Kristen
"Kristen dear" Rebecca's plummy voice mock-called in a British accent, waving her hand at me. I huffed, rolling my eyes as she catwalked to my seat.

She wasn't with her dumb friends. They didnt take Ms. Harrisburg's class. Jake, Laura, Bella and Ray didn't either. 

She plopped down next to me, flipping her hair in my face. I furrowed my brows, giving her an apathetic glare and she offered me an annoying smile. I gave her a hard push and she stumbled. She let out a startled squeal, landing to the floor on her butt.

The class erupted in laughter and she gave them a murder glare that shut down their laughter.

"If you have something to say, then say it from over there" I deadpanned, matching her furious glare.

"You piece of shit!" She lunged to her feet, panting heavily. 

"I thought by now you'd be tired of following me around like a homeless puppy"

"You're the one who appears to me like a homeless puppy" she shot back bitterly.

"What the hell are you jabbering about?"

"Do you mind," she crossed her arms, her shrill voice booming for attention "telling everyone what you were doing at the old factory of mirez construction?"

I jeered, narrowing my eyes to her "You must be a really crazy fan of mine to be so interested in my life. You even follow me now?. Typical Rebecca Shawn"

She sneered, raising her lips slightly "Don't delude yourself Garcia. If you had nothing to hide you wouldn't be avoiding the question in the first place!"

"I don't think I need to justify myself to anyone, and most certainly not you. Where I go and what I do is none of your business!" I rose to my feet. I bumped her shoulder, whizzing past her to the door.

"I'll find out what you're hiding, Kristen!" She yelled.

I made an abrupt halt, clenching my trembling fists at my sides, fidgeting as I fought to hide my throbbing nervousness.

I turned to everyone who were now giving me askance glares. I masked my anxiety, and with all the courage I could summon, I lifted my hand and held up the middle finger at her before prancing out.

'Sick Bitch' was all I heard her scream.

I let out the breath that had mounted from my fears. I wandered to the apple tree just before the soccer field, slumping on the grass. I shut my weary eyes, leaning against the tree. This was the perfect place to get serenity; away from everyone and everything.

In no time I was half asleep. I could hear the ruffling of the dried leaves on the grass. Someone was approaching.

"Kristen" The warm female voice called out.

"Mom?" I jerked out of my subconsciousness and my eyes swung wide open with an excited smile. My smile faded immediately when I saw the person infront of me "Oh...It's you"

Her empathetic eyes oozed with pity for me. No doubt she noticed the disappointment in my eyes. I averted my eyes from hers to hide the tears that was now forming.

"I know you miss your mom a lot" Amelia said, sitting down on the grass next to me "And I know she misses you too"

"Why are you here?" I pitched in.

"I came to say goodbye" she replied softly.

I snapped my head to her. "What?"

She nodded "I'm leaving for Arizona tomorrow"

My jaw dropped innoticeably  "You're...You're leaving?"

"Yes." she smiled sadly, stroking my wind-ruffled hair "I'll probably be there for a couple of months. I'm planning on setting up my own publication company. I have a few potential investors over there, so right now Arizona is my best shot at getting back on my feet"

My face twitched as I tried to keep the tears from rolling out, turning my face away so she wouldn't notice.

I turned to her when I felt her hand on mine, and that's when I saw the sterling silver charm bracelet in her hand. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

My tears ridden eyes followed her as she placed it on my wrist. The feeling that overrided my heart was piercing.

How can someone be so kindhearted?.

I wanted to doubt her intentions, but the longing in my heart and her kind smile strangled every doubt.
 
"Laura and Bella helped me pick that out for you. Do you like it?" She asked, offering me the most radiant smile.

"It's okay, I guess" I lied in a tremulous voice, shoving the tears back in with my forefinger.

She chuckled, caressing my hair "That works just fine"

I heard the sound of a beep and Amelia turned to the phone in her hand, reading the message that popped up on the screen.

"I have to leave" she said hesitantly, standing to her feet.

Cold tears threatened to stream down my face as her motherly eyes begged not to depart from me. My mom has never looked at me the way she did. And with no warning, she went on her knees. She threw her arms around me, squeezing me in an affectionate hug.

"I'll miss you so much" I felt her hot tears gush down, leaving droplets on the back of my shirt "You have to promise me you'll take good care of yourself"

I lifted my hands to hold her like she held me, but I held back. My tears ran silently down my nose with every second. The warmth of her hug, her amiable smile; they crumbled my haughty facade. 

Why did this hurt so much?; I knew why. Someone else was leaving again....and it tore me.

"And if you ever need me, just call for me and I'll come to you, no matter where I may be"

"You're suffocating me" I mumbled, wiping all traces of tears from my face.

"Huh?" Her shaky voice asked, clearly unaware that she was squeezing the life out of me.

"I can't breathe"

"Oh!" She chuckled, pulling away "I'm sorry. I'm such a cry baby" She dabbed her eyes, rising to her feet "I'll see you when I get back, and you better have put on some weight by then" she smiled, giving me a kiss on the head. "I love you, always"

As she walked away I wanted to run up to her and tell her I'd miss her too....but I didn't.

————————
Jake
Soccer practice ended a few minutes after mom left, and Kristen hasn't moved an inch from that spot. Everyone else had gone to the locker room to freshen up but I couldn't go; not while she was still sitting there.

I sat on the field, where the rays from the sun fell on me, watching her as her doleful eyes brooded into vain air.

She rose to her feet, dusting the dirt off her black jeans. She cut through the field, strolling into the racetrack, while watching the scenery incessantly.

I followed quietly behind her, stepping wherever she stepped while keeping a 8ft distance. Her usually prim posture was now replaced with dawdling movements, and it made me worried.

I ran up to her, standing infront of her.

"Sup Garcia" I smiled, waving my hand in her face.

She gave me a brief glance, then continued walking.

"Hey! Wait up" I fell into step with her. 

"What do you want, Jake?" Her brown eyes were dim and gloomy.

I hope she wasn't taking those anti-depressants again.

"Can you clear your schedule tonight?" I joined my hands together, giving her puppy eyes.

"Why?" She asked dryly.

"It's our birthday today; Laura and I" Her expression softened and she gave me a surprised stare.

Every year on our birthday we'd have a grand dinner with my whole family, and have a late night after party with everyone at school, but this year was different. With all that has happened, we couldn't afford a grand celebration.

"I know you didn't know, so we'll forgive you for not wishing us sooner" I said, offering her a bright smile "We're having a simple dinner party. Just Laura, Bella, my mom and I. We were hoping you'd join us"

A little time out would help clear her mind.

"You can't say no" I pushed, still keeping the smile on.

"Isn't your mom flat broke?" she blurted, looking me straight in the eye. "Are you trying to impoverish her further?. Money doesn't grow on trees Jake"

My smile fell right off my face and a gnawing feeling heated my nerves. I clenched my jaw, watching her walk away like she couldn't care less.

"Hey!" Ray's lips curled up in a smile as she walked towards his direction. He was no longer in his jersey.

He reached for her hand and she brushed it away. She walked past him, leaving his hand hanging mid air. "Kri..." He gaped at her with a shocked expression.

She went out of sight, not sparing him as much as a glance "Okay..." He mumbled sadly, dropping his hand. I could see the hurt maped on his face as he plod away.

"Jake!" Laura and Bella waved as they ran towards me.

I marched angrily through the racetrack. That was uncalled for. She had no right to say that.

"Jake" Bella and Laura called, running after me. I blocked out their calls.

Why on earth do I even try when I knew it'd yield nothing? I loved her, too much...and it hurt.

She was someone I loved selflessly; not in a romantic way, but immensely, that it stung as hell whenever she threw my love back at me. My love for her was a deep friendship that bruised. Loving hard has always being my weakness, and she knew that.
 
"Jake!" Laura's voice resounded in my ears. she grabbed my shoulder, flipping me around to face her. "Would you breathe, please!"

"My God! Relax Jake" Bella panted, holding her hand to her chest. 

They had become so accustomed to this that they didn't need to be told that I was mad because of her.

I let out a deep sigh, running my hand through my hair "I thought we were friends now, but I guess I was wrong"

"You know how Kristen gets, Jake" Bella said, placing her hand on my arm "You'll only keep hurting yourself if you keep expecting too much from her"

"Bell's right, Jake" Laura added "Let's just forget this and go home, okay?"

I nodded.

They were right. I forgot for a moment there that she was 'kristen Garcia'. We'll always be nothing to her.

    °°°° * °°°° * °°°°
"You're hurt Kristen didn't wish you, huh?" My mom looked down at me, placing the baked alaska on the table.

It was 9:00 pm, and time for our traditional birthday dinner. Laura was sitted at my right while Bella sat opposite to her.

"I guess I expected too much" I said, digging my fork in the cobb salad.

"I didn't think she'd come" she sat beside me, rubbing my back soothingly "That's the reason I didn't invite her in the first place, but I had no idea she hadn't wished you two yet"

"I just..." I bit my lips and continued "It just feels a little empty without her"

Like a fool, I was still worried, and I wanted to know if she was okay.

She gave me a kiss on the cheek "Oh honey, I know. We all wanted her to be here, but she probably has a lot to tend to"

"Mom's right Jake" Laura added, giving me a flick on the head "Now suck it up already."

"Ow?!" I shrieked, rubbing my head while they all laughed hard at me "That stung as hell! What happened to using your words?"

"What fun is that?" She shrugged with a smirk, sticking her tongue out to me.

"Wait till I get my hands on you" I said, jumping on my feet.

"No!" She laughed, bolting off her seat. 

"I'm going to murder you" I threatened, holding up the fork in my hand.

She raised her brows, rolling her eyes "With a fork, really?"

I smirked heartily "We'll see about that"

"You'll have to catch me first!" She sang, running around the table.

"You better stay right there" I laughed, chasing her around in circles. I threw the fork at her. She docked, giggling.

"You can do better"

Mom and Bella shook their heads at us, laughing.

"By the time you two are done I would have finished the cobb salad" Bella said, chewing on the salad in her mouth.

After several failed attempts I managed to grasp the edge of her hair.

She let out a squeak, halting "Jake"

I smirked, pulling her back by the hair and she complied obediently. I wiggled my brows, wrapping my hand around her neck. "You were saying?"

"Mom, help!" She squealed, giggling.

"Alright, that's enough now" Mom chuckled, beckoning at both of us to come sit "Let's not murder anyone on their birthday"

I let go of Laura and she stuck her tongue out to me, feeling victorious. We both laughed, taking our seats. 

"Now let's say a short prayer," mom said, joining her hands together "even though some of us have already started eating" We all snorted, turning our heads to Bella.

Her face widened in a sheepish smile, revealing the salad stuck in her teeth "Oops!"

We let out an elated laughter, shaking our heads at her.

_________________________

We'd had our fill of an amazing dinner and now it was time to grab drinks. The ride to the bar took us about 35 minutes. We were served our tequilas by a good-looking bartender that Bella, Laura and mom couldn't stop drooling over.

Classic them.

"Bottoms up guys" Mom grinned, lifting her glass up "Here's to my charming twins; the best pair I could ever ask for. Long life, more charms"

"Long life!" we echoed in sync, clicking our glasses together.

Four shots later and we were ready to leave. Our designated driver was waiting in the underground parking lot. 

"I'll just use the restroom quickly" I said as my mom paid the bills.

"We'll wait for you outside" They headed out and I headed up the stairs, to the restroom.

When I stepped out of the restroom a familiar face standing along the doorway flashed before my eyes. She was in a skimpy, red strapless gown, with a pair of tattooed hands clasped around her waist. It was a spur of the moment glance and her back was now turned to me, so I just brushed it off.

"I'm officially loosing my mind" I laughed, shaking my head.

I took slow paces down the stairs, my keen eyes still glued on both of them. Then I saw her face again, this time clearly. I retracted my steps back, taking nervous steps towards them. I wanted to be certain if what I was seeing was reality or just the alcohol messing with my mind. As I grew closer my heart pounded in my chest at the thought of this being a reality.

It couldn't be her right?. Not dressed like that, and with such a depraved man.

When I was finally close enough, I lifted my hand slowly onto her shoulder and she turned her head to face me.

The face I saw shattered something more than just my heart.

"Jake" She cowered, her eyes bugging out in terror.

The guy whose one hand was still holding her waist just stared at us in confusion.

"Kristen" I breathed, my eyes getting lost in her frightened stare.

My eyes trailed the red strapless gown I had earlier seen, and that's when I noticed that it revealed too much. I felt a churning anger inside, fixing my gaze on the hand still firmly holding her waist.

She cringed under the intensity of my accusing eyes, struggling to free herself from his grasp. I gripped her hand, yanking her away from him.

"Who the hell are you?!" He growled, his eyes bulging in my face.

"Stay away!" I held up a finger, warning him sternly.

I took off my jacket. I put it on her, zipping it all the way up. The gown was so skimpy that it got lost in my jacket.

We made our way down the stairs, ignoring his crazy screams.

"Jake" she spoke as I dragged her down the stairs. I could feel her muscles flex with my enraged grip "You're hurting me, Jake" she cried, stumbling a little at my pace "Would you just stop and listen to me?"

We marched past the crowd, exiting the bar. When we got to where our car was parked; Bella, Laura and my mom came out simultaneously, their questioning eyes swinging at us in utter confusion. 

"What's going on?" mom asked, looking between both of us.

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