AN: I'm sorry for the longish wait, but I've had a chaotic couple of weeks, but I'm back now with an all new chapter. As I stated before, this chapter will be focusing on Jerome's mixed feelings and Daniel and Morgan's rivalry. Enjoy!(I'm going to start putting quotes at the start of chapters from songs from a playlist of the story that I created. The song 'Slow Dancing in a Burning Room' is one of Jerome and Amber's songs. Each song is for one character or possible pairing and it is supposed to describe their personality, situation, or relationship.)
"It's not a silly little moment
It's not the storm before the calm
This is the deep and dying breath of
This love that we've been working on"
-Slow Dancing in a Burning Room, John Mayer
Chapter 4: Broken Parts and Complications
The smoke separated at his feet as he made his way down the secluded alley. No noise was heard all throughout the area for the moon had silenced all sounds. He tried to ignore the paralyzing fear that seemed to weigh down his shoulders, but for some reason he was always reminded of the fact that it was there. No switch to turn it off could be seen.
His hands ran along the rough brick walls and he blindly groped for a place to hide. From what… he still didn't know. Perhaps it was the shadow that followed him. It was always there, even when he closed his eyes.
His hand suddenly made contact with a doorknob and he pushed the door open and stumbled in. The darkness faded away and he could clearly see around the room. There was nothing, only red.
He took a step forward and looked down at the floor. Footprints littered the ground and he began to follow them. His eyes glided across the marks until they disappeared and he found himself at another door. For some reason something told him to leave the door untouched, but curiosity was hard to kill, so he gripped the handle and peered into a once forgotten memory.
She lay on the bed with the white covers pulled up to her chest as she stared straight ahead. A light shined down on her and she glowed like an angel sent down from heaven. Her eyes looked right at him and she smiled one of her big bright smiles that made him melt. The twinkle in her eyes added to the temptation of escaping the world and joining her under the covers. She raised a hand up and covered her mouth as a light laugh left her lips. All the life and happiness and joy vibrated off of her and it made him wonder. What happened to strip it all away?
He could only ponder that thought for a moment for the light was glowing brighter and her smile was growing dimmer. He stared at her and he noticed something… her hair. A crown of blonde hair so white and blinding he could've sworn it was a halo.
Jerome sat up in his bed as he took deep gulps of air and looked around his room. Daniel was still asleep and everything in the room was in order. Jerome released a sigh of relief before wiping away the sweat that littered his forehead. He glanced at his alarm clock. 3:23 in the morning…
Jerome groaned before lying back on his pillow and staring up at the ceiling. Just three and a half hours till he had to wake up…
(***)
"Hey!" Daniel picked up a pillow and threw it at Jerome causing him to quickly sit up. "Time for breakfast."
Jerome groaned and ran a hand through his hair. "What time is it?"
"It's seven thirty. I decided to let you sleep in a bit since you were rambling on and off in your sleep about some angel and whatever. It didn't exactly seem like you got any sleep." Daniel explained.
"Huh…" Jerome threw the covers off his body and walked over to his closet. He threw his uniform on his bed and quickly began getting dressed. He lazily combed his fingers through his hair before grabbing his backpack and racing out the room into the kitchen.
"Hey Jerome, I was-," Mick began.
Jerome ignored Mick, grabbed a muffin from the table, and exited the house.
Daniel suddenly entered the room and took a seat at the table.
"Hey, what's up with Jerome?" Mick asked.
Daniel shrugged as he took a bite from his toast. "He didn't sleep that much last night. He was having some sort of dream."
"About what?" Amber questioned.
"Beats me," Daniel replied. "He just kept mumbling about an angel or something."
"A nightmare about an angel?" Fabian stated. He shook his head. "That's new."
"Not a nightmare." Daniel corrected before standing up. "From what I heard, he seemed to be enjoying himself quite a bit for awhile."
"What do you-," Before Amber could finish her statement, Daniel zipped out of the room.
She sighed and looked down at her bowl of cereal before pushing it away.
(***)
"Hey! Newly created enemy!" Morgan rolled his eyes and turned to see Daniel running up to him.
"What do you want?" Morgan asked.
Daniel smirked and began walking along side him. "You're on the football team, right?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Can you tell me who the captain is?" Daniel asked.
Morgan raised an eyebrow at him. "You aren't planning on joining, are you?"
Daniel nodded. "Football's my sport."
"Not at this school." Morgan spat out.
Daniel stopped in his tracks and pointed at Morgan. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Morgan sighed and turned to look at Daniel. "It means that you can't just spend a week here and decide to take everything that's mine."
Daniel scoffed. "Last time I checked football isn't yours… and neither is Ariadne."
Morgan glared at him, but before he could say anything Ariadne appeared. "Hey, I was looking for you. We have to work on our Egypt project."
Morgan kept his eyes on Daniel for a few seconds before glancing at Ariadne. "Yeah, you want to now?"
She nodded. "Let's go to the library."
"Hey Ariadne, would you happen to know who the captain of the football team is?" Daniel asked.
"Oh, the captain? That's Mick; he lives in your house." Ariadne answered.
Daniel smiled at her, took her hand, and placed a kiss on it. "Thank you very much. I'll see you later."
Daniel backed away from the two before heading to the main school building.
"Is he a nice guy or what?" Ariadne stated as she watched him walk away.
"He's something all right." Morgan exclaimed.
Ariadne gave Morgan a strange look before shaking her head and making her way to the library. Morgan sighed and trailed behind her.
(***)
Jerome stared down at the book he had in front of him. His fingers skimmed over the pages and he allowed himself to take in the smell that lifted off the paper. "Old memories cease to fade-,"
"But old friends always go away." Jerome glanced at the doorway and saw Michaela leaning against it.
"Didn't hear you creep in." Jerome stated before turning back to the book.
"I like the element of surprise." She responded. Her heels collided with the wood floor and Jerome could hear her walking towards him.
"You know, it was a wise person who said that." Michaela informed him.
Jerome scoffed and shook his head. "It was you that said it."
"Exactly." She exclaimed. Michaela took a seat on Jerome's bed and crossed her legs. "What's on your mind?"
"Shouldn't you already know?" He questioned.
Michaela smiled and shrugged. "I like to hear it from the miserable people themselves, so go on. Tell me about your dream…"
"What's there to tell?" Jerome asked.
"Well for starters," Michaela stood up and strolled over to him. She closed the book in front of him and looked him straight in the eyes. "It was about me."
Jerome sighed and got up from the chair he was seated on. He walked to the door and kept his back to Michaela as he asked, "And how does that make you feel?"
"I don't know… Am I supposed to feel something?" She asked.
Jerome rested his head against the door and let his eyes fall close. "Maybe."
"Like what?"
"Sadness, pain… hope?" He suggested.
"Hope? Does that even make sense?"
Jerome whipped around to look at her. "You let it all go. Why?"
Michaela stared at him with wide eyes before she shook her head and a small laugh escaped her lips. "Are you serious?"
Jerome shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged.
"Are you fucking serious?" She threw her hands up in the air before marching towards him. "I don't know who the hell you think you are to me, so let me clear up your confusion. You are nothing."
"That's now true and you know it." He announced. "What happened at the pool-,"
"Was all you." She finished. "I saw nothing."
"Really?" Jerome asked. "Then why did you leave? Why did you run? Why did you freak out?"
"I don't want to talk about it." She snapped.
Jerome stepped closer to her and shook his head. "Michaela, we can't avoid it."
"Yes, we can. Go off and live your wonderful life with your wonderful girlfriend." She replied.
"Why do you care?" He asked.
"Because I liked you!" She shouted. "Why do you think I put up with everything you put me through last year? Why do you think I hate you?"
"I-I don't know." Jerome stammered.
"It's because you cracked my heart when you tried to take advantage of me and you completely shattered it when you left me behind." Michaela informed him.
"I didn't know you felt that way." He exclaimed.
Michaela scoffed. "Of course you didn't. You were completely oblivious to everything around you. All that control got to your head and you let it consume you. I tried to help you. I tried to get it out. It was foolish of me to think that I could help save you, but I didn't care because I liked you… I let myself give in to you and in doing so I fell for you. So go ahead and act all surprised and like this will do nothing besides-,"
Before Michaela could finish her sentence, Jerome pressed his lips against hers in a heated kiss.
Michaela's body completely froze and she could feel her mind shut down. In her head she counted the seconds till he pulled away. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8…
Michaela couldn't take it and she pushed him away. "Don't ever do that again."
"Why?" He asked.
"Because you love Amber. You guys have that whole epic love story and I'm not going to mess it up. I'm not going to be like your little friend Nina who kisses someone's boyfriend behind their back. I have morals, okay? I'm a person. I'm a kind loving person who sure as hell doesn't want to be someone's damn second choice." Jerome didn't even get to open his mouth before Michaela opened the door and stormed out of his room.
(***)
"Everyone listen up!" Mick shouted. He entered the locker room where his teammates were getting dressed. "This is Daniel. He is the newest member of our team. He's going to be goalie."
"What?" Morgan slammed his locker close. "I'm goalie."
Mick shook his head. "You've been slacking off, so you're benched."
"You can't bench me. You aren't the coach." Morgan exclaimed.
"I approved it with him already and he agrees that Daniel will be a good fit to the team. Don't take it personally." Mick replied. "Alright guys, let's get out there and practice our goals."
The boys began filing out of the locker room leaving Morgan and Daniel alone. "You're probably enjoying this, aren't you?"
Daniel shrugged. "Maybe a little."
"Well, we'll see who gets the last laugh." Morgan walked past Daniel, bumping shoulders in the process.
(***)
"You get two shots. If you miss, you go to the back of the line. Daniel, you'll block as many as you can." Mick explained. "Alright, let's get started."
"What was with your freak out in the locker room?" One of Morgan's friends, Cameron, asked.
Morgan shrugged. "I don't like that new kid."
"Dude, you hated being goalie." Cameron pointed out.
"Yes, but I'd rather be goalie than be benched for the rest of the season. He can't just waltz in here and take a spot he didn't earn." Morgan replied.
Cameron nodded before lowering his voice and saying, "Then why not put him in his place?"
Morgan raised an eyebrow at Cameron who merely shrugged before moving to kick the ball into the net.
"Morgan, you're up." Mick shouted.
Morgan walked over to the ball and looked up at Daniel. He wore a calm smirk on his face and Morgan couldn't help but feel the strong urge of wanting to wipe it off his face.
Morgan took a deep breath, swung his leg back before kicking the ball so it swiftly sailed through the air before missing the net altogether. "Hey, the whole point of kicking the ball is to get it in the net."
Morgan rolled his eyes at Daniel and glanced down at the second ball. He kicked it up and then hit it with his knee causing it to go higher into the air. He jumped up, spun around, and with all the force he could muster he kicked the ball straight at Daniel.
Morgan didn't have any time to process what had happened, but the next thing he knew Daniel was lying on the floor cradling his arm and yelling out curses as the team crowded around him. Mick ran up to Morgan and without any hesitation punched him directly in the face. "What the hell?"
"You idiot! You know that you could've done a lot worse than break his arm. You're not allowed to use your stupid strength from being a member of Chaos." Mick exclaimed. "Stop being such a petty freak and get over yourself. She's a girl who obviously doesn't like you in that way, so let it go and grow the hell up."
Morgan remained quiet and wiped the blood coming from his nose. "I'm sorry mate."
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing too." Mick advised.
Morgan sighed and looked over at Daniel who was being treated on the side by a paramedic.
(***)
"He tried to purposely injure me!" Daniel shouted.
"Mr. Baxter, please calm down." Mr. Sweet stated.
"Calm down?" Daniel scoffed. "I have a broken arm!"
Mr. Sweet folded his hands together and nodded. "I understand and I will be having a very serious discussion with him, but right now I need you to wait outside with Mr. Campbell."
Daniel glared at Morgan, but reluctantly stood up and left the room.
"Mr. Sweet, I know I broke his arm, but it wasn't like he didn't deserve it. He was being a-," Morgan began.
Mr. Sweet raised his hand and silenced Morgan. "I don't want to hear your explanation. Obviously you don't know how serious this is."
Morgan sighed. "I guess not. Would you care to explain it to me?"
"That young man's father is Nathaniel Baxter, head chairman of the school board."
"Isn't this a private school?" Morgan asked.
Mr. Sweet ignored Morgan's question and continued speaking. "He signs my paychecks and he donates an awful lot of money to this school."
"No, seriously, isn't this a private school?" Morgan repeated.
"Enough!" Mr. Sweet bellowed. "You are to give Mr. Baxter a formal apology and you are suspended from the football team and any other sports team you participate in until further notice. You will have detention twice a week for two months and your curfew has been set to nine O' clock instead."
Morgan jumped up from his seat as he shouted, "What?"
"No protests. Now I suggest you get started on that apology. Send Mr. Campbell in on your way out." Mr. Sweet demanded.
Morgan sighed and exited the office. He tapped Mick on his shoulder and gestured toward Mr. Sweet's office.
Morgan looked over at Daniel who was currently talking to Michaela. Ariadne suddenly walked over to the two and gave Daniel a hug. Morgan couldn't make out what they were saying, but he noticed Daniel nod towards him before Ariadne sent an icy glare in his direction.
Daniel gave the girls a small smile before heading off to his house. Once he had turned a corner in the hallway. Ariadne marched up to Morgan. "What is wrong with you?"
Morgan shrugged. "I don't know."
"Well, I'll tell you. You're an insensitive jerk who gets caught up in his stupid competitive mind. Daniel's a nice guy, but for some reason you started a one-sided feud with him that ended with him breaking his arm. You keep trying to convince me that you're a nice guy, but you always do something to mess up your chances."
"I-I was just jealous." Morgan stuttered.
Ariadne lightly shook her head. "Why?"
"Honestly?" Morgan looked down at the ground. "I don't know."
Ariadne stared at him for a moment before turning away and walking down the hall.
"I hope you realize that you just lost any shot you had with her." Michaela pointed out.
Morgan nodded and watched Ariadne walk away. "I know."
(***)
"Hey! Daniel!" Ariadne shouted as she tried to catch up with him. Daniel paused and waited for her to catch up to him.
"Hey, I could've sworn I just talked to you a minute ago." Daniel exclaimed.
Ariadne smiled at the comment. "Yeah, I just wanted to talk to you and see what's on your mind."
Daniel let out a deep breath before saying, "Nothing really."
"I doubt that." Ariadne replied.
"I'm just starting to rethink coming here, that's all." Daniel revealed.
"Why?" She asked.
"I didn't expect everyone to act this way." He responded.
"Act what way?"
"Like everyone has something to hide." He explained.
"Have you figured out what everyone is hiding?" Ariadne asked.
Daniel stopped walking and turned to look at Ariadne. "Jerome is in love with Michaela even though he loves Amber. Amber knows that Jerome is having mixed feelings, but she's in denial. Mara absolutely hates Mick and Nina as a couple. Mick cheated on Nina last year while she was on vacation or something. Nina is still unsure about her relationship with Mick and wants to rid herself of drama this year. Fabian is probably in love with Michaela. Michaela probably likes him back, but it's hard for her to give herself up. Morgan is hopelessly infatuated with you and you…"
Daniel paused and the sides of his mouth twitched into a frown. "You're all smiles and beauty on the outside and that's why no one can see that you're actually dark and broken on the inside."
Ariadne stared up at him with dark eyes. "What about you?"
Daniel chuckled and shook his head. "I'm here to watch it all go down in flames."
Ariadne rolled her eyes. "That's not what I meant."
"I know what you meant, but just like you I like to keep my secrets to myself."
Ariadne nodded and cleared her throat. "You want to grab a bite to eat?"
"…Now?" He asked.
"Umm… no. Tomorrow actually." She answered.
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Like on a date?"
"NO! No! No…" She smiled nervously causing him to laugh. "Unless you want it to be."
Daniel smiled at Ariadne before taking her hand in his and interlacing their fingers. "I'd be up for it."
The two shared a smile before walking toward the houses.
(***)
Amber stared at the swing set across from her as it swung back and forth. The wind blew silently through the air causing goose bumps to litter her skin and a chill to run up her spine.
"Hey," Jerome walked up to Amber and took a seat beside her. "I'm here."
He leaned forward to kiss her, but she turned her head causing him to kiss her cheek. Jerome gave her a strange look before smiling. "So I arranged a lovely picnic for us that I think you will enjoy. I have all your favorites including-,"
"Stop!" She shouted.
Jerome's eyes widened and he closed the picnic basket that he was rummaging through. "What?"
"I called you here to have a serious talk with you, not to eat lunch." She explained.
"Umm… What's wrong?" He asked.
"Why did you lie to me the other day?"
Jerome shook his head. "What are you talking about?"
"You still have feelings for Michaela." She replied.
"I don't know what-,"
"Stop lying!" She demanded. Amber stood up from the bench and stared at him. "I didn't want to believe it, but lately you've been so distant and I didn't know why. I thought it was just a phase, but it's been a week and we haven't talked or kissed or… you haven't looked at me with the same love that you used to."
"Amber, I love you and I don't want to let anything small get in the way of us." He exclaimed.
"But this isn't something small." She informed him. "I think that we should just take a break for a while and try to figure things out."
Jerome stood up and took Amber's hands in his. "I don't need to figure anything out. I love you, not her."
"You may not need to figure things out, but I do." Amber snatched her hands away from Jerome. "I'm sorry… I really am."
Before Jerome could say anything Amber ran off and hid behind a building. She wiped the tears that were falling from her eyes and tried to steady her erratic breathing. "Stop crying. Stop crying. Stop crying."
At that very moment, Amber caught sight of something from the corner of her eyes. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and crouched down to get a better look at an object on the floor. "It can't be…"
Amber picked up the fragile item and wiped it with her sleeve. With very little imperfections, in her hands, Amber held the Cleopatra Emerald.
AN: Our favorite couple has fizzled while a new couple has been born. I absolutely loved the way Michaela told Jerome off in this chapter… but now Jamber is no more… for now at least. You all know that Jerome and Amber are endgame. Anyways, if you want to know the other songs in the playlist I would be happy to tell you or you can wait for each chapter to find out the next song. I suggest you listen to the songs because they really do define the person or pairing in the story. I hoped you liked the chapter and if you did then review, subscribe, and favorite! I apologize for any mistakes, but I was in a rush. Till next time… love you all!
-Karina
P.S. No sneak peek because I want the next chapter to be a surprise (and I haven't exactly written it yet). I will however give you the summary.
*Summary: When a random heat wave hits, our favorite group of friends is forced to deal with the heat as it intensifies all emotions. Lust, love, and hate all reach their boiling points when everyone is divided and trapped in a room with someone that won't make their day uneventful. With all the drama taking place, they don't even think about the fact that the heat wave is occurring in the middle of October. Does it have anything to do with Chaos rising?*