Chapter 8

Inquisitive Kids 

"Is that true? Do you mean all of that?" I heard a familiar voice from behind. More like Krystal's.

I didn't look back. Maybe I was just hallucinating. Why would Krystal be here in the middle of the night accompanied by the heavy storm?

"Ugh! Even your voice is registering my mind. Am I that obsess over you?" I ruffled my hair in depression, hoping to pass out cause I failed to reach my goal. It's as if I'm almost at the end of a race's finish line with a price to rule over the world, but then I tripped.

"I'm right here, Jarred." I heard a response.

My eyes were still closed as I argued with my senses, or so at least I think. "Oh great! So now my mind's answering me."

"No, I'm right here Jarred. Open your eyes." the voice commanded.

I slowly opened my eyes. I couldn't see clear at first because of the rain pouring all over me. I rubbed my eyes and blinked twice before I gained a clearer sight. My jaw dropped from awe as soon as I realized that I wasn't hallucinating, Krystal's in front of me, for real.

*KRYSTAL

Worried, I stared at him as he got up from the muddy ground. I leaned closer and ended up hugging him. I leveled my mouth into his ear and whispered, "I'm so worried, why didn't you come home? Or got inside your car?" I pulled away, looking at him, concerned.

"I told you already. I'm serious about what I said earlier." he said calmly while looking at the ground "I have something to say, but I guess keeping it a secret would be better. And—"

"I heard it." I interfered. His face automatically faced me, his mouth forming an O-shaped.

"You did?" A thousand expression was plastered on his face.

"I did!" Looking at him straight through his eyes. He looked away but I placed my hand under his chin forcing his face to look into mine. "Look, I'm sorry that—" He removed my hand and looked away quickly.

"It doesn't matter anyway! Now that you know how I feel towards you, I'm sensing that you'll ignore me as if I never existed. You'll—"

"Stop it! Let me finish first!" I cut him off, we never let each other finish our sentence. But since it's my turn this time, I wouldn't let him caught me off guard. "I wouldn't do that! Never in a million years. One question mister! Why would I do that when you're like my brother, father, best friend and even sometimes a sister." I'm crying, but I still managed to joke and laugh at my own words. My question ended up as a statement.

"I just came here to let you know that..." I paused, not knowing what the next phrases are. Until Jarred finally looked me in the eye. A thousand words sank into my mind, a feeling that is more than true to be expressed by just words. I put the words all together but mouthed what those words truly meant,

"I love my best friend as well."

His depressing face lightened up. I can see his face forming a smug. "You love me, too?"

"No! I love my best friend, Tiffani, and then we're already together." I joked and rolled my eyes, "Goodness sake! Yes, I'm in love with you."

"Prove it!" he challenged me.

"If I don't care about you, why would I be here in the first place? IN MY PJ's?" I gave emphasis to the last phrase and he just laughed at me.

"I don't believe you. I'm leaving, sorry." he joked and acted as if he really would leave me. But then I chose to ride with his joke. I shot a fake cry at him, but unfortunately it didn't hit him. He turned away and started walking out. That's when I realized that he could probably be serious this time, I think.

My fake cry turned into a real one. "Hey Jarred!" I yelled with my trembling voice. "It's fine, if you wouldn't believe me. But know this, I still love you, I really do. I was a big coward for keeping it from you all this time. I just thought that keeping it unknown would be the best. And now I'm starting to think I'm a fool for admitting it, because here you are leaving me when I'm just at the start of stating my unconditional love for you," I stopped for a second questioning myself about when did the unconditional love became a part of my vocabulary. "I know it's a bit dramatic, wait! Not a bit, over dramatic, but this is genuine. And if you ask me, I'm crying! Yes I am. I just thought I'd let you know that because you wouldn't notice it because of this stupid rain!!!" I exclaimed as my tears dripped down my face even more.

Jarred ran towards me and hugged me extremely tight. I could feel the heat coming out from his body as the storm calmed down into drizzle.

"I believe you." he said as his eyes were starting to glisten again. He cupped my cheeks, moving my face closer to his.

I was so nervous that I get to ask this silly question. "Are you going to kiss me?" I asked in my low-pitched voice.

He bursted into a voiceless chortle, "Yes. Can I, miss?" And I just smiled as a response.

He planted a kiss on my forehead first, then lowered his lips to level mine. Until I caught his heavy weight. He passed out! 

What am I going to do?

"You cheater. Get up! You didn't even kiss me on the lips. Not that I wanted to but, but..." I tried to joke. I thought he's just messing with me. But no, he really lost his consciousness. I touched his forehead and felt it burning.

*JARED

I opened my eyes. I'm already home, in my bedroom. I gasp when I found out that I'm hugging Krystal. I didn't let go, instead I hugged her closer to me. I might as well enjoy this moment. I ran my fingers through her soft, brown hair before I closed my eyes, trying to continue my sleep.

"I guess I have myself here a daughter-in-law, huh?" I sat up quickly and saw mom, giggling.

I stood up fleetly out of my bed carefully to make sure that I won't wake up Krys. "No mom. It's not what you think. I was just. Last Night... Storm... And her, Krystal." I can't put those words together. Now it's obvious that I'm sounding defensive. I sighed and joined mom with her giggles.

"So, I guess you two are finally together now? Took you long enough, son. When's the wedding?" Mom joked and laughed. But I just smile at the thought of that.

"That would be too great. But we're not together as a couple. Not yet, hopefully."

Mom made a satisfaction on her face. And finally left with a grin. I slid under the blanket, trying to sleep again. It's cold. So I cuddled Krystal into me. Smirk!

*KRYSTAL

"What the?!" my eyes widened as I realized that I'm sleeping in one bed with Jarred. For the second time around, I didn't notice that I slept.

"It's not what you think, Krys!" He defended, "No, really" Releasing me and putting his hands up.

I raised my eyebrow. "Oh really?" I smirked, scaring him. I leaned myself into him. His eyes broadened with anxiety. I was about to laugh at his expression, when he moved his face away from me.

"Uuhh! Krystal, what are you doing? We're still young. But if you really want to, then fine." he seemed worried at first, but now feeling smug and confident.

What did you just do Krystal?! RUNNN!

His worrying seems to escape him and shifted into my head. I pushed him away quickly. "Stop it! You pervert!" 

Unfortunately, I failed to withdraw his body away from mine. Instead, he ended up above me. I was shocked and all I can see in his face was a smug.

"You started it. Might as well continue?" He joked as he buried his face closer to mine. I closed my eyes rather than scream because his face was just inches away.

Jarred Thomas Deans!!! I'm going to kill you after this! I promise no Krystal Jones will ever—I immediately stopped cussing in my head as I heard the door banged open.

KIDS!

 What to do? We're still in this awkward position. What will they think now? An obvious five-year-old kids seeing this kind of thing? NO WAY!

"Ooohh, look Sarah! They're doing something." A cute boy whispered loudly to the girl beside him that I couldn't consider it as a whisper.

"Maybe they're making a baby! Let's watch, Josh." the two giggled. Their eyes were locked on us, waiting for something to happen, probably.

I glared at Jarred. I saw a hint of shock on his face as he stood up after recognizing the awkward ambiance inside the room.

"Hey kids!" Jarred greeted blissfully as he walked towards the kids by the door. It's kind of funny how the kids greeted him. Jarred stopped for a second, looking lost in the kids' eyes.

"Why didn't you continue, uncle Jarred?" The blonde cute boy, Josh—from what I've heard—spoke while he crossed his arms.

"Yeah! We want to know how a mom and a dad make a baby." As the cute girl, Sarah, agreed with Josh, who's maybe her brother. I was stunned about how kids their age could be very inquisitive about this. I eyed Sarah, perplexed.

"What? For knowledge!" Sarah defended. I just chuckled instead of having them to hear my defensive speech.

I looked at Jarred. He seems to be having a serious conversation with the cute boy. "Look," he murmured to the boy. But I got up and sat at the corner of the bed, eavesdropping on Jarred and his nephew.

"We're not 'a mom and a dad', Josh." Jarred explained as he quoted the couple word.

"You're not?" I saw Josh frowned.

"Not yet." he turned to grin at me. I looked away quickly to hide my blush. He noticed me listening to them? How come he didn't even manged to react in the first place? Ugh, guys!

I didn't notice that Sarah was sitting beside me all the time, staring at me to be exact.

"Why are you look at that daddy that way?" her voice was expressionless, so I din't know how to react.

"Huh? 'That daddy'? What do you mean, honey?" I asked sweetly while stroking her hair.

She groaned and rolled her eyes. Really? Are you a kid or what? "You like uncle, no! You love him."

I just smile. She's just a kid, I mean, how much does she know about love? I looked at Jarred, still explaining things to Josh. I found it cute that it made me chuckle a little. Sarah poked and teased me as she giggled. Kids these days!

Jarred stood up and head towards me. "Uhm, Krys. This is Sarah and her twin, Josh. My niece and nephew."

"Nice to finally know your names," I already know their names, obviously. But it's not the same having to formally meet them, right? "Hi Josh." I ruffled his hair while he just laughed. I turned to Sarah, "You haven't introduced by yourself. But now I know, so..." I paused for a while and then started tickling her.

She ran away from me and stuck her tongue out. I ran after her. Then I saw Sarah eyed at Josh and Jarred, until uh-oh!

"Hey! Three on one? That's not fair!" I complained. But before I could grumble more, they already got me. The twin tried to hug me, but before they could do that I already turned around and lost my balanced and landed on top of Jarred. Oh my!

My eyes wandered off Jarred's perfect face. His hazel brown eyes, his perfect straight nose and his lips. I have to stop this urge to kiss him, I couldn't steal a kiss. Yep, I couldn't, knowing that Jarred hasn't got his first kiss. If only he didn't passed out last night, then I would know how does it feel to kiss his lips, the feeling of having that electric-shock feeling passes through each other's lips. But no! I couldn't think that way.

"Ooohh! They're at it again."

"I know, why don't they just continue? We won't be bothering them. We're just going to watch." I heard the kids conversing, and that snapped me out of my thought. I awkwardly got up from Jarred who seems to be comfortable in our position. I felt my cheeks burn, and heard Jarred chuckled.

"Great! Now kids, go downstairs. We'll catch up with you in a moment. We just need some privacy." He said calmly and smiled playfully to them. He really does know how to deal with kids. And that's a major turn-on. But wait! What does he mean about the privacy part? Oh no!

And now the kids were gone. How am I supposed to react on this? It's a total disaster, I'm really embarrassed. I hurried under the bed and buried myself into the blanket. I silently squealed the moment I felt him beside me.

"Why are you hiding?"

"I am not hiding! Go away!" I yelled underneath the blanket.

"Well, I'm going to change clothes."

"I don't care, do what you gotta do."

"Let me rephrase. I'm going to change clothes... In here." he teased, and laugh afterwards.

I felt the heat rushing in my face. He's a total nuts! "Could you at least change in the bathroom?" I complained as I shove the blanket off me and stood up. "Fine, I'm going downstairs."

Just before I got to the door, Jarred held my hand and stopped me. "If you're going downstairs, then what are you going to say to them?"

I linked my eyebrows together as confusions knocked my mind out. Bewildered, I eyed him waiting for him to carry on.

"You know... The, yeah" he can't explain. "Please don't make me continue." he begged, then I finally realized what he's trying to say. My eyes widened in shock, again.

"It's your fault anyway." I blamed him while making face.

"What did I do? Hey I was sick, it's not like I can control whatever flu that passes through my awesome body." He said smugly, but in a funny way.

I glared at him and groaned. "Whatever! If you just did let go of me last night then we wouldn't be here arguing." I crossed my arms as he hugged me from behind. "Hey, quit it! Kids might see us again." he didn't let go, pushing him away is no use over his strength.

"Then let's lock the door." he whispered wittingly in my ear. It tickles me, but I refused to giggle. It will only tolerate him even more. I stomped on his foot, and that broke us off.

"I'm still going down. I wouldn't want my eyes get toxicated by having to glance at your—" I suddenly stopped. I didn't know what I was saying. I looked around and slapped my forehead. Why did you just said that Ms. Jones? He might get a hint. I moved closer to the door, I giggled silently before I close it. He absolutely own a hot body. Brain stop it, please?

*JARRED

Did she just blush at the thought of seeing my body? Who wouldn't?  Kidding! Man, I'm so goofy in front of her. So what? 

At least I can do goofy stuff in front of her. And that's being myself. That's one of the things I adore about her. She has this thing that affects me big time.

I took a quick shower, gussied myself and went downstairs, to the dining room. I greeted mom and dad, and oh! There's my brother, Ethan together with her wife Miles, the parents of my stepchild. They're probably visiting.

"Hey, bro. How's life in Cali?" I asked as I sat beside Krystal, who glared at me cutely without her trying.

"It's great! Maybe you could come and visit sometimes," He coughed, "With your girlfriend."

"I am not his girlfriend, you know it Ethan." Krystal retorted. She's like a sister to us, Krys. Until the status between me and her changed, when we're in fifth grade. It's like hell back then, she started ignoring me for a serious reason, I think. 

And until now I haven't got any clue about it. It's a good thing we got our closeness back when we started attending High School.

"You're too slow, son." My dad teased. And I shot him an I'm-trying-my-best look.

The chatter drowned as mom handed us our meals. After we finished breakfast, the rain suddenly poured. I smirked at Krystal, because I knew she couldn't leave the house because of the storm outside.

"Ms. Deans, thank you for letting me stay here last night and for the breakfast. But I really need to go, I'll be late for school." she told mom.

I opened the TV and the news popped. "School's cancelled for a day or two. Another huge storm is approaching tonight. So it's not advisable to leave home—"

I turned the TV off and smirked widely at Krystal. That means she gets to stay here. Score! She gawked at me, but before we could exchange glances, I already looked away.

I stood up to see a sight outside and Krytal followed suit. The streets were flooded and fallen trees strayed on the road, blocking the way.

"How long do you think it's going to take to clear all this mess?" she asked while watching the storm ravage the outside.

"I don't know. But I hope very long, just so you'll be right here beside me." I joked, and that earned me a head butt.

"Oh, shut up!" she yelled. Instead of making her more annoyed, I just chuckled at her. There was a long pause, and it's her who broke the silence. "I'll just be outside if you need anything." she smirked before turning around.

It took me a couple of seconds to apprehend what her smirk means. It's storming outside. How could she possible go when the street is flooded? My heart skipped a bit when I heard her scream.