~J A C K S O N~

"I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU'D MAKE HER GO WITH US! You said we would go with Theo and let him pick the damn tree!" I growl, my hands clenching and unclenching.

"I did say that I really did but we had one condition!" He shrugs.

I slam my head against the armrest, my legs swinging on the other. With a groan, I get up from my seat, walking into our kitchen. Grabbing an apple on the table in the fruit basket, I bluntly take a huge bite only to find some blood on it; which is probably from my gums.

"Stop being such a baby, Jack!" Austin yells from the living room as he enjoys playing his games. We just got home from the bookstore and he immediately ran to it.

"How am I being a baby, you d-"

"Tut tut tut tut!" Austin yells, cutting me off. "No swearing in this house, big boy!"

I growl. "You swear all the time!"

I hear him laugh. "I pay a lot here, man!"

"You know what? We are not going to that kind of argument right now."

He continues to laugh as I make my way to my room, slamming the door not so hard. No matter what happens or what is going on, I will never slam my precious door. Who knows, it can get revenge so much to the extent that sometime later on, I will really need my door closed.

Grabbing One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston, I hop onto my bed. Before getting started, I look around the room in case anyone is looking and quickly grab a snack pack from the drawer under my bed. It contains amazing binge eating materials.

It cost me a fortune but it was worth every penny. Especially if this was what my dad used to do.

I would creepily look around to see if it's clear, and when it is, I would ninja-style my way to my dad's room and steal a snack pack. He wouldn't notice until he reads a book and needs one. It was funny to see his reaction sometimes.

Ting!

The notification of my phone triggers in the back pocket of my jeans and I fish it out, checking my messages. One new message from Lily and a few ignored messages from others.

Opening Lily's message, I visibly smile to myself as the message reads;

I really think Austin should control his swearing. -Lily

I laugh to myself as I write out a reply.

If only it were that easy for him. What has you so sensitive about swearing anyway? Many people would brush it off. -Jackson

Well, I'm not many people and it just brings back memories I'd rather not want to think about right now. -Lily

What are you doing? -Lily

I sit up straight, unusually putting my book away. Staring at my snack pack, I wonder if I should continue eating it. But then what would I eat when reading if I run out? I should just put it away and make myself something to eat. Good idea, for once.

I was just about to read a book, what about you? -Jackson

I am currently reading a book while texting you. ^_^ -Lily

I get out of bed, strolling to the kitchen with a small grin on my face.

Which book are you reading?:) -Jackson

The Cellist by Daniel Silva. -Lily

Badass. But I read that book already. I'm surprised I was the one who read it before her because I only started reading two to three years after high school. It was a great starting experience because my dad was the one who recommended that book to me. It was the first book I ever read and it was because of my dad. I will never forget the first book I read and why.

Read that book already. -Jackson

How did you, Jackson find out about it before me, Lily? -Lily

My dad. ;) -Jackson

You were really close with your dad, huh? -Lily

Reading over the message, I smile a small smile. My dad and I were absolutely close; people would even think we are too close for father and son but that was okay because my dad and I's bond was as strong as the strongest man alive. Maybe even stronger than the strongest man alive.

Sure, sometimes we had our ups and down but God knows it was minor complications. Not everyone has such relationships with their father's, yell some people do not even have a father so I made sure to love and respect my dad the way other people would have if they had him as a father. It was as simple as that.

Yes, we were, some might think we're brothers the way we went on. But I always respected him, no matter my days in high school. -Jackson

About those days, what changed you to be so. . .mature? -Lily

I laugh out loud, I actually laugh out loud. I didn't know she dared to ask me something like that.

Austin strolls in with an empty plate and half a glass of water. He places them on the island, raising his brow at me. I try to usher him away but he stands there with his arms crossed.

Mostly my dad, but also this girl I used to like in high school though she rejected me. ;) -Jackson

I reply and look at Austin again. "What?"

He grins. "Who are you talking to?" He questions, strolling closer to me. "And what are you and Anonymous talking about?"

"Absolutely none of your business!"

He shrugs, his grin never falling. I keep my small smile at bay, daring it to go wider than it is. I swear, it has been too long since I talked to Lily and if talking over the phone while having such a conversation will get me closer, then so be it.

"Okay, whatever is going on in your life, you can tell me, I'm a Lawyer!" He brags.

"Than be a lawyer, not a damn therapist!" I scowl.

He laughs, showing me the sign that he is watching me and always will be. I shake my head and quickly check my messages.

Used to like? -Lily

Yip, I'm over it. -Jackson

As if. My inner thought taunts, knowing that even though she wasn't always what I was thinking about, I still had her at the back of my mind.

Well, it's getting late and I better be up early tomorrow because it's my turn taking my niece to her granny while still arriving on time for work. -Lily

I was hoping for a longer conversation but if that's the case, I guess I could call Theodore and my mom but I doubt she'd pick up, she is always busy anyway.

Alright, goodnight Lily. See you tomorrow. . .

My hand hovers over the send button and curse at myself. Stop being so boring and just be your damn self. My inner voice advises and I take it in as if taking in a huge breathe and exhaling.

Night, Lily, it was good talking to you after such a long time. -Jackson

I so badly want to question when she first saw me because she didn't recognise me but I refrain. The last thing I want is Lily thinking I'm obsessing over her since high school, even though that's not the case.

Goodnight, Jack. It was great talking to you after too. :) -Lily

Great. It was great talking to me. She enjoyed talking to me even though she was the one who sent the first message. I wonder what encouraged her.

Putting my phone in my pocket, I stand in the kitchen, biting down on my nail. A habit of excitement when I can't keep it at bay. A habit I got from my dad when he gets excited when a new batch of books gets delivered to his store.

Running a hand through my greasy curls, I tug at it, my heart springing with joy. Lily used to make me feel like this in high school even though she wouldn't speak to me or wouldn't even notice me because every time she walked past me, I would stare at her like a stalker.

I saunter into the living room, falling onto the sleep-a-couch with a loud satisfying sigh and a groan. It's like Austin doesn't notice my presence because he continues playing video games when he should probably be going through some files or something.

"So, are you going to tell me about the person you were texting though I think I know it's Lily?" Austin says absentmindedly, biting down on his lip as he plays his games.

"And how do you know that?" I ask, raising my brows.

Austin doesn't say anything for a while and for a second I think he isn't going to answer me but then, he sets his game down, taking off his headphones before looking at me.

"I have never seen you smile like that since your dad passed, so it's probably Lily," he replies.

"Theo makes me smile like that too!" I point out.

"Yes, but it's. . ." He trails, checking the time on his watch, "almost ten and I doubt Anne would let Theo use his tablet at this time of the night. Besides, he can't text!"

"What makes you think I wasn't texting my mom?" I narrow my eyes at him.

"When you text your mom, it's always for a favour or if she invites you over for holidays!"

"Sometimes I hate when you know me too well!"

Austin grins. "So what were you and Lily talking about?"

I sigh, knowing I won't get out of this because Austin is like an obsessive Cupid arrow that just wants to know and get everything together. Sometimes it's annoying but right now, I want to speak my joy out.

✎✎✎

"It's too early for this, mummy! I need to get to work." I complain, grabbing my shoes from her hold.

My mom decided it would be a good idea to go tree hunting, on a weekday and when I should get to work. Theo is playing video games with Austin as my mom tries hard to get me to go with her and Theo.

It is freezing in the mornings especially when it's the Christmas holidays and going tree hunting this early is decrepit. After last night, I took a warm bath only to get a text seconds after, from my mom telling me we are going tree hunting with Theo, but for her house.

I asked her if we aren't spending Christmas together at my home but she denied and said she had friends coming over and that she wanted Theo to have Christmas with me, which meant he had to stay with me.

"It was so much easier when Gregory was here!" My mom scolds, her hand lazily sloping on her wide hip.

My mom was a little chubby but she was still gorgeous. Her dark-ish brown hair hangs down in her face as she searches my drawers for clean underwear and warm clothing.

When she glances my way, her striking grey eyes burn with something I haven't seen in years. That look she hadn't given me since I was at least fifteen years old. And I know I'm about to get a speech.

"Jackson Russell Stone, why do you have your father's antique clock?! We were going to sell that!" She yells, holding the clock in the air for me to see.

I quickly get to my feet, attempting to grab the clock but she moves her hand away. "Sell it?! Mom, please tell me you aren't being serious right now!"

"I hope you aren't raising your voice at me, Jackson! I am your mother, the same woman who gave birth to you!" She yells, pointing a strict motherly finger at me.

"The same woman who wants to get rid of dad's most prized possessions! Like this clock, it was his father's who gave it to him, then gave it to me, then I have to pass it down to my son, mom. I-no you cannot get rid of something like that and I won't let you!"

"Jackson! Do not speak to me like that again. Your father wouldn't be proud of this!" She says and I scoff.

I know I'm going overboard when speaking to my mother like this but dad was my hero and the only person I trusted with almost everything and he trusted me with that clock. I gave my word to look after it, no matter what, and I'm not breaking my word. Not now, not ever.

"Just like he wouldn't be proud of you giving his things away," I whisper, clenching my hands in a hurt manner.

"Having things like this around won't let you get over him, Jack." My mom whispers back.

"I don't want to be over him yet. Mom, it's been twenty-two months since dad passed and yet, I feel like he is still here, that he is proud of me growing his bookstore and looking after it like he did." I frown.

A few long agonizing moments pass as we stare at each other, my mom not wanting to break just like I don't want to break. After some time, she slams the clock in my hand and leaves the room.

"Mom, wait!" I walk after her, shoving the clock in my sweatpants pocket.

"Theodore, let's go!" She yells, anger visible in her voice.

"But mom-"

"He will stay with me, mom. We'll let you do your things and-"

"Are you trying to take my child away from me, Jackson?" She turns to me, scowling.

I have never seen my mom this angry.

"I'm your child too, mom." I lower my voice.

"My child would never speak to me the way you did."

"So I'm not your child? Is that why you came here so that you could just. . .disown me?" I can't even level the emotions I'm feeling right now.

"That's not what this is, Jackson and you know it!" I look away. "I'm leaving and I'll check in on Theodore, later."

"Mom. . ." She closes the door behind her when she gets outside. Not too hard, but hard enough to know that she's mad at me.

After a while of silence, I curse out aloud, forgetting Theodore is still here. Apologizing, I enter my room and slam the door shut, the painting that was on the wall, falls off but I leave it.

I really don't care right now. About anything.

✘✘✘

well damn. who do you think overreacted? please vote, comment and if this is so far enjoyable, share! <3