"Amy! Wake up!" my lovely little sister shouted as she practically jumped onto my stomach, knocking the air out of my lungs.

I should start locking the bedroom door at night so I don't get these rude awakenings anymore. I just want to sleep. My fucked up sleeping schedule needs to be fixed but I can barely do anything about it. Every time I try and get some rest, I'm awakened by someone or something.

"I'm awake Cat," I muttered even though I didn't open my eyes. The sun will burn me.

"Open your eyes, Amy!" Catherine demanded as she attempted to pull open my eyelids.

"Ok, ok, I'll get up," I grumbled. Catherine moved over so I could sit up. I yawned as I squinted my eyes open. Damned sun. My second enemy, besides people.

"Lisa says to come downstairs for breakfast once you're done getting ready," she informed me before climbing off the bed to run back to Lisa most likely.

I huffed, blowing my hair out of my face. I can't wait until the summer holidays. The winter holidays went by in a flash; I barely got to enjoy it. Already it's the first day back of school. Yay, I'm just jumping for joy.

I ran my fingers through my hair, pushing it back before deciding to get out of bed. I glanced at my phone to check for any messages. I had one from Dillon and several other ones from Amanda and Sarah in our group chat.

Dillon wanted to see whether I needed a ride to school whereas Amanda and Sarah were just ranting about the series they were both watching and how the antagonist frustrated them, which I guess meant the actors were doing a pretty good job at their role.

I walked out of the room just as I saw Jack going down the stairs from the attic room. We briefly made eye contact and greeted each other before I made my way to the bathroom while he went downstairs.

Over the past couple of days, it's been good between us since I've gotten to spend more time with him whenever Catherine would want to do something with us two. Max would join sometimes but most of the time, he was out with friends or doing job interviews. He has a part-time job but he wants to find a full-time one so he can earn more money to move out on his own.

I quickly did what I needed to get ready before meeting up with the others in the kitchen for breakfast. Jack, Catherine, and Max were already eating their pancakes while Lisa continued to make some more, dressed up in a red suit, ready for work. I sat next to Jack, the only available seat in front of the island bench, and put one pancake on my plate.

"Good morning Amy, how'd you sleep?" Lisa greeted with a bright smile in my direction. I returned the gesture with my own smile.

"Great thank you," I replied. She nodded.

"I'm heading off now Lisa, thank you for the breakfast, I'll see you all later," Max said as he stood up.

He kissed my cheek and did the same to Catherine. He then waved at Lisa and Jack before exiting the house in his navy blue suit for his interview today. I had my fingers crossed for him to get the job. He's been trying his best whenever he has the time to practice his answers and to prep himself to be more confident in front of employers.

He's worked so hard to achieve his goal of becoming a lawyer like our father. Not because he wanted Max to become one though, but because he took an interest in it when he'd used to watch or help our father at work at a young age.

"I'll race you to school," Jack challenged. I smirked.

"You're on," I accepted.

We quickly got up and ran for the door but I managed to get ahead of Jack while he kissed his mother's cheek goodbye before attempting to catch up. I put my helmet on and got on my bike. I sped off just as Jack got into his car.

After spending a few days with him during the holidays, especially on Christmas when I couldn't spend it with my family, I started to I guess become comfortable around him. Though I get more frequently anxious and nervous around him and my heart seems to skip a beat, scaring the shit out of me like I was going to die because of it.

All this, I brushed off to the side as nothing because it wasn't anything serious. Despite the fact I don't have full trust in him because I'm still hesitant to fall for anything or give in too quickly, I can act civil and have fun. We've even had a challenge where we race each other to a destination and whoever wins, owes the other something. Sometimes it's a free meal, sometimes it's makeup for me, and sometimes, it's money. Today, if I win, I'm getting a free meal.

"I won!" I cheered once I parked in the school's carpark. I took my helmet off and fist-bumped the air as Jack pulled up next to me and stepped out of his car.

"You got lucky," Jack rolled his eyes.

"And you're a sore loser and owe me a free meal," I smirked.

"A deal's a deal m'lady," he joked as he bowed. I chuckled and shook my head.

"Babe!" Dillon greeted as he walked up to me.

I instantly beamed as I ran over to hug him before he could get to me. He laughed as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pecked my lips. I noticed he glanced towards Jack behind me with a glare. When will he ever learn? This doesn't feel like a relationship built on trust, which is what I first thought we had but now, I'm not so sure. I still trust Dillon but when it comes to his anger, not so much.

"Dillon, not today," I sighed.

"I'm not saying anything," he defended.

"Amy!"

I looked over Dillon's shoulder, where I saw Amanda and Sarah waving me over from the entrance to the school. I stepped away from Dillon, thankful for the distraction. I ran over, hoping that Dillon would walk away as well. I probably shouldn't have left him there when Jack still hadn't gone inside. He was now speaking with one of his friends, John. They both waved at me when they noticed me staring. I waved back with a smile.

"What was that?" Amanda instantly asked once I stood in front of them.

"A wave?" I replied with a raised brow.

"Yes but why?" she questioned with narrowed eyes. I rolled mine.

"Because I'm not trying to claw Jack's eyes out anymore," I answered.

"What did he do to make you change your opinion of him?" Sarah asked, leaning against the wall near the doors to the school.

"Nothing, I just realised I'd rather not spend my entire life hating someone when I can just...move on with my life and focus on my future instead of the past," I admitted.

"I'm proud of you," Sarah smiled. I returned the gesture. I turned to Amanda, who remained silent, staring behind me.

"Amanda, are you ok?" I asked.

"Huh? Yeah, sorry," Amanda replied. I wonder what happened there. I don't know what she was looking at but it seemed to distract her. When she walked inside, Sarah and I quickly followed, questioning why she wasn't speaking all of a sudden. We got to our locker to grab our books.

"Amanda, you're starting to worry us," Sarah frowned.

"I'm fine, trust me," she tried to reassure us.

Sarah and I looked at each other with the same concerned expression. Before we could check up on Amanda further, of course, we just had to be interrupted by the evil incarnation, sorry, incarnations, that's two, Thalia and Jessica. I wouldn't call them 'queen bees'; that would be a compliment and that's not what I'm all about for those who deserve karma.

"Look who it is, why if it isn't the trio of losers," Thalia cheerfully greeted. I cringed at her high-pitched voice. I may need earplugs or bleach to clean out my ears even though I know that won't work but it's better than listening to her.

"How old are we? Ten? When did we revert back to middle school?" Amanda scowled to which Thalia returned.

"I don't think anyone said you can talk," Thalia snapped.

"Well, you were speaking, unless you were talking to yourself like a crazy person, then by all means, go ahead, sorry to disturb your daily routine of rehabilitation bitch," Amanda retorted with a smirk.

"You'll regret the day you said that," Thalia growled.

"Is there a reason you're bothering us?" I butted in. I put one hand on my hip.

"No reason," she shrugged. I narrowed my eyes at her. As if, bullshit, no reason my ass.

"Well, that's perfect then, if you are going to continue to annoy us then we are just going to head to class while you two...I don't know, dilly dally with no purpose," Sarah interjected. She grabbed Amanda's arm and pulled her away as we began to walk in the opposite direction.

"Good luck falling into Jack's trap hun! He's just trying to play you," Thalia called out.

I didn't turn around; I kept walking ahead of my friends as they tried to catch up. I hate to admit that her comment got to me. It made me think and cast doubt. I already had trust issues with him and now, I feel stupid for even considering that we could be friends or at least be on good terms. What if she was right? What if it was a trap? Him being nice and actually seeming like he was remorseful for his actions a couple of years ago.

"Don't you dare let her get into your head bitch," Amanda ordered with a glare.

"What do you care? You both hate Jack," I grumbled.

"We do, we're not saying we don't that's for sure, but we respect your actions because you know what's best for you and not what's best for everyone else," Sarah replied.

"Yeah, we don't want you to revert back to hating him just because Thalia says something to get a reaction out of you and because she's a jealous dipshit," Amanda sneered the last part.

I didn't know how to reply to that but luckily, I didn't have to because the bell rang. I departed away from my friends despite the fact that they wanted me to stay and reassure them I wouldn't let Thalia's damned words affect me and my decisions. How could I? I didn't know myself whether I would keep things between us the same as it is now, not friends but almost, or revert back to him being my enemy who I loathed and wanted to avoid at all costs again.

I spaced out during class though fortunate for me, I had already read the new book we were reading for English. It was by Edgar Allan Poe. Another one from the greats who were masters of literature. If only they were alive now but then again, would they enjoy living in the modern world? Maybe half yes and half no because there are flaws and benefits in life.

When the last bell rang to end the school day, my mood switched from gloomy to joyful for being able to go relax with perhaps a good comedy movie to have a much-needed laugh. Max was going out with his friends tonight and Catherine will be over at her friend's house until Lisa can pick her up towards nighttime. I was going to be alone with Jack for maybe two to three hours until Lisa comes home. That didn't bother me; I can survive as long as it's not awkward.

"You ok?" Jack asked as he stood by his car. I put my helmet on and nodded.

"I'm fine," I mumbled. He eyed me with suspicion before sighing.

"You ready to head home or do you want your free meal now?" he questioned. I tilted my head.

"Hm? Now that you mention it, I want my free food," I smirked. Jack chuckled and shook his head.

"As you wish m'lady," he shrugged.

I was quick to jump onto my respected vehicle and rev off, leading the way to where I wanted to go while Jack followed behind in his car. I wasn't going to a fancy restaurant, I just wanted to chill at a place by the park where they had some food trucks and usually tend to put on a show at sunset. I've wanted to go for a while but I either don't have the time, forget, or none of my friends nor my boyfriend wants to go because they're busy.

Dillon just doesn't want to go since he hates that setting, specifically eating from a food truck just because he doesn't trust it, which is understandable. Sometimes I wish he would try new things with me but a lot of the time, he doesn't want to go to some places. I respect his decision but it would be great to do more things together rather than just spend time at school and the occasional date at the movies or over a meal but guess I can't do much about that.

"You want to grab something at a food truck?" Jack asked with a raised brow once we got to the place. I stood next to him and smiled.

"Yes, it's like comfort food," I shrugged.

"Well, I guess the lady wants what the lady wants," he grinned. I rolled my eyes as he linked arms with mine and guided us over to one of the food trucks.

We bought a taco each and some nachos to share before sitting on the grass where many other strangers were sitting around us. The sun was close to setting behind the tall building of the city from afar from us. I knew I wanted to stay until after the show. Some music will do me good to relax.

"What music from Echo of Sapphire was your favourite from when Walker was alive?" I asked, wanting to start a conversation rather than sitting in silence until the band for the night comes out to play for everyone.

"Hm? Now that's a good question, I would definitely have to say Fame Game," Jack answered. That one was a good song from his 5th album, 'Nemesis', in the 1990s. "What about you?"

"Uh I think my favourite would be Compete For My Desire," I replied.

"From his second album? Death of Roses?" he asked with wide eyes.

"Yep, that's the one," I nodded. It was his earlier album back in the 1970s. "My father would play that song on replay ever since I was practically a baby onwards," I explained.

"My grandfather played the Walker's music when I was young," Jack said.

"Sounds sweet," I smiled.

We continued our conversation until sunset when the band began to set up for the night. Jack messaged his mother to let her know we won't be home until late. We stood up and I stretched, relieving my muscles after sitting down for roughly an hour. I probably should have walked around the park instead while waiting so that my whole back wouldn't feel stiff from sitting on the ground for so long. I'm so smart about my own well-being.

A speaker walked onto the small stage to announce the band before dipping from the show to head off somewhere. Once the band started playing, everyone seemed to start dancing or singing along while some continued to walk hand in hand around the park, silently enjoying the music between them with a content smile.

"Care to dance?" Jack asked with a welcoming smile. I nodded, returning the gesture.

"Sure."

We both moved to the music and laughed until at some point, they switched the tune to a soft, slow melody. My cheeks began to heat up as we both paused awkwardly, not knowing what to do when everyone started to slow dance with someone or just cuddle up with a loved one. There were more couples than there were families or friends.

Jack extended his hand to me. I hesitated, I didn't want to give off the wrong impression but I inevitably let my heart take control rather than my head. We swayed while I admired the rhythm. It was the only thing keeping me from focusing on his hand on my waist.

I wonder if this would be different if Dillon were here. We've never danced like this. It's strange. My cheeks were heated up at the proximity and my heart was racing and now it's just concerning because I'm perplexed as to why since I'm not jogging nor doing any kind of bloody exercise besides dancing slowly.

"What are you thinking about?" Jack asked. I turned to look up at him.

"Huh? Oh nothing," I lied.

There was no way I was going to tell him about what was actually running through my mind right now. It's personal and it doesn't paint me in a good light since I'm not thinking about Dillon but about the guy he's jealous of when I should be thinking about him instead. He should be here with me, slow dancing in each other's arms but oddly enough, deep down, I'm happy he isn't.

A sigh left my lips as I let my head rest against Jack's shoulder. The sun had already gone down and it was now night, with the dimly lit fairy lights the only illumination besides the moon and stars that kept the darkness away. I looked up into Jack's eyes since he had already been staring at me. How didn't I notice that his eyes were a unique hazel colour?

I noticed he started to lean in and I initially did the same. I glanced up at him again but that's all it took to snap me back to reality before I made the biggest mistake of my life.

"No, no I can't do this," I mumbled quietly as I stepped back, distancing myself from him. "I have to go."

I ran away towards my motorcycle and quickly jumped on, without putting on my helmet. I sped off before Jack could get to me. Sarah would freak if she found out I almost cheated on her brother and with Jack Reece nonetheless. And then there's Dillon, he will freak out once he hears about it. I headed in the direction of Amanda's place, the only person who would understand me. I needed to talk to my best friend about this or else the guilt will eat me alive.