Hyper Angel - Thank you for your review! I'm sorry; I ought to have mentioned this earlier for people who might be unaware. This story happens after my first fan fiction, Mean to Me.
VampireNaomi - I can see them as a couple now that you mention it. I hope you enjoy the story even though I paired Jade with Viper instead.
Forgotten Love - I'm glad you're enjoying this! It was a pleasant surprise today when I saw all of your reviews! I appreciate it!
Yu Mutou - Do you like it? I thought it was worth a try.
To all of you - Thank you for your reviews! I really appreciate your encouragement!
Jade paced about the shop morosely. Her first day as an adult, and she was still being treated like a child, forbidden to go anywhere or do anything fun. Even school would have been a blessed change, but school was out for the summer. Not that it made any difference; in her present state, Jade wouldn't have been able to go.
Now Jade was confined to boring lectures and endless tasks from Uncle and Jackie's vast collection of books that were as about as interesting to her as watching paint dry. If it hadn't been for Viper dropping by, Jade would have died of boredom.
"I brought you a few more sets of clothes for the week." Viper stated, handing Jade the garments. "So what have you been up to?"
"Tch, being lectured all day, reading books that I could care less about." Jade said crossly, taking the borrowed clothing to her room.
"Well you did disobey your uncle, not to mention lying to me." Viper reminded the frustrated young lady before her. Jade crossed her arms and glared back.
"Are you done yet? I've got better things to do than-" She started, interrupted by Viper's calm smirk.
"Is that so? Just a few moments ago, it sounded as if you were desperate for anything to occupy your time." Viper noted. Jade looked away sulkily. "All right, if you say so." Viper shrugged, and left the room.
"Viper..." Jade called when Viper had only gone a few steps. She went back to the room. Jade looked at her apologetically, and twisted her hands uncomfortably. "I'm sorry for...lying to you." Jade murmured, glancing at the floor.
"I'll forgive you, Jade," Viper replied, "Just stay out of trouble for the rest of the month." After Viper had left the room a second time, Jade rolled her eyes.
/Like that'll happen. / She thought to herself.
That night, Jade managed to slip out of her room unnoticed. Within half an hour, she had made it to a part of town that she had always wanted to visit but had been to young to go to.
"Step right inside, miss. Please enjoy yourself." The smiled graciously as Jade entered Paradise 7, the hottest club in the city. Various colored lights throbbed to the beat of the music. Two big searchlights scanned the mass of dancing bodies. Jade found her way to the bar and occupied an empty stool, watching the crowd with innocent wonder.
"What can I get for you?" Jade turned to see that the bartender was talking to her. He was handsome; short sandy blond hair, green eyes, and a captivating smile. Shaking herself awake, Jade shook her head furiously from side to side.
"Nothing, thanks." She blushed.
"You sure? First one's on me." The bartender offered. Something about his smile convinced her to take him up on it.
"Beer, then." Jade smiled. The bartender nodded, and shortly returned with her request.
Jade took a sip and was appalled by the taste. Being too proud to say anything, however, she sipped it and watched the swaying crowd. It was then that she noticed Viper, dancing with some unfamiliar face.
/Oh, crap. / Jade placed the glass back on the counter without bothering to turn around, and by accident, it toppled over and spilled.
"Watch it, lady!" The man next her griped, standing up and narrowly avoiding the mess. Jade gave him an apologetic glance before dashing outside.
"That was close." She murmured softly. And yet it was too soon to be counting herself safe.
"Jade? What are you doing here?" Viper's voice inquired. Jade's heart sank. "I thought I told you to stay out of trouble."
"You know, you sound just like Jackie." Jade retorted. "Besides, what good is it being an adult if I can't have any fun?"
"You aren't supposed to be having fun," Viper exclaimed, "You're supposed to be at your uncle's antique shop repenting for disobeying Jackie's instructions. What am I going to say when your uncles want to know where you've been?"
"They don't have to know!" Jade snapped.
"Yes, they do!" Viper sighed. "Come on, we're going back."
"No." Jade said simply. "I'm an adult now. I can do what I want."
"Your body is that of an adult. Your mind is still that of a little girl." Viper whispered, grabbing Jade by the arm, and dragging her towards the shop. Jade pulled away, but Viper just grabbed her again.
"Viper, please..." Jade whined, "Please, don't say anything. If Jackie found out..." Viper stopped short, and looked regretfully at Jade.
"I know I'm gonna hate myself for this." Viper snorted. "Okay, go ahead," She conceded, letting go of her captive, "Creep back into your room, and be careful not to make a sound. But if I catch you sneaking around here again, or anywhere else outside of the shop, your uncles will hear about it."
Jade managed to slip through her bedroom window unnoticed. Not a moment to soon, either. In the instant that she stretched out on her twin bed, she could hear footsteps headed her way.
"Jade?" Came Jackie's surprised voice. She opened her eyes and did her best to look bored.
"Yeah? What?" She asked, sitting up on her elbows. Jackie blushed, and looked away; obviously he had not expected to find her in her room.
"Uh, what do you want for supper?" He asked, glancing at her sideways.
"You mean I get to choose?" Jade asked excitedly. It was a rare privilege that she ever got to decide what would be the night's menu. "I want pizza! Canadian bacon and sausage."
Jackie went to call in the order, and Jade followed. She had seen far more of her bedroom than she cared for before she had snuck out. Much to Jade's amazement, Viper was there. When Jade reflected on it later, she realized that she should not have been surprised; Viper had come to make sure that Jade had indeed returned home.
"So how are you enjoying your week as an adult?" Viper inquired deviously. Jade scowled.
"If this what it's like to be an adult, I'd rather be a kid again." Jade snorted.