Title: Shadowland: Jake/Sleepy's POV

Rating: Probably K+

Disclaimer: I do not own these stories. The talented Meg Cabot does, of course.

Summary: This is the Mediator, book one: Shadowland. But, it's in Jake/Sleepy's POV. It's about his feelings in the book, and his feelings for Suze. Just what exactly is going on? And why is his step-sister so frequently on his mind?

On the first day back to school after break, I got up, reluctantly. I was ready to drive everyone to school, but I realized that Suze wasn't riding with us. Apparently, mom—I was still getting used to calling her that-- had to take her today to fill out some new student forms. So, reluctantly, I let Brad and David climb into the car, before we headed off.

I looked over to see Suze getting into the car with her mom, or our mom now, I guess. She was dressed in a lot of black, and the clothes were a little form-fitting. I could feel my face burn a little bit as I turned away.

I really need to get myself looked at.

I pulled out of the driveway and headed towards the school.

After being in school for just a short while, I was already hearing a few whispers and rumors about Suze. First, I heard that she was awfully close to Father Dominick today.

Whatever. People will spread rumors about anything. Close to the Father? I mean, yeah, okay, I know she's a little excessive and everything. But I highly doubt she's got something going on with the priest. That's wrong in just so many ways. Maybe even more wrong than if she had something going on with her oldest stepbrother.

Ok, forgetting that thought.

Another thing I heard going around was that she was hot. Yeah, sadly, I had already realized that.

Oh, and the last thing I heard was that she put Debbie in her place. Something about Debbie picking on that Albino kid. Apparently, Suze didn't like it. I guess she threatened to break her hand or something.

The thing is, I'm pretty sure she was capable, of breaking Debbie's hand. You know, on the whole account of her being in a gang and everything.

I smirked. I was impressed that Suze wasn't afraid or intimidated of Debbie. But then again, being in a gang in New York was way more dangerous than anything Debbie could do here in Carmel.

After a long and tiring morning, it was finally lunch time. I headed outside to find my spot next to Bryce. I plopped down on the picnic table and looked up at the sun. I then closed my eyes, relaxing in the breeze.

I heard Bryce say something, and my ears perked up.

"Wow, check out the new girl," he said, nodding at the girl.

I turned to see Suze looking around and admiring the lunch room, which really wasn't a room at all, since it was outside.

I saw Suze occasionally glance over at our table, and I wondered what she was thinking.

"She is HOT," Bryce said, glancing back at her.

Yeah. Once again, I'd already noticed. But, of course, I didn't say this. I mean, it's weird enough to think it, let alone say it.

"That's Suze, you know. My new stepsister," I said, trying to be casual about it.

"Well, too bad for you. But lucky for me," he said, laughing slightly, then frowning again. If only he knew how bad it really was for me.

"I guess you're recovering quickly," I said, referring to his relationship with Heather.

Bryce had just recently broken up with his girlfriend, Heather. Right afterward, she had a mental breakdown and she decided to kill herself. Of course, Bryce seems to blame himself for this, even though it's not his fault. You can't help if you don't like someone anymore. I mean you can't control your feelings all the time.

Believe me, I should know.

"Nah, not really. I just have to move on, you know," he said, sadly.

I nodded and shrugged my shoulders. I wasn't so great at comforting my friends, okay? I mean, what was I supposed to do?

I noticed that Suze was still looking over here, so I decided to close my eyes again and face the sun. I didn't want her to know I was looking back at her.

I tried not to think about how that outfit made her look, but I wasn't succeeding. I felt the cold breeze and realized that it would be nice to go surfing. I wonder if Suze would like to try that out.

I groaned internally again at my thoughts. What is wrong with me? I really wish I could control these thoughts. It's so annoying.

I tried to clear my thoughts of Suze when I heard Bryce hit the ground and I looked over to see what was going on. Suze was already over near me. Actually, to be exact, she was in Bryce's arms, with her head pressed tightly against his chest, rolling along the ground with him.

I stood up in shock and then I heard a loud explosion. I looked over to see that a large piece of the rafters had fallen exactly where Bryce had been sitting. If it weren't for Suze, Bryce would probably be visiting Heather, wherever she was now.

I noticed pieces of wood flew at Suze, and I was suddenly worried. I mean, yeah, part of me was amazed. She had just risked her life for my best friend, who also happened to be a complete stranger to her. But, still I was worried nonetheless. I mean, by saving him, she could have DIED.

I looked over at her to see if she was okay, when I saw that she was still lying on top of Bryce, her head on his chest as he held her closely. My body tensed. But I quickly shrugged it off.

I mean, she just saved his life, and here I am upset that Suze's perfect body is pressed up against my best friend. I really do have something wrong in the head.

Bryce was laying so still, staring in shock at the pieces of broken wood. I mean, I guess I would be too, if I had almost just died. I saw Suze lift her head and look up at his face. It seemed like their eyes locked for a second, and I felt my shoulders tense more. I felt incredibly uncomfortable.

Luckily, Father Dominick came rushing over to us, interrupting the moment with his frantic worrying, and asking to see if Suze and Bryce were okay.

Suze rose slowly, as if she was checking each bone to see if it was broken. It was almost like she had experience in this type of situation.

Oh, right. I forgot about the gang thing.

I heard Bryce, shocked, as he thanked Suze for saving his life. He was definitely amazed. And, well, so was I.

She risked her life for a complete stranger. She was even more amazing than I thought.

I mean that in a completely platonic way, of course.

I saw Suze dust herself off, before picking splinters off of Bryce's coat. She touched him so gently, it was like they were dating or something.

Not that I cared.

I saw another staff member rush over and speak with the priest. I heard the priest say that Suze looked pale and needed to see the nurse and I stiffened. Was she okay? Did she have a broken bone that she missed? Was she just in shock?

I looked over to her and I noticed that she SEEMED fine.

But then Father Dominick mentioned that he would take her to the nurse, as he shooed the rest of us away.

I reluctantly turned to leave, glancing one last time at Suze to make sure she was okay. Then I left.

Why did Suze have to show up and make my life so difficult?

I walked towards my next class with Bryce beside me. He was still a little shaken, but he decided to speak anyway.

"So, your stepsister is pretty awesome," he said, smiling a bit.

"Yeah," I said, casually. I mean, I didn't want to disagree, because it was the truth.

"I think I'm gonna ask her out, you know. To say thanks for saving me. And, because well, the obvious. She's hot and all," he said, smirking.

I felt my shoulders tense. I wanted to tell him that it was too soon after Heather, but I didn't want to be pushy. I didn't want him to be curious about me.

So, instead I said something else that I hoped would deter him.

"I think she's in a gang," I said, being sure not to look at him and give myself away.

What? It was the truth. I really did think that she was in a gang. Shouldn't a guy know the truth about a girl before he risked his life by dating her?

Not that I thought Suze would kill him or anything, especially since she had just saved his life.

I didn't really think she was dangerous. Or, not too dangerous at least.

Even if she was dangerous to my sanity.

"Yeah, well I like a little danger," he said, laughing and wiggling his eyebrows at me.

I suppressed a groan as I tried to push the thought away.

"Hey, I gotta go. I got a huge splinter under my nail, and it's really bugging me. I'm gonna see if the nurse can get it out. Check you later, dude," he said, running away towards the nurse's office.

"Yeah, later," I said, waving my hand.

Great. Just what I needed. To be jealous of my best friend.

Jealous?! I mean, I wasn't jealous. I was definitely NOT jealous.

I was just looking out for my friend. I didn't want him dating a gang member. Especially after he just lost his last girlfriend so drastically.

But, instead, I just let it go. Whatever. I mean, this could turn out good, right?

Maybe if Suze had a boyfriend, then I wouldn't think about her so much?

Maybe I just wanted to know that she had a good guy and was safe, then I'd feel better. I was just being a protective older brother. That was all.

Bryce was a good guy. Maybe I could finally relax if I knew Suze was in good hands.

At least I hoped so. I was tired of not sleeping.

A/N: Okay, that's all for now. I hope that you like it. Tell me what I could do better. Please review?!