I've done nothing but stare at the ceiling all day. Ever since my mum left, it's like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I have my freedom back but now I remember I never actually used it. For some reason, when she was around, my life became so hectic.

I wonder where she went or if she's ever going to come back. It's not like I want her to, but it would be nice to know she's okay. What even gave her the idea to come here in the first place? Our relationship was much more sustainable when she was far away from me. I guess beating me to a pulp is a part of her that won't ever go away.

And I might never know why.

The question now is how are Margo and I going to take care of ourselves? My mum was our only source of income. A part-time job here probably won't be enough to manage an entire household. Margo would probably find another job as a nanny and I would be all alone. It's pretty scary when I think about it.

Speaking of Margo she descends the stairs, her eyes on her phone screen. "Hey Cas, your mum just sent the weekly allowance."

I sit up straight and turn to her. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah, I'm a bit shocked too," she says. "I wasn't expecting her to keep us in mind after everything I said before she left."

I heave a sigh of relief. "I'm so happy to hear that. I was considering a part-time job already."

"The Starbucks around the corner pays pretty well, I would have probably considered taking that one," she replies.

"You mean you wouldn't have left?" I question.

"C'mon Cas you should see me as more than a nanny because I see you as more than a random kid I'm temporarily babysitting. You're like my little sister and I would never walk away from you like that," she smiles. "Besides, there's no other place that would accept me as a nanny... I've misplaced kids, Cas."

She takes her coat off the rack beside the door, slipping it on. "I'm heading out... maybe you can do another sleepover with Gaia, you guys are close now."

"Yeah... we are." I hated Gaia once. That must have been a really long time ago 'cause I couldn't bring myself to do such a thing now. She's an amazing person, but I doubt she's letting me into her house for a sleepover after I turned Jack down.

But I feel a bit lucky today.

•••

"No, go away." She slams the door in my face. "You know exactly where you should be Marie," I hear, faintly from the other side of the door.

I guess I should go back home now. I step off her porch and saunter to my house, turning the door knob.

It's locked.

I bend over and lift the carpet. The key isn't here either. Ugh, Margo always does this. Why the hell does she always accidentally take the key along? It's like she knows exactly what she's doing.

Well, this time I'm not going to a motel. And it seems Gaia won't let me in. Am I really about to walk to Jack's house in nothing but my pajamas? And the forest isn't a pleasant place to be at night. Especially when you're being stalked.

Well, it seems I have no choice.

I begin my journey, feeling slightly less scared because Ace is probably on the lookout. What if he's not?

"Ace, you're here right?" I ask, my voice echoing through the silence. The streetlights do an abnormal flicker. Either that's his reply or I'm screwed. Nevertheless, I keep walking.

It's extremely cold and I'm pretty sure trudging through the snow in a pair of bunny slippers isn't the best idea. Gosh, what am I doing? How am I so sure he hasn't already made plans with someone else?

Well, I'm not changing my mind now. After a quiet, eldritch, and chilly stroll, I find myself on the eery boulevard. Being here always sends a chill down my spine. I trudge down the street, rubbing my arms, trying to stave off the cold.

Then I take the path Gaia and I did the last time we came here, walking into the backyard. My heart rate has already quickened. I push the door open and walk through, ignoring the rustling of leaves and bushes. I haven't taken the time to think about why Jack wants me to come over. And why does it have to be tonight?

Wait.

What if this is a trap? And Jack is my stalker so he wanted me to come over so he could kill me. But if he wants me dead, that means he also wants Levi dead.

I shake off the thought, refocusing my attention on the darkness ahead. Honestly, I wasn't thinking when I decided to come here. If I was, then I would have begged Gaia a few more times and she would have let me in. My subconscious wants to see Jack for some reason and that's bad because he has a girlfriend. A crazy one for that matter.

I slack my neck, staring at my slippers as I approach the hanging skeletons. It almost feels like their hollow eyes are trained on me. A cold breeze blows by, rustling all the foliage and making the hairs at the back of my neck stand erect. I would have turned back but I've come too far. Just a little further Cassi.

After what felt like ages, I arrived at the isolated cabin. I walk up to the door and knock, getting no answer. I can cry if I find out he's not here. I knock again, a bit louder this time. The same thing.

This is such a huge disappointment. I can't believe I came all the way here for nothing. I slump into the bench on the porch and let out a frustrated groan.

Well, I can't stay here mourning all night. The sooner I go, the better. I force myself onto my aching legs and step off the porch. About to leave, something catches my eye. A soft glow emanated from behind the cabin, casting a warm light against the dark trees.

I could either be stupid and go find the source of that light or be reasonable and go home.

But ultimately being stupid is always more tempting, so I follow the light. As I round the corner, my eyes widen at the sight before me.

There he is, lying in the snow next to a frozen pond. A cigarette dangles loosely from his lips, the smoke billowing into a thick cloud. I would have freaked out about that if he wasn't in nothing but plaid boxers.

This sight could be on the front cover of a magazine. He looks perfect just lying there so leisurely, his muscular arms folded behind his head.

I snap out of my trance when he gets up and starts coming my way. What the hell? Hide Cassi, hide. I start running towards the bushes, my hurried steps crunching in the snow. I'm trying so hard not to make a ruckus right now.

I hide behind a tree, gasping for air. Why am I even hiding if I came here to see him? Gaia wasn't wrong when she said a part of my brain is made of jelly.

I just don't want him to think I was ogling him from a distance even though I was. He'll probably think I'm a stalker or a-

"Hello, Cassi."

Startled, I let out a squeal and crouch beside the tree. "Why did you do that?" I whimper.

"I scared you? I'm so sorry," he squats beside me and places a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Of course, I'm not okay, this is so weird. "How did you know I was here?" I mumble.

"I saw the footprints."

Of course, the footprints.

"I wasn't watching you or anything..."

"Well... I did see you peeking," he smiles.

Ahhhhhh! How much worse could this get? You have to change the subject right now. "W-Well I- why are you naked in the middle of winter? You could catch hypothermia," I snap.

"Oh," he glances down at himself and shields his toned chest. "Well this is embarrassing... if I knew I was having a guest I would have probably put on some clothes."

"Yeah and why were you smoking? Don't you know it erodes the bones? At this age, you should be focused more on the things you do and how they can affect your future and less on the possibility that I was watching you from a distance," I scold. He stares at me wide-eyed. "Sorry? I'll go put something on," he says.

"Yeah, whatever," I mumble.

"You could go wait for me behind the cabin," he offers.

I stand up straight and nod. "Be quick."

With that, he walks into his cabin. I amble to the back, gawking at the beauty of it. On the surrounding trees are golden lights draping from them, casting a glow over the frozen pond. I walk towards the pond and sit on the snow. This is so beautiful. I can already envision myself skating on this ice with my fabled soulmate.

"Enjoying the view?" asks Jack as he slips on a grey sweatshirt over his pajama pants. Suddenly I wish he never put on clothes.

Quit it!

"Yeah, it's really pretty," I smile. "I made this my special place for when it's too dark inside... or when I just have to think." He sits beside me. "They've gotten dim, so they'll most likely go out tonight," he sighs.

"Oh... well I could always keep you company," I reply, trying to reignite a smile on his face.

"Your mum would probably decapitate me if she finds out you're staying the night here... so I'll pass," he states.

"My mum is out of town," I reply.

"Well that's great to hear but... aren't you afraid of the dark?" he asks. "Yeah, right. I'm not a scaredy-cat like you," I retort.

He chuckles. "Yeah, maybe you aren't... but you'll probably catch a cold."

"Okay enough, you asked me if I was free tonight and now I'm here. What did you need me for?"

He itches the back of his neck. "I was planning to come pick you up but I guess you didn't mind coming here yourself... I just wanted to talk to you is all... and maybe also get you to tell me how you got all these injuries. Just a friendly conversation."

"I'll tell you how I got my injuries... when you tell me why you were coughing up blood this morning."

"Oh," he turns away from me. "Never mind."

"Why don't you want me to know?" I ask. "Nothing really, you don't have to bother yourself with that," he replies.

"B-But I want to," I mumble, my gaze lowered to the ground. "When I saw you coughing like that... it scared me... I just want to help," I sigh.

He gently places his hand on mine, my eyes meeting his soft gaze. "I'm sorry for scaring you, Cassi... and I'm sorry for not being truthful... I don't want you to worry, so in that case..." he takes my chin and turns my head toward the sky. "Look at the stars and let go of all your worries."

He lays down on the snow, folding his arms behind his head. "Aren't they so pretty?"

I join him and lay down, my bruised back numbing against the snow. "Yeah, they are." I see the stars every night though. I don't know what it is people enjoy gazing at them. Maybe some people are just waiting for a shooting star to pass by so they can make a wish. Maybe Jack is waiting for a wish.

I turn to face him, my eyes immediately locking with his. He was already staring at me? I feel my cheeks burn up. I would have turned away due to my shyness but I can't bring myself to do that right now. It seems I've once again lost myself in the bottomless pool of his deep chocolate eyes.

Our hands meet, sending a shockwave of sensations down my spine, he intertwines our fingers and gently strokes my hand with his thumb. Gosh, why do I feel this way? Why can't I stop looking at him? His brows soften as a small smile tugs at the corners of his lips. "You're-"

He bolts up and starts coughing, his hands over his mouth as he tries to suppress each one. "Jack!" I rush to my knees, rubbing my hand up and down his back. "Maybe we should go inside."

He's unable to answer due to his violent coughing fit. He places his hand on the ground, the other one gripping his heart as the blood escapes his throat. "C-Cassi," he chokes out as he gets to his feet.

"Yes? What do you need? Should I go get you some water? Do you need to go to a hospital?" I panic.

He shakes his head, leaning over as he grips his knees. Finally, it's stopped. "I'll be right back," he says and walks away. I watch him as he disappears around the corner of the cabin.

I anxiously sit here, waiting for him as I cradle back and forth. What could be the problem? I hate seeing him this way. I wish there was something I could do.

Ten minutes have passed and Jack still isn't back. Finally, I decide to go check on him in the cabin. I get to my feet and make my way into the house. Unfortunately, he's nowhere to be found, the living room and bedroom are empty. I step onto the porch and go to sit on the bench. Where did he go?

I sit here, waiting and waiting and waiting. It's extremely cold, yet I'm out here, counting every second that passes by. Finally, when I'm positive it's been over an hour, I get to my feet, gazing at the stars that now look quite ugly to me.

He isn't coming back, is he?