* * *

E l i z a b e t h

A long yawn fell from my mouth as I slapped my hand around my night stand in order to reach for my ringing phone. Once I felt it vibrating in my hand, I sat up and without looking at the caller ID, I placed it against my ear.

"Hello?" I moaned, trying to rub the sleep away from my face.

"Liz! Are you awake?" A voice similar to James' excitedly ran through my ear.

"I am now, but what's up? Are you okay?" My eyes instantly widened, body quickly waking up.

"I am so much better than okay! Open your front door!" He exclaimed. "I-I gotta show you something!"

Another yawn fell from my mouth as soon as I found out nothing was wrong. My head glanced down at my phone, pinning my eyes as the brightness bothered my eyes, in order to see the time.

"Jamie.. It's 2am?" I groaned as I stood up from bed, slipping my feet into my slides before grabbing my favorite thin light blue cotton robe.

"Please, Liz..." He begged excitedly.

I trudged down the hall and eventually down the stairs with a very excited James awaiting on the other side of the line.

My fingers unlocked the chair and the two locks before opening the door. Immediately, my mouth fell agape at the sight of a professionally dress James Strider stood smiling brightly at my door step. In his hands he held a paper with the bolded letters on the header reading:

Official Acceptance to the:
Academy for the Future Law Enforcement Officers of
Manhattan, New York

James Alexander Strider

"Oh my God! You got it!?" I exclaimed, immediately drifting the phone away from my face to hold it over my mouth as I gasped.

James' cheesy smile only got cheesier as he walked into my home. "I got it, Baby!"

"Ah!" I released a scream, excitedly jumping on top of him to embrace him. "Oh my God, Jamie! I'm so proud of you!" I shrieked, holding onto him by my arms around his neck. I back away for our eyes to meet. "This calls for a drink!" I smiled, immediately pushing myself off from him to walk back into my house.

After James walked in, I shut the door, allowing him to set his brief case and blazer on the couch. I stood besides him, smiling, as he soon joined me in the kitchen with his official acceptance letter to the academy laying in the countertop. He looked at it in admiration as I ran around the kitchen, fetching my mom's fancy glass cups and digging around the cabinets for a bottle of champaign. 

James has been talking about this for weeks now. There's been an internship program at the local police station looking to recruit young men and women to be part of the force. James applied to go to college and was set on becoming a cop, it's always been a dream of his, but he never never went with it because well.. My father passed away and he wanted to be there for us. He was only going to take a semester off but then he wasn't into it anymore, but I know it's because of our family.

I was the one who got him in the list for an interview to make up for him leaving his cop courses to help my family out. In this program, he's able to learn hands on skills, without the title to start with. After passing a few semesters with them, they give you the test for a fraction of the price and you are able to take it and finally have a permanent job with them. It's been years though since I signed him up and I completely forgot. With everything going on, it passed my mind that it was tonight. I am so horrible.

"Oh, Jamie.. Why didn't you remind me?" I frowned, staring back at him as I set the glasses in from of us.

"You were training... Besides, I wanted to surprise you." He smiled, taking a seat in one of the stools in front of the kitchen island.

"Well don't do that again!" I warned playfully. "You're my best friend.. I want to be there for all your achievements."

My body turned around to the cabinets, scavenging around until I finally spotted a bottle hidden in the back of one of the top cabinets.

I didn't even have to call to him for he was already by my side, smiling as he rose his arm to easily retrieve the bottle that seemed like a mission for someone my height to get.

I laughed, thanking him as he handed me the bottle. Mocking him with it, I escorted us back to the countertop. We stood standing besides each other as I began to unwind the wrap from around the top of the bottle.

"I'm really proud of you, James." I spoke as I opened it up.

"Thank you, Liz." He smiled.

"No, I mean it James." I continued. "You keep proving that you can do anything. I can't possibly thank you enough for everything you've done for us... Before and after my dad passed away. You've always been there for us.. For me." I softly smiled. "I know I may seem distracted at times, but don't you ever let that be an excuse for you not to tell me what's going on.." I warned, playfully pointing back at him with my index finger.

"Sir, yes, Sir." James joked.

Wrapping his hands around my finger, he moved it away in order to pull me into one of his award winning embraces. I eased into his hug, of course. But I'm the spur of the moment, an image of Jack came to mind.

Gently, I pulled myself back.. Keeping the smile on my face so that he wouldn't notice something was wrong.

"What's wrong?" He asked me.

Damn it!

"Hm.." I shrugged. "Nothing?" I played it off.

He arched a brow. Sighing, he pulled up a chair and took a seat down besides me. The sleeves of his dress shirt were rolled up to his elbows. He placed an arm over the countertop and had his head fall over the palm of her hand. "Okay... What's going on with Jack now.."

"Why does it have to be about Jack?" I asked.

James only rose his eyebrows—As if it wasn't so obvious. "Well am I right?"

This was my moment! I had to tell him. I've been trying to avoid it all this week because I was so scared about what could happen, or how he'll react, that I've kept silence. But the guilt has been eating me alive because I've been acting normally towards James while Jack is probably thinking we already had the talk.

But it was wrong. Oh god this moment was the worst moment to bring this up. Look at how happy James is? What if this makes him mad. I'll be making this about me and that is not okay. This is his day.. James.

"Liz, c'mon.." He sighed.

Do it? Don't.

"Fine." I crossed my arms. "Well, this isn't much of a Jack thing... But more of a me-thing?" I tried to make sense of what I was about to say. Gosh this was too early for me!

"Oh-kay?" He furrowed his eyebrows. "Go on?"

I closed my eyes and released a breath I held in tautly against my lungs.

"We—We have a special friendship.. Really, we do. A-And there's nothing wrong with it just that—"

"Jack is jealous." He finished.

I bit my bottom lip, nervously backing away.  A huge lump was swallowed down my throat and I began to wish I haven't mentioned anything to begin with.

It was impossible to read him. He was completely serious. I mean, was he mad? Truly it was indescribable..

"I'm sorry, just—Forget I even said anything.." Before I could finish my sentence, I stopped myself. For what I was witnessing coming about in James brought me to a complete and utter surprise.

A small chuckle was released as he looked to his side. Body eased a bit more into the stool.

"Jack Gilinsky..." He chuckled. "Jealous of me..?" His head then turned to me. "Well there's a thought I never imagined possible." He brought his fist over to his mouth where he gently bit above it. He was shocked, but even more shockingly, he was proud.

"Look, I—" I honestly didn't know where to go to from now. Should I keep talking, or..? "He felt like he wasn't as connected to me as we sometimes are, but I.. I can't push you away James." I shook my head. "You're one of the most important people in my life..."

James seemed to ease down a bit. His eyes now showing a sense of concern as he watched my eyes almost begin to tear up.

"Liz.." He stood up. Hands over my shoulders as he tried to look into my eyes that I kept turning away from him.

"I'm sorry, I just..." I shook my head. "I don't want to lose you."

"Who said you had to lose me?" James asked. "Liz, I will always be right here. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, Sweets." He joked around, crossing his arms over his chest in order to make me laugh.

It worked.

I was so nervous to hit this subject with him that a few tears streamed down. I love James. He's my person. The thought of losing just the slightest bit of communication with him was soemthing I didn't believe I was ready for. It's been this way forever. And I like it this way. With him, it's safe, it's comforting. You don't get that kind of feeling from just anyone these days.

"C'm here." He laughed, pulling me in once again.

I embraced him as if I were holding on to dear life. I felt his hands slowly tail down my long hair in comfort as his cheek was pressed to the side of my forehead. Gently, he rocked us side to side.

"But you know what?" He began to speak. "I gotta say I agree with Jack."

"What?" I looked up at him, hand coming up to dry the small tear I had down my cheek.

"C'mon, Liz." He smiled. "This was bound to happen at some point. You are in a relationship now. If I were in your shoes, it'd probably be me telling you the same thing." He shrugged. "I get it. I wouldn't like seeing another guy all up on my girl, even if he was just a friend. As a guy, I have a new level of mad respect for Jack who didn't punch me sooner."

His response made us both laugh a little. That's James for you, always making peace with a little laughter.

"I'm sorry I didn't realize that sooner. I-I should've kept my distance around you."

"James.. Don't ever apologize for trying to keep me happy." I went back to embrace him. "Okay..?"

I felt him nod against my head. The vibrations of his small chuckle running down my front. "Okay."

"Okay, forget everything..." I pulled back, morphing into a new mood. "We still need to toast..!"

"Here." He smiled, taking the bottle from my hands. He wrapped his hands around the top, popping the top off to release the small bubbles of the champaign. I gasped, hastily racing over to where the bubble was pouring out from with a glass cup, grabbing as much as possible before it all fell to the floor.

We laughed the whole way through.

"To New Beginnings." He smiled, holding his glass out in front of me.

Our glasses clinched. We continued to bring up our cups with a smile on our face but as soon as we devoured the first intake of the champagne, the doorbell rang.

James and I exchanged a couple of confused glances before he finally broke the ice.

"Are you expecting someone?" He asked me.

I shook my head no.

Setting the glass down on the countertop, I moved over to the door.

"Liz, let me get it." James followed behind me.

My body leaned into the door for my eye to see out through the looking glass. Immediately I furrowed my eyebrows.

"It's Jack." I pulled away, moving on to unlock the door. "..And my sister?"

A sudden and equally confused "What" fell from James' mouth as soon as I turned on the porch light. The doorknob was turned, opening the door to immediately reveal my sister and Jack standing in front of me.

My mouth immediately fell agape. Mandy was drenched in water.. As if she was walking beneath the rain. Her dark makeup was ruined. For the first time ever I felt like I saw my actual sister's face. But above it all.. The most scrutinizing thing that immediately made my blood boil, was the site of the cuts and bruises around her face.

"Oh my God!" I gasped, glancing from Jack then back to Mandy. "What happened!?"

I stepped out of the house, immediately placing my hands over Mandy's face to get a better look at her wounds and to see if there were any more. I was shaken. This was the worst state I've seen my little sister in and o was furious!

"Mandy, are you okay?" I exclaimed, brushing her wet hair back and away from her face.

Without a moment of doubt, Mandy suddenly sprung her arms around me. Bringing me into a warm and long embrace, I just stood there... Shocked. My eyes went wide, head turning to Jack who only stared at me with the most prominent stern face ever.

Mandy..
Was..
Hugging Me?

I felt as if the moment was too concerning to bring up now. Instead of asking questions, I only hugged her back, comforting her all while I kept my focus on Jack. I was not happy.

"What's going on?" James walked out of my house behind me.

I couldn't his expression for he was behind me, but I sure caught a glimpse of Jack's and he was overall shocked.

"Mandy.." I pulled away from her, hands cupping her cheeks for her to look at me. My poor baby sister looked terrified. Her eyes were puffy red, as if she's been crying for the longest time. Seeing her like this shattered me. "Mandy, please, tell me the truth... Did someone hurt you?"

Her eyes were full of honesty but she restrained herself from sharing. Maybe it was me, or maybe it was the guys, but one thing I definitely know is that she needs to come inside.

"Come.." I held her hand, walking in through the door James held out open for us.

Jack followed and the door was closed.

* * *

I instructed for Mandy to go upstairs and get comfy, whether that was taking a shower or just changing into her pjs. I told her I would be right there behind her with some hot coffee.

We were going to talk.

Before Mandy left the room, she reached out and embraced Jack. The image was a powerful one. I had no idea Mandy was capable of holding so much... Affection. And now having her thank Jack— in a way he was her hero... You can say I was really shocked about this.

"What happened tonight?" I asked him as soon as I knew the coast was clear.

Jack breathed out, trying to get me to calm down because I was anxious and not at all hiding it.

"I found her walking in the streets after I left you." He explained with settling hands. "I offered to drive her home and she denied so I got down and spoke with her." His eyes glanced back at James before leaning closer to me. "She told me it was a guy."

"What!" I exclaimed.

"What guy?" James jumped in.

"She didn't tell me." He shook his head, looking back to me. His arms extended out to me, hands gripping my arms before he looked me straight in the eye. "Liz, can I talk to you?"

My head turned to James and he nodded his head. "Go, I'll start making Mandy her coffee." He offered.

I nodded my head, having him escort us out back to my front porch leaving James behind.

I fought the tears driving to come out of me. All I've been doing these past weeks is so that I never have to feel pain again. Crying would only make that all go away. I had to be strong, for Mandy. But I was angry... A guy... Did this to MY sister...

"I-I don't know what to do..." I shook m head. "I-I'm just so mad, Jack.." I spoke, releasing it all out in frustration as I paced around.

"Look, Mandy is scared enough. Whatever you need to figure out, do it here before you go back inside." He tried to ease, watching me lose my mind before his eyes.

"You're right." I nodded, crossing my arms. Nothing good ever happened in the heat of the moment. I was mad, scared, even sad. None of these emotions should be mixed in with each other. "I just... I can't believe a guy, Jack.." My voice cracked, eyes meeting his once more. "My little sister..." My hand pinned over my heart feeling the pain immediately begin to pulse through my veins.

Jack saw me and rapidly latched himself over to me.  His arms wrapped around my body, trapping me in his grip with my hands in between our chests. My eyes closed, feeling as if all this of course lead back to me.

"This is all my fault." I shook my head.

Jack's hand kept brushing my hair, holding me tighter as I spoke my words.

"Liz... Stop blaming yourself." He tried to ease again.

"I was in charge of her tonight." I explained, squeezing my eyes shut. "She had too much freedom around me because, I was never around." My head shook. "I was so busy in my stupid training that I couldn't even see what was happening with my little sister."

The pain was becoming unable. But I sucked up the tears. Deep down, Jack knew I had a point. I was barely ever home these past few weeks. Mom has been backed up at the hospital too now that flu season has arrived. And Mandy... She's been all alone. Like always.

"Maybe, just maybe..." I pouted. "If I was home I could've probably stopped this."

Jack shook his head no, disagreeing with me. "Your sister was never that open to you anyways before. She would've hid it from you because... Well, she's tough." He paused, eyes staring down at me. "Just.. Talk to your sister."

My eyebrows furrowed.

"I mean, really talk to her. Not about what happened tonight, but about what happened between you guys.. before." He nodded his head, eyes fluttering closed.

"Wait... S-She talked to you about that?" I asked.

Jack nodded.

"How?"

Mandy has never talked about that.

Ever.

To anyone.

Mom and I have been trying to get it out of her for the longest time. But she was always so locked in.

"She reminded me of a place I was once in myself." He shrugged. "I guess I just knew how to get her to open up."

God, now I really feel bad.

"You have a really amazing sister. And there's obviously some mixed communications between you guys... And she wants to fix that."

"Jack." My hand reach out to his arm. "Thank you." I whispered.

Crashing into his hold, I wrapped my arms around him. His hand came to hold the back of my head, bringing me in closer to his chest. I felt his kiss plant on top of my head. Thumb gently rubbing small circles to my hair.

"Nothing to thank me for." He smiled.

Pulling away he dried away a small tear I didn't even know had escaped my watery eyes.

"Go..." He moved his head towards the inside of my house. "Go and be with your sister."

I had no idea how to thank him. Most of all, I felt bad that he had to go through all that trouble... In the middle of the night, raining? I had to say something.

"Don't leave. Not yet." My eyes flickered back up at him. "After I talk to Mandy, I just... I'll need to talk to you..." I looked down.

Jack's fingers tilted my chin to look back into his worrisome eyes. "Everything okay?"

My lips fell agape as I began to approach a way of saying what I had to say next, but a sudden opening of the door before us caused me to stop myself. Our heads turned, a nervous James now standing awkwardly at my front door.

"Oh, um.." He cleared his throat. "I was just.. Um.. Leaving." He gently closed the door behind him.

Jack took a step back from me, looking over to James with his hands in his pockets.

"I left Mandy's coffee on the countertop and made one for you too. Hazelnut with Vanilla, just the way you guys like it." He smiled, looking at me. "Liz, if you need anything.. Just, give me a call."

I nodded my head. Thanking him for everything.

"See ya, Jack." James smiled back at him.

Jack nodded his head, patting him on the shoulder. "Thank you, James." He nodded.

James smiled and said his final goodnights for the night before making his way next door.

Once James was far enough, I looked back at Jack, waiting for his answer to my previous, unanswered question.

A small sigh fell from his mouth. Closing his eyes, he softly smiled and nodded his head. "Okay."

* * *

My knuckles gently tapped on the wood of Mandy's bedroom door. Softly creaking as I gently opened it up.

My eyes immediately fell on my sister who was standing besides her bed. Newly bathed, and in her favorite pajamas—one of our father's old band t shirt and some shorts.

"Care for some coffee?" I softly smiled.

Mandy softly smiled, nodding her head as she pulled the sheets out of her neatly made bed.

I walked in, closing the door with my foot before walking up to her.

Mandy thanked me as the hot cup was grasped in her hold.

"James made it." I smiled, taking a seat besides her with my cup in my hand. "Just the way we like it."

Mandy smiled, taking a whiff of the hazelnut-vanilla scented coffee. She really loved when James made her coffee.

"Thank you." She spoke, taking a sip from her cup.

I followed her, watching her take in her coffee. I was giving her a moment of silence, to think—To plan. The conversation we were about to have were was one I knew would be hard. Mainly because it's been swelling up inside us for years now.

"Mom is on her way." I replied.

Much to my sister's wishes, I called my mom over at the hospital. I didn't even have to explain much to her, she was on her way before I could finish the call.

Nodding her head, Mandy's blue eyes remained locked into her coffee mug.

Okay. That was enough silence. Placing my mug on the night stand besides me, I shuffled in my seat to look back at her.

"Mandy, I want you to tell me what happened tonight.." My voice cracked. "Who did this to you?"

My words and sudden escalating breaking point was  enough to send my sister into the same state. We sat besides each other. Her mug in between her crossed legs as we both stared at each other with watery eyes.

Without a moment of doubt, the tears began to fall. I was quick to embrace my sister, squeezing tightly as she broke down in my arms. I did my best to comfort her, brushing my hand down her damp hair.

This broke my heart. Not even when my father passed away did I see Mandy cry like this. Seeing her breakdown like this only made me wish I could stop this. Stop her pain.

"I'm sorry, Liz." She cried. "For everything."

"Mandy.." I urged her to calm down. Drying away her tears. She continued to sob, sucking in the tears that kept wanting to fall down her face.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." I tried to make her feel better.

"I was so rude to you." She shook her head. "We needed each other more than ever... And I pushed you away."

"You were hurting." I rubbed her back. "No matter how close we are, we are still different people. Everyone hurts differently." I shrugged.

"Still.." She sniffed. "It was wrong."

Suddenly her deep blue eyes stared into me. A soft smile grew in her plump lips. "I think you're pretty amazing."

A smile spread across my lips with her words. Pulling her into an embrace once more, I kissed her forehead. "You're not so bad yourself, Kiddo." I sniffed, chuckling as she sighed, shaking her head in embarrassment.

You can tell this wasn't something she was used to.

"Since we're being honest." I sighed, grabbing her hands in mine. "I'm sorry too." I dried some tears with the sleeve of my robe. "I should've stepped up to the plate as your sister. I should've checked up on you more. Try to bicker less." I looked down.

Mandy placed her hands over my thigh, gently rubbing. Her look was apologetic, gently being her lips to curve to a small smile. "Let's just promise each other we'll be better. No more arguing." She explained.

"We'll go to each other for anything." I added. "We'll be the sisters we once were."

Mandy nodded. "Deal."

"Deal." I smiled. Shaking our hands, we pulled each other back into a hug. Our conversation didn't end there, though.

"So now that we agreed to tell each other anything..." I paused. "Was it Jake?" I asked.

Mandy looked down. Her smile slowly diminishing at the question.

"You have to promise you won't do anything." She looked at me.

"I can't promise that." I shook my head. Honesty was one of the things I wasn't going to hide from her. If I see the boy who did this to her, God knows what I'll do.

Sighing. Mandy closed her eyes. "It was Chase. Chase Thompson."

I sat up straight, allowing a frustrating breath flow in and out through my body. Chase Thompson. I've heard of him before. Back when I was in my senior year of high school, he was only a sophomore. If I'm calculating right, he'd be 18 now, 2 years older than my sister. The kid was no good news. Skateboarded.. A lot. Partied, did drugs. The whole stereotype of a high school "junkie" was the perfect definition of Chase Thompson. So why? Why would my little sister get involved with a guy like that?

"What happened that made him hit you?" I asked, holding in every urge I had to scream at the top of my lungs. Every urge that made me want to jump into my car and drive up to that kids house.

"Same thing every guy bickers about today." She shrugged. "I feel so stupid."

"Did you two..?" I asked.

"No." She shook her head. "I mean... He was making it go down that path.. But I pushed him away and that's when he.. You know.." She looked down.

"I just.." I closed my eyes, trying to wrap myself around the situation. "I don't understand why you'd ever hang out with him? You knew what kind of guy he was.."

"He just.. He seemed like the only person who understood what I was going through.." She shook her head. "He made it feel like he liked me... Despite my trauma."

My hand immediately went to cup over her cheek. Thumb gently wiping away her tears.

"You are so beautiful, Mandy. Inside and out." I nodded. "One day, a lucky guy will come around and notice just that."

"How are you so sure?" She shook her head. "And even if it does happen.. I still won't be as lucky as you. Jesus, you make it seem so easy." She sighed, laying back in her bed.

I chuckled, playfully rolling my eyes as I grabbed her wrist and pulled her to sit back up again.

"It'll happen!" I warned with a smile. "It's just something you can't rush." I shrugged. "And how can do think I make it look easy?"

"Just look at you guys." She shrugged. "You and Jack are perfect for each other."

I soft smile appeared in my lips. "Well, there's a lot of commitment in what we have. You're only 16, Mandy. You don't want to get involved in a relationship now anyways. Enjoy your youth. Go hang out with your friends, die your hair different colors and wear crazy outfits." I chuckled. "There will be plenty of time for boys and relationships. Okay?"

Her head nodded. "Thanks, Liz.." She smiled, wrapping her arms around me.

Following her actions, I continued to comfort her. "Anytime, Kid."

We held each other for a few more moments in complete serenity before...

"Amanda!"

The door to Amanda's bedroom swung open. My worried mother stood with her mouth agape at the sight of the bruises on my sisters face. Her bag dropped to the group and she immediately rushed over to my sisters bed.

"Mi niña." My mom cried as her arms wrapped around Mandy. The tears fell from her face. In a mater of seconds, the three of us were crying again.

* * *

After shedding many more tears and having a long talk between my mother and sister, we called it a night.

It was one of the best talks I shared with my family, mostly because it's been one I've been craving to have since dad. It was a conversation we needed to have in order to heal. To get past everything, forgive and forget.

Mom offered to sleep with Mandy tonight. After our talk she went into the shower to start getting ready for bed. I stayed behind and helped Mandy clean up a little.

Mom would walk in here any moment to accompany her. For now, it felt like she needed to be alone. So, I excused myself and made my way down the hall and down the stairs.

Immediately, I noticed my brown haired—dark dressed boy laying sleepily on my living room couch.

A small smile appeared in my eyes as I noticed him. 

I walked closer to him. Jack was asleep. The living room lights were off and there was only the dim reflection from the kitchen countertop lights. After setting the junk I picked up from Mandy's room in a nearby trash can, I made my way over to Jack.

"Jack.." I whispered. "Baby."

He immediately jolted awake to the touch of my hand on his shoulder. This reaction made me feel in a way bad for him. He probably has to sleep this way all the time, in fear of someone hurting him. I'm sure he doesn't feel that way here with us, but he's probably so used to it already that he became conditioned somehow.

"Mm.." He looked around, curious of where he was. His eyes noticed mine and instantly, his expression relaxed. "Liz.." He sat up. "How's Mandy?"

"Shh.." I urged him to take a seat again. Noticing how tired he was, it made me feel bad for everything he's been through tonight. I'm sure his emotional talk with Mandy wasn't easy. She told me they shared stories, but Mandy wasn't specific in what. In a way, I totally understand and am okay with. I'm actually really happy the two are getting along.

"Mandy is okay." I took a seat in the couch besides him, hand running across the side of his hair. "We talked. Everything is okay.. Thanks to you."

Jack displayed a small smile to which then he shied away from. "I'm just glad you guys are okay."

Watching him sit there made my heart flutter with love.

I got comfortable in his hold, Jack replicated the action too and before we noticed we were all cuddled up.

"Did she tell you who the guy was?" His voice suddenly asked again.

My head nodded against his chest. "Yeah. A low life, Chase Thompson." My chin tilted up to look at him again. "But... I understand why she did it. And knowing that just makes me feel worse about it. Because I know it could've been stopped."

"Don't think like that." He immediately sat up again, swiveling in his hold to get a better look of me. "You're being there for her as a sister. That's probably all she really needs now." My head nodded against his resting palm on my cheek. "Just, think about that..."

My eyes fluttered back up to him. Hand grabbing over his own, gently fiddling with my fingers against his wrist.

"She told me you helped her.. A lot." I nodded.

"Just looking out.." He softly smiled. "She's a good kid."

My head rested on the couch's backrest, admiring Jack for a sudden moment.

"Anything you wanna talk about?"

Jack shrugged his shoulders, shaking his head no. "It was just how stuff went down with my folks. How I also became rebellious when my dad was gone. It was weird.." He paused, furrowing his eyebrows. "For a split second I saw Mandy in the same position I was in a few years back. It just tore my heart... She didn't deserve to be treated like that by an asshole like Chase Thompson." He emphasized.

My head rolled over to his broad shoulder, hugging the rest of his arm with mine. I placed a small kiss to the exposed skin beneath the sleeve of his T-shirt.

"You are such a good guy, Jack." My eyes fluttered closed, fingertips drawing over his skin.

He scoffed, resting his head back on the rest board.

"Why?" I asked. "Why don't you let people see the good in you?"

Jack looked up for a second, exhaling. This is a question I've been wondering for a long time and one which I've never received a legitimate answer to. It was one question he'd always shrug away. Hopefully, today that'll change.

Jack looked out in front of him. His eyes not looking at me for any part of his saying the next few words..

"Because when people see good, they expect good." He answered.

My heart sunk immediately as soon as he finished his words. I rushed my hand closer to him, cupping his cheek to make him look back at me. I couldn't help myself. Leaning in closer, I pressed a small kiss to his lips. Our foreheads met, and with my eyes fluttered closed, I began to whisper.

"I think you're amazing." A soft chuckle escaped my parted lips. "And I am so lucky to have you."

Jack's chuckle was felt running down my chest as I pressed onto his side. His strong arm went back to place his hand in the same position my hand was on over his face.

"Believe me..." He smiled softly. "If anything, I am the lucky one."

His eyes flickered from my eyes over to my lips.
Cupping either side of our cheeks, we were brought closer to each other. My heart began to beat loudly against my chest. Our lips met in a soft brush, gently feeling each other's ambition for lust.

But it wasn't the right time. We both understood that.

Drawing back, we tried to catch our breath again. To break the sudden awkward silence between us, I decided to speak.

"Is your offer on spending the night still available?" I asked, hands grasping over his own.

A smile spread across his face once more. "Always."

Grabbing him by his hand, I stood up and pulled him up behind me.

We smiled upon our way to my room. Jack's hands holding me from behind, hugging me as I giggled in his hold.

Spinning around in his grip, I was just about to lean up and kiss him again when suddenly, a hallway door was opened.

I gasped, spinning back around in Jack's hold to see who stood before us. Immediately, I got nervous.

"Mom." I nervously glanced back at Jack.

My mom has been through enough today. We all have. This sudden behavior of mine with Jack is one she shouldn't have seen... Mandy was in pain today. God, now even I am ashamed of myself.

She was fresh off the shower, I could tell by her empowering smell of lavender and vanilla body wash, and her mint scented shampoo. Her eyes suddenly filled with tears at the sight of Jack and I. Her face was still all puffed up from all the crying we've done tonight so it was hard to tell her emotion right now. She seemed so brittle, so sad.

"Mom, are you okay?" I approached her.

My mom reacted the way that seemed like she was sucking up her tears. She smiled at me and grabbed my hand. But it wasn't me she was focused on. Shortly after she nodded, reassuring me of her state,  she flickered her attention to something else. I was so surprised with my mom. But to top it all off, she later approached Jack. Her arms spread wide open.

Jack was also alarmed. We exchanged a quick glance before his attention went down to my mom's embrace on him.

She held him close. A hug Jack soon enough got comfortable in. I know he cared for us. He showed it every chance he had. If it wasn't for my mom, we probably wouldn't be together. She let him in that morning. They have a nice relationship, one I know Jack lacked with his own mother. My mother cared for Jack too, always as. Seeing them hug each other.. Now.. Out of the blue.. It was a very nice feeling.

"Thank you." I heard her whisper over his shoulder.

His head darted up, eyes making contact with me across my mom's shoulder. He looked back down, hiding his soft smile from me.

He gave my mom a gentle squeeze before she drew away. "Thank for taking such good care of my girls." She whispered again, hand cupping his cheek. "We care for you very much too, Jack."

Smiling, Jack nodded his head. "Thank you, Tori." He glanced over my shoulder. "Means a lot."

Giving him one last embrace, mom moved back and glanced at me. She dried away some quick tears before looking back at me.

"Oh, Liz.. Do you mind helping your sister prepare her room for bed?" She asked. "I-I need to make a phone call."

"Sure, mom." I nodded, gently rubbing her arm before she smiled and walked away.

"Need some help?" Jack asked.

"That's okay." I smiled. "I'll meet you in my room."

Pecking a kiss to his cheek, Jack smiled and moved past me into the next door across the hall. We smiled at each other before opening the doors.. Stepping inside.

* * *

My hands hand the two mugs in my hands and box of now empty tissues to bring down stairs. I was just about to leave when something suddenly caught my eye on her dresser.

"What's that?" I asked, pointing over to the beautiful silver box with a dark green emerald in the center of it.

Mandy was across the room, preparing the bed for her and mom to sleep in. Her head darted up as she made sense of what I was point at. Immediately she just shrugged and replied. "Oh, that's just an old music box dad gave me."

"When did he give you this?" I spoke intrigued, placing the mugs down to grab the music box.

"A long time ago." She explained. "I was sad about something, school I guess, and he gave me that saying that it held magical powers to heal." She chuckled. "Oh Dad, as always, believing in magic. I think I was 10." She chuckled. "As if a 10 year old would believe that."

"But that's Dad for you, always trying to protect us from the ugly truth of things." I smiled, looking around the silver box. It was incredibly beautiful. The designs of it, so unique. It was an antique for sure. Mandy loves those kinds of things. Usually he'd go with her to thrift stores but this... This seems too valuable to be from there. No, this has to be something more.

"How do you open it?" I asked.

"If you find out, let me know." She joked, now walking up besides me.

"You've never opened it?" I asked her.

"Never could?" She took the box in her hands. "I just keep it around for decoration."

My eyes didn't leave the small silver box. Mesmerized by its beauty and now, sudden mystery.

What the Heck is inside that box?

"It probably can't open because it's so old." She sighed, putting the object back in her dresser.

"Yeah, but—Haven't you ever wondered what was inside it?" I asked her.

Mandy walked away, climbing into bed.

"It doesn't sound like there's anything inside?" She shrugged, pulling the sheets up to slide her legs in beneath.

My suspicion took the best of me.

"Do you mind if I take a look at it?" I asked her.

Mandy nodded her head. "Yeah, go ahead."

Smiling back at her, I grabbed the silver object in my hand and placed it in one of the pockets of my robe.

Seconds later, I kissed my sister goodnight and finished picking up the trash we left in her room.

* * *

I busted into my room, causing a startled Jack to slightly jump upon my presence. The door was shut closed, my feet sprinting up to take a seat on my bed where Jack now laid propped up on his elbows.

"Whoa.. Liz.." He continued. "You okay?"

His expression was every bit concerned for that was all I replicated on my own.

Did I find it? Did I really find what could possibly be a clue to finding the Red Venom?

My anxiety was impossible to be held in. Sitting on my knees on the bed, I pulled out the music box I retrieved from Mandy's room. The shinny silver box with the vibrant green emerald in the center of it caught his attention immediately.

"What is that?" He asked glancing back at me.

"I-I don't know.." I placed a strand of hair behind my ear. "I was cleaning Mandy's room and it caught my eye. Mandy says my father gave it to her." I paused. "You see the spinner popping out?"

"Yeah?" He nodded.

"It's some type of music box.." I explained "Only.. It can't open?"

"Lemme see." His hands reached out to grab the box as he sat up besides me. He tried and he tried, in every possible way.

Nothing.

"That's weird?" He furrowed his eyebrows.

"I know!" I exclaimed. "Which gets me thinking.. What if whatever is inside this has something to do with the Red Venom?"

Jack remained looking back at me, waiting to further explain my idea.

I shuffled in my seat, clearing my throat. "My father gave Mandy this box.. But it won't open?" I paused. "Maybe if I didn't know about my father, I probably would've thought it was just old. But now.. I suspect it's more than that. Something this beautiful, and this precise in it's engravings... It must be holding something much more."

Jack looked at the box closer. Mumbling to himself as his finger traced over the detail.

"This looks like a type of language.." He glanced up at me. "It's hidden in the detail.. Can you see it?" He asked.

I leaned in closer to him. Following the trace of his fingers, I noticed a few letters sprawled across, merging into the patterns of the silver box. But they weren't just any letters.

"The letters have accents, meaning whatever it is trying to say, it is in another language." I looked up at him. "One closely related to being spanish.."

"Liz, I think you really did find a clue." Jack nodded.

His words left a fluttery feeling rose upon my stomach. It was something I never thought I'd be a part of, solving mysteries.. and now.. Look at us.

"We gotta take this to the guys. I think between Sam and Justin, they might just crack the code." He explained.

Holding the box in his fist, he looked back up at me. A small smirk rose upon his lips.

"We just got one step closer..."