Hey, guys! Sorry it's been so long. Finally, right? Thank you all for the reviews. My mom has been doing a lot better and everything is working out. I means a lot that you guys care. So, thanks. (: Thanks to all the people who followed and favorited, too! You guys a sweet hearts. Well, sorry for the spelling and grammar mistakes in here. I wrote it all tonight and can't stay up long enough to edit. I hope it's not too bad. Let me know! Anyway, You guys are the best! R&R!
-CJ
Jade stared at the ceiling in silence, Bec coiled around her feet. She went retired to the guest room after John and her finished Con-Air. He swore he'd show her all the Nicholas Cage movies before her first month was over. It had been just about 5 hours since then and she hadn't gotten any sleep.
She had called her grandfather when she arrived at the Egbert house, excited to hear his voice. He never picked up, ever when she kept trying and called him 6 more times after that.
So much worry, so much frustration. She never wanted to leave, she never wanted to fly by herself, she never wanted to be a grown up and fend for herself. She was still a kid! A sixteen year old kid that wanted fun and silly jokes. Jade was a kid who just wanted her grandfather.
In the midst of over thinking, jade had failed to realize where her feet were taking her. She had already stood up and got a sweatshirt from her still unpacked suitcase and made it to her bedroom door. Bec was still sound asleep at the foot of them bed despite all of her commotion.
Jade went out the garage door, not too sneakily. The walk was nice; it had only been about 3:30 am so the stars were still shining. Her feet took her around the block, returning her to the front door of the Egbert residence. She sat on the porch for a while. She continued to think of all the great times on a remote island with her grandfather and dog.
Yeah, Jade knew it was getting old and maybe a little silly by now, but she was still upset. She was still sad, she was still pissed, she was still homesick. Damn, she was was homesick. She missed all the stairs and her little green room that made her feel like she was on top of the world.
The door opened behind her and shut quietly. Looks like someone noticed she was gone.
"I know it sucks." John said.
"I don't really think you do, John. But thanks."
"I can only guess, actually. All I know is that if I had to leave my Dad, his gross baked goods and this stupid suburb, I'd be lost. It's all I've ever known." John sat next to her, sighing, "So, yeah.. I kind of grasp it. I think you're forgetting you still have me and Dad. And my friends will be your friends soon."
Jade stared at him for a minute then busted up laughing. She was too tired, to be honest. The sleep on the plane wasn't enough to keep her running this long, she felt high.
"Thank you, John. I'm glad you're trying to help." She smiled at him.
"Hey, you know what.. I was talking to some pals at school about a party that's going on tomorrow, how about we go? So you can meet new people, let loose a little." The gangly boy grinned at his slightly younger cousin.
"Sure, why the hell not?" Jade stood up and slid off her shoes, placing them in her hand. "I have to go to bed right now or I might die. Wake me up in the morning, alright?"
The walk to her room was short and uneventful. Bec was still snuggled at the foot of the bed and snoozing. She crawled into bed, falling asleep almost immediately.
"Hey, wake up! We have plans, you sleepy head!"
Jade slowly rolled over without opening her eyes. "What time is it?"
"Almost 1," John laughed, "I let you sleep in."
Jade shot strait up. "I've never slept in this late! Oh gosh!" She fumbled around to get out of the covers and grabbed clothes before darting into the bathroom to change.
"Whoa, really? Are you even a teenager?" John said through the bathroom door.
"What kind of question is that? Of course I'm a teenager, John. I just always had things to do on the island." She explained.
"But sleeping in feels great, man. It felt great, right?" he laughed at his cousin again.
Jade opened the door, "Well, yeah. But still. I can't get all lazy like you." She elbowed him in the side.
She had changed into jean shorts and a loose tank top, now pulling on her brown leather boots. This was her usual outfit during summer. The shorts weren't too short and the tank top had just enough room so her skin could breathe and the wind would circulate through it.
"Aren't you gonna brush your hair? Isn't that a thing girls do?" John tilted his head at the girl sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Do you know how long it takes to brush this? Too long. I'll probably brush it next time I take a shower." She sighed, holding her hair.
"Haha, alright. Let's get a move on. I said I'd show you around. A couple of my friends are gonna help, okay?"
"Ooohh, Like that girl you told me about? The one you have a crush on?" Jade said in a excited, but devious voice.
"Yeah. But don't go getting any ideas! This is strictly business, Jade Harley! Nothing more and nothing less." John hmphed and crossed his arms.
"Whatever you say." The girl stood and flipped her hair over her shoulder.
They walked to the kitchen together and John grabbed the keys off the counter. His dad was already at work and Bec was in the back yard. The car was parked in the driveway. It wasn't the car he had picked her up in; this one was a lot more worn and ragged. It looked like an old Jeep Cherokee, the ones they sold in the early 80's. It had definitely seen better days. The green and white paint and patterns were chipping and the rust on the doors was getting out of control.
"Isn't she a beauty?" John smiled and looked at the car with pride.
"Sure? Are you sure it's safe to drive?" Jade looked at the car skeptically.
"What?! Of course it is, silly! I've been fixing her up since beginning of freshman year! Trust me, it used to look a lot worse." He chuckled.
"Alright, if you say so." She replied and walked to the car, hopping on the bench seat in the back.
"Why are you sitting back there?" John eyed her over his shoulder.
"Well, that girl needs to sit by you, right? I'm just back here for the view." She winked at him.
"You're insane." He sighed under his breath and started the car.
The drive was short to their destination, Jade had no idea where they were going, it only took about 10 minutes. They had wound up in a neighborhood with huge houses and beautiful trees. The streets were well taken care of, too.
John honked the horn twice and about a minutes later, two blonds walked out of the house. One, the girl, wore a black dress with little slip-on's and a headband. The other, the boy, stood at least 2 feet taller than her. He was wearing a plain tee with jeans and some sneakers. His sunglasses reflected the sun into Jade's eyes, making her turn away and wince.
"Dude, you didn't need to honk." The boy called out.
"If I didn't, you'd be taking your sweet time." John retorted.
"You could have just called me, ass."
"Or me, you know I always answer my phone, John." The girl called out.
"I did call you, dude! Three times!" He sighed and relaxed in his seat, "Sorry, Rose. I didn't want to bother you."
"It's not bother at all, I know how Dave never answers." She smiled.
They finally made it to the car, but the plan didn't really work out as expected. Rose ended up sitting in the back with Jade. John turned and laughed at his cousin, as if saying 'I knew it wouldn't work, you should have just sat up here.' She rolled her eyes at him.
"Hello, you must be Jade. I'm Rose." She stuck her hand out.
"Yep, that's me. It's nice to finally meet you!" Jade shook it, "I've heard so much about you."
"Good things, I hope." She smiled.
"Wonderful things." Jade smiled back.
"Yo, I'm Dave." The boy in the passenger seat turned to her.
"Jade Harley." She stuck her hand out to shake his.
"Ready to have some fun?" He smirked at her, shaking her hand.
"I think so." Jade nodded and smiled.
They drove around town for a while, then stopped for lunch. Dave lost the rock, paper, scissors match and had to pay. Jade got to pick the place and went with the local coffee joint by the park. Rose sat first and John quickly took the chance to sit next to her. It was kind of endearing how much he liked her. Jade sat down and giggled to herself. He's so dorky.
Dave sat down next to her, picking up the menu and handing it to her. She mumbled a 'thank you' and flipped it open. It was silent as everyone picked what they wanted, the waiter interrupted it.
"What can I get you guys today?" He smiled at the four of us.
"Oh, hey! I didn't know you worked here, Jake." John looked surprised
"Yeah, I started working here about 2 weeks ago, It's neat isn't it?"
"Sure is, man." He glanced at his menu, "I'll have a burger and a milkshake."
"Alright, and what about you, Rose?" He scribbled the order onto the pad in his hands.
"A spinach salad with vinaigrette on the side and a grape soda, please." She looked up at him.
"Okay, and you, Dave?"
"Just an ice tea, dude."
"Un-sweetened without lemon, right?"
"Yeah."
"And what about you, young lady?" He smiled at Jade.
"I'll have a chocolate shake, sir. Thank you." She smiled back.
"Alright! I'll be back with your orders soon. Sit tight, kids."
Rose grabbed all of our menus and stacked them in the middle of the table. She seemed so polite.
"So, John. Are we going to that party tonight?" Dave rested his chin on his hand.
"I thought we would, it sounds fun. Why, did you have a better idea?"
"No, it kind of sounds lame, though. It's at the beach house, right?"
John nodded.
"I guess it might be fun, then. What do you say, you two?" He turned to Rose and Jade.
"It's not like there's much else to do." Rose responded.
"Sure. I don't have any plans." Jade laughed.
Their food arrived shortly after that and they ate it quickly. Dave paid, reluctantly. They drove around for about 2 more hours, finally stopping at Dave's apartment. They all got out and entered the 50 story building.
"Hey, Bill." Dave waved at the man seated at the front desk.
"'Evening, Dave." He retorted. Jade waved at him with a smile. He couldn't be younger than 60.
They walked onto the elevator as Dave pressed the button to the top floor. It was actually a really nice apartment building. The elevator was large, the tile floor was marble. When they finally reached their stop, there was only one apartment on that floor. Once they got in there, Jade knew they had to make a lot of money to afford something like this.
The kitchen was huge, so was the living room. A 70 inch flat screen with a bookshelf full of DVD cases on either side of it.
"Whoa."
"It's nice, isn't it? Bro is a director." Dave laughed, "Or.. Was. I'm not sure what he does now."
"It's really nice." She scanned the place once more.
"Make yourself at home, there's food in the fridge if you're still hungry, guys. I'm gonna go grab something really fast." He went up a staircase and turned left.
Jade planted herself on the white leather couch and stared at the TV.
"John, do all of your friends have a ton of money?" Jade turned to her cousin.
"Hmm, Maybe? I don't know, I've never really focused on that stuff." He shrugged.
"Geez." She sighed. She looked at the clock on the wall, it's was almost 10 pm. How did it get so late?
Rose was in the kitchen, cutting an apple and humming a song. It was smooth and calm, reminding her of some night on the island when the fireflies were out and the crickets chirped. Jade used to walk out and catch frogs on those nights. They were her favorite. She had closed her eyes and continued to listen.
"You falling asleep on us, Harley?" Her eyes snapped open to see Dave standing in front of her and John nowhere to be found.
"No, just thinking." She sighed and slumped her shoulders.
"Thinking always gets you into trouble, don't you know that? It always ends up sad." He raised an eyebrow at the black haired girl sitting down.
"Yeah, I know what you mean.. Sometimes you just can't stop it though." She glanced up at him behind her glasses.
Dave felt a ping in his chest. He had seen that look in someone's eyes before. He noticed it right away. He saw how sad she was and how alone she felt in the very moment and it had been overwhelming. Dave let himself fall back onto the couch adjacent to the one Jade say on, His arms flopped to his sides and he sighed.
Hope you guys liked it. (: Review, please! Thanks for reading, have an awesome day. (Sorry it ended so weird, I had no idea where I should end, sooooo.)
-CJ
