End of "By The Way – Chapter One"
"By the way Jack, there's another pack in my pocket if you hurry," I whispered to him as I hung up my coat in the closet. "Give me," he said chasing me into the living room. "Only if you can catch me," I dashed up the stairs and locked myself in the bathroom. I caught a glimpse of my reflection. "Fuck I do look like shit."
Chapter Two – Secrets
Jack was asleep beside me his chest slowly rising and falling. I couldn't find a comfortable position, every few minutes I would roll over to face the opposite side I was before. Gazing at Jack I reached up a hand and ran my fingers over the cross and pendants around his neck. Each silver piece gave off a tiny flicker when it caught the shine of the street lamps outside his window. His arms snaked around my waist.
"Jack?"
He groaned and then answered by mumbling; "Yeah."
"I can't sleep," I said resting my head on his chest.
"Really… I'm shocked." His voice echoed beneath his ribs. I giggled and snuggled closer into the soft black and grey sweater he was wearing.
"What's so funny," he asked lightly rubbing circles on my bruised back.
"You are, silly goose."
Jack sat up and leaned against his headboard. He pulled me onto his lap running his fingers through my tousled hair.
"You got one hell of a beating…Bobby would be proud." Tilting my head back by carefully tugging on my tangled locks he studied my face.
"It's your fault Jack Mercer… but I can forgive you."
"Yeah."
"Yep."
"Guess what."
"Huh."
"Don't laugh," he said grabbing my sides and tickling me.
"Jack … Jack… I … ha, ha… can't … Jack," I gasped between laughs.
"Okay… okay… I give… ha, ha… Jack." He finally stopped and snuggled up on top of me as I tried to stop my heavy breathing. I took in large gulps of air at a time every once in a while a giggle escaping past my lips. Jack wrapped his arms around me burying his face in my neck. I sighed delightfully and pulled his comforter over us. Our feet now against the headboard, I cuddled up in his arms smiling to my self. My eyelids grew heavy and I soon drifted into darkness.
"WHAT THE HELL, I thought I told you both … forget it…REMY… JACK… GET YOUR ASSES UP." Angel's voice was never a pleasant one to hear first thing in the morning. I guess the jarhead decided to say hi before getting shipped back out. I slowly opened my eyes, Jack got up taking his comforter with him. Cold air hit me hard like a slap in the face.
"Jack that's not nice," I mumbled into the mattress.
"Eh," was his only reply before stumbling out the door in his sweater, boxers and my warmth. I rolled over onto the spot where Jack was once laying. The t-shirt and boxers I borrowed from him weren't exactly good at holding one temperature for to long.
Grunting I lifted my self up onto my knees and looked around Jack's room rubbing my face fiercely. Harsh reality contributes to a lot of groaning and sighing. His room mostly covered in blue: plaid comforter (which I really want back), walls and carpet. On his backboard is his electric guitar, stereo system and a picture of Bobby and him playing hockey. The closet on the far wall looks as if it exploded throwing clothes all over the floor. CD's and journals scattered everywhere and his acoustic guitar is leaning up against the window sill. It's so ordinary teenage stoner/musician but at the same time I can't help but adore it and all its messy fairy-ness, the exact words Bobby used to describe it.
"Hey Kid, you coming down to eat or not," my thoughts were shattered by Bobby's voice. I looked up at him leaning against the doorframe. His arms crossed standing there in all his Bobby glory, staring at me as if I was hiding something.
"May I help you," I asked uncomfortably.
"Are you coming down…?"
"Yes Bobby."
"Good."
"Give me a moment to focus."
Bobby walked over and sat next to me. He grabbed my chin with a gentle touch and tilted it from side to side. Bobby Mercer is not gentle ever.
"Took a good beating, huh."
"Should see the other guy," Bobby chuckled. Bobby doesn't laugh he chuckles, it's quite amusing actually.
"Good job, tougher than little fairy down stairs aren't chaw."
"I guess." We sat in silence for a moment or two.
"You still like him."
"NO."
"Yes."
"SO, it wouldn't work out you know it."
"Maybe it's time to tell him your little secret."
"No it would kill him, you know that."
"You're already doing a great job of that without him even knowing." Bobby was the first one to learn my "secret". He knew before I did, he's one of the few who know other than me.
"Bobby…"
"Your grandma called said you're not grounded, ma invited them for dinner so you'll be here all day."
"Oh so fun," I rolled my eyes.
"Tell him or I will."
"Fine."
"Good."
"Yeah." We stopped talking.
My feet suddenly became very interesting.
"Come on," Bobby yelled picking me up and throwing me over his shoulder.
"HEY BOBBY."
"I'm starving."
