☫ Chapter 17 ☫

There was a foot in front of my face the moment my eyes fluttered open.

      To be perfectly honest, it almost touched my lips. Just an inch away, really. I wrinkled my nose and rolled over towards the edge of the bed, scooting away from the foot. Why is there even a foot there? I lightly closed my eyes, ignoring my curiosity and instead tried to get some more sleep. My palms tapped the areas surrounding my bed, in search of my blanket. I blindly grabbed a hold of the thin fabric and cocooned myself in it.

     It felt nice. I smiled softly, feeling content with the warmth. I twitched when the sunlight hit my face, agitating me. A grunt escaped my lips as I pulled the blanket over my head, sighing at the comfort. Mhm.

     "Jeremiah!"

     My eyes snapped open, startled at the scream. With an ache in my head, I attempted to get up. I got a hold of my glasses and slipped them on clumsily. I stumbled during the disorientated process, tripping over and falling right onto the floor. My face planted directly on my backpack. I slowly eased myself off of it. "Argh, why is my backpack on the floor?" I groaned and rubbed my forehead. I moved it out of the way.

     I spared a glance at the clock, taking in the time. Out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed something moving on my bed. Uncertain of what it was or why it was there, I stealthy advanced to it, tiptoeing so my footsteps wouldn't be heard. The sheets crumbled and that's when I saw the familiar ginger hair sticking out. Jude was sleeping.

     Oh, right. Now I remember.

     See, last night, before I went to the gas station as Blue Gravity, Jude and I were discussing sleeping arrangements. I didn't have an extra bed and there was no way I'd let him sleep on the floor. And so it somehow went like this.

     "Top and tail?" Jude suggested with a shrug.

     "Yeah, okay," I agreed, going with the idea.

     Maybe not the smartest thing I've done. It didn't seem harmful at the time and I didn't even think about the possibility of his foot landing on my face. I didn't really think last night. I mean, that's not the worst thing ever and his foot wasn't really dirty so I guess it worked out.

      "Jude," I whispered and prodded him on the shoulder. He turned away from me. I bit my lips. "Jude, I really need you to wake up," I said desperately.

      "What?" Jude mumbled, his eyes still closed.

      "Can you-"

      "Jeremiah!" Grandma called again, her tone more aggressive. There was a certain warning to it. A reminder almost. Her tone suggested that she was on the verge towards losing all patients. Not that she had much of that but still. "Do not make me call you one more time."

      I winced and yelled back. "I'm c-coming."

     Jude was now fully awake, a crooked frown occupying his lips as his forehead creased. He sleepily squinted his eyes at me. Feeling a bit panicked, I took a hold of him. His eyes widened at that and then escalated to what I thought would be an impossible range when I pulled him towards my closet. I hastily took his things and handed it to him.

     "Just stay here, yeah?" I asked while looking at the door and then back at him. My cheeks turned red with embarrassment when a chorus of curse words was audible and definitely heard by the both of us. Jude pursed his lips not answering my first question. I continued, "You can borrow clothes if you want. A-and make sure no one sees you."

      I didn't wait for a reply, barely noticing the way his face etched with concern over the yelling of my grandma. I dumbly hoped that he would listen to my request and quickly left the room, making sure to close the door.

      "Jeremiah!" Grandma yelled once again, only this time I was actually in the kitchen, right next to her. I lightly flinched and brought myself in front of her.

     "Good morning," I greeted her, offering a simple smile. It was the sort of smile that appeared apologetic. Where you inwardly hope whoever you're talking to will dismiss whatever course of action you had done to upset them. Though, it didn't seem like it would work that way for me.

      She turned to me, her eyebrows drawn together in an appalling manner. I gulped, scared to know what her facial expressions meant to the conversation we were about to have. "Good morning?" She questioned me. "Why you have some nerve, Jeremiah."

     "I-" should have said something else.

     "I let you stay here, in my home after everything," she sneered, fuming. Everything, I thought. "And you decide to be lazy and not even wake up on time? And then you think a good morning will fix that?"

     My lower lip trembled. "I d-didn't think -"

     "That's your problem," she continued, not letting me speak. "You're not thinking."

     I could feel a lump building up my throat. "N-no, that's not what I-" meant.

     Then grandpa came in. I tried to avoid eye contact with him.

     "Don't be so sensitive," he said gruffly sort of hissing at me while clicking his tongue. He walked to the table that was centered in the kitchen. His history book in his hand and a grunt escaping his lips as he sat down.

     I shrunk beneath their gazes. And I tried to say something. I tried. My mouth opening as my thoughts circled my mind. There isn't anything to say. I realized. They'll somehow twist my words. If they even let me finish a sentence, that is. But maybe they're right. "G-grandma-"

     She cut me off sharply and spoke, her tone wistful and sad, though mostly angry. "You look so much like your mother," she mentioned knowingly. Seeming aware of how I was reacting to her comment. My heart clenched. My hands shook. This hurt. "But you're nothing like her. You took your father's side."

      Good for nothing, he said. Good for nothing.

     I shook my head. My eyes started to burn. I blinked a few times. "I-I..." I looked down at the floor, unsure of what I should say and through a whisper I apologized, my teeth clenched. "Sorry."

     "Just make breakfast," she dismissed, her eyes targeting mine with disgust. I didn't meet her brutal stare and turned away from grandpas lingering one. There was an understanding in the room. And it wasn't for me. But it was about me.

      I went over and started making breakfast. My moves were more sluggish than usual. I was feeling skittish as well. My fingers quivered against the raw egg. The shell cracking from the vibrations. Get a hold of your powers. I demanded myself. Relax. Just make the stupid eggs. I sucked in a gasp, shocked when the egg broke against my palm.

     "What was that?" Grandpa asked. I looked over at him, noticing his eyes trained on his book.

     "N-nothing," I stammered and hurriedly cleaned the mess.

     I finished breakfast within five minutes but it felt much longer than that. Relief filled me the moment I left the kitchen. Once I gave my grandparents their breakfast they let me leave. Something I really appreciated. I slowly walked to my room, feeling dizzy and watching my steps. My hand reached towards my stomach when it grumbled.

     "Soon," I whispered to myself.

     I was by my door when I heard voices. Familiar voices. It was my brother and Jude. The door was slightly ajar and so I peaked in, listening in on their conversation and paying close attention to them. Jude was out of the closet and Jeff was standing in front of him in an intimidating manner.

     There was more yelling. I couldn't deal with more yelling.

     My head leaned on the door and I squeezed my eyes shut. Letting it all sink in.

     "-are you hanging out with him?" Jeff questioned him, suspicion thick in his tone.

     Jude scoffed like it was obvious. "Because we're friends."

     I could feel the corners of my lips quirk upwards at the way he said that.

     "Jeremiah doesn't have friends," Jeff shot back, not hiding his hostile feelings to Jude.

     "Funny," Jude commented but he didn't sound like he found it amusing. "He said the same thing."

     A shrug. "Does he know who you are?"

     "That I'm part of a gang?" Jude asked and I just knew he was smirking. "It's not a big deal but he does. Does he know about you? What you're part of?"

     What?

     Jeff seethed. "That doesn't matter."

     It matters.

     "I have a feeling that Jeremiah won't be too happy about it."

     "And that's why he's not going to ever find out," Jeff threatened.

     "That you're part of a gang too? A worse one than what I'm in? He probably will," Jude informed him. "He's not an idiot."

     A gang? That idea never really entered my mind. Though, I see it now. It makes sense. Too much sense that it's unsettling. But what does he mean a worse one? Based on my experiences with them last night Jude's gang don't seem legitimate, more of petty if anything. They wanted to throw me in a pool of toxins because I hang out with Jude. Case closed. They're weird. Of course, I don't know what really goes on when Jude is with them. Maybe they do crazier things.

     "I know he's not an idiot. I know my brother," Jeff clarified with agitation. He called me his brother. "He's a freaking genius."

     "Are you jealous?"

     "No, I'm proud of him."

     Proud? I bit my lips. The air was quiet. It was filled with tension.

     "Then you should let him know," Jude suddenly said in a nonchalant way.

     "I don't want you with my brother," Jeff ignored the suggestion and continued. "You're not a good influence on him."

     Wait, what? I placed a hand on the doorknob, ready to fully open the door and interrupt them. I stopped when Jude started talking. I was beyond simple curiosity and so I stayed put, preparing myself.

     "As if you're a good influence?" Jude sounded angry. He snarled at Jeff, his breathing rougher. "You absolute hypocrite."

     "You know nothing about me or Jeremiah," Jeff answered, his voice trembling, a sort of croak that I wasn't accustomed to hearing. "And frankly," he said thinly. "I don't like you."

     "Oh, piss off," Jude yelled at him and then slipped in a curse word. "You're such a prick. I know you're a shite brother. And that's bloody well enough."

     I winced at that. I appreciated the sentiment but Jeff didn't need to hear that coming from Jude. In fact, he really didn't need to hear it at all. I abruptly began to feel uncomfortable. There they were, standing in my room, having a conversation about me and they didn't even know I was here listening to it. I need to stop it. With my heart hammering aggressively, I nervously opened the door.

     Thanks to drama practice I was able to put on a show. I pretended I was bewildered by Jeff's presence. Though, I was a bit confused as to why he was in my room in the first place so that did assist in the making of my act.

     "Jeff?" My eyes drifted to him, noticing how his anger didn't diminish and if anything he was madder. I looked at Jude. He was appropriately dressed for school, standing by Jeff with his arms crossed over his chest.

     "Jeremiah," Jeff said through gritted teeth. I tensed when he turned his gaze to me. "Give it back."

     My eyebrows furrowed at him, puzzled over the demand. I then realized what he was talking about. The drugs. How did he know that I had it? I think they're still in the pocket of my backpack. My eyes glanced over at my bag that was on the floor and then I looked at him. I played with my lips and stifled the urge to let my fingers fidget.

     I feigned ignorance. "G-give w-what back?"

     His eyes rolled to the back of his head in exasperation. I watched as he heaved a sigh. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment and glared at me. "You know exactly what I'm talking about."

     "I really don't," I answered back, my eyes blank and not giving anything away. At least, I hoped so. I felt pleased that I managed not to stutter.

     "Hey, bruv," Jude joined the conversation, attempting to be the peacemaker from what I could gather. His eyes darted to me and then Jeff. He offered me a sort of grin. A reassuring expression. Like he was trying to tell me that I'd be okay. "He says he doesn't know--"

     "He's my brother," Jeff snapped, trying to make a point. He said it again. "You have nothing to do with this."

     Jude seethed at him, his fists bawled and nose flaring. I looked at the both of them and found myself gulping.

     "Hey, Jeff," I eased. "You--"

     "Just tell me where it is!" He yelled, not wanting to waste any time.

     I frowned and shook my head. "No."

     His jaw dropped. And slowly his face morphed into disbelief, his lips slightly apart and his eyes wide. "No?"

     "It's b-bad for you," I reasoned, feeling goosebumps along my arms. I unconsciously rubbed it and in a way, calmed myself down a bit.

     "I need it," he stressed.

     "No, you don't," I told him, my eyes staying on his. His blonde hair was disheveled like he had run his fingers through them repeatedly. He had bags under his dark blue eyes. Despite the thundering of my heart and the twisted ache churning within my stomach, I continued, my tone light and cautious. "Jeff, you're acting like you're addicted."

     "You don't understand," he started getting frustrated. A vein was sticking out by his neck. He avoided eye contact with me, his eyes roaming the room in search. "I need it."

     "No, I'm not giving it back to you!" I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.

     "You can't just take my things for attention," he spat.

     "You think that's what this is about?" I scoffed in astonishment. I stared at him, rendered speechless.

     "Why else would you do something so stupid?"

     "Maybe it's because I actually care about you?" I moved forward, gaining an ounce of confidence. "Maybe it's because I don't want you hurting yourself? Have you ever thought about that? Because you have no idea how many times I wonder where you a-are and i-if y-you're ok--" I stopped myself from continuing that sentence. My voice cracking. I blinked a couple of times, drying my eyes.

     "Jer--"

     "You know what?" I cut him off, not wanting to hear anything from him. I had enough with this morning. To be perfectly honest, I really wanted just one simple peaceful quiet morning after a long and eventful night and I'm feeling attacked right now. I picked up my backpack and took Jude's hand. "Let's go."

     "And how are you going to get to school?" Jeff asked as I opened the door.

     I turned around, facing him and with an innocent smile I said, "Maybe I won't go then."

     That was a lie. He probably knew that. I wasn't going to ditch school. That'll ruin my grades which I have been trying to make sure we're perfect. It's imperative to have good grades for college applications. Of course, I still had to take in the factor that my ride was no longer an option and that I would have to find a different way.

     Completely mortified, I left the house with Jude, somehow, with the grace of G-d, we weren't greeted by my grandparents. That would have been much more embarrassing. And Jude doesn't need to see that. He already saw too much into my life. I blushed, unconsciously squeezing Jude's hand as I rushed us out the door.

     A sigh left my lips and I let go of him. "S-sorry about that. With my brother and-"

     "None of it's your fault." He shook his head and then chuckled. "You know you're still wearing pajamas, right?"

     My face burned when I took in my appearance. A crumbled up gray shirt that consisted a few stains. Gym shorts, the lazy kind. White socks and black slippers. "Um..." I scratched the base of my neck. "If I go back in it's going to be awkward, isn't it?"

     His lips smacked together, suppressing laughter for my sake. He nodded. "I can take you to school," he offered and then handed me a sweater. "If you wear this it'll be fine."

     It'll look like I just don't care and threw on whatever. I guess that's alright.

     "You have a car?" I raised an eyebrow at him and zipped up the sweater. It was a little big but comfortable nonetheless.

     "A bike."

     We're going to peddle our way to school?

☫ * ☫ * ☫ * ☫

     So apparently it's not that type of bike. It was actually a motorcycle. I don't know why I thought Jude Emmet would own a normal bike. It's Jude. Yeah, that wasn't too smart. Thing is, I don't do motorcycles. Much like the fact that I'm scared of almost everything including my powers, I have a fear of motorcycles. It's not the vehicle that scares me. It's riding it. Do you know the statistics of deaths due to motorcycle accidents? It's sad.

     So when Jude brought his 'bike' outside I just shook my head.

     "Yeah." I dryly chuckled and smacked my lips together. I began walking away in an entirely different direction and proceeded to grip my backpack securely. "Not doing that."

     Jude rolled his light eyes and pathetically attempted to persuade me. "Ey, C'mon, bruv."

     He took a cigarette out and lit it. I took a step away from him when he inhaled the smoke.

     "I'd rather walk." Or fly. Anything but that to be perfectly honest.

     "You're scared?" He teased as if that would somehow convince me to go with him on the motorcycle. You'd think he'd know that I don't have an ego like that. That I'm fine if he thinks I'm a petrified nerd. Because honestly, let's face the evident facts; that is what I am.

     "Terrified actually," I corrected.

     "I have a deal then," Jude offered and brought himself forward, now standing in front of me, therefore blocking me from making an escape. Another deal? I pressed my lips together and knitted my eyebrows. "You just ride with me and you get to choose."

     "Wait I choose?" I started with eyes wide. My lips curved upwards as I stared at him, trying to see if he was saying the truth. "Anything?"

     "Yeah," Jude confirmed.

     I looked down, fiddling with my feet in a thoughtful matter. What do I want? It took me a couple of seconds until I realized there wasn't anything that I physically wanted. I stared at Jude, watching him smoke.

     "That's it." I pointed at his cigar.

     "You want to smoke again?" Jude smirked while raising his eyebrows. "Why, Jeremiah," he playfully scolded. "I never thought you'd take another drag."

     "No." I laughed and shook my head, my fingers playing with the straps of my backpack. "I don't want to get high or anything like that."

     "What then?" He queried.

     "I want you to not smoke," I answered, feeling nervous. "I know that's a lot but if we change the deal a bit? I'll always go on the bike anytime. And if you want, it could be just around me where you stop smoking if it's too hard, that is. Or um you--"

     "Alright," Jude stopped my rambling and threw the cigarette on the floor, he pressed it down with his foot. "Deal?"

     I pursed my lips and glanced over at his source of transportation. Well, it can't be that bad, right?

     You know, it's hard to convince yourself to do something when you're perfectly aware that you're tricking yourself. I blew my cheeks. Let's view this logically. I've fought crazy people and even flew. I somewhat got over that fear so essentially, I should be fine.

     Besides, if I do end up flying he's going to wonder how I got to school so fast. I wouldn't want to raise suspicion.

     And bonus: he won't smoke.

     "Okay." I gulped. "Deal."

☫ * ☫ * ☫ * ☫

     Mr. Jitin brought me to his office the moment I walked into the school building. Regardless of the cold, sweat began to form down my temple. I spared a glance at Jude as I followed Mr. Jitin. Jude waved his hands around and shook his head, implying that I shouldn't stress out. My teeth started to chatter when he opened the door for me and let me in his office.

     I took my seat warily.

     My knees were bouncing up and down repeatedly almost as if they were in a rush to leave. Which isn't entirely incorrect. In fact, I would be happy to leave right now. I blew my cheeks up and shifted slightly, not finding the seat anywhere near comfortable.

     See, this was already the third time I was called into Mr. Jitin's office the past month. And well, as you may have noticed, I was beyond the norm of what people may perceive as nervous.

     Unconsciously, I scratched my nails against the palm of my hand, digging them in through my skittish jitter. I bit the inside of my cheeks and avoided eye contact with Mr. Jitin, instead of having them land on his head. I took in his greasy hair, realizing that only a few strands nearly stuck out, leaving him to appear mostly bald. His glasses were thicker than mine and square framed. He slowly smiled, as if he was trying to ease me into whatever he was planning to discuss.

     I felt my stomach drop and my heartbeat accelerate.

     "Jeremiah," Mr. Jitin finally spoke, putting a halt to the untimely silence and rather, filling it with an untimely conversation. "I'd like to speak about our last meeting. What you said concerned me and -"

     My face reddened at the memory. I shouldn't have said any of those things, I'll admit. I'm not exactly sure why I even had that burst. It was like I almost exploded. Emotionally I mean. Either way, I don't like where he's going with this. Even though I'm not necessarily sure what he's going to say. I do have an inkling. And based off that, I'm a little tense.

     "Oh, n-no," I quickly interrupted him, dismissing any reason for concern and in what I hoped still sounded respectful. "You don't need to w-worry. It just wasn't a good day for me. I'm really f-fine."

     "You know," he continued, not quite believing me. He further on suggested, "We have a guidance counselor. You can talk to her if you'd like. Students have found her very helpful."

     "I'm fine," I repeated and then added a sheepish chuckle, instantly feeling my cheeks flush even more as I looked down. I played with my feet, twiddling them and then looked up at him with a small smile. "Really."

     "That's good, but the offer still stands." He nodded at me and then his hands reached for his office phone. "I think it'd be best to call your guardians, Jeremiah. To let them know about the situation."

     "We don't need to do that!" I rashly said, practically falling off my seat. I composed myself and amended my words. "What I mean to s-say is that...there's really n-no point in doing that. I wouldn't want to worry my g-grandparents."

     Mr. Jitin frowned.

     "They've been through a lot," I continued reasoning with him and scratched the base of my neck. "S-so it's best not to stress them out with something like this. T-thanks, though. I don't want t-them to be hurt anymore."

     Hopefully, this will work. I crossed my fingers.

     "I understand," he sympathetically said and quirked his lips at me. "I'm glad you have a family that cares for you, Jeremiah." Right. " If there's anything you need personally, you can come to my office."

     "O-of course," I lied.

     And then I sprinted out of the room, sighing when I realized I still had the whole day ahead of me, fearing what would come next. Because at this point everything was so unpredictable.

     Also, I'm still in pajamas so I'm sure someone's going to mention that.

     Great.

________________________________________

A/N

Heyyyy humans!

*claps hands together nervously* so...it's been a month. *clears throat*

Here we are, with a big update that is filled with so many hints let's see if you guys noticed them. Also, my poor Jer. Like my boo, my child!!! Why they so rude to you?? *cries* I hope you liked the chapter yall. Like I have excuses why it's been so long and they are valid 100% but I'm not gonna bother with it XD. Let's be glad that something is even up.

That Jeff and Jude scene. I died laughing while writing it and came back to life to make Jeremiah a clingy emotional unsure boy. Love it! So much fun.

I have stories for you guys. You ready?

FIRST: I got detention. As you can see, once again, I am a rebel. I know, I know. It's hard to tell. With me already getting suspended and now detention. What's next? Expulsion? I'd be down for that. XD But anyway, I basically didn't go to class on time because I was talking with a group of friends about what they will be doing for the future. Like college applications or gap year programs and etc. But when my principles saw us they were like, "U cutting class? DETENTION!" With like an evil British accent. No joke. It was great. My parents were like: "What's up with the school? You're a good girl, why they mess with you?" And I'm like, "I know, I'm so innocent." Bats eyelashes. "I'm basically the victim here."

I drew my hand playing piano during detention so it was sort of productive. Maybe I'll show it to you guys one day.

SECOND: So I do community service right? It's sort of mandatory which is chill because I get entertained. So I'm volunteering to babysit this child right? He's like seven and were supposed to do homework. But he's all like, "Oh, you don't know anything why should you help me?" And I'm being my cocky self like, "Bish, I know everything!" So he gets competitive and starts asking me questions. His first question was, "What the first word in this book?" AND FOR SOME REASON I KNEW THE ANSWER BEC I READ IT. And so I answer him correctly. He flips his shiz, I kid you not. Like giggles and jumps everywhere. And then he's like. "What class am I in; 2a 2b or 2c?" And I full on guess and get it right. And he keeps going and G-d is being great to me bec suddenly I'm a prophet and know everything.

In short, I convinced him that I could help him out. ^_^

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and my life stories! :-)

(What a long A/N...)

Please vote, comment, share, smile, live life.

P.S: if you have any tips, ideas, suggestions please pm me, that would be awesome. Any idea is good because I could just base a chapter off of it and update quicker ;-). So if there's a certain thing that you want to happen just comment it!

Love ya'll <3

Yours truly,

A N O N Y M O U S