I woke up the next day on my bed next to Jean. He had one arm on me as he slept. Mom must have moved us along with Jason, Jean's dad. What I never understood was why they never got mad if we were found like this. It was like they were encouraging it. In reality, I didn't really mind all that much.
"Morning, your majesty. Sleep well?" Jean looked at me through half open eyes, small spikes of gold began to fade into the purple. I couldn't help but stare at him, his eyes were hypnotizing. "Has the princess finally fallen?"
"Nope. I just find it weird how you eyes practically reflect your mood." I smiled at him before moving his arm and hoping out of bed. I was only in a large t-shirt that fit me like a dress and my underwear, but Jean is more mature than most guys. He wouldn't peep. "Turn around."
He chuckled before turning as I changed. I put on my favorite white bat sleeve shirt, a pair of jeans, my combat boots, a few bangles, and my top two necklaces (one shaped like a claw and the other shaped like a looking glass). The moment I finished changing, he got out of the bed and hugged me from behind. I liked having Jean around, he made me feel safe.
"Perfect for a fashionista like you." He said before pecking my cheek. I smiled and broke out of his hug.
"Like you are any different. I saw your sketch book, nice tuxedo drawings." I replied. He let his eyes widen in mock shock before going back to normal. He continued to smile at me, but a little less enthusiastically.
"I'm going to head home and change. I'll see at school." He turned around and began to walk out the door. I crossed my arms and shook my head. Jean needs to be a bit more subtle with his emotions. My only problem is whether or not I have feelings for him. As of right now, I love him like a brother.
"Might I suggest a scarf?" I turned to my mom with a scarf in each hand. One was a pale orange while the other was a deep aqua. Mom pointed to the aqua one before walking into my room. She wore a pale blue chiffon shirt with puffed sleeves, a pair of navy blue jeans, and a pair of white pumps. Her hair was braided down the side and the only jewelry on her was a wedding ring. "Orange has never been a good color for you."
"Or any of us. Why do we have it?" I turned back to my mirror and proceeded in fixing the scarf around my neck. There was this absolute rule in anything my mother made, no more than one inch by one foot of orange. That applied to everything, but cooking.
"I honestly have no idea." Mom said before smiling. I rolled my eyes and concealed my gun under my shirt behind me and my throwing knives were in my combat boots. The school doesn't do a search, I'm glad. "Breakfast is ready. Get your stuff so we can eat."
She walked out of my room and left me alone. I picked up my bag and looked around my room. The office door was closed and everything was relatively neat. With that, I left and closed the door behind me. My mom was sitting at the dining table with my dad, both of them were eating. Mom had her usual mushroom omelet and tea while my father had a salad and some tea.
"Morning." I greeted upon walking up to the table. I kissed my mom on the cheek and sat at my usual spot on the table before eating my waffles. My Father's eyes were trained on me as I ate, he was assessing me. "The art fair is coming up at the end of the week. After that is the awards ceremony and then it's my graduation. From there it's two months of vacation and I really want to go with the group to California."
I looked at my mom with puppy dog eyes, but she had her eyes closed. This lady has grown a defense shield for my begging. All it took was a simple no from her to make me stop begging.
"I already told you of the plan for the summer." Mom continued to eat as if we never talked. I huffed a breath before gulping down the rest of my tea, taking my stuff, and leaving the apartment. On the way down, the group walked into the elevator. Each of them were in clothes that reflected who they were. Normally, the school made us follow a code. White button-up shirt, black skirts for girls, black slacks for boys, a burgundy vests, and a blue-black tie. Today was a free dress so we can work on our art without ruining the uniform.
Stevie had another plain white shirt, fades jeans, All Star shoes, and a navy blue hoodie. Darrin wore a plain black shirt, black jeans, grey Reeboks, and a black suit jacket. Katherina wore a light blue shirt dress, calf-high brown combat boots, and a white cardigan. Claudia had a pale brown cami, boot cut jeans, Sketchers, and a jean jacket. Jean had a dark purple button up, black jeans, a dull gold vest, and black Vans. The guys had their hair messy and it hung over their eyes a bit. The girls either wore their hair in a braid or loose.
"You guys ready for the gallery?" Stevie had his arms crossed and was leaning against the wall. Claudia scoffed and kicked his shin. Stevie feigned pain and pretended to look hurt.
"Our photography skills will win this year." Jean boasted our work as he rested his arm over my shoulders. I smiled and shook my head, competitions were not healthy for this group. "Right, Jade?"
I sighed and hugged my folder along with my camera. All my photos were either fashion, weapons, or my friends. Jean covered more of the nature and industrial parts. His photos were of Central Park, buildings from Times Square, buildings in progress, the beach, and even the foot traffic on the streets. It helped to spy on the photographers while our parents were at work.
"Right." I smiled and loosened my grip on the folder and camera. I looked at Jean and saw the faintest hint of knowing in his eyes. He was hiding something, I will see it later. "Besides, it is what we are best at."
"Whatever." Claudia smirked and crossed her arms as well. She was the group's "Cheshire Cat." She always managed to show up and know something right when we need her. Stevie was our "knave" due to his need, or rather want, to protect us in a fight. Katherina, she was or "caster" due to her weird ability to persuade people. Darrin was our "hunter" because of his aim and throwing arm. Jean was our "jabberwocky." He wasn't exactly known to leave a fight to a draw or to lose one. According him and the others, I was their "queen." They said its because I cared about people, but I didn't show it. Or that I was living up to my mom's title.
"Any details on your dad?" Darrin was in the darkest part of the elevator with his hair covering his eyes. He was fiddling with a small rock and a couple marbles.
I glared at him slightly before answering, "Other than he drinks tea with nearly every meal and that he looks bored all the time, I know nothing."
"We passed out not long after you guys left. Didn't exactly have time to do research." Jean continued for me. He still look kind of sad and rejected. Besides that, he was acting a bit snarky. I elbowed him lightly in the gut and walked out of the elevator once the doors opened, the others were at my heels.
From there we walked in relative silence to school. Every once in a while Jean, Stevie, or Darrin would glare at any guy that looked at us weirdly. That or I smiled and flashed my knife at them. Either way, they left us alone from there.
Classes went on normally, with the exception of having everything being related to art. During his free period, Jean took out his camera and started to roam around the school grounds. The school was five large brick buildings that formed an H. Between the buildings were concrete walkways that connected the buildings and large patches of grass that was dotted with trees. Surrounding the school was a wrought iron fence that was electrified. It was a beautiful place, but the smog was not something to be proud of.
He pointed my camera at a certain young girl. Her hair flowed freely down her back and bounced lightly as she laughed at a joke. With her eyes closed and her smile wide, Jean took the photo. His eyes a deep shade of purple as he watched Jade walk with the girls from their group. She was the only girl that he had eyes for and it was staying like that. Ever since he saw her that day at the party, he couldn't get the young queen out of his head.
Their parents were hosting the party at her apartment and it was the first time he was actually going to see the girl his parents spoke about. At first he thought that she would be ugly and obnoxious, but he was wrong. The girl he saw sat sat in a small area, swinging her legs, and her mind wandering. She was beautiful to him, nothing else compared to her. Her hair was a bronze brown, her skin a fair shade with rosy cheeks, and her eyes reminded him of the forest. She had a white lace dress with matching shoes and headband. In his eyes, she was an angel.
"Mom, is that an angel?" Jean asked while poking his mother's arm. She smiled at her son and laughed lightly. His father did the same and called the little girl over. The girl smiled and ran to them. Her eyes sparkled as she hugged the two adults.
"Hi, Jason. Hi, Jessica." She smiled at them before looking at Jean. She was captivated by him. His hair was as black as midnight, his skin like ivory, and his eyes were purple-gold. "Who are you?"
Her voice was sharp and slightly demanding. Jean was taken aback by how fast her attitude could change. He had done nothing wrong and yet she looked ready to attack him. Instead of scaring him, it only incited him even more.
"That is Jean Umberland. He is Jessica and Jason's son." A woman that looked like the girl answered. Her eyes were blue instead green, but she had the same hair. She smiled at Jean and placed a hand behind the girl. "This is my daughter, Jade. I apologize for her attitude, I have no idea where she got it from."
"Jean…" Jade whispered the name while narrowing her eyes. The adults shared a look of knowing before walking away. Jean continued to stare at Jade, at the young angel. She smiled before turning to Jean again. "We're going to be friends now. Okay?"
All he could do was nod as the young queen took his arm and pulled him towards her spot from before. From there the two became inseparable and Jean's interest in Jade became a love. A love in which he hoped that she returned one day.
Jean sighed as he stared at the photo of Jade. She had him tightly wrapped around her finger. He knew that well enough and he didn't care. All he cared about was how long he would be able to help out his young queen, his angel.