BlackCanary98: Nick doesn't seem to have any sense of boundaries when it comes to Jason, does he? Or was briefly mentioned that Nick has a history of people rejecting him, each rejection making him more volatile than the last until he got to Jason. Here he found a sweet boy with a few insecurities...and he's taken. Naturally Nick's pissed. As you'll see in this chapter Karma'sComing123 wasn't making empty threats. And yes, it is poetic justice for Patty isn't it. Nothing too horrible will happen to her, although I will say she's not having just a baby or two...BTW, the song title is from Bruno Mars. Glad you caught the reference.
Rose's POV
"Hey, sweetie," I greet my boyfriend with a kiss on the lips. "How was the basketball game?"
"It wasn't...really our thing. But we had fun though."
"I heard you and Aiden got on the kiss cam," I laugh. I got an old friend to make sure everything went well. Ace smirks.
"It was a platonic, brief peck on the cheek. I can report that after that encounter I am solely and exclusively into beautiful curvy girls with pink hair," he states, twirling me around and snaking an arm around my waist. "Phew, I'm exhausted."
He flops on the couch, taking me down with him.
"I ordered takeout. I wanna watch the latest episode of The Junior," I say excitedly.
"The only reason that show got good was because that Beau Han guy tried to kill Sonia in a burning house," he comments. "And now he's framed her for arson."
"Yeah, well I want to know how she plans to take Beau down."
"I don't trust that Nathan guy she's dating. If he's affiliated with Beau and the Alphas, there's gonna be nothing but trouble."
"Not every rich kid is evil, Ace," I remind him. "You of all people should know that."
"Hmm...let's see. How about Claire, Becca, Sebastian, Max, Kara, Asher-"
"Sebastian and Becca are redeemed characters."
"Whatever. Wait till Nathan stabs Sonia in the back," he mutters. "After everything they've been through together…"
He frowns. Our takeout arrives before I can say anything. I put The Junior and the TV and we snuggle up on the couch to watch it.
"Oh my God, Tyler!" I gasp. "How could he just turn on his friends and girlfriend of three years. And to take the side of those...Alphas! We trusted you, Kassidy!"
"You shouldn't have. And you shouldn't have trusted Nathan. I told you he was going to turn on her. I can't believe he had the nerve to take her to bed, too!" Ace fumes.
"You seem a bit worked up, sweetie. Is everything ok?" I ask.
"It's just some stuff I'm thinking about, Rosie," he sighs.
"What happened at the game?"
"...Jay kissed another dude."
"What?!"
"He says the guy came on to him. I want to believe him, but he definitely initiated the kiss."
"What did Aiden say?"
"He was in the bathroom when it happened. I hope. I couldn't bring myself to tell him. I'll just hope Jason will come clean."
"Well, he's been awfully quiet lately. Do you think it has something to do with the fact that Aiden's birthday is coming up in a few weeks?"
"I completely forgot," Ace admits sheepishly. "I guess that was a bad time to break for those two."
"Anything else you seemed to have forgotten?" I ask, concerned for my boyfriend's mental health.
"Shit…" he mutters. "Our anniversary was a month ago, your birthday isn't until April...uh...oh no."
"What?"
"My term paper for US Government! It's due tomorrow!" he exclaims suddenly. "I can't believe it slipped my mind. The teacher assigned this weeks ago!"
"Oh, Ace. If I'd known I wouldn't have made you go to the game."
"No, no. I'm usually on top of things. Damn, I'm slipping," he groans, looking very distressed. He covers his face with his hands, sighing heavily. "God I'm so stupid!"
I put my small hands on his larger ones and pull them from his face.
"Hey, look at me," I say softly. "I'll help you write your term paper. We can do this together. Just like when we had one day to win the election? We can do the same in half that time."
"I don't even know if I have it in me anymore, Rosie," Ace mutters. "I think I've lost my spark for a very long time."
"Don't say that, sweetie. Of course you've always had it. You just...used it for the wrong reasons. Come on. Let's finish our dinner and get to work."
I gently kiss his lips, caressing his neck and back. He wraps his arms around my waist and kisses me back. He smirks at me.
"What happened to 'let's finish our dinner and get to work'?" he teases, biting my lower lip.
"I am finishing dinner," I whisper. "It's only seven p.m... Ace, you must be so hot in that sweater. Let me help you cool your head down a little."
Pretty soon, we're heavily making out on the couch. He trails his lips down my neck, my collarbone, until he hovers over my chest.
"Do you want to?" he asks.
"Just don't leave any marks like you did the last time. Do you know how embarrassing it was to explain to my dad that a rash on my neck was really a hickey?"
"I guess I got a little carried away…"
"I had to wear a turtleneck for days," I pretend to pout. "I guess now you can make it up to me."
"My pleasure…"
He starts unbuttoning my pink blouse, gazing at my lacy black bra.
"Surprised?"
"You...got a new one this time. It's all black instead if hot pink...Not that I'm complaining."
So we got pretty frisky with each other, so it came as a surprise when someone opens the door on us in such a compromising position. Thank goodness, it's only Ava.
"Uh…"she says. "Am I interrupting something?"
Yeah, pretty awkward having your best friend walk in on you and your boyfriend both half naked and he's practically smothered in your chest. Ace and I quickly cover ourselves up, blushing madly.
"Nothing important! God, you scared us, Ava," I wheeze. "What's up?"
"I'm starving, that's what's up," she says. "I swear I ate hours ago but it feels like I haven't eaten all day."
"Well, you are eating for three people, so you'd need to eat a lot more than normal."
"I know...it just sucks being hungry all the time…" she sighs. "Well, I'm heading up to my room. You guys can keep...doing you."
This makes Ace and I blush again. Ava laughs and heads upstairs.
"I think we should get started on that term paper," I say sheepishly. Ace nods and takes out his laptop. "So, what's the topic?"
"The constitution, specifically the amendments. I have to pick a few of them and talk about their relevance to today."
"Well, which ones are you going to choose?"
"I dunno. Any ideas?"
"I have some books in my room," I say. Ace smirks at me.
"Is this just an excuse to get me in your room?"
"I'm serious! Come on!" I insist. Ace laughs as I pull him upstairs. So we did research (for real, I swear) and Ace gets started on his term paper. Before long, I feel myself nodding off. I stifle a yawn, but Ace notices me.
"Go to sleep, Rosie. I'll be fine," he says, rubbing my back.
"I want to help," I whine. "I just need an energy drink or something. I'll brew a coffee."
"Baby, it's 1 in the morning."
"So?"
Ace chuckles and shakes his head.
"Fine. But if you yawn again, you're going to sleep."
I rush downstairs into the kitchen. I'm busy brewing the coffee when I hear a door slam shut.
"Roscoe?" I call out. No answer. "Come on, Roscoe, this isn't funny. Is that you?"
"Who said that?" I hear Roscoe's voice from upstairs. I start to panic. If that's not Roscoe, who's there?!
I pick up a rolling pin and creep towards the foyer. I turn on the lights, ready to swing at the intruder when Ava shrieks.
"It's me, Rose!"
She hold up her arms, one hand holding a large bag of McDonald's?
"Ava, what are you doing up?"
"I couldn't sleep. Plus I just had this sudden craving for something greasy and sweet at the same time. I may have gone a bit overboard."
I peer into the bag.
"It's half empty!"
"I got hungry along the way," she giggles, patting her round stomach. She definitely looks like she's swallowed a watermelon or too. She's gotten quite big for 6 months gestation. "Oof! That was a big kick. I guess they're still hungry after the two double cheeseburgers, fries, and two vanilla shakes. But I feel like I'm gonna pop if I eat anymore."
My eyes widen.
"You ate all that at once?"
"Well, I dipped the fries in the shake, then put them on my burgers, so…"
"Eww!"
"You think that's bad, you should see the other weird ways I've combined food. Lets see-"
"No, I don't want to know!" I laugh, covering my ears. Ava chuckles appreciatively and walks past me.
I go my own separate way into my own room. Ace seems to be nodding off to sleep. I try to pull his laptop away so he can get some rest but he holds on to it.
"You're sleepy, Ace," I point out.
"I was just resting my eyes," he says defensively. "You gonna share some of that coffee?"
"Fine. But twenty more minutes and we're going to bed."
"But Rose-"
"I know you think you can run on no hours of sleep, but look. You're almost done. You can conclude the paper tomorrow and we'll edit together. Ok?"
Ace sighs before nodding at me. He puts the laptop on my dresser and gets into the bed with me.
Ace's POV
I wait until Rose is sound asleep before I sneak out of bed. She shifts a little. I hold my breath...until she goes back to sleeping peacefully. I grab my laptop and head downstairs. I work late into the night. When it's like 4 in the morning, I've printed out the paper.
It was then that I finally allow myself to sleep. When I wake up, Rose is standing over me, quite pissed.
"Uh...morning, beautiful!"
"Ace, what time did you go to bed?"
"See, I uh...had to use the bathroom and I didn't want to wake you so I just slept on the couch."
"And why is your laptop with you?"
"Uh…"
"I'm glad I woke you at 7 a.m."
"You did what now?! School starts at 8! Did you seriously make me oversleep!?"
"I know. We'll make it to school on time. Come on. At least you got the paper done."
"I didn't even get to revise it a third time-"
"Too bad, we're leaving!"
I grudgingly get ready and wait in the car for Rose. Minutes later, she taps on my window.
"Yes?"
"We're taking my motorcycle," she says.
"I can drive. It's way more comfortable."
"Bartholomew de la Cruz, you are in no condition to be driving!" She scolds, putting her hands on her hips.
"You sound like my mom. I'll be fine."
"Ace…"
"I'm pretty sure you've seen me after an all nighter. This is no different."
She sighs, "Why must you be so difficult?"
She gets in the car next to me and puts on her seatbelt with a pout. I smile and kiss her on the cheek. The drive goes mostly smoothly. That's when I feel my eyes start to droop. Must be sleep inertia. I'll be fine...I hope. I blink rapidly to try and get rid of the feeling. That actually made things worse. I shake my head. Rose looks at me with concern.
"I'm fine, Rosie," I say before she can comment. I try to focus on the road again. We're nearing the school parking lot.
"Ace, look out!" She cries out suddenly. I turn and see a car has ran a red light, hurtling towards us. I tank the steering wheel in an attempt to swerve away, but the car hits Rose's side head on. I recoil from the impact and shield my eyes from the flying debris.
"Rose!" I yell. When the smoke clears, she's slumped over the dashboard. She's covered in blood and glass. "Rose! Oh, God no!"
I gently shake her. She moans.
"Ace…" she whispers. "T-this is not your fault."
"Rose, I'm so sorry! I should be more careful... should've listened to you more."
"It hurts, Ace." Tears start welling in her eyes. She starts crying a little.
"I'll call 911! Just stay with me, Rose."
"I'll try…"
I hop out of the care and start dialing for an ambulance. Meanwhile, the other driver stomps out of his car, followed by a smaller girl. She gasps when she sees the damage.
"I told you running a red light was a bad idea, Nick!" She says sternly. Nick turns around and glares at the girl, causing her to shrink back.
"He shouldn't have been moving so slowly," Nick scoffs.
"Maybe you should've kept your hands to yourself, huh Nick?" I challenge, remembering him from last night's game.
"Hey, Jason pretty much asked for whatever happened between us. And what happened is none of your business. Speaking of which, don't you have your ball and chain to attend to?"
"Ball and chain? Wha- Don't speak about Rose like that!" I snap. Nick meanders over to Rose's side to look at her.
"Damn, she's a pretty thing," he whistles, eying her body. "If I wasn't already pursuing someone, I'd definitely go for her."
"Get the hell away from her!" I yell, advancing towards him. Nick chuckles, stepping back.
"Relax, Jason's the only guy for me," he sneers. "Besides, the only good a chunky chick like her could do is to please a man."
"He and Aiden belong together and you know it," I say, ignoring the insult he just threw at my girlfriend.
"Who's Aiden? Never heard of him!" he guffaws. "At least that's how it'll be when I'm through with him!"
The ambulance arrived to take Rose away. They ask if I need medical assistance as well. I decline.
"Please do everything you can for her," I beg. The paramedics nod and the ambulance drives away. I'm torn between following Rose to the hospital and warning Aiden about Nick's threat I decide to send him a text and hope he gets it. Then I have to wait for my insurance company to take care of my care. I just hope I'm not too late before I get to Rose.
Katie's POV
I swear, its like Jason completely shut down after last night. Didn't he originally agree to this kiss? Why is he so upset? He ran straight to the guest room and locked the door when we got home. I could hear soft sniffling from inside.
"Jace, it was just a kiss," I say. "It's not like he tried to sleep with you or anything."
Jay doesn't respond. His eyes are to the ground at his feet.
"You should at least try to eat something," I press, holding a banana out to him. He looks at it, wrinkling his nose at the sight.
"I'm not hungry," I barely hear him mutter. He's clearly lying, but I don't know how to convince him to eat.
"Sure, but don't say anything when your stomach starts rumbling loudly in the middle of class because you chose to be stubborn," I say, trying reverse psychology. Jason shrugs and heads out the door.
He's mostly quiet on the ride to school. Nick texted me and said he was in some car accident and was running late. Damn. He retreats to the boy's bathroom as soon as we arrive at school. Oh well. I have to catch up with some of my friends. I meet up with Patty in the girl's locker room. She pulls me into a stall.
"Look, I'm about to tell you something shocking, ad I don't need it getting around school, got that?" She hisses.
I nod, unsure of what she was going to tell me.
"What's up?'' I ask nonchalantly.
"I think...I might...I could be pregnant."
This makes me gasp. Patty shushes me angrily.
"Do you want the school to know that?!" She demands. "I don't know for sure. I'm taking a test to verify."
"When's the last time you...um...you know?"
"Slept with a guy? There was that casual hook up with some dude from Hearst 2 months ago, but I'm almost 100 percent certain we used protection...I hope. My test is done, let's see the results. Fingers crossed for a negative…"
We wait for the results to slowly appear...and they're positive. Patty gasps, backing up against the wall of the stall.
"Patty…"
"There must be some mistake! I can't be pregnant! I could just be bloated."
She lifts up her stomach. I reach out to feel it. Where it is usually slim and soft, it is now firm and slightly curved.
"What are you going to do?"
"What CAN I do?!"
"Isn't there another pregnant girl in the school?"
She narrows her eyes at me.
"That little slut Ava? No way. She made fun of me yesterday. Besides, I just made a mistake. Haven't you noticed she only showed up about a month ago? Who knows what she's been getting into?"
"Well, if there's anyone who'd understand what you're going through, its her."
"My mom's gonna kill me!"
"I'm sure it'll be fine.
"Whatever," she grumbles. "Just don't tell anyone about this."
"You have my word."
Frankly, I could care less about what Patty chooses to do. I mean , we hang out sometimes when Jason's not around, but in the end, she has her life and I have mine.
Speaking of which, I better get to class.
Jason is the last person to drag himself into the classroom just before the late bell. He sits down next to me and puts his head down. Luckily, we sit far enough from the teacher so he won't notice.
"Psst! Jay!" I whisper. He barely lifts his head as I pass him a note.
K: You feeling alright, Jace?
J: I want to freaking die.
K: Why, because of what happened last night?"
J: He tricked me! He got me to agree to a cheek kiss then he went for a mouth kiss! His hands were all over me and he even tried to force his tongue down my throat!
K: It's not the end of the world, Jason. I'm sure he didn't mean anything bad by it.
J: I have a boyfriend!
K: Had. You had a boyfriend.
"Kaitlyn, Jason. Is there something you'd like to share with the class?" The teacher demands, walking up and snatches it from Jason's hands before he can reply. "I hope you won't mind if I read this aloud."
And so he does. The rest of the class is snickering. Jay's face goes dark.
"Mr. Sherman, I was the person who started sending the notes," I admit.
"I see, Coleman. And what do you have to say for yourself, Parker?"
Jay opens his mouth to speak, but a loud growling sound from his stomach interrupts him. I warned him. He gets up suddenly and bolts.
"Jay, wait!" I try to call after him. But he's already gone. There has to be some way to get Jason to feel better…
Jason's POV
I don't know what happened after last night, but when I woke up this morning, it felt like there was a huge weight of guilt on my chest. I felt very sick after what Nick did to me. It was bad enough when I was drunk and could barely remember anything. But now he did it when I was conscious and sober. What if Aiden saw? What if he finds out? Then it'll definitely be over between us.
After I pretty much humiliated myself in class, I found myself wandering towards the music room. The place is a mess with sheet music strewn everywhere chairs out of place...and the grand piano where Aiden would sit to play...destroyed. Even the wall is spray painted with, the words Karma's a bitch isn't it, Zhou? Aiden's standing in the middle of if all, looking absolutely shattered. A part of me wants to walk up to him and comfort him, but another part of me thinks he needs space to process this. I turn to leave when he spots me. We lock eyes for a painful moment before he turns away from me.
"Ai-"
"I'm not changing my mind, Jason," he says coldly. "I'll come back when I'm ready."
"But-"
"Just go!" his voice threatens to crack. "Just...give it more time."
I have no choice but to oblige and leave him be.
An hour if wandering later, Katie texts me and tells me to meet her at the auditorium during lunch.
"I'm not really in the mood, Katie, so-"
"SURPRISE!" the other glee members pip out of their hiding spots.
"It's not my birthday," I say in confusion.
"No, silly! We're celebrating all the hard work you've put into glee club," Katie says, giving me a hug. "Everyone loves you, Jason. I hope you remember that."
"Almost everyone…" I mutter, thinking of Aiden.
"At least the people who actually care about you do," I hear Nick's voice from behind me. I can't move. My body is frozen.
"What do you want?" I whisper.
"Jace, I had no idea you were uncomfortable with what happened last night. I swear I thought I heard someone calling my name and I turned," he says sadly. "I would've never tried anything like that."
Yeah, right.
"Whatever. Let's start practice since everyone's already here."
"Actually we're having a pizza party to celebrate," Katie says, picking up a box. "Have a slice!"
"I'd rather swallow oil."
Truth is, I'm starving. But after all the calories ingested at the basketball game, I better take it easy. I can't have Aiden think I've let myself go. Then he's never gonna take me back and my dad will be right about me.
"It's from this really good pizzeria nearby…"
My stomach growls loudly. It feels like my gut's starting to digest itself it's that painful.
"I'm...not really feeling the pizza right now. But thanks anyway."
"Are you sure you don't want anything else? Some wings, maybe."
Painful twinge.
"N-no…" I feel my surroundings start to get fuzzy again. My legs give out on me, but Nick catches me before I hit the ground.
"Whoa, there. Try not to pass out on us again, Jace," he says. "I'm gonna take him to the nurse."
I'm too weak to argue. He lifts me up bridal style and carries me to the nurse.
"Why are you doing this?" I ask weakly. "What did I do to you?"
"It has nothing to do with you...It's just...well, I've tried to deny my feelings for you, but I can't. I let my jealousy take over and I ended up hurting you."
"I wasn't the only person you hurt."
"I know…"
Hmm...Nick's playing nice again. Perhaps I can use this to my advantage. And well...I hope Aiden won't be too upset with me.
"I suppose...I can forgive you."
He looks surprised by this.
"R-really?"
"I mean, you can't help how you feel about someone…" I say, looking into his eyes. "And besides, you're uh...very attractive."
"Oh, Jay…" he says softly. Suddenly I feel myself falling and hit the nurse's bed hard.
"Ow! What was that for?!"
"You're cute, Jason," he chuckles, caressing my cheek. "But you're gonna have to do better than that to fool me."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
He laughs, his left hand stroking my hair, my face, then my neck. He leans in close.
"Jason. I like you, but I am not a person to be fucked with. Don't play dumb."
His grip becomes tighter on me. Fuck, this is what Aiden was warning me about! And I didn't listen!
"W-where's the nurse?"
"Must be out today. Oh well. And I wouldn't try to yell for help if I were you. Trust me, you wouldn't like me if I got angry."
"Don't hurt me!"
"Why would I hurt you? I just want to show you how much I care about you."
"...S-stop…" I protest weakly. I didn't have the strength to push him back. I remember feeling a draft come over my body before I black out.
Aiden's POV
"Why am I being called into the principal's office?" I ask Ava. She was the only one who was available when I saw the damage to the music room. I have a wild guess as to who did this.
"I dunno, maybe they need a witness or something," she remarks. She's struggling to catch up, her extended girth slowing her down. So I slow my pace so she catches up.
"So, how are the twins doing?" I ask.
"Sometimes it's like the invasion of the body snatchers, and the two hosts are fighting for sole reign of my uterus," she laughs. "But at least they're both healthy. I'm kinda worried about having an early birth, though. There I times where I feel like I'm about to give birth, but turns out it's a false alarm."
"Damn, makes me glad I'm not a woman. No offense."
"None taken."
"What are you going to name them?"
"I haven't thought about that...Heh, there's no way I'm naming them after my family...or their father. Maybe- ow!"
"You ok?"
"Kicking, as usual."
We enter the principal's office, and to my surprise, my parents are there too!
"Mom? Dad? What's going on?"
"They're suspending you, Aiden," my mom says. "Apparently they got an anonymous tip that you trashed the music room."
"But I'd never do that!" I protest.
"That's what we've been saying all along," My father fumes. "Ms. Edwin-"
"Professor Edwin, to you.'
"-my son is a dedicated student of music and composition. I find it outrageous that you would try to blame him for when happened."
At least my parents were taking my side this time.
"Be that as it may, Mr. Zhou, your son was the last person seen leaving the music room. I've heard he makes it a habit to spend his time there during 1st period."
"Because it's my free period," I interrupt. "I've been going there to practice for my Juilliard audition. Please, Professor Edwin. A suspension would severely hurt my chances of getting in. You've got to reconsider!"
"First of all, I haven't 'got to' do anything you say. But, because this is your first offense, I'll reduce your punishment to a month of afternoon detention. And you'll have to clean the music room during your free periods. Am I clear?"
I bite back my anger and nod. Believe me, I'm pissed. I've been framed on the basis on an anonymous tip and now I've got to suffer the consequences. Then something hits me. I remember one of the first few texts Karma'sComing123.
Karma'sComing123: You know what? I was gonna go easy on you, but since you want to play games, I'm gonna decimate you. You're gonna lose everything you ever cared about. Consider everything you once knew destroyed. No more music playing, no more Julliard. No more Jason.
This was his plan. He wants to destroy me from all angles. He's turned Jason against me, destroyed the music room, and got me frames for vandalism. He's wanted me to suffer this whole time. All because I dated the guy he was so damn infatuated with.
Well, if I'm going down, I'm taking his entitled ass down with me! I storm out of the office, where Ava is waiting for me.
"Edwin gave me detention for a month!" I complain.
"Uh, dude? You might want to look at this," she says. She's on a video chat with some girl.
"So you know how there's a lot of the janitor's stuff missing, like rope, rags, chlorine, and tape?"
"Oddly specific. And no, I didn't know."
"I found them. They're in Nick's closet."
"What are you doing at home?" I have to ask.
"Not important. I also found two one way plane tickets to Japan! I think he's planning to kidnap someone and not look back! There's a set time and date too!"
"When?"
"4 weeks from now."
"My birthday,'' I mutter. "Whose names are on the tickets?"
"Well, there's Nick…and some guy named Jason Parker...That's all I can say for now. I better go. I think someone's coming."
The video chat ends. I stand there, dumbfounded. When I finally find the words to speak, they come out cool and determined.
"I better go find Jason before it's too late."
"You're going to get back together with him?"
"I...don't know, actually. The important thing is making sure Jason's safe from harm."
"But how can you warn him in time if you have detention and all your free periods are taken up?"
"For once, I say damn the rules. I may not know where our relationship stands right now, but I sure as hell am not going to stand by and put him in harm's way."