The Program

Chapter Four

I had a cat when I was five, resulting in multiple cries and screams and scratches because of it. The thing hated me, it's tail going back in forth in pleasure each time it made a tear leave my eye. It was vicious, clawing at my flesh and I swear it wore a smile due to my misery. Thankfully, after much begging and sad pleading to my parents, the fluffy cat with white fur that somehow never got stained with my blood was taken to a new home where I was told she roamed free, living happily ever after and bringing great joy to many children.

Needless to say, I think you can understand why I am not that big of a cat person. Okay, let me rephrase that, i'm not that fond of evil cats. I would actually love to have a cat someday, as long as my eyes don't get yanked out with powerful claws that is.

Which brings me to what's happening now, in Jack's living room. His friends, Danny and Clay, are sitting and paying way to much attention to the television and Jack is paying attention to me, not that I don't like that, and the cat is staring at me with beady little eyes as it sits on his lap.

"You know, it's not going to eat you." Jack whispered to me, trying to be quiet so we didn't disturb the guys.

"Yeah, I uh, I know that. I just, um-" But he cut me off before I could finish my mumbled out sentence.

"Let me guess, horrible childhood memory ruin something for you? In this case it's probably cats. Yeah, I know that feeling." There was something strange about how he said the last sentence and my mind was searching for what the problem was. I guess I was going back to the me and Jack we were in the test, trying to help the other without even needing to question it. And then I remembered, the fire.

Reid told me Jack's parents, apparently Reid actually being one of them, and Jack's grandmother died in a fire. That had to ruin something, right? "Right." I said. And somehow he must have taken that to mean grab my hand because that's exactly what he did. He froze for a minute, both of us looking down at our intertwined fingers and him giving me a look like he was trying to figure me out when he shook his head and led my hand toward the cat. A moment later and I was petting it, running over its orange fur and purring happening as a result.

"See, not all cats are bad." He whispered again, this time closer to my ear and it actually made me shake a bit to tell you the truth. I backed away from him, realizing that this was the closest we've been to each other since we woke up, since that horrible day I thought I lost him forever while in the test. Thinking back to that now brings the pain of thinking I would never see him again when I risked myself to save him. And here he was, perfectly fine and still Jack, annoying and sarcastic but being his amazing Jackish self. "You okay?" He looked genuinely concerned when he asked me, leading me to feel the slightest bit of a tear beginning to form.

"Yeah, i'm gonna, uh, go check on John." I said to cover up the feelings that started to show, getting up and still not drawing the attention of Danny or Clay, their eyes glued to the screen. I went up the stairs before Jack could say anything, but he didn't have to. Instead, he grabbed my arm as I reached the top and pulled me back, somehow reaching me without me even hearing him behind me and turning me to face him and no words needed to be said.

And they weren't, because I, without any warning at all, suddenly threw myself at him and engulfed him in a hug that was long overdue. I so desperately needed to know he was safe when everything happened in the test and when I did I couldn't hug him, couldn't touch him, kiss him, nothing. I needed this, after all the crap I went through, I needed Jack, even if he wouldn't understand why. And it was evident that he didn't, awkwardly placing his hands around me and pulling me closer just because. My face buried itself into his chest and I sniffled out a light cry as again I felt that all to familiar warmth.

And I actually felt his stiff muscles relax after awhile, only to be cut off by John coming down the stairs. "So, uh, what are you doing?" I'm sure my eyes were red and puffy, just making it clear that I let out a few sobs of sadness as I turned and looked to John, letting go of the moment I had with Jack just a minute ago. 

"Um, nothing. It was nothing." I said, wiping a slowly drying tear from my cheek and staring at his hands, hoping to god he found something in his search. But no, his hands were empty, looks like we won't be figuring out anything useful today.

"Yeah, okay." John said as he scooted past us and down the stairs without another glance our way. I wondered if he maybe wanted to leave, which I would be all for at this moment, the embarrassment of what I just did taking its full effect. I rushed down the stairs and opened the door, saying a quick goodbye without even checking to see if John had gone outside. Which he hadn't, the irritating little prick.

"Lexi, can we talk about what just happened?" I suddenly heard, no doubt it coming from Jack's lips that I knew all to well. I heard the door close, leaving me no choice but to look at him since we were the only ones out here.

"There's nothing to talk about, Jack." I told him.

"Oh, don't give me that freaking crap. That's what every girl says but us guys aren't as dumb as you ladies think. Tell me what's really going on." He yelled but it still seemed soft, like he wanted to get the point across but not hurt me in the process. I didn't answer him, causing Jack to run his hands through his dark hair and make it extremely messy and untamed. I could tell he was frustrated with the silence I was giving him and he acted in a way I didn't completely expect.

He hugged me.

And like I said, it was unexpected and the way he did it caused his arms to fall around my waist. I could tell he was waiting for me to make a motion, maybe wrap my own arms around him as I did moments ago. But I didn't, my hands instead stuck between my chest and his, slowly trying to free themselves but finding their way up to his collar. I knew what I wanted and was completely aware of how much it made me sound like a main character in a chick flick when that thing I wanted, the only thing I desperately felt like I needed in that moment, was for my hands to pull his freaking collar closer and make our faces do the same, leading to a connection of our lips. I wanted to kiss him, badly.

And for the most part it was working. But have I ever brought up the fact that my friends from the test had a habit of interrupting anything involving me and Jack? Well, they did. Annie being the main one by accident and Danny, Luke, and Caleb just doing it for their own enjoyment. And much like John when he interrupted mine and Jack's hug, looks like Clay is added to the list of interrupters, becoming the cause of our almost kiss coming to a close.

"Not to get in the way of, uh, whatever this is," He said. Me and Jack had already pulled apart, my cheeks reddening from the thought. "but um...." He trailed off. "You know what, i'll come back later. It's not that important anyw-"

"No, it's alright, Clay. What is it?" Jack asked, sounding calm and as if nothing just happened.

"The cat." He answered, kinda unsure.

"That's," Jack said, now sounding not so calm. "why you interrupted? What in the world could a cat have done that's so important?"

"Well, if I didn't know any better, I would say you were the one that likes Lexi instead of me like you keep saying, Jack. Given the fact that you seem so angry right now." John smiled, walking to us. "And there's nothing wrong with the cat. Clay just wanted to be nosy."

"Of course he did." Jack grumbled, running his hands through his hair again.

"I should probably take Lexi home now." John said. "I wouldn't want her mother to get worried."

"Yeah, she's kinda freaked out over everything since I came out of my coma." I added. John walked toward the truck, me following behind and hoping this was the last surprise trip we would be taking to the Evans' residence. 

"Bye, Lexi." I heard Jack call from behind me, causing me to turn and see that goofy smile of his and making one of my own get plastered on my face. I rolled my eyes anyway and waved, getting in the vehicle after John.

"You gonna tell me what all that was about?" John asked.

"No. Are you gonna take me home or what?" I questioned him, buckling up and waiting for him to start the truck, a big grin still on my face.

"Oh, no, i'm not taking you home." He said.

"But you told Jack-"

"I know, but i'm allowed to lie to him. Especially when it's none of his business." He replied, finally putting the keys in the ignition and starting to drive.

"Then where are we going?" I asked him. 

"To your dad's house." I gave him a questioning look but he didn't respond.

"Are you going to tell me why?" I was getting frustrated.

"Are you going to tell me what happened between you and Jack?" I shook my head. "Then there's your answer."

I objected, saying that I deserved to know why we were going to my father's home. But he still said nothing and continued to drive, a stupid smirk plastered on his lips.

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Hello readers or those who oddly found this chapter of my story but have no interest in it. Which is okay, have a nice day to all who aren't reading this. But back to my readers, who I hope are having a nice day as well. Hey guys, what's up? So, what do ya think? I thought I would update kinda sorta quicker than the last update considering the ten days it took me to last time. So, this is kind of a way to make up for that. A few cute Jaxi moments and other awesomeness happened this chapter. And next, not that I want to give anything away, will be very very exciting. *cough cough* It's got something to do with where Lexi and John are going. *cough*

So, my older sister @Natural_Gert96 started writing a TFiOS fanfic recently called The Fault in Our Eyes(or TFiOE as she calls it). Anyway, the story is told in Isaac's point of view and believe it or not was kinda my idea. But I don't really want to write fanfics so I gave what little bit I wrote of it to her and now she will turn it into the beauty of her choice. She wanted me to mention it to you guys, so here I am, doing that. You can find that story in the external link if you want to read it. Or not, it's up to you :)

Also, to all the Divergent fans reading this, I read Four recently thanks to a friend of mine and let me just say, it was AWESOME. Like seriously, I fangirled so freaking much and just.....yeah, it was just perfect in every way, shape, and form. This was kind of a long author's note, so.....Bye guys :)