My Name is Jesse, Not Johan
Chapter 11
Kellyq
"Are you sure you don't want any help?" Jaden asked, watching Jesse make his way to the living room with a hand full of Sodas. He placed them on the table.
"If you can bring the bowl of Chips and the bean-dip from the kitchen, that would be great!"
It had been a week since Jaden moved in and the others wanted to make sure Jaden was settled in right. During that time a bond was starting to grow between the two boys. Jaden got to meet the other animals: Cobalt Eagle, Emerald Turtle, and Sapphire, a beautiful white stallion with a personality to go with him. Jaden smiled. Maybe when we finally find Johan, Jesse will let us live here! Then he blinked. Jaden almost forgot about Johan and with all the commotion going on, he was sure Jesse forgot about helping him look.
"Jesse," Jaden called out, as the turquoise haired teen followed him to the kitchen. "Is ... is alright if Johan can live with us after we find her? I mean - until we find a place of our own?"
Jesse smiled. "Sure. And don't worry, I haven't forgotten. I've just been making sure you've been comfortable."
Jaden expression softened as he pulled Jesse close. "Thank you so much for helping me, Jesse. It means a lot to me that you try and understand me and Johan."
Jesse smiled and moved some hair away Jaden's face. "You're my friend Jay ..."
The brown haired teen chuckled. "I like being called Jay then be called partner."
A playful look flashed across Jesse's eyes. "Oh? And what did you call her?"
"Precious," Jaden answered simply. "Anyways," he continued, shaking his head, "we better get the rest of the stuff out before the others get here."
They didn't have to wait long. Banner came first with a small box in his hand. He handed the box over to Jaden and he gave Banner the tour of the large house.
"I'm glad that things are working out for you," Banner said as he sat down on the couch.
"It took a little bit to know where everything was and get some of the animals to trust me," Jaden chuckled nervously. Banner looked closely at his client and saw three-day-old scratches on his face.
"Oh my. One of them doesn't seem to like you," Banner remarked.
Jaden chuckled again. He scratched the back of his head, and looked to where Amethyst was resting. "I don't think she trusts me being around Jesse. And she always stares at me like I'm a snack bar or something."
Jesse walked into the room and chuckled at Jaden's reaction when Amethyst pounced on him. You do taste good and Amethyst wanted a taste too, Jesse thought with a smirk. "Like I said. She's very protective of me."
It was then that the doorbell rang. Topaz walked to the door and opened it with his paw. Jesse walked up to see that it was Syrus, Kenzan, Jim and Alexis.
"Hey guys," Jaden said from behind Jesse. "We were going to start the party without you!"
Alexis observed Jaden the whole time, to see that he looked a lot healthier. She couldn't help but smile as he unwrapped presents, talked, and laughed. Alexis eyed Jesse, and their eyes met for a brief moment. She motioned for the turquoise haired teen to follow her to the other room.
"Have you mentioned anything to Jaden about Johan yet?" Alexis asked.
Jesse sighed. "Not yet. I want to get him to trust me first so when I do take him, he won't be too shocked by it."
"You guys," came Jaden's voice from the living room, "if you want some chips and bean-dip, you better get in here before we eat it all!"
By the time seven o' clock neared, the guests were ready to leave. Jesse and Jaden bid everyone good night and a safe trip home.
"That was fun," Jaden said, stretching. He walked to the stairs that lead to the second floor. "Well, I'm off to bed."
"I'll be up shortly," Jesse said, leading the animals toward the kitchen.
Jaden smiled and walked up the stairs, down the hallway, and opened the door to his room. His room had nice carpeted floorin, and a twin-size bed. The ceiling was painted with the picture of outer space. Jaden's desk was off to the side of the bed and the window was off to the right. The brown haired teen laid back, and stared at the ceiling, and smiled. He laid there for a moment until the clock started to chime.
Jaden grumbled. "I wish that I didn't have to take my meds." With that, he walked to the bathroom and started to look in the cabinet for one of them. Jaden frowned. Where did I put that last one? He closed the cabinet door and walked into Jesse's room. "Jess, have you -" Jaden paused when something caught his eye. He turned and walked to the desk to see a peach colored folder. Next to the file was the picture of Johan after her fight with Yubel. Jaden's eyes clouded over with grief and confusion. Why would Jesse have this picture? His eyes shifted back to the file, and his heart started thumping painfully in his chest as he reached for the file.
"Jaden," came Jesse's voice from the open doorway.
The brown haired teen slowly turned. His eyes had not changed. "W-where did – you find this?" He asked, holding up the picture.
Jesse walked up and pulled Jaden close. "This is not how I wanted you to find out," he murmured. Jaden started to feel an uneasy sensation in his gut as Jesse started to lead him to the bed.
"W-what do you mean? She is alive, right?" Jesse's expression darkened as he took the file and sat down next to the shocked brown haired teen. Jaden moved away. "No! Johan's not dead!" Anger started to grow in Jaden. "Why would you lie to me?"
"Listen to me, Jay ..."
"I ... I trusted you!" Jaden seethed. He was trying to keep Haou from coming out and hurting Jesse. The turquoise haired teen tried to comfort Jaden but Haou surfaced. Jesse was pinned underneath him, having a tight hold around Jesse's throat. "I warned you, didn't I? I didn't want to hurt you, but you crossed the line!"
Jesse tried to pry Haou's iron grip from his neck. "Please. I'm just ... just trying to help ..." he wheezed. Jesse reached up and cupped his face. "I'd never wanted to hurt Jaden. I want to help heal his heart. Please give me a chance!"
Haou narrowed his eyes as he lessened his grip on Jesse's neck. "Why? So you can play another twisted game?"
Anger flashed across Jesse's eyes. "I'd never do something that cruel to anyone, and you know it!"
"Then tell me why you kept it from Jaden and I?"
"I was trying to find away to share the file with you," Jesse explained. Haou got off of Jesse and picked the folder up that fell to the floor. Jesse sat up and rubbed Jaden's back as he sat the depressed teen down. "We'll do this together, Jay. You don't have to do this alone."
By now Jaden had tears streaming down his face. He turned and threw himself in Jesse's arms. "I'm sorry!" he sobbed. Jesse rocked the sobbing teen back and forth. "Johan ... Johan!"
To Be Continued ...