"Ready to go?" Jack asked once school was over. I walked beside him towards his car, looking down while I was deep in thought, thinking back to my previous conversation with Sarah and Amanda.

It stuck in my head the rest of the day. I didn't even end up leaving like I intended to. I stayed but I also stuck by Jack's side. It wasn't my intention but I guess I'm used to being around him. Either that or Sarah and Amanda are right. Or just everyone is right.

He makes me laugh, smile, and feel bubbly, and good about myself. If anyone were to tell me this would be us, getting along in the future, back a few years ago, I would laugh in their face at the joke they just made.

"Huh? Oh yes, I'm ready," I smiled.

"Are you ok?" Jack asked with a frown and tilted head.

"I'm fine, trust me, I just got a lot on my mind," I reassured him. "But don't worry, not enough to keep me distracted from my curiosity over where we are going so, got any hints?" I grinned teasingly. Jack threw his head back and laughed.

"Not a chance, you're going to have to keep guessing sunshine," he grinned. I pouted to try and get him to spill but he didn't budge. He shook his head and got into the car without saying a word.

Damn it. It was worth a try. Though now I have to sit through the ride, guessing where we would be going. He's taken me to many places. I don't know where we're going since he always takes me somewhere new. I kind of hope it's to see a live band but that would be too optimistic.

I watched the trees fly by as the car drove by the wooded area, already passing all the houses. I rest my head on top of my arms against the opened window, letting my hair fly back. I hummed along to the music playing on the radio.

I glanced towards Jack beside me who was bopping his head to the beat. I caught him glancing towards me occasionally but found it cute. I could tell he was into the music since he was lip-syncing to the lyrics as well. He seemed almost carefree and happy. It brought a smile to my lips.

Once he stopped, I looked up at the gateway. We were at the botanical gardens! This is much better than live music, actually, maybe equal to it. I was quick to follow Jack's action of getting out of the car and walking up to the open gates.

"Do you like it?" Jack asked with a grin.

"Yes, I love it," I beamed. He chuckled as he put his arm around my shoulder and guided me inside. I stared at all the flowers blooming. It's not like spring flowers but still beautiful nonetheless. Great to admire. I would pick some of them but I couldn't since no one would let me. "What made you pick the botanical garden?" I asked.

"Believe it or not, your friends suggested it before Amanda gave me a death stare, of course," he replied with a shrug. I chuckled. I'm not surprised. She still hasn't forgiven him for what he did despite the fact that I have. She won't say anything but it's easy to tell.

"You're still on her bad side," I told him.

"I know, I plan to change that," he said. I looked up at him with a raised brow.

"And how may I ask will you do that?" I asked.

"I'm going to talk to her," Jack shrugged. I shook my head but I retained my smile.

"I'm sure it'll go well," I reassured him.

I don't doubt that it will. For Amanda, I'm sure talking to her would ease her into liking the person. It's not like people haven't upset her before but it just takes time and talking through to her so that she can ease herself into liking the person. People find her complicated but she's just protective of her friends and family. Plus, she's outspoken.

"We can sit at the bench over there, by the fountain? I was hoping we could watch the sunset though we still got quite a bit of time until that happens," Jack suggested, motioning his head forward where the bench was. I nodded before following him.

"You know, you never cease to amaze me," I told him as we sat down.

"How so?" He asked.

"I didn't think watching the sunset would be something on your list of things that you're interested in," I replied teasingly. He breathed out a laugh.

"You're right but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it here and there when I crave peace," he explained.

Can't argue with him there. Sometimes it's nice to just sit and watch the sun set or rise because it's peaceful. It invokes a sense of peace and calm. It's the best time for thinking and wanting to forget about the challenges and troubles of reality. To be alone yet feel contemplation. It's many things though unfortunately, I don't do it often. I would if I had the time and the energy.

"I can see your point," I agreed.

We stared at the fountain and the sunset behind it as the soft sound of jazz music played in the background. It was a slow rhythmic melody. Looks like it's live music from the small band. I got what I wanted and I'm satisfied because this music is just as better.

"Beautiful," Jack mumbled. I looked towards him. He had his eyes closed as his head was tilted back towards the sky. He was moving his leg to the beat.

"Agreed," I smiled. He opened his eyes to look at me. My cheeks heated up as I instantly directed my attention to the ground.

"Care to dance?" Jack asked as he stuck his hand out in my line of vision. I glanced up to see him now standing in front of me with an encouraging smile, almost contagious.

"I'd love to," I accepted.

I placed my hand in his and he gently tugged me up to stand. I had my left hand on his shoulder while he had his on my waist and our right hand was holding each other's. As we stared into each other's eyes, my mind wandered off to my earlier conversation with Amanda and Sarah about Jack. It's scary to think they may be right because that would mean I have growing feelings towards him despite our past dispute between us.

I don't want to be the one to get my heart broken again. I mean, I trusted Dillon to be the right guy and not break what I gave him but he did. What if it happens again? What if it's all a game? What if it doesn't work out in the end and it's not worth it?

I hate overthinking things because it creates unnecessary anxiety and stress where it's not needed. But it's hard to control because there are all these different scenarios playing in my head that are both positive and negative but usually more negative because it's natural, unfortunately.

"Are you sure you're ok? You seem spaced out," Jack asked with a frown and scrunched brows.

"Huh? Oh yeah, um, I'm just thinking about how wonderful this is," I half lied with a reassuring smile although my lips were faltering. I tried to keep my composure and not give anything away.

"You know you can tell me anything right? I know you may still have doubts about me but I just want you to be happy," he said softly. I cast my eyes downwards, away from his, avoiding the sincerity in them. It gave a warm feeling in my chest that I didn't try and ignore or play off as nothing for the first time.

Sooner or later, you're going to have to admit to yourself the truth

Damn you Amanda for getting inside my head. I have feelings for Jack Reece. It's hard to ignore the nagging voice in my head telling me to just admit the truth. I will either regret my next actions but I know that it's something I have to do that will determine my next move.

"Ok, well, I got one question," I said, lifting my head to look at him again. He waited patiently for me to continue. I stopped our movements and stepped back. "How do you feel about me, genuinely?" I asked, knowing it was a stupid question. Jack's eyes widened, looking taken aback by what I said. He rubbed the nape of his neck nervously as he attempted to avoid eye contact.

"I care about you," he said.

"I'm serious Jack," I frowned.

"Listen, I don't think you want to know the answer to that question; last time, you ran away," Jack pointed out.

My heart raced at the memory. I haven't forgotten that moment. His admission that day shocked me so I ran away. But now I'm hoping to hear him say it again, this time, without me running.

"Please Jack, I want to know that this isn't a game," I pleaded. He glanced at me before sighing.

"This isn't a game, not by a long shot, not when you drive me crazy and all I want to do is make you smile and laugh, I like you Amy, you're all that I want," Jack confessed. He looked into my eyes again as I stood there frozen in my spot, trying to process what he just said. I was inwardly jumping for joy and full of ecstatic. My silence seemed to worry Jack though. "Fuck, this is why I didn't want to say shit because now you're scared and will probably run away again like be-"

I instantly cut him off by taking a step forward, cupping his face in my hands and pressing my lips against his, going up on the tips of my toes due to his height. He stood there in shock for a moment, taking a step back, but it didn't take long before he kissed back, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close to him.

It was good to let go of the fear and act on something I wanted to do admittedly for a long time because it worked out in the end though. I also hope it continues to go my way and not go downhill.

"What was that for?" Jack mumbled once we pulled away, almost sounding out of breath. We rested our forehead against each other's as I moved my hands to wrap my arms around his neck.

"If you hadn't noticed, I have feelings for you too," I smiled. His lips curl up into a wide bright smile before quickly pecking my lips.

"You don't know how happy I am to hear you say that," he beamed. "I thought you would always think of me as a friend or something."

"What can I say? I fell for your charm," I joked. We both chuckled.

"What made you want to make the first move?" Jack asked.

"Annoying encouragement and persuasion," I replied.

I was already planning on telling Amanda and Sarah as soon as I can. If I didn't, the two will nag about it to me the next day because they'd find out somehow. That and we always tell each other just about everything. Well, only if we're comfortable with talking about it.

Amanda, she will most likely force herself to be happy or partly be happy but also partly be condemning Jack. As for Sarah, she will maybe be happy for me but I don't know because of everything after the whole incident with her brother and me moving on quite quickly after.

Silence fell between us as we stared into each other's eyes with similar bright smiles that showed how content and happy we were. Jack leaned in to go in for another kiss but halted when my phone began ringing, making me jump a bit. Inwardly I was cursing the person that had interrupted us as I took my phone out.

"Hello?" I answered, stepping away from Jack, who looked irritated with his scowl.

"Where are you?" my brother's voice immediately came through the speaker. I rolled my eyes.

"Doing drugs," I joked.

"Ha-ha, you're so funny, excuse me for forgetting to laugh," Max said sarcastically. I breathed out a silent laugh. "Now, where are you?" he asked again.

"I'm out with Jack, why?" I replied.

"Because I need you to pick up Catherine today from her friends. I got a call being notified that she wasn't feeling too well and wanted to go home but I'm at work and so is Lisa," he told me.

"Wait what? But she was fine this morning?" I said with a frown.

Before we left the house, despite us being in a rush, Cat seemed fine. She had her usual bright bubbly smile on her face and bounced around with the same everyday energy and excitement she has. What the hell happened?

"I don't know, the mother never went into much detail other than she wasn't feeling well and that Catherine kept asking for us to pick her up," Max explained. I nodded even though he couldn't see me.

"We'll pick her up now; can you call them to let Cat know we're on our way to pick her up?" I asked as I motioned for Jack to follow me back to his car and he instantly rushed to walk beside me.

"Sure, I'll let the mother know now; I have to go, I'll see you when I get home," he said.

"Ok, see you later, bye," I said before I hung up the phone.

"What was that about?" Jack asked once we stepped into the car.

"Apparently my little sister isn't feeling well and is asking for one of us to pick her up to go home," I explained. He nodded before driving off.

The ride there was silent while I sat worried about Catherine. I could only hope she was ok because I don't know any details of what they mean by 'unwell'. She was 'well' this morning and in a quick snap, she's not feeling ok. Something was up and either way, it's not good.

Once we got to the address Max had sent me while on the way, I noticed Catherine instantly come running out of the house when I stepped out. I frowned as she latched onto my legs and buried her face into my torso. I patted her back, attempting to soothe her as the mother came out of the house behind Catherine with her daughter. There was a little boy roughly the same age who stood at the doorway with a frown.

"I'm sorry for bothering you while you were probably busy," the mother apologised.

"Oh no, it's ok, I'm Amy by the way," I introduced myself.

"Sheryl," she said, shaking my extended hand. "This is my daughter, Nadia, and my son, Oliver."

"Hi, nice to meet you, Nadia," I smiled at the little girl. She was the same height as Catherine. She was currently half-hidden behind her mother's legs as she waved at me shyly.

"What was the problem?" I asked.

"I think she was upset. I checked her temperature but there was nothing wrong," Sheryl shrugged before frowning. I nodded. I'll have to talk to Cat when I get back to the house because this is just more concerning.

"Well, thank you for looking after her until we came here, I hope we'll see you guys again," I said. Sheryl smiled.

"We will, you guys are welcome back anytime, Nadia loves hanging out with Catherine," she said.

"Thank you so much, I appreciate it, have a nice evening," I politely said before guiding Catherine into Jack's car.

I got into the passenger seat before Jack drove off. I waved at Sheryl and Nadia then turned in my seat to face Catherine in the back. She had her legs tucked to her chest with her head buried in her knees. Her hair was like a curtain covering her face.

"Cat, are you alright?" I asked softly. She shook her head but no verbal reply. "Well, do you want to tell me what happened that made you so upset?" I tried again to get her to speak. She shook her head again. I sighed and turned to face the front.

I don't know how I'm going to get her to talk but I'm going to have to keep trying or wait until she's ready to tell me what's gotten her so down. I'll admit, it hurts to see her like this, upset. It sucks and she shouldn't have to feel any kind of pain, she's still too young to experience the real world.

If I could, I would protect her from facing reality, the bad people in the world who only want to hurt others. Yes, there are good people, plenty of them, but good people can't exist without the bad. It equals out each other.

Once we got to the house, Catherine was first to run in and towards her room. I made an attempt at knocking on her door to see if she would talk to me but there was only silence on the other end. After several attempts, even just going inside and talking to her to see if I could convince Catherine to talk, I gave up. I might as well wait for her to tell me but it's going to kill me inside until then.

I instantly collapsed onto the couch. I thought this would happen when she would be in her teenage years, not when she was still below the age of ten. I want to comfort her but I also don't want to push it. I'm not my mother. She knows how to talk and soothe us.

Maybe Catherine misses our parents? I mean it has been like more than one month since they left and we haven't heard much from them. We get the occasional messages but that's about it. They've been busy looking after our grandmother.

"Are you ok?" Jack asked. I sat up with my legs crossed so he could sit next to me.

"No, she's upset and I have no idea why or when she'll talk about it," I complained with a pout. Jack pulled me into his arms and I instantly leaned into his warmth with contentment.

"Time is all she needs," he said. I nodded. I closed my eyes, enjoying being in his arms. It still feels weird to admit but good not to hide or run away from.

I think I fell asleep to the sound of Jack's heartbeat because next thing I knew, I felt a tap on my arm. I blinked my eyes open to see Catherine standing in front of me with her head directed at the floor.

"Cat? What's wrong?" I asked as I sat up. I had been lying in Jack's arms, on the couch, while he too slept.

"I'm sorry," she muttered. It was almost inaudible. I tilted my head with a frown.

"Why are you sorry? You did nothing wrong," I said.

"I made you worry; I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I understand if you hate me," Cat replied, her voice shaking. Her eyes were glossed over with tears as she took deep breaths. It broke my heart to see her like this. I instantly pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead.

"Oh Cat, I don't hate you, you are my little sister, my family, I could never," I mumbled. It went silent for a minute before she spoke up.

"Today the kids in my class laughed at me after I fell from being tripped," Catherine admitted.

"You were tripped? By who?" I asked. This is the first I hear of someone treating her so harshly.

Usually, she always speaks so highly of her classmates. She was so close to them. I guess that didn't seem to be the case, although kids would laugh at things like that, as bad as it is.

"A new kid in our class, his name is Oliver," Cat muttered, staring down at the floor.

"Well, why would a young kid like him do such a horrible thing to you?" I wondered.

"I stole his soccer ball during free time," she said. My eyes widened.

"Cat, you know we don't take things," I scolded. She pouted.

"But he was teasing me," she whined.

"That's not how you handle the situation; this boy shouldn't have tripped you but you shouldn't have stolen something of his either," I said sternly. Catherine nodded and sighed. "Sometimes this is how something like this starts; it's not your fault but next time, maybe tell a teacher," I advised.

This is what our mother would tell us. To be honest, I have no idea if it would work because sometimes, you can also be seen as a snitch but there is no other way to deal with the situation at such a young age, even though, she shouldn't be dealing with this. I wish my mother was here to give her advice or help her through it.

"I'm sorry," Cat apologised.

"It's alright, just promise me you won't do that again, please," I pleaded.

"Yes Amy, I promise," she mumbled.

"Is this why we had to pick you up early from Nadia's place?" I asked. She shook her head.

"Her brother was the mean new kid; he teased me again," Cat pouted. My eyes widened. Didn't see that coming. What would my mother say?

"Oh," was all I uttered. "Well, how about this, next time you want to meet up with your friend, we can check with Lisa if they can come over here instead, what do you think of that?" I suggested.

Probably not what my mother would say but I'm improvising

"Ok! I like that idea! Thank you!" Cat beamed. I inwardly sighed in relief.

"No worries, Cat," I smiled. I then ruffled her hair. Catherine swatted my hands away with a frown.

"Don't touch," she ordered. I laughed.

"Sure munchkin," I teased. Catherine huffed before sticking her tongue out. She then started smiling brightly, the usual beaming one she always had, and hugged me.

"Thank you for making me feel better and for being the best big sis in the world," Catherine said. I almost teared up even though her statement was an over exaggeration. I wasn't the best in the world but I like to think I'm a decent sister to my siblings. At least, that's what I hope.

"And you're the best little sister in the world munchkin," I said, kissing her forehead. I noticed from the corner of my eyes Jack's sneaky smile while he kept his eyes closed but I knew he was awake. Of course, he was awake to hear the whole thing.

But he's still cute