"Are you sure?" I asked-yelled.

"Yes. They are all drunk!!" Cin replied.

"Okay. I'll be there."

-----
Two hours later.

"I'm here." I chipped as i ran to the living room to see Jace sprawled on the chair sleeping.

"You are late." I heard Cin's voice. I turned to see her with a jug of milk.

"I know. My dad kind off made me late." I said.

"Who is dying?"

I heard that chirpy voice. Mia? In Jonathan's house?

"Mia?" Jonathan said snapping out of his trance.

He recognizes her voice even though he is under the influence of alcohol?

That made me smile a bit.

"Welcome to you too." Cin said.

"The bitch's at it again." Mia said.

The minute her eyes collided with Jonathan's, Jonathan stood up and looked at me.

"I'll be up." He said and walked up.

Ouch.

"I'm so stupid." Mia said, her eyes getting red, and that's not a happy red face, it's an 'I'm about to cry' red face.

"Mia." I said.

"What am I even doing here?" She asked in a tearful voice.

I wrapped my hands round her shoulder and patted her.

"You're gonna be fine." I told her.

"I won't. My life's been dangling on a broken rope on a cliff. And yet I ran here only to deserve this." She yelled.

"Calm down." Cin said.

"I'm out." Mia said pulling away from my embrace.

"Mia......"

"I'm fine. I just need fresh air." Mia said and left.

"Should I......?"

"Iza. Don't." Cin said.

"Let her be for now." She added.

"Okay." I said.

"So are you going to spank that guy or i will?" She asked.

"I will." I replied and walked up.

Jonathan, Jonathan's room. I heard slow sad music and walked to the room. I knocked.

"What is it?" His sharp voice asked. I opened the door and saw him holding a bottle.

"What's that?" I asked him.

"Uhm, hangover drugs?" He asked.

I raised my eyebrows and snapped the bottle away from him.

"Jonathan......."

"God. Don't preach to me, i know it'a bad. It's dangerous to my health. I'm useless and crazy. Thank you." He rapped.

I was silent. I had nothing to say. It pained me. It pained me deep in my soul. Jonathan is that guy that always made the stupid comments, made me laugh, made me smile.

It pained me that I didn't check up on him. He was my friend, and yet, I didn't do my duty. I didn't know much about him, i didn't stay with him.

It pained me that i always read the quote 'the biggest smile has the saddest heart.' And I couldn't see it.

I dropped the bottle on the floor and sat on the floor, my back resting on the bed.

"You remembered the day you asked me out freshman year?" I asked him.

He looked at me confused and nod. I smiled.

"You made rejection feel good." He said.

"Did you remember what i said?" I asked him.

"How can I forget?" He asked laughing. He got down from the bed and sat beside me.

"You said i was charming, playful, lovable, sweet, kind, handsome, but you were not good enough for me." He said.

I looked at him and his eyes was wet, his hair messy, and he reeked of alcohol.

"I was lying." I said. He looked at me and chuckled.

"Right. It was the opposite." He said.

"I'm quite the troublemaker." He added.

"No Jo." I said. He looked at me and I smiled.

"I am waaaay better than you." I said.

"Ouch." He said.

"I have better hair." I said.

"Liar." He said smiling.

"I'm taller." I said.

"Impossibility." He said. I nudged him.

"I'm smarter." I said.

"No offense, but I'm pretty sure my IQ is like waaaaaay......"

"So, we should be taking this shit together." I said.

He looked at me.

"I can't allow you to." He said.

"Why? You are possibly smarter than me, so it must be right." I said.

"What?" He asked.

"We are school mates Jo. Friends, and i can't watch you continue like this." I said.

"You have better hair, you are smarter, you are taller. And muscular. And that's because you work on your hair everytime, that's because you have tall genes, that's because you read a lot, that's because you work out a lot." I said.

"I lied Jo. Because i failed to tell you your weaknesses." I said.

"I only said the good things." I said and laughed.

"I only said the good things because I respected you. I failed to mention how sensitive you can be, how emotional you are, and how wrecked you are. Well, of course I don't know all that before, but now i know." I said.

"Wrecked?" He asked.

"You live in a big house alone, you have a crush that is loosing it's fire." I replied.

"Jonathan, you need love." I said.

"And the first thing you have to do is love yourself." I said.

"You have to love yourself in order for you to love people." I said.

He pulled his legs to his chest and scoff.

"I won't praise you Jo. You know all the things you've achieved and can still achieve." I told him.

"You can't destroy everything because of this shit. You have to put your self together. Love yourself, work hard to achieve your dreams and love." I said.

"Thinking about it, we're almost the same, we lost our mom's." I said.

He raised his head up and I could see the pained expression he had.

"We are not the same." He said.

"Jonathan........"

"She promised to stay." He said.

"She said she would watch me grow and that i should not worry. She said she was coming back." He said, his eyes puffy.

"It wasn't her fault." I said.

"She didn't fight for me!" He snapped.

"She left me. And he is all around the world saving lives and everything." He said.

"They left me. All alone. I didn't have friends, I didn't have any parental figure. Grandma came to stay with me, but she also left, she didn't even use two years with me. They all leave." He said.

"And at the end of the day, the only thing i have left are the four walls of this mansion, my soccer ball and my books." He said.

"Just because they didn't fight doesn't mean we won't fight on." I said.

"At least, not for anything, but our lives." I said.

"And I'm sure she didn't leave you on purpose." I said.

"I'm sure she fought so hard." I said.

"And even though she lost the war, she should be totally proud of you." I said.

I gave a minute silence and he put his head on my shoulder.

"Why are you here?" He asked.

"Because I want to be with this playful, cocky, jerk, and handsome friend." I replied.

"You know you can't replace her right?" He asked.

"I can't even in the next world to come." I replied.

"But I want to be here." I said.

"I can't promise to be here everytime." I said.

"Why can't you be a normal person and just say that to make me happy." He said. I laughed.

"Oh i wish Jo. But i have my own problems too. And that's where my James comes in." I said.

"Uhm......... I am jealous of you two." He said.

"We come way back Jo." I said.

"But i will be one call away." I told him and planted a kiss on his forehead.

"Will you stay here with me tonight?" He asked.

"I'll try." I replied.

"And you be a better person alright?" I asked.

He smiled.

"I'll try."

I laughed.

"Come on." I said.

He stood up and walked to the bed, he got in and i wrapped him with the blanket. I sat beside him and stroked his hair as he closed his eyes.

"This is nice. I'm too hot, I have a personal bed sitter." He teased. I rolled my eyes.

"Shh." I said smiling.

"Thank you." He said. I nod.

"Don't leave until i sleep." He said. I nod.

He closed his eyes and few minutes later, opened it.

"Mia was sad right?" He asked. I nod.

"I have to leave early then." He replied.

"Coward." I said.

"Sorry i couldn't keep to the end of our bargain." He said.

"Police officers are brave Jo. And they don't give up." I told him.

"I'll keep that in mind." He said. He snuggled close to my lap and closed his eyes.

"Sweet dreams Jo." I said.

Minutes later, i heard his soft snores and I smiled. I carefully pulled away. When I successfully left, I knelt beside him and said a very silent prayer for him.

When I was done, i gave a small kiss on his forehead and silently walked out. I gently closed the door and walked down.

Jace was sitting on the sofa looking at the floor. Cin is nowhere to be found, and James...... Just dissapeared.

This is it...............

I walked closer and he sighed. Is he thinking? What is he thinking about?

"How is he?" He asked. I stopped in my tracks and continued.

"He is fine i guess. Sleeping though." I replied. I sat beside him but an inch apart. He looked at me.

"You need a hug?" He asked. I nod and he pulled me closer. I put my head on his chest and he held me close.

"I didn't see it coming at all." I said. He smiled.

"Me too." He said.

"He is a playful kid though." He added.

"We don't write sadness on our foreheads muffin." He said. I hugged him as I was becoming tearful.

"I wish I had known. I would have......."

"You can't help everyone." He said.

"We all try our best for the people we love. And we help in all the ways we can. We can't beat ourselves up for not seeing the pain they have." He added.

"You try muffin, and you can do more, but don't over stress it." He said.

"And anytime you need James, you can always go." He said. I looked up at him.

"Really? You're not jealous?" I asked him. He smiled.

"Let's just say I've accepted him." He said. I placed my head on his heart.

"But I also want to be with you on your low days too." He said.

"Of course barbie." I said.

"Let's sleep." He said.

"I hope Jo doesn't mind us crashing?" I joked.

"I will make him breakfast. That should make him happy." He said and I laughed.

"Sure."

He stood up, and carried me bridal style up the stairs. He opened a room and placed me carefully on the bed. He closed the door and removed his shirt.

Holy cow of sweet milk castle! What am I saying? I can never get tired of seeing him shirtless, he got in beside me and pulled the covers up. He gave me a beautiful kiss on my forehead and covered me before covering himself and looking up at the ceiling. I turned to look at him.

"I'm sorry." He said, then looked at me.

"I'm sorry for calling you a......." I kissed his lips.

"It's okay." I said.

"I overreacted and hurt you in the process muffin, it's not okay." He said. Awn.

"I've forgiven you Jace. I just need you to trust me." I told him.

"I do now." He said. I snuggled close to him.

"And don't go to a club without me." I said. Who knows the large number of girls that must have checked him out.

"Noted." He said.

"Goodnight babe." I said.

"Sweet dreams Elizabeth." He said. I smiled and closed my eyes as darkness met me.

--------

"Morning sunshine."

I opened my eyes to see Jace holding a tray with hot steaming pancakes, syrup, and tea. This is officially the best way to wake up.

"Live with me." I said and he laughed.

"I'll try." He said.

I sat up and ate.

"We have to get ready for school." He said.

"Yeah. I'll just run home or something." I said.

"Aiight. Then be quick with that." He said and planted a kiss on my forehead.

"I'll be down."

I finished my food and rushed out of bed, i placed the plates in the sink and rushed up to Jonathan's bedroom. I got in and saw him still in bed.

I walked to him and ruffled his hair, he opened one eye and then the other.

"You didn't stay all night did you?" He asked.

"I didn't." I replied.

"But you crept back? Smooth." He said.

"Just wanted to check up on you." I said.

"I'm fine. A little bit hungover but I'll be fine." He said.

"Great. Cause we are going out today." I said.

"On a date? Oh my God, Jace would be so jealous. This is a dream come true! Elizabeth Nelson asked me out!!!" He said.

"Okay, when you're done, meet me in school." I said smiling.

"I will. Beauti- ful." He said and sat up.

"Jace made breakfast so...."

"I hope you guys washed the dishes." He cuts in.

"Washed the dishes?" I asked.

"Yes. Dishes." He said.

"I will." I said.

"Okay. What did he make? Please tell me it's bacon." He begged.

"Pancakes?" I shrugged.

"Uhm, delicious." He said.

"Bye." I said. He hugged me.

"Bye. After school it is." He said.

"After school it is." I said and left.

-----

"Muffin!"

"I'm coming." I said and wore my sneakers.

My choice of clothes today wow-ed me. White singlet, red plaid shirt and grey short skirt. Plus sneakers.

"Sorry." I said and wore my helmet.

"Ponytail?" He asked.

"Yeah. Ponytail. Let's go."

We got to school twenty minutes late because we stopped to get coffee.

"See you late muffin." He said, pecked me and left. Uhm.

I got to class, apologized with all my heart and still got two hours detention. Definition of annoying!

Lunch came, and we all gathered on the table and we ate silently.

"So, my aunt Nikki's wedding is two weeks later." James started.

"Okay."

"Yeah."

"Cool."

"Whatever."

"Nice."

Okay, what is going on with everyone?

"Did someone die?" I heard that voice. I smiled and Jace came in with Jonathan.

"Jonathannn!!" Simon cheered and they all bro hugged.

"Missed you bro." Noah said and they all sat down. Jace sat beside me and pecked me.

"So Jo, who are you asking to Prom?" Eddie asked.

Mia looked tense, I was tense.

"I'm not going." Jonathan replied. Mia looked up in disbelief.

"What? Duuuude, that's the best and last event of the year." Simon said.

"I know. But, i have better plans." He said smiling.

"Ooooooh." Eddie, Simon and Noah hollered.

"Who's the girl?" Noah asked.

"My car. I'm driving to my uncle's" He replied.

"Oh. But duude." Frank said.

"Jonathan, we are working our ass' off for the event. And you are not going to come?" I asked him. He turned to look at me.

"Can you pass me the chili?" He asked.

Damn! I didn't respond and ate my chicken salad in peace.

---------

"Hey, I'm going out with Jonathan. Is that okay?" I asked Jace.

"Sure. Don't miss curfew." He replied smiling and got on his bike.

"I won't. And what are you doing?" I asked him.

"I'll be in my library." He shrug.

"Can i come over when I'm done?" I winked.

"Won't you be tired? I don't want to stress you, go home and rest." He replied.

"But..........."

"But listen to me." He said and pulled me by my waist.

"I'll see you tomorrow." He said and kissed me with so much passion, my legs went jelly. I responded, and he pulled away.

Wait, what? I was just beginning to enjoy it.

"Bye muffin." He said, and with a last kiss on my forehead, he drove off.

"Elizabeth Nelson." I heard a voice. I turned.

"Are you forgetting something?" She asked.

Urgh! Detention!!

---------

"You should be so lucky that you are cute. I can't believe a girl stood me up." Jonathan nagged.

"It wasn't my fault." I said.

"That you were late to class?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"Okay fine. But coffee is essential." I replied.

"So you want to tell me that it was 'coffee' that made you late and not different rounds of make out?" Jonathan asked.

"Serious......" Jace and i haven't even made out these days. Well, mainly because of the fight and I have been busy. God, I have to make time for him.

"Hello......... Earth to Liz." Jonathan said.

"Sorry, sorry. I was just thinking." I said.

"About Jace?" Jo asked. I nod.

"Sorry, this is supposed to be about you." I replied.

"Correction, 'your awesome friend'." He corrected. I rolled my eyes.

"My awesome friend." I said.

"Better." He said.

"So, what's the problem?" He asked. Uhm.

"Its not something bad, i just feel like I'm spending so much time with my duties. I forget i have a boyfriend." I replied.

"You just have to balance it babe. And make the time you have worth it." Jonathan said.

"I guess. And he's so freaking understanding." I said.

"Talking about understanding, why aren't you coming to Prom?" I asked him. He shrug.

"I have no reason to come." He replied.

"Seriously?" I asked him. He nod.

"Mia would be dancing with another guy, girls who i don't give a fuck about will want to be with me, guys would spike the drinks and get drunk. Prom Queen and King would be announced. We'll dance after. What else?" He asked.

"Memories with friends." I said.

"This is a memory i won't forget." He said.

"I guess. But, if you change your mind. Don't hesitate to tell me." I told him.

"Don't worry, i won't." He winked.

"So.......... You want to have fun?" I asked.

"Hell yeah!"

And that's how we spent the afternoon shooting color balloons at each other, went go karting, ate and raced each other home.

-------

"I'm home!!" I yelled.

"You cheated!!!" He said.

"Nope. The diner was very close to my house." I said.

"You knew didn't you?" He asked.

"Maybe, maybe nooot." I mocked him laughing trying to catch my breath.

"You tricky little...... I will get you." He said.

"Yeah yeah, loser!!" I mocked and signalled Fiona to bring me water.

"Urgh. Aiit, I'll see you tomorrow. Thanks for today." He said.

"No problem. Have a nice day." I said.

"Here you go." Fiona said giving me the water. I drank it all and gave her the cup.

"You too. Byeeeeee."

"Bye."

I hung up and went to my room. God, I'm so tired. I had shower, put on Jace's hoodie and laid on my bed.

Fiona came in minutes later and yabbed on about her date, her getting too skinny, her classmates and my unusual free schedule. Apparently, Jonathan relieved me from some duties and Owen was handling the rests. The only thing i need to do is to go to meetings and supervise the prom preparations.

"Now you have time for that hot guy of yours. Can I ask for the last time if he has another brother? Not Philip, another one?" She asked.

"If you want to date an eleven year old, sure. But i don't think you'll like that." I replied.

"Too many siblings." She said.

"Yep. All wonderful." I said.

"Okay, I'll leave you to rest. Dinner is almost ready." She said.

"Just bring me an apple." I said.

"Okay." She said and left.

Urgh, I have assignments. I dragged my legs to my study chair and did my assignments. When i was done, Fiona brought my apple. I ate and slept off.

------

The next day, I resumed running with James. We had run few miles when we decided to walk home.

"So, how is your relationship with Jace goin?" He asked.

"Fine." I replied. He smiled.

"Just fine?" He asked.

"Its fine. It's beautiful. I'm not the clingy type." I replied.

"I didn't ask." He noted.

"I felt you needed to know that our relationship is doing beautifully well despite the fact that i've been busy." I said.

"Or you've both been busy?" He asked.

"He's not busy for me." I replied.

"But you are busy for him?" He asked. I stopped.

"What are you driving at?" I asked him. He stopped walking and faced me.

"Nothing. I just won't like it if Cin worked all the time." He replied.

"Its just for days. He is fine." I said.

I hope.

"Have you asked?" He asked.

No, but.......

"Well, yesterday i wanted to spend time with him, he declined." I replied.

"He must have had a good excuse." He said.

"I would be tired? What is that?" I asked him.

"He cares?" James asked. I walked off angrily.

"I know Jace, its unlike him to say no to me spending time with me." I replied.

"I know Jace, he really likes you and cares for your physical health." He said behind me. I sharply turned.

"Who's side are you on?" I asked.

"The side I agree on." He replied. I rolled my eyes.

"What's your point?" I yelled.

"Balance." He replied and held my two hands.

"You are busy, but don't let all these affect you, and your relationship." He said and I hugged him.

"I'm sorry i yelled at you." I apologized. He hugged me back.

"It okay honey. He really cares so don't let that affect you okay?" He said.

"I won't. I'm free this week so that would be good."

"Come on, lets go."

------------

"Dismissed."

I stood up happily and left the meeting with others. I caught sight of Jonathan.

"Hey Jo." I said.

"Hey babe." He greeted.

"How are you?" I asked him.

"I'm fine. I'm throwing a party on Friday, you must come." He replied.

"Okay i will." I said. He hugged me.

"Aiit, see you...... Whoo, that's a fine looking lady." He said. I pulled away.

"You... Can never change." I said.

"Come on, I have eyes. I need to use them. Besides, its your boyfriend talking to her." He said.

I turned to see that same girl I saw him talking to weeks ago. Black long hair with blue dye at the ends, long lashes, pink lips with a lip ring. Black ripped jeans, white crop top and combat boots.

"Who's she?" I asked him.

"I don't think she's in our grade." Jonathan replied.

"Oh. Okay." I said.

"I'll see you later. I got to go stalking." He said.

"Stalking?" I asked.

"Yeah, Mia is competing with some fools. Its Jace's art company stuff." He replied.

Oh. That.

"Fools?" I asked him.

"Uhm, Mia is the only person i care about. The others, I don't give a dying fuck." He replied. I smiled.

"Bye. And don't be too jealous." He winked and left.

Now, to the matter at hand. I turned and walked to Jace.

"Babe." I said and he looked at me.

"Hey muffin." He said and wrapped his hands round my shoulder.

"This is Michal, she's a junior." He introduced.

Urghhh. I groan internally. Now i have to look at her. I looked at her.

"Hey. Your boyfriend is so boring." She said.

"Oh really? If he was so boring, you won't 'enjoy' talking to him." I said. She smirked.

"Yeah, it was a boring but informative conversation." She said and looked at my Jace.

"He has a way of making a conversation very enjoyable even if it is on a boring subject." She added.

Jace smiled too. Urgh! What is this?

"Oh. Okay, when you are done with your conversation, I'll be outside." I said and turned to walk away.

"Wait. I didn't catch you name?" She said.

Oh my, Internally, I wanted to jump on her and beat her, cut her body into bits, dry, fry, sell, burn the leftovers until it becomes ashes. Seal the ashes in a chest and throw it into the deep of a motherfucking wide ocean. But instead, I forced a smile.

"You can call me Liz." I said and walked off.

I stood by Jace's motorbike and minutes later, the golden boy comes out smiling like a million bucks.

"Took your time." I told him.

"Sorry, I met Desmond on the way." He said and wanted to peck me, i moved away.

"Jace. I don't like that girl, she gives me the creeps." I said.

"Well i like her. She'a good friend." He said. What the.........

"She's into you. Can't you see it?" I asked him.

"I can't see it. She knows i have a girl." He replied.

"She knows I'm in love." He added. But those words are just to make me melt. And i won't.

"Doesn't mean she'll stop trying." I said.

"Come on muffin, i have somewhere to go." He said.

"So I should shut up?" I asked.

"Muffin. You should be happy for me. I have made friends other than you guys." He replied.

"I have a friend. That I made myself. We had conversations. I wasn't introduced to her, I wasn't supposed to know her, but she's my friend. And when you are busy, James is having football practice, Cin is on another mischief, i have someone else to talk to." He added.

Am i being too jealous? Or overprotective? Or selfish? I looked down not knowing what to say. He ruffled his hair and dragged me by the waist.

"You are mine. I am yours. No one can take that away from us. So you don't have to be jealous." He said.

"I'm not....."

"You are. And i promise that if she starts doing some things that friends are not supposed to do. I would pull away and cut ties with her." He said.

That's all i want to hear. I looked up and saw his green sincere eyes. I tip toed and kissed him. He smiled and carried me on a bonnet of a car and kissed me. Urgh, I missed this.

"What the...... On my car?"

He pulled away, urgh, why does this have to end?

"I know that voice, why do i know that voice?" He asked.

"Kiss me Jace."

"Wait. Shit, its Hydra. Come on." He said and put me down.

"Come back here!!!!"

"Fuck."

He buckled my helmet and got on his bike, i sat on his bike.

"Don't you dare run away.....!"

We drove off. After covering some distance, we laughed out. I placed my head on his back and wrapped my hands round his waist feeling his muscles and abs. Damn! I ran my hands on his chest. I felt him smirking.

"You don't want to do that when we are on a bike... Babe." He yelled.

"Fuck, that was hot." I said out loud.

"Trust me, i know."

********************************************
Whooo. New chapter vibes💃💃💃. Thanks for reading.

So, what do you think of this chapter? Please comment and vote. I'd really appreciate.😍.

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