Jackson just stared at his phone, replaying the last message he got from Holt. How could he? Jackson's hand shook as he tried not to get up and destroy everything in his sight. So he calmly placed the phone down on the table and moved to the window. Climbing out he started walking. He didn't know where but it was nice to walk as the cool wind soothed his broken heart. He tried not to let Frankie enter his mind. He was trying to forget about her…or maybe he just needed to go talk to her. Explain that Holt was wrong…he doubted that she would listen, but he had to try! Looking around he saw himself close to the Maul. He glanced over at it thinking about maybe heading in but decided to keep walking when he heard sirens coming towards him. Flash of red shot past him as he got a better look at the Maul. It was surrounded by fire, monsters rushing around trying to get out and away from the burning building. Not knowing what to do he stood back and watched as many monsters took photos and crying out for loved ones. He hoped that none of his friends where in there…he went to grab his phone to check it, but he remembered he left it at home.
"Dang it…" He said looked around. He saw a young harpy using their phone to take pictures, "Excuse me?" He said getting their attention, "May I borrow your phone?"
"A normie!" She screeched backing away from him, "You shouldn't be here after what your kind did!"
Jackson stepped away from her raising his hands in front of him, "What are you talking about? I didn't do anything and I am a monster!"
"Lies!" She screeched louder making other monsters to turn and look at Jackson. "Normies always lie!"
"I am not lying!" He tried to explain as many of the monsters were glaring at him as they slowly circled him.
"No…Please I did nothing wrong!" He said trying to back away as the harpy readied her claws.
"Jackson!" Deuce yelled pushing through the crowd with Cleo, "Back off!" He shouted at the harpy holding his glasses about to stone her if needed, "This normie happens to be my friend! He goes to Monster High…many of you know it! It's a school for monsters!"
The harpy glared at Jackson looking him up and down, "Then why did he burn the Maul?"
"Oh. My. Ra! Are you stupid?" Cleo shouted making the harpy turn to Cleo, "Do you really think he would burn down a monster maul if himself was a monster? Now I know why daddy told me to stay away from your kind."
She screeched about to attack Cleo when Deuce stood in front of her, "No! You have caused enough trouble. Leave now before I make you a statue!"
She looked Deuce over noticing the snakes on his head before backing down. "You may have stopped me this time Gorgon but you won't always be there." She spit on the ground by Deuce's feet before turning her attention back to the burning building. Deuce looked around making sure no one else was willing to test him. Seeing everyone slowly backing up from him he grabbed both Jackson and Cleo leading them to his car.
"What was on your mind to insult her Cleo?" Deuce said angrily when they got in the car as Cleo rolled her eyes.
"I didn't say anything that wasn't true!"
"But that doesn't mean you say it!" He growled making Cleo fold her arms and turn dramictly from Deuce.
He sighed not really wanting to fight with her at the moment. So he turned his attention to Jackson as he stared out the window looking a little shaken.
"Are you okay?" He asked making Jackson turn to him.
He took a deep breath closing his eyes, "As fine as I ever will be."
"It will be alright," Deuce told him getting a dry chuckle out of him. Figuring it was best to move on he asked, "How did you get to the Maul?"
"I just walked there," He said chewing on his lip, "I just wanted to forget about Frankie…and what Holt said to her. It basically ruined any chance of getting back with her."
"It was pretty bad," Deuce said remembering, "The entire school knows…they are pretty spilt on it too."
"What do you mean?" Jackson asked not understanding how the school can be spilt on this subject.
"Half the school thinks Frankie was in the right to break it off with you two-"
"And the other half agrees with Holt." Cleo finished for Deuce as he rolled his eyes. "Do you still like her?"
"Of course I do!" Jackson quickly said making Cleo smile.
"Then you should talk to her."
Jackson went back to staring out the window, "I rather deal with that angry crowd of monsters then face Frankie's father…or Frankie for that matter."
"Shut up!" Cleo said making Jackson look at her surprised, "If you still like her then she is worth fighting for! You can't give up just because of one little fight."
"It was more than a little fight…Holt called her a bit-"Deuce chimed in when she cut him off.
"Nothing that wasn't true at the moment." She said in a matter of fact voice making Jackson raise an eyebrow.
"I thought she was your friend?" He asked as she laughed.
"Of course she is…but when you are being a bitch you are being a bitch there is no denying it, and Frankie at the time was being a bitch. And her father! Oh don't get me started on him!"
Jackson tried not to laugh as Cleo went on her rampage. "But what I am saying Jackson every couple fights…if they give up on the very first one they have then every moment you spent with them was worthless." She said softening her tone.
Deuce nodded sadly grabbing Cleo's hand proving what Cleo just said. Jackson just stared at Cleo, "Why are you being so nice to me?" He asked suspiciously making Cleo giggle.
"I may have not liked you at first, but I now understand you are pretty okay for a normie."
Jackson didn't really believe what she said, "What happened to you to make you say that?"
Rolling her eyes she went straight back to her normal self, "Because no one should be treated like you have."
Jackson sat in confusion but before he could say anything Deuce cut off the conversation before it got to personal. "Do you want to talk to Frankie?"
Jackson wondered what Cleo meant by that but decided to move on and answer Deuce's question, "might as well try."
Deuce nodded as he turned the car around heading to Frankie's house. As the castle started to show Jackson sunk in his seat regretting his decision when Deuce pulled into the drive way, "Alright dude we will be here, good luck."
Jackson didn't get out of the car right away remembering he didn't have his phone. "Hey can I borrow your phone?"
Deuce looked confused, "Why?"
"Just in case she wants to talk to Holt…I left mine at home."
He handed him his phone as Jackson thanked him. Readying himself he got out of the car and headed up to the door. His hand hovered next to the door debating if this was a good idea when the door opened revealing a smiling Frankie. Her face fell as she took in who was standing at the door. Going to slam the door in his face he caught it, "Frankie let me explain!"
"No! I do not want to talk to you!" She growled trying to shut the door as Jackson held it open.
"Frankie please…Whatever Holt did or said…it wasn't me!" He told her. She gave up on trying to close the door and marched inside as Jackson followed slowly closing the door.
She walked into an old style looking living room as she sat on the couch glaring at the blank T.V. "Go away Jackson before my dad finds out you are here."
Jackson looked around a little worried on what he would do, but he wasn't here for him. "Let him find me then…I am here to talk to you so I am talking to you!" He said as forcefully as possible without being mean.
He heard her make an angry sound, "Fine talk, but it doesn't mean I will talk back."
Rubbing his face Jackson just glared at the back of her head. It was a start, "You know I didn't say any of that to you right? It was Holt…and I am pretty sure he is regretting it." He stopped as she made no movement but he can see her facial expressions in the black T.V.
"You understand why he was hurt right?" Jackson asked as Frankie's face softened.
"Yes I do, but there was no reason to call-"
"No there was no reason to say that…and if you saw…our mother took full to telling him that." Jackson rubbed the bruise his mother left when she grabbed Holt. "But that isn't a full reason to break up with us both. I had nothing to do with it."
"But you let him out even when you knew it would be a bad choice!" She rushed out standing up; she turned her angry gaze to Jackson, "I told you not to let him out! I asked you-"
"I can't just force him to stay in!" Jackson fought back, "you know that! He will force his way out…and I rather not have him to do that! It just hurts…a lot!"
"He could have went a few more hours!" She yelled back jabbing Jackson on the chest.
"No…he wouldn't," Jackson reasoned doing his best to ignore the jab, "He was already bugging me way before lunch."
Frankie just shook her head at him heading back to the couch, "It doesn't matter, we are done."
Not letting her go so easily Jackson moved around the couch and sat in a chair watching her, "Did our time together not matter to you at all?" He asked quietly making her spark in surprise from the question.
"It meant the world to me." She said with a sad smile on her face, "every moment with you and Holt made my day seem brighter…but explaining our relationship to people…my father-"
"Shouldn't stop you from still feeling that way," he said softly reaching out for her.
She moved out of reach leaving his hand floating. He pulled back and sighed, "If there is a will there is a way…that's what my mother always told me."
Frankie looked at the floor, "But both parties have to be willing for there to be a way and in this situation there is no way."
"If it helps in anyway, I am extremely sorry for what Holt…or since you want to put us together…for what I did." He got up and moved to the door.
"Jackson….wait!" Frankie started to yelled when a knock sounded at the door. Frankie stopped in her tracks and quickly looked away.
Jackson looked at the door then to an ashamed looking Frankie who made no movement to the door as the knock sounded again. Not really knowing what to do, he opened the door to a blushing zombie unicorn who smiled awkwardly with flowers in his hands, until he saw who was at the door. He quickly looked away blushing even more, but for a very different reason.
"Umm…Jackson," He hid the flowers behind his back as Jackson just stared at him, "I didn't thin- or will…know- or…um do I have the right house?" He pulled out a piece of paper looking at it then back to the mail box.
Still staring at the monster in front of him, "Frankie I think it is for you."
Deuce and Cleo slowly got out of the car watching as Frankie pushed Jackson aside to let Neightan in. "Hey…Jackson was just leaving." She said leaving him standing in the doorway.
"Why is he here?" Jackson asked as Neighten gave him an apologetic look.
"It's none of your business," she snapped, "we are done."
Jackson held up a finger telling Deuce and Cleo to give him a minute as they walked up to lead him back to the car. "No I believe I have a right to know what is going on." He said carefully making Frankie give him a look. Deuce and Cleo stood close by watching from the porch.
"It's none of your-"
"I think it is my business when I come to talk to you and he shows up!" He motioned to Neightan as he looked at the floor still trying to hide the flowers.
"No it isn't!" She yelled walking to the door opening it, "You need to leave now!"
Jackson didn't move as he rubbed his temple, "How long?" He asked quietly as the surprise left and he guessed what really happened.
"What did you say?" She asked in surprise.
"How long?" He asked a little louder making everyone jump.
"How long until-"
"Until you broke up with me for him?" He yelled making Frankie take a step back.
"It isn't like that!" She said trying to defend herself when Jackson waved that down.
"Then what is it? Is he your gay friend? Doubtful!" Jackson closed his eyes trying to keep from hitting him, "just tell me what is going on, I deserve that much, after everything I told you…after everything I shared. It is your turn."
Frankie played with her dress, "I don't understand the second question…" Jackson gave a humorless chuckle, "If you don't know don't answer it…trust me it won't work very well in his favor is your say yes."
She glared at Jackson who leaned against the wall, "but to the first…" She trailed off not looking at anyone, she felt Jackson's eyes on her…those blue, intelligent eyes…the ones she would stare at when he zoned out thinking over some problem he couldn't solve right away. How those black rimmed glasses hid them from the world. They weren't just his eyes though…behind those soft eyes were wild fire orange eyes. The eyes that are always changing, from red to orange to back again, swaying with rhythm, filled with life. Not a boring speckle in them. How they shined when the lights hit them just right. Frankie hated herself for falling for both sets of eyes. She looked at the monster who was brightly colored he played with the flowers dropping them not once but twice. She giggled, he didn't look like much…but there was something about him. The warmth in those cold looking eyes…they made her freeze. "We met a couple of weeks ago…" She whispered out, "It was nothing…we were just friends…but I started to fall for him…so-"
"So you were going to date him?" Jackson said interrupting, "but not tell me?"
"No I would never do that!" She rushed out offended he even thought that. "I was going to talk to you both first…"
"But you father made you speed it up! So that is why you didn't tell him about Holt," Jackson said cutting her off again, "So instead of telling him and risk him going mental…you hid Holt from him…so you can find a different boyfriend."
"No…I was going to-"
"I don't want to hear it Frankie." Jackson said raising his hand, "But I think I know a person who does." Jackson rubbed his temples, Holt was worried…it has been a while since he left Jackson a message and to add on all the different emotions he was feeling.
"Don't you dare let him out with you like this!" Frankie said panicked watching Jackson closely.
Jackson laughed dryly, "I am fine," He lied smoothly making her glare at him.
"No you are not…and Holt will feel every single emotion you are feeling when you let him out," She folded her arms as Neightan looked lost.
"If I can ask a question…" He said raising his hand making everyone look at him. He sunk back a little, "But who exactly is Holt?"
Frankie placed her hands over her mouth, before turning to a laughing Jackson, "Don't you even think about it! I am not dealing with him right now!"
"Come on!" Jackson gave Frankie an evil grin making her look at him in shock, "He wants to meet him."
"I will never talk to you if you let him out!" She threatened as Jackson laughed harder.
"After Holt hears what you have to tell him about us never able to work this out…then I won't have to worry about it." She looked a little confused, "because he will probably make you hate us even more."
"I never said I hated you!"
"Bull!"
"I told him that it was too confusing!"
Jackson threw his hands in the air, "so much for 'figuring it out' more like 'I will stay with you until I find a new boy.'"
"That is not fair!"
"Life isn't fair!" He growled back pulling out Deuce's phone.
"Dude don't." Deuce said realizing where this was going as Frankie jumped in surprise of him appearing behind her. But he was too late as Jackson put on his headphones that were always around his neck.
Holt swayed for a minute as all the emotions flew over him, anger, sadness, regret; heartbroken…he closed his eyes trying to find his emotions before opening his eyes again. Taking calming breaths he opened his eyes to see Frankie smiling trying to hide the fact she was a bit scared. Holt felt his regret for being cruel to her, "Frankie…I am so sorr-"
"Just don't Holt…" She said softly as if she was afraid of making him go off.
"But I shouldn't hav-"
"It doesn't matter…"
"But it does matter to me!" He said getting her to stop, "Just give me a chance to make it up to you…it wasn't Jackson, he is a good person…I just…" He trails off, he closes his eyes. "Please Frankie can you forgive me?"
She sighed going to hug Holt tightly. He didn't know if this meant yes she forgave him or…what, but he returned the hug. Not wanting to let her warmth leave his arms he hugged her tighter. "I didn't mean to hurt you…" He whispered to her as she tried not to cry, "I think…Frankie...I think…I-I love you…"
Frankie pulled out of his embrace, "Holt…please just leave." She had tears streaming down her face. He stood there confused, he was trying his best to make things right, "Please…I am sorry…I am beggin' here!"
"No…it just won't work anymore." She had her back turned to him…but she could picture his face…as the tears threatened to make an appearance, but like he told her a long time ago (jokingly) but a Hyde never cried.
Holt rubbed his eyes; standing a little straighter he gritted his teeth, "Why?"
"Please…Holt just please leave!" Frankie begged turning around to face him.
Making a face he just shook his head, "Why?"
"Quit being stubborn!" She shouted, "Please just leave!"
"Just tell me why!" He shouted back making her flinch.
"I-I"
"That ain't explainin'" He growled making Neightan walk up.
"Leave her alone!" He yelled bravely getting in between them. Well it was bravely until he got a full look of Holt's hurt face…from agony to anger.
"You Pony Boy, have about five seconds to get out of my face before you kiss the floor," Holt threatened making Frankie try to push Neightan out of the way.
"Please, Neightan stay out of this."
"He is yelling at you! He is clearly…" Neightan wasn't able to finish his sentence as Frankie yelled looking over his clearly broken nose. Holt was standing back with a sly smile on his face…punching things always made life better. Massaging his knuckles he watched as Frankie fused over an unconscious Neightan.
"Dude…not cool," Deuce said as Holt laughed darkly, "I did tell him."
"Still you shouldn't have done it."
"Made me feel better," He mumbled making Deuce raise an eyebrow at him, but didn't get time to respond back. Frankie got up and slapped Holt across the face. Tears falling from her face as she shook with rage, "How could you?" She whispered through gritted teeth as Holt just stared at her. "Why couldn't you just leave? Now leave…just leave…I am done with you...I am done with Jackson."
Holt snapped out of it giving her a hurt look, "Frankie…please."
"Get this through your thick skull Holt Hyde….I. Do. Not. Love. You!" She screamed at him making him back up holding his chest.
"Neightan and I are seeing each other! You make everything so hard! You can't just listen for once in your life can you?" She took a deep breath as Holt slowly shook his head looking at the ground. "Now I see why Jackson never told you your father was actually murdered! Because he…"
"What!" Holt shouted snapping out of his broken trance; Frankie quickly placed her hands over her mouth shaking her head. She backed away slowly as Holt processed what she just told him.
"My father….my father…he died…h-he was not murdered!" He yelled as his fist found the wall putting a nice size hole in it. "He wouldn't lie…not now. Jackie…why did you not tell me?"
Holt felt the tears coming…he wasn't even mad at Frankie for leaving him for Neightan…all he wanted was the pain to go away. "Its..fine…I am…fine." He walks out without even looking back at Frankie who was calling after him. Deuce followed him as he walked, giving him distance as Cleo got in the car following as well.
Holt held himself as he walked, mentally asking Jackson why? But he remained silent, but he was still there. The hurt he was feeling was more than just his. He walked for a good while as it slowly started to rain…he chucked humorlessly…this is so cliché.
Deuce sighed as he knew Holt needed some time to his self…but knowing how easy it is to fall into bad habits again. He stayed…even when Holt looked a little lost he still followed.
"You don't have to follow me all night," Holt said stopping to turn and face Deuce.
"I know."
Holt never really understood friendship…but if it was unclear after what Deuce just told him then he should have an award for the most stupid person ever. Walking up to Deuce placing a hand on his shoulder, "I don't know what I would do without you man."
"You would be walking in the rain all night." Deuce said trying to lighten the mood.
"It just started…." Holt mumbled out as a car pulled up.
"Are you going to get in or am I going to have to drive all night?" Cleo growled from inside the car.
Deuce sighed as Holt laughed, "Well the lady has spoken. Let's head out."
"You feeling okay?" Deuce asked eyeing Holt closely as he got in the back seat.
"Better than a few minutes ago…" he checked the time, "Well more like hours, but still."
Deuce nodded as he took over driving from Cleo. Holt was watching the houses pass still trying to understand how Frankie knew what happened, but he didn't. Why would Jackson tell her not him? Chewing his lip he saw Deuce glancing back at him. He knew he wanted to talk how he truly felt. Holt wasn't one for sharing his feelings to people, but Deuce wasn't one for letting someone go without a confirmation that he wasn't going to do something stupid.
"Did you guys know?" Holt asked as Cleo looked uncomfortable and got on her phone.
"I found out from Heath….after we found out about Jackson's…uh…problem. But I didn't want to ask why he was doing it at the time….so I asked Heath."
"So you knew he was murdered?"
"Yes…and that Jackson saw." Deuce said warily hoping Holt wouldn't get mad.
Closing his eyes…Holt searched for those memories…he wanted to see. They weren't his…there was nothing….He doubted if they even could share memories. Even with his mind searching Jackson seemed to have taken to hiding from him. "You okay?" Deuce asked as Cleo turned to look at him.
"Yeah…I am fine."
"You sure don't sound it." Cleo said getting a quick glare from Deuce.
She just shrugged at him before saying, "Everyone knows what happened now."
"To my father?" Holt asked with curiosity, "Did Frankie tell?" He growled out the last part making Cleo quickly shake her head.
"How did they find out?" Deuce asked.
"Spectra," was all Cleo said as Deuce groaned, how could he have not known that?
"So I take it she overheard Jackson telling Frankie?" Holt asked glaring at the tiny screen on Cleo's phone as he read what she wrote.
"I guess so…I mean she is a ghost." Cleo said watching Holt's facial expressions as he read.
"Damn those normies," Holt said crossing his arms leaning back in his seat.
"They aren't all bad," Deuce said trying to keep him calm.
Holt just made a noise and looked out the window, "It doesn't matter…it happened three years ago…or I at least think three."
Cleo gave Holt a pitied look he missed as she turned back around in her seat, "It still matters…because I think there is going to be some backlash from this."
"What makes you think that?" Deuce asked as Holt gave the mummy his attention.
"First that monster normie club gets closed."
"Sorry 'bout that," Holt said in a small voice as Cleo continued.
"Then the monster maul gets burned to the ground…and now the students learned about your father…this can't be good."
"There shouldn't be any reason for monsters to get upset about my father," Holt said making a noise. "It happened in another town."
"A town that is not too far from here…one that isn't used to monsters." Deuce said looking over the evidence Spectra dug up about their father's death when they were safely in Holt's driveway.
"But that still ain't here." Holt said looking it over then slowly getting out the car. "I don't think it will cause problems, but I can't walk up to the house…so I will talk to you both later, thanks for the ride." Holt stepped out of his music bubble turning back into Jackson. Jackson waved good bye to Deuce and Cleo as he slowly walked around the house to climb back into his room.
He rubbed his eyes finally feeling tired after the long day. There was no denying this day sucked…he lost his girlfriend…and Holt more and likely pissed her off more. Groaning as he rubbed his wrist…it was a little bruised from the day before when Jackson told Frankie about his father. It wasn't as good as cutting…but close enough. He didn't know what to do…he was alone again. A different type of alone, but still alone. Going to his phone he saw it blank…no massages or missed calls. He wasn't surprised by this, but he picked it up to check the ghostly gossip page everyone told him to get. It was better than bruising his wrist more…gave his hands something to do. He pulled it up and gasped as he saw what the head line said.
JACKSON RELEAVES TRUTH ABOUT FATHER'S DEATH!
No one was supposed to hear! How…why did she do this? Jackson wanted to shout…it was posted two hours ago…what the hell? Jackson dropped his phone and pulled his knees to his chest as he sat in his bed. Why can't people leave his life alone? Gritting he teeth…he guessed it could be worst…It could have told about his break up with Frankie…but he was sure that will be another head line for another day. Resisting the urge to break down…There was a soft knock on the door. "Come in…" he said not moving.
The door slowly opened as his uncle stood in the doorway waiting for him to notice, "Hey can we talk for a moment?"