I almost fell out of bed at the loud sound of clattering pots and pans falling to the floor downstairs. I groaned in annoyance when I squinted my eyes open to look at the clock that read 9am in the morning. Waking up this early should be a crime.

It's the holidays and this is what I think is going to be the usual. Waking up early against my will. This isn't fair. The pounding of running footsteps wasn't helping either. What on earth could someone be doing at this goddamn time? Running a marathon? Or just having a gladiator fight? Ugh.

"Wake up Amy!" my little sister yelled as she ran into my room and started banging a wooden spoon against the back of a small pot. I groaned louder in despair as I covered my ears with the pillow.

"End me now please," I muttered to myself.

"Come on Amy! Wake up! Jack said you wanted to wake up at nine so I'm helping!" Catherine beamed.

I cursed his name under my breath. I'm already planning Jack's death. It'll be one that'll be talked about for ages but was never expected. It'll be profound. Time to put some skills into play so it'll be like how to get away with murder but better. No one will ever suspect me. Ok, maybe they would but they can't do shit without proof so they can suck it because I've got the upper hand! Wow, I'm getting way out of hand. I won't kill him...yet, it's too early.

"Rise and shine sleeping beauty, I thought you wanted an early start to the day?" Jack's provoking voice rang through the room.

Oh how much I want to just slap him across the face. I've only had what? Like four hours of sleep after heading to bed at 5am. I spent almost all night talking to Chloe and Ricky about relationship advice. I tried to add to the conversation but I'm still new to relationships and I've been dating Dillon for two years now. And now, I'm regretting life's choices because I feel like death.

"Fuck off," I grumbled.

"You're lucky your little sister left or you'd be screwed," Jack teased. I flipped him the middle finger before turning to face the other side of the room, away from the annoying Joker. "Well, aren't you just a ray of sunshine this fine morning huh?"

"Are you still talking?" I retorted but sounded muffled with my head pressed against the soft pillow.

I'm about to do something illegal if he continues to open his mouth and spurt bullshit to ruin my life. I just want a peaceful morning, just so I can sleep until 2pm and catch on some rest after all the early wake-ups for school.

"Fine, I guess I'll let you sleep, I mean, I was going to give you your phone but I'll hold onto it a little longer for you," he said. My eyes shot open at that statement.

Fuck! What?! Damn bastard must have taken my phone off the nightstand while I was either sleeping or while I was fuming to myself about waking up early. Whenever it was, I was still going to make him regret even laying a hand on my personal property and invading my privacy.

I instantly shot out of bed and was quick to jump up in an attempt to snatch my phone out of his grip but he was too tall. When he held my phone at arm's length above his head, I kept cursing him out. I could tell it was going off with messages. The buzzing was noticeable. Damn it. This is not my morning and it's only the first day of living with Jack Reece. I'm afraid for my future while staying here. I'll probably lose my fucking mind by the end and he'll be gloating about it as usual...maybe I need a lawyer or a psychiatrist.

"Give me my damned phone Jack!" I demanded, glaring up at him.

"Why? It's so amusing watching you get all angry and pout," he smirked.

"I'm warning you now, give me my fucking phone!" I ordered. He paused as if he were pretending to think about it before shaking his head.

"Nah, I can't give this up."

My phone began ringing and I instantly knew it was Dillon from his name and picture that popped up. My eyes widened. The look on Jack's face, that mischievous smirk, it's giving off red flags. He was thinking about answering it and I cannot let that happen, not if I can help it. I practically launched myself at Jack, tackling him to the ground. He attempted to keep the phone away from my grabbing hands. I had to pin him down to snatch my phone from his hands.

I cheered in my head over my victory but I celebrated too early because Jack flipped me over so that I was now on the floor with him straddling my waist and pinning me down. I twisted my wrists under his grip in an attempt to free myself but it was a bloody struggle doing so. I huffed in defeat. Jack smirked but it slowly dropped all of a sudden. I frowned when he used one hand to brush a loose strand of hair away from my face. My breath hitched while my cheeks heated up.

Why's he looking at me like that?

"What the fuck is going on here?"

Jack instantly scrambled off me as I crawled backwards until my back hit the bed, my eyes wide at Dillon standing in front of the doorway. How did he know I was here? I haven't told him yet. I was worried he wouldn't take it well and from what I can see now, it seems I'm proven right. I can already tell this isn't going to end well, not for Jack anyway. There was imaginary steam coming out of Dillon's ears as he scowled at Jack as if mentally killing him.

"Dillon it's not what it looks like," I said.

I quickly got up and stood in front of Dillon, using myself as a blockage so he couldn't get to Jack and practically commit murder. I know I was just moments ago condemning Jack but I will not let him start a fight in Lisa's house when she and my little sister are just downstairs. In general, I won't let him start a fight over jealousy. If they haven't heard us yet then they will soon.

"Are you sure? Because it looked like this dipshit was straddling my girlfriend?" Dill sneered. I took an unconscious step back. This is the first time he's lashed out this much. It's not something I'm used to nor should it be something to be used to.

"I promise you it was nothing, I was just trying to get my phone back, that's it," I tried to reassure him. He kept flaring his nostrils and cracking his fists as he clenched them tight.

"Calm down man, I was only teasing her, nothing serious," Jack defended himself. Of course he had to open his mouth and make it worse. Dillon took a step forward but I placed my hands on his chest and pushed him back, stopping him from advancing any further.

"Dillon, don't," I ordered sternly.

"You're dead Reece," Dillon growled.

"For what? For joking around? For having fun? I thought you trusted your girlfriend?" Jack retorted. I instantly looked down.

I'll admit, that last line got to me. I hope Dillon trusted me, I can't be sure he does. I want to believe he does or else two years of effort to prove that I'm faithful and trustworthy would all be for nothing. I know it was...a bad position he found us in but he should at least listen and let me explain instead of going off.

"Fuck you," Dillon spat as he barged past me, making me stumble back and almost fall.

I wasn't quick enough to stop him from raising his fist and swinging it at Jack across his face. I jumped back with a small gasp in surprise though I was expecting it. Jack fell back and hit his wardrobe, knocking his head. Dillon took this opportunity while he was down to go for another blow to the face with his fist.

"Dillon!" I yelled in protest when he raised his fist to go the hit, which could cause even worse damage than what's already done.

I ran over but halted when he spun to face me. I don't think I've felt...fear around Dillon, ever. It's a new side of him I haven't seen before. He's never gotten jealous around any other guy and we've hung around plenty with him around. I don't want to feel like I can't trust him or that I have to be careful around him, like I'm walking on eggshells or something.

Dillon stomped over and grabbed my wrist before dragging me downstairs. I struggled to get out of his grasp and winced when he tightened his grip. When he got downstairs, which was oddly deserted but unimportant right now, he let go of me. I stumbled a bit but caught myself. Dillon kept pacing back and forth while grumbling to himself and cursing. I remained silent, patiently waiting for him to calm down.

"What was that back there?" he demanded.

"Nothing, you just came in at the wrong time, I was only trying to get my phone back," I mumbled.

"Bullshit," he muttered. I glared at him. That's when something in me snapped.

"Don't be such a dick and treat me with disrespect," I sneered. I went to walk around him, but he grabbed my wrist yet again and pulled me back into his chest.

"We're not done talking," he said, narrowing his eyes.

"Well obviously I am, call me when you've calmed down and stopped acting like a possessive ass," I said firmly.

Suddenly, he pinned me against the wall, my back roughly hitting the surface. I bit my bottom lip to prevent any sound from escaping although I physically winced at the impact and at his grip on my wrist to hold me in place. The way he was staring down at me with those narrowed eyes sent a shiver down my spine.

"Hey! Get off her!"

Dillon was pulled off me and shoved to the floor by Jack. He rubbed his head where he hit it against the wooden floorboards. He then looked at me, past Jack who was standing in front of me as if he were a shield. They started to soften before he quickly scrambled to get up. He took a step forward but Jack didn't move from his position in front of me, as if he were some knight. Quite ironic.

"I-I'm sorry Amy, I'm really sorry," he mumbled.

He turned around and quickly exited the house. I sighed with relief before staring down at my wrist with a frown. It hurt to even lightly touch the skin. It was definitely going to bruise and whether it was going to be a pretty bad one, who knows. I won't know until later though I wish I didn't have to, I wish I didn't have a bruise in general by someone I considered trustworthy and someone who would never hurt me ever.

I tugged my sleeve down to hide the redness of my wrist and looked up at Jack who was now facing me. He had a cut on his cheek, which must have been from Dillon's ring he always wears since it was something his aunt gave him when he was old enough for it to fit on his finger before she passed away three years ago. His right eye looked like it was starting to swell and darken in colour.

"You're hurt," I pointed out as if it weren't obvious. I mentally face-palmed myself. Jack raised a brow. Stupid.

"I know," he nodded.

"I mean let me help you," I corrected myself. He chuckled before shrugging.

"That's up to you, I don't feel anything," he said with a shrug. I walked around him to head for the kitchen.

"Do you happen to know where everyone is?" I asked as I opened the freezer. Luckily they seemed to have an ice cube tray that was filled. I took it out so I could put the ice into a cloth for him.

"Well your little sister went with my mother to the grocery store when I went up to wake you since apparently we can't go a day without sugar in this house and your brother, I have no clue," Jack explained, walking over. I simply nodded.

It was probably a good thing they did leave. I wouldn't want any of them to witness what just happened. Catherine should never, in general, witness fighting because then she'll be influenced or get upset, either isn't something I want.

As for Lisa, she was already kind enough to let us stay so there was no need to put stress on her or cause a scene because of me. Though I don't know how we're going to explain the slight damage to Jack's face. If Dillon continued, it'd be way worse than it already is.

I walked to where Jack was leaning against the kitchen bench island. I gently placed my handmade ice pack on the side of his face so it wasn't directly on his injured eye. He winced, hissing in pain but relaxed after. He reached up to hold onto it but I instantly moved my hand away when his hand brushed mine and looked away from his piercing eyes.

"You're just the same as you were before you left." 

I looked at him with a frown and tilted my head as he quirked his lip up into a half smile. I don't know whether to be insulted by that statement or not.

"Is that an insult?" I asked with a raised brow. He chuckled but I didn't see what was so funny.

"It's not an insult," he shook his head.

"Then what? What do you mean by that?" I questioned.

"What I mean is that your personality is still the same-"

"A nerd?"

"No, a caring and compassionate person just like you were before you changed your appearance," Jack stated as if it were a fact. That left me utterly speechless. That's a first. 

Heat began to creep up to my cheeks. Again I'm betrayed by my own body's reaction. Silence fell between us. I didn't know what to say or even how to reply to that. It's like he keeps surprising me each time we speak. It's either he's nice or we argue.

"He hurt you," he muttered. I noticed he was glaring at my wrist, which was uncovered with my sleeve rose up a bit, the bruise that was starting to slowly form was peaking out. Shit, I forgot about that. I quickly pulled my sleeve down but it was already too late to hide the evidence.

"It's nothing," I mumbled.

"It's not nothing."

"Then ignore it."

"Amy-"

"I said it's nothing! Why do you care anyway? It's not like you're perfect and haven't hurt me before," I snapped.

I didn't mean to but I couldn't take it. I get it, he was only concerned, I guess, but it was nobody's business but my own. Plus, I don't think he cared. It's not like it wasn't true, he had hurt me before, maybe not in the same way as Dillon did but mentally yes.

"Forget it," I muttered. I walked past him to go upstairs but I paused at the doorway when he spoke up.

"I'm sorry, you know, for everything."

It's too late for that

I continued to walk upstairs and shut the door once I entered my temporary room, locking it right after. I ran my fingers through my hair, pacing back and forth before looking at the redness of my wrist in disgust. It took a while for the realisation of what happened to finally sink in.

The whole event that just unfolded in less than an hour nonetheless was all too much. Dillon going crazy with jealousy, unintentionally hurting me, shouting at me, hurting Jack, then he leaves after apologising as if he cared. And then of course Jack has to confuse me with...everything he does.

My back fell against the door before sliding down to the carpeted floor. I could feel the warm tears slowly sliding down the skin of my cheeks. It felt like I couldn't breathe as I attempted to take deep breaths, trying to get as much air in my lungs as I could. At this point, the room felt small, like the walls were closing in on me.

"Amy! Amy! Where the hell are you!?" Amanda's voice rang throughout the house. I couldn't bring myself to speak up. I felt the door shake as Amanda knocked. "Are you in there? Your brother told me where you were, why aren't you answering your phone? You know how worried I get when you don't answer my calls or messages."

I should have known that would be the case. She's always been overprotective, though I always appreciated it. If I didn't answer a call or message, she would freak out, thinking something had happened to me and that she needed to check up on me to confirm I was alright. 

She knows if I'm upset and I want to be left alone to face the world, I don't answer my phone. She then comes over to 'face the burden by my side' because 'two people is better than one' when taking on the objects life throws at you and you're at your lowest. That's what she says every time.

When I heard the rattling of the door handle, I instantly knew what she was doing. Amanda was trying to pick the lock of the door. I closed my eyes, my head falling into my hands. I wasn't prepared for her to see me like this but that doesn't mean I did anything to stop her from entering. I needed someone; I needed my best friend.

"Amy, why aren't you-?" Amanda paused mid-question when she got the door opened only slightly enough to peek her head in since I still had my back against the door but only moved a bit for her to open it. "Oh no," she muttered with a frown.

Amanda quickly squeezed her way inside, closing the door behind her before kneeling next to me. She was quick to throw her arms around me and pull me into a hug. I held onto her as my shoulders shook, finally letting out all the pent-up emotions I'd been feeling for a while.

"I promise it's going to be alright."