putting on a brave face but he kept rubbing at his forehead, wincing. I was sobering up now because I'd stopped drinking when he said he wasn't feeling well. His phone was continuously buzzing and beeping in his pocket but he didn't answer it again, just rejected all calls that came through.

He sighed deeply and shook his head at around ten thirty. "Ellie, I'm gonna have to go home, I'm sorry. My head feels like it's gonna explode," he moaned.

I nodded quickly; I didn't mind leaving now actually. I would rather just leave if he was poorly anyway. "Okay, let me just find Stacey and tell her we're leaving, and then we can call a cab," I replied, looking around for my best friend or Paul.

Jamie took my hand squeezing gently to get my attention. "I'd rather leave you here with Stacey. That way you could enjoy the rest of the night and I'll get home quicker if I don't have to get the cab to drop you home first," he said.

I frowned. "We'll get the cab to drop you home first then it can take me on to my place. I don't want to stay here without you anyway," I countered.

He shook his head fiercely. "I'm not letting you be on your own in a cab. If we leave together I'll have to take you to your place and then go home after that. If you stay here then Paul can drive you home at half past eleven like he was supposed to in the first place. It's easier this way," he explained.

I sighed. He was always sweet like that, protective; not wanting me to be in a cab on my own was a typical Jamie thing to do. "Are you sure you'll be okay on your own?" I asked, looking at him worriedly.

He smiled and nodded, looking at me softly. "Stop worrying about me. I'll be fine. Let's go find Paul so I can make him promise to get you home safe," he suggested, slipping his arm around my waist, leading me through the crowd. We found Paul laughing with a group of the football team, including Mark. Jamie patted his arm to get his attention. "Paul, I have to go, I feel like shit. You'll take Ellie home for me, right?" he asked, looking at him sternly.

Paul grinned and nodded. "Of course, man. You okay?"

Jamie nodded. "Yeah, I think I have a migraine coming or something. I just need to go home."

Paul squeezed his shoulder. "That's shit. Feel better, dude."

Jamie nodded. "Just watch out for my girl, okay?" He tightened his arm on my waist, looking at me worriedly.

"Sure thing," Paul replied. Jamie did the manly arm punch thing that I guess was bro code for thanks, and then led me off through the crowd again.

"Want me to help you find Stacey before I go?" he asked, cocking his head to the side, looking like he really didn’t want to leave me here at all.

I smiled and waved my hand dismissively. "I'll be fine. Now it's my turn to tell you to stop worrying about me," I teased, going up on tiptoes and kissing his lips gently. "Just go. Go home to bed and call me in the morning, okay?"

He nodded, stroking the side of my face, looking at me apologetically. "I really wish I didn't have to go. I'm so sorry, little girl. I'll make it up to you I promise," he whispered, kissing me again.

I smiled against his lips. "Stop apologising, you're not feeling good, that's nothing that can be helped. Go get some sleep," I instructed.

He smiled and slipped off his jacket again, holding it out to me. "You keep that; it'll be cold later when you leave. Stay inside, and don't go wandering off in this hot little dress, it's way too tempting for guys not to ravage you when you look like this," he teased, winking at me. I laughed and he kissed my forehead, putting the jacket into my hands. "Want to meet me for lunch or something tomorrow?"

I frowned. "You still going out with Callum tomorrow night?"

He nodded, his gaze dropping to the floor, shifting on his feet. Jamie was a terrible liar. I tried not to think about what he was really doing tomorrow night, maybe he was meeting someone else, or maybe he just didn't want to see me and he was going to break it off with me tomorrow lunchtime instead…..

"Okay, yeah, lunchtime then. Call me in the morning," I agreed, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"I will. See ya," he replied, squeezing my hand gently before he turned and walked out of the door, leaving me on my own in the middle of a school dance. I sighed and looked down at his jacket, stroking my hand on the material, trying not to cry because this just kind of confirmed my suspicions that it really was over. That he was over me.

"You okay?"

I turned to see Mark standing there, smiling a little smugly. I nodded in response, putting on a fake smile so he wouldn't know I was upset. "Yep," I lied. I headed over to the drinks table and downed another glass of punch.

"Think maybe he's gonna go meet that chick he's been texting all night?" Mark asked from my side.

Oh God. Why had it never even entered my head that it might have been a girl that was distracting him all night? I swallowed and poured myself another glass of punch. "No. He's gone home to bed.

He's not feeling well," I replied, trying to make my words sound true. Even I could hear the doubt in my voice though.