Jace
"Come on guys, we have to go."

"Why?"

"Because."

"That's not an answer, Lo" I roll my eyes.

Logan has been trying to convince Emma and I to attend a party and this is his reason; 'because.'

"Graduation was a few days ago and all we've done since is laze around and get fat" he says. "It's the first post-highschool party."

"You mean all you've done."

"You get my point."

"But it's not a reason" Emma said, her eyes glued to her phone.

"Look, the Martinis throw the biggest parties right? We can't not go. It's going to be lit."

"Martini? Their last name is Martini?" Emma turns her head to face him and he nods. "No wonder they throw the best parties" she mutters.

"I'm not really in a partying mood" I shrug.

"Of course not. You're in the mood to fuck Emma" he mumbled. I raised an eyebrow and Emma threw a cushion at him which he dodged expertly.

"I'm kidding" he laughed. "But, dude you've gotten soft. I have never begged you to go to a party ever. I'm not sure I still approve of your relationship."

"Well it doesn't matter" I put my arms around Emma's shoulders and press a kiss to the side of her head. "Wanna go babe?"

She looks up at me and shrugs. "I might have but Logan" she glanced at him, "doesn't seem to approve of our relationship so..."

"That's a lie, I totally approve. In fact you have my blessings to get married. Name your first child after me."

"Okay sure" she laughed. "It's not like we have schoolwork to do."

"Thank you." He sighs dramatically.

"But it's like a week away. You're acting like the party's tonight."

"Yeah. I'm just letting you know early so you can't lie I didn't tell you on time and you have nothing to wear."

"Aren't you supposed to be focusing on college applications and stuff?" Landon walked into the room holding a Coke.

"Aren't you supposed to be bringing us food?"

"Yeah, I am" he says and plops down on the recliner.

"And..."

"Yeah, I'm not doing that."

"So coupled with eavesdropping on our conversation, you brought no food?"

"Yeah, why?"

Logan growls and grabs a cushion, throwing it at his brother who dodges it laughing.

"Can you please just get some snacks for us?" Emma asks.

"Finally someone with manners in this house" he throws his arms up dramatically and heads back to the kitchen.

"You're only listening to her cause she's your girlfriend's sister" Logan yells after him.

"Shut up!"

"Where are your parents by the way?" Emma turns to Logan.

"Oh, they're out of town for a while. My grandfather's throws this big fundraiser event in NYC every year so they have to be there."

"And you don't?"

"Logan never goes for them. Always comes up with an excuse because his cousin's always flirting with him" I laugh.

"Oh shut up. He's lying. I only missed it a few times." I open my mouth to talk but he beats me to it. "And not because of Irene."

Landon comes back into the room carrying what looks like the entire pantry.

"Jesus Christ dude. We didn't ask you to bring the entire kitchen." Logan cries.

"Is complaining all you know how to do?" Landon drops everything on the coffee table and sits back down on the recliner. "Enjoy."

"If I'm correct, you brought 2 Pringles, 3 Oreos, 2 Lays, 3 diet cokes and 4 sodas?" Emma raised an eyebrow.

"Ding, ding, ding. Correct" he says in a gameshow host voice.

"We're not feeding a family here dude" I grab a pack of Lays and rip it open, throwing one in my mouth.

"How the fuck did you even carry it all?" Logan mutters. "And please don't open that thing here, Emma."

"What thing?" She pauses as she's about to open the Pringles in her hand. Onions and sour cream to be precise.

"That thing you're about to eat" she shudders a bit when he says thing.

"What? Why?"

"He hates it. Especially the smell." I explain. "To the point of almost being allergic to it."

"Almost allergic? What does that mean?"

"He turns red, gets goosebumps all over and almost passes out." Landon speaks up.

"I'll like to see that" she makes to open it and Logan's eyes widen.

"Hey I'm kidding, relax" she laughs, dropping the Pringles and picking Oreos instead.

"Ate one beside him one day and trust me it is not a pretty sight" I say.

"If you're allergic to it then why do you have it in the house?" She asks biting into one of her cookies.

"I'm not allergic. Almost. And ironically it's that devil's favorite" he glares at his brother who has picked up the discarded Pringles.

"I'm off to my room, brother. Don't want to see you all red and bloated today" Landon winks at him and walks out of the room.

"Anyways speaking of college applications, you made up your mind Em?" Logan asks, munching on Pringles. Original to be precise.

"I'm really not sure yet. I might take a gap year. You?"

"CIA" he said and I rolled my eyes. He really enjoyed saying that.

"CIA?!" Emma nearly fell off the couch. "I thought you wanted to be a chef."

"Culinary Institute of America" he smirked and Emma let out a breath of relief. "In New York."

"Really? You're moving to New York?" Her eyes widen.

"Yeah, next month. I'll be staying with my grandfather."

"And you're just telling me now?"

"Well, I'm not sure I'm gonna get in. But my dad says I have a pretty good chance of getting in though" he sighs. "Probably because he knows a few of their board members" he added with a chuckle.

"I'm sure you're gonna get in, with or without your dad's connections" she smiles.

"Aww thanks, Em. I'm really going to miss you."

"Aww, me too, you big oaf." She stands up and walks over to him, hugging him.

I clear my throat and they both turn to me slowly. "Don't bother about me. I'm not involved in this conversation. Not even in this room. It doesn't matter what school I'm going to. It's all good."

They exchanged looks and Emma sighed, getting up and took her position back beside me.

"That's probably because we both know where you're going." Logan sighed.

"Yeah. We all know you're going to business school in London so what's there to talk about anyways?" She sounded annoyed.

"Emma?"

"Yeah?" She answered not looking at me.

"Can we talk?"

"Can we not talk?"

"Well, I'll leave you guys to it" Logan stands up slowly and walks towards the hallway.

Emma

"This is all your fault" he calls after him.

"Yeah" I chuckle. "Cause he's the one who told you to study abroad."

"Em, you're making me feel worse that I already do."

"So I'm the bad guy now?" I scoff, getting annoyed.

"No. That's not what I meant." He sighs.

"Really? What did you mean then? I didn't fucking chain you up. You can go if you want to, it's not like.." I trail off.

"It's not like what?" He asks. "Not like what, Emma?"

"Nothing. It's nothing." I shake my head.

"Emma?"

"Look, Jace, this was bound to happen either way so can we not talk about it?" I pick up my phone and stand, ready to go home.

"Where are you going?"

"Home. I'm tired."

"Em, come on. Sit down." He grabs my hand and pulls me down and I sit down reluctantly. "I'm sorry, okay."

"What are you apologizing for?" I push my hair back from my face.

"We have only a short while together, right?" He takes my hands in his. "And I don't want to spend it with you angry at me. Can we just enjoy our time together?"

I don't reply but instead just stare at him.

"I know I'm really hot but you're beginning to make me really uncomfortable" he says.

I laugh and pull my hand out of his grip. "Cocky, much?"

"Just wanted to see you smile."

I shake my head, trying to conceal my smile.

He moves closer to me and frames my face with his hands. "You know I love you right?"

I nod my head and he smiles at me and plants a kiss on my forehead.

Logan walks into the room clapping and Jace groans. "That was really beautiful, man."

Jace rolls his eyes and I just laugh. "Dude? Were you eavesdropping?"

"No. I was observing from a distance" he says. "But that was beautiful though."

He plops down on the recliner and I turn so my back is turned to Jace who wraps his arms around my waist.

"Creep."

"No he's not. He just needs a girlfriend" I say.

"No, I don't. I'm perfectly happy a fuckboy bachelor. I don't need any nagging woman holding me down."

"Did you just call me a nagging woman?"

"Ignore him, babe. What he needs to do is grow some balls and ask Kim out" Jace says from behind me.

"I already have balls. And why would I do that? She doesn't like me." We both stare at him and his eyes widen. "No."

"Yeah. She clearly likes you." Jace says.

"No she doesn't."

"Logan, Kim really likes you" I say. "If you don't realize that then you're a bigger idiot than I thought."

He's quiet for a while, then he shakes his head. "Let's forget about that. Jace, your birthday is coming up. What are we doing?"

"That's right" I turn my head to him. "The big 19. You throwing a party?"

"Kind of. My mom's been throwing this ridiculous parties since my 15th birthday. It's more like a ball really. An excuse for her to make more business contacts and show off the future heir of Grange group of hotels."

"Really?"

"Yeah. And it's a masquerade so.."

"I guess I'm going shopping."

***

Have you ever felt the immense urge to stab someone in the neck? Like repeatedly?

I glare at the annoying shop attendant as she eyes me like I'm a trashcan that somehow got into her store.

"I don't know if we have anything that suits you here. All our clothes are made for ladies who have class not.." she eyes me distastefully, "..girls like you."

Kim gasps and I open my mouth to respond but Karen quickly thanks her and gently pushes her out of the dressing area.

"That bitch!" Kim cries. "I swear to God if I get my hands on her I'm gonna--"

"Just ignore her, Emma." She cuts off Kim.

"Yeah, cause you're not the one who was insulted." Kim muttered.

"But you weren't either" I point out and she glares at me.

"Can we do what we came here for?" Karen asks and Kim rolls her eyes.

She turns to me and smiles. "Now, go try some clothes on."

"What about you guys?"

"We aren't shopping. We went shopping last a few days ago so we're covered."

I pick up the pile of clothes we picked out and head into a stall.

I try on a silver sequined dress Karen picked out and the stilettos I picked out and step out of the stall.

"What do you think?"

They both turn to me at the same time and Kim wolf whistles while Karen just grins.

"I think you look hot" a voice says from behind me and I turn around.

"Jace." I breathe.

He walks slowly towards me with a smile on his face. "That dress... looks absolutely gorgeous on you."

"Thanks." I say as he comes to a halt directly in front of me.

He bends his head to my ear and whispers, "I would kiss you but we have a bit of an audience."

I chuckle as I glance at Kim and Karen who are watching us like we're the final episode of Game of Thrones.

"Yeah, we do" I whisper.

He pulls back and winks at me before walking towards the couch where Karen was perched and sat.

"Where's Logan?" Kim asked from her position on a stool.

"Had to use the toilet. I told him to meet me here. I'm glad I did" he glances at me.

I head back into the stall and try on a few more clothes and Logan arrives after a while.

After I've tried out everything and picked out the ones I want, we head to the front to pay and are met with a short line.

"I'm hungry" Logan says.

"Me too" Karen agrees with him and I roll my eyes.

"Know what? You guys go ahead while Emma and I finish up here." Logan suggests and they all agree.

"Meet us at McDonalds" Kim says as they leave the store. "Don't be long."

"I need to pee" I say as soon as they're gone.

"Can it wait?"

"No." I hand him the pile of clothes and shoes in my hand. "I'll be back in a bit" I peck his cheek and make my way to the bathroom.

I quickly do my business and head back to the store where Jace has already made his way to the front.

The annoying shop attendant is at the counter and she smiles at him as he hands her my things. I smile and quickly walk over to him.

"Hey babe" I say as soon as I arrive at the counter. The attendant freezes and her smile drops as soon as she sees me.

"Hey" he kisses me and her face morphs into a frown. "I'm paying."

"No you're not" I say and glance at her out of the corner of my eye.

"Yes, I am" he turns to her and she drops her gaze.

"Jace.."

"You are so stubborn. But it's cute though. Isn't she cute?" He smiles at the attendant and I nearly laugh at the look on her face.

"W-what?"

"Isn't she cute?" He repeats and I grin at her as she looks at me. She looks like she wishes the ground would just swallow her.

"I guess so."

If only Jace knew how much I was enjoying this. Maybe Kim filled him in on it.

Jace handed her his credit card and she quickly swiped it through her machine and handed him his card back. She glared at me as I collected my bags from her.

"Thank you for your patronage" she smiled tightly. "Please, come back soon."

"Oh I will" I winked at her as Jace led me out of the store.

Bitch.

***

I paced my room as Jace's eyes just followed me from where he was lying on my bed. "Just call him."

"What do I say?"

"Just ask how he's been. How hard can it be?"

I picked up my phone dialed the familiar number. First ring. Second ring. Third ring.

"Emma?"

"Charlie. How are you?"

"Glad to know you still remember me" he scoffed.

"Come on, Char. You know it's impossible for me to forget you."

"Yeah, yeah. What do you want?"

"I just wanted to hear from you? Can't I call my best friend anymore?"

"We're no longer best friends. Don't call me that" he spat.

"Char..."

"Don't fucking call me that!" He yelled his voice laced with venom. "Did Mia put you up to this? That annoying bitch, I told her to stay out of my business."

"Charlie!" My eyes widen. "That's Mia you're talking about. What happened to you?" Jace gave me a worried look and sat up.

"You know what happened? You left. You fucking left."

"Char you know that's not my fault and that has nothing to do with you becoming a Viper."

"Of course she told you." He laughed bitterly.

"Charlie she was worried about you. And so am I. And your mom too."

"You don't care about me. Don't pretend like you give a shit about me!" He yelled and I flinched. "You left. And now you're fucking that asshole from here to kingdom come."

"Charlie" I whisper, my vision clouding with tears. Jace stands up and approaches me but I raise my index finger, signalling him to just chill.

"I can't believe I actually loved you."

My blood froze and it's like my mind just stopped working. "What?"

"I loved you and you left me for that idiot. That idiot that you would always complain about. That idiot that made you cry. Do you remember? That day when you came back from your trip. I came over and you were crying over him. You didn't stop."

I couldn't say a word as I felt a tear drop on my cheek. Jace moved closer to me but I stepped back.

"You say you care about me. You didn't call me in almost two months."

I opened my mouth to respond but he beat me to it. "And don't give me some shitty excuse about being busy because I know you've been speaking to Mia."

I almost laughed at that. He still knew me so well.

"Charlie..." I don't even know what to say. I can't seem form a single thought.

"Don't even say anything. Don't call me again. Goodbye Emma" he hung up.

I lowered my phone and just stared at it as the tears came rushing down my cheeks.

In a flash, Jace grabbed the phone from me a threw it on my bed and enveloped me in a hug as I let out a sob.

Just like that, in a three minute conversation, I lost my best friend.

I can totally hear Tears by Louisa Johnson and Clean Bandit in that last scene.

So I actually cried when I was writing this. I don't know if it's that sad or maybe because I was listening to my sad song playlist when I was writing this 😂😂

So like that Charlie's out of Emma's life. I know he wasn't mentioned much but he was still a very important character in Emma's life. But he might make an appearance in the very near future. Or not.

Oh and happy new month guys. Is it just me or this year is like really fast? It's June already.

And please check out Since You've Been Gone by @Bri_bri0513. It'll really mean a lot to her.

Bye loves.