Disclaimer: I do not own the Mediator or any of these characters (except Julian). They belong to Meg Cabot. I know, I know, I'm jealous too.
A/N: Ok, so, yeah … don't really know what to put right here. Oh, I know, I hope those of you that read the last chapter liked my little Julian POV. I'm hesitant to writing more from his POV. Y'all (yes I wrote y'all I'm from Texas so give me a break) need to tell me if you want to hear more from him.
Oh and sorry it took so long. It's hard to write when you have to take care of three kids. And they're not even mine; they're my brother's kids.
OK anyway … let's get on with this chapter.
Chapter 5
I am officially going to give up on guys.
Yeah, that's right. I actually said that.
Guys are way too much trouble. OK, so, sometimes they are worth it. And, yeah, I can't swear off guys forever. Maybe I'll just swear off the mysterious guy type. With their sexy smiles, awesome bodies, dark eyes, and freaking amazing kissing.
Oh, hell.
Julian was so lucky I was too upset earlier; otherwise I probably would've broken his nose.
It is still a tempting idea.
No. No, no, no. I don't need to get in trouble. Let alone get in trouble over a guy, especially one that obviously doesn't want me.
If Julian wants to go out with Kelly, well that's fine by me. I don't care.
Yes, I am in denial … no need to rub it in my face.
OK, I am changing the subject. I am not going to think and/or talk about him.
Oh, my God. Have I really subjected to calling him, him? Obviously yes. Yes I have.
Do you want to know what I'm doing to keep my mind off of him?
Absolutely nothing.
I'm lying on my bed supposedly doing my homework. I know what you're thinking. Who has homework on the first day back to school?
Apparently me.
I told my mom I was doing my homework. When, really, all I'm doing is staring at the paper hoping it will miraculously do itself.
"Ugh." I groaned and flipped over so I was lying on my back.
I wish Jesse were still here. That way I could have someone to talk to.
Well Idiot, you told your only connection to Jesse not to talk to you anymore, My inner voice said.
Great. I tell you not to rub it in my face and my own inner voice starts doing it.
It's times like this, when I'm bored out of my skull, that I wish I had a ghost to mediate.
Whoa, I never thought I'd ever think or speak those words.
"SUZE!" Doc yelled up the stairs. "PHONE!"
Honestly. Would it really take too much time to walk up the stairs and tell me?
I picked up to phone. "Hello?" I asked when I heard the downstairs phone hang up.
"Suze." The person on the other line said. I instantly recognized the smooth, deep voice.
Holy Hell, I thought.
I stayed quiet, to stunned to say anything. How the hell did he get my number? I sure didn't give it to him.
"Suze? Are you there?" Julian asked.
I sighed. "What do you want?" I asked.
"I wanted a chance to talk to this really amazing girl I met today. I think I may have pissed her off and I want a chance to…"
"Well I think you dialed wrong. I can give you Kelly's number if you want it."
Don't say it. I am fully aware that I am being petty and childish. But in my defense I probably wouldn't have been acting like this if I had known he was going to call. I would've had time to calm myself down.
Which brings me back to, how the hell did he get my phone number.
Julian sighed in frustration. "Suze, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
"It's okay Julian, I understand." I said in a sarcastic, false placating tone.
Julian obviously didn't catch it since he said, "You do?"
"Yeah. I understand that you are no different from other guys, although I was stupidly hoping that you were. The only thing I'm having trouble understanding is what the hell you were thinking."
"What do you mean?"
"Did you think I wouldn't mind you and Kelly going on a date while you and I were doing whatever it was that we were doing?"
Julian was stupid enough to say "No."
"No? You seriously thought I wouldn't mind. Are you freaking stupid?"
"I meant no, I wasn't thinking that. I wasn't thinking at all. Will you let me explain what happened?"
"I don't really want to hear whatever explanations or excuses you've come up with."
"Please Suze, just give me a chance. Please."
Oh holy Hell, he was practically begging me. I couldn't just tell him no. Well I could have but I didn't want to. I sighed. "You've got two minutes before I hang up."
I said I didn't want to tell him no, I didn't really say I was going to be nice.
"OK. First off, I'm sorry. Really sorry. And, just so you know, you are an awesome kisser."
"Uh-huh. I'm still waiting for your explanation." I said curtly. I wasn't about to be sidetracked by his compliments on my kissing. But just for a moment, he said I was awesome!
Excellent.
"Oh right. Here's what happened. I l… fucking shit!" He yelled into the phone.
"Ow!" I yelled back. "That was my ear you just yelled in. What the hell happened?"
"I, uh, Suze can I call you back?"
"Uh no. You're lucky I'm even talking to you right now. I could've hung up when I found out it was you because I specifically remember telling you not to talk to me anymore." I said and remembered that there was something I had wanted to ask him. "By the way, how the hell did you get my phone number?"
"Listen Suze…"
"No, you listen, Julian. If you hang up I swear you'll never get a chance to explain again. So decide, are you going to hang up or can you keep talking?"
"Shit." He muttered. "Suze, please. I have something important to do. Will…"
"So obviously fixing things with me isn't important to you."
"I didn't say that. Will you please just let me call you back?"
"Your two minutes are up. Bye Julian."
"Suze wait…"
"I will repeat what I said earlier. You know, so your tiny boy brain can comprehend. Do not talk to me anymore." I said and hung up.
Ugh, I remember when I used to complain about not being a normal teenager. Now I regret it because being a teenager sucks.
"So who's Julian?" A voice asked from behind.
I jumped about a foot off of my bed. "Jeez." I exclaimed and to face my visitor. "Dad!"
"Who's Julian?" My dad asked again.
"It's not polite to eavesdrop."
"What kind of dad would I be if I didn't listen in on your conversations? What did this boy Julian do to upset you?"
"Dad, you want to talk about my boy problems?"
My dad looked contemplative. "It's not my favorite topic but yes."
"Well you may want to but I sure don't."
"Suze, you haven't been all that … cheery since Jesse moved on." My dad said.
Oh sure, kick a girl when she's already down.
"You're usually sad, but right now you're angry and … hurt?" He said the last word as if he had never seen me hurt before. "What did he do?"
"Da-ad." I groaned.
"Su-uze." My dad replied in the same tone.
"Why do you want to know?"
"Because you won't talk to your mother, so you're stuck with me."
I was about to say something when I caught another glimpse of light appear in my peripheral vision.
I turned to stare at the ghost that had just appeared in my room.
I looked over at my dad and grinned.
Saved by the ghost, I thought.
"I am sorry if I interrupted something. If you want I can come back." The ghost said.
"No!" I practically shouted. I didn't want to be left alone with my dad again. "I mean no, you're not interrupting." I said to the ghost.
I turned and smirked at my dad.
"You're not getting out of this so easily." My dad said. A second later he was gone.
I knew my dad was right. He would bring this conversation up again. Hopefully when he did I would be able to come up with some good excuses and diversions.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I looked up at my new ghost savior. I have never been happier to see a ghost, in my entire life, than I was at that moment.
Now, as you know, I am usually rude to ghosts but since this one just saved me from a very awkward conversation I think he deserves some kindness.
"I didn't mean to interrupt you mediation session." The ghost said.
"Trust me, I am glad you did. That wasn't a ghost I'm mediating that was my dad." I said. "So, how can I help you?"
"Oh, right. Well my name is Anthony Martin." He said.
I looked over at Anthony. He seemed to be as old as my dad, maybe a little older. He looked healthy to me, but then again ghosts never look like they did when they died. I mean, I don't see ghost walking around with their guts hanging out or anything. Seriously, that would be disgusting. Instead ghosts take the form of their bodies when they were most alive.
"So Anthony, what do you need me to do?" I asked.
"Well, you see, my death was rather sudden. A car accident a few months ago." Anthony said.
"You died a few months ago? Why are you barely coming for help?" I asked. Usually if a ghost needs help the come right away.
"I wasn't ready to leave my family."
"Do you know what's holding you back?"
"Yes. After my death my wife got stuck with the financial problems. My insurance money wasn't enough to help her. She had to leave our home, but there is money that I kept hidden, in a safe, still inside the house."
"And you want me to retrieve it and give it to your wife?" I finished.
"Yes. She really needs it."
"How much money is it?"
"$25,000."
"Holy hell. Sorry. OK, is that all you need me to do?"
"Yes."
"OK. Exactly where in the house is the money?"
Anthony gave me instructions on where the money was hidden. "I want to thank you so much." He said.
"No problem. It's what mediators do." I said.
"Try explaining that to the other mediator I visited before I came here."
"Other mediator? You mean Father Dominic?"
"I don't know Father Dominic. I'm talking about the young man." Anthony said "He wasn't very helpful. That's why I came to you." And he disappeared.
Young man? Aside from Father D I only know two other mediators, Jack Slater and … Paul.
I was panicking. Was I going to run into Paul? Would he really help Anthony? I had so many questions and no answers.
The only thing I knew was I had to get there first.
I waited until well past midnight before I snuck out of the house. Usually when I had to go mediate I took one of the bike that belonged to my step-brothers, but I learned how to drive over the summer; when I wasn't working or getting myself exorcised.
I dress in full mediator attire; black leggings, my leather jacket over my shirt, my black converse, and various other items.
I had to carry a backpack this time. You know, for the money.
I climbed out of my window and jumped off the porch roof. When my feet were on the ground I couldn't help but think about Jesse. He used to hate it when I snuck out.
And of course, thinking of Jesse made me think of Julian.
God, guys suck.
I continued my guys-aren't-worth-the-trouble-they-bring rant as I drove to Anthony's house.
I parked at the corner of the street and stealthily made my way to the back door of the house.
I peered inside the empty house, all was quiet. There was no movement, nothing.
Excellent, I thought. I got here before the other mediator. I really was glad; I didn't want to run into Paul.
I took a deep breath and reached for the key that was hidden in the plant next to the door. According to Anthony, no one was living here but there was still an alarm system. So, unfortunately for me, I couldn't break any of the windows. And I really felt like breaking something.
I unlocked to door and quickly made my way to the alarm pad. The alarm code was written on my hand. Once the alarm was deactivated I took a quick look around. The large house was still furnished; Anthony said it was because his wife knew she would get more money for it.
I made my way up to the second floor, where Anthony's office was. The top stair creaked, but it sounded like a bomb going off because it was so quiet.
I tiptoed, although I don't know why I did because there wasn't anyone here, to the door to the office. I opened the door and winced when it creaked loudly.
I walked to the shelf where the safe and money where hidden.
I had my back to the door.
I was about to enter the password to the safe when a hand covered my mouth.
I screamed, even though my mouth was covered. And then I rammed my elbow into the ribs of whoever it was.
"Fucking shit!" They yelled and let go of me.
Why did that phrase sound so familiar? I spun around and tried to see who it was. The guy was bent over clutching his side.
He looked up at me and my mouth fell open. It was not who I expected.
"Julian?" I asked incredulously.
I thought I was seeing things.
Julian POV
The fuck?
What the hell was Suze doing here? I know she didn't live here.
I had been in the house five minutes, everything was quiet and I was trying to figure out the damn code for the safe.
Fucking ghost, I thought. He didn't give me the damn combination.
I was about to resort to hitting the fucking thing when I heard the stair creak.
I couldn't afford to get caught breaking and entering, so I hid behind the door.
My jaw dropped when I saw Suze walk through the door.
I don't know what possessed me to do it, but I wanted to scare her. I didn't fucking expect her to try and break my rib.
"Fuck Suze, I knew you were mad at me but I didn't think you were mad enough to beat me." I said as I rose to my full height. "I think you broke my rib."
"Oh, you'll live." She said acidly. "What are you doing here? Do you live here?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I asked you first. I …" The look on her face made it seem as if she had just figured something out. "You're the other mediator?"
"Yes." I replied quickly. Fuck, I just admitted I was a mediator. To Suze, no less. Wait, what did she say? "Wait, other? You … you're one too?"
"Yeah."
I ran my hand through my hair. Holy shit, she's a mediator too? "Fuck, I thought I was the only one."
"Oh, get over yourself." She said and turned back to the safe.
Oh yeah, she's still mad at me. "You're not going to be able to open it. It needs a code." I said.
"Well then, I guess it's a good thing I have the code." She retorted sarcastically.
She's fucking hot when she's mad. I walked up to her side. "How did you get it?"
She shrugged. "Um, Anthony gave it to me." She looked at over me.
"Who's Anthony?"
"The ghost we're helping. The reason we're here. Why don't you know his name? Oh that's right, Anthony said you weren't very helpful." She muttered.
"Yeah. I wasn't very helpful. You can thank yourself for that."
"Me?" She asked. "What the hell did I do?"
"I didn't fucking feel like helping him because I was pissed as hell. He was the reason I asked if I could call you back." I admitted.
I watched Suze's eyes widened and fill with remorse. She blinked and looked away. And here comes sarcastic Suze, I thought.
"It's not my fault. Why didn't you just tell me?" She asked and turned back to the safe. She still hadn't opened it.
Whoa, I was all braced to take her sarcasm. I thought her question over. What kind of fucking question was that? "Why didn't I tell you? How about, you never gave me time to even fucking explain anything. Or how about the fact that I don't go around advertising the fact that I can see ghost? I mean seriously Suze, do you?"
"Do I what?" She asked.
Did she even hear a fucking word I said?
"Do you tell people that you're a mediator?"
"No." She said. "Now will you shut up so I can concentrate on this damn safe? The sooner I do the sooner I can get out of here."
Hell no, I did not want to stop talking. I wanted to tell her the truth about the Kelly thing. "Suze, listen about Kelly…"
She stopped working on the safe. She took a deep breath. "I told you to shut up." She whispered and started concentrating on the safe again.
I knew right away what she was doing. She was protecting herself. What I did hurt her and this was her way of trying not to look weak. She didn't want me to hurt her again, and she was going to do whatever she could to keep it from happening again.
But I had to fix things. I placed my hand over hers. "Suze, please."
Suze POV
I stopped breathing.
I think I might've died. I looked down at Julian's hand on mine and I got that annoying tickling feeling in my nose. I focused on keeping my tears at bay.
Julian reached up, tucked my hair behind my ear, and touched my cheek.
I jerked my face away from his touch. "Julian, just stop. Okay?" I looked up at him. "I don't want to hear your excuses, explanations, or justifications. They don't mean anything, just empty words. I don't care if you go out with Kelly. If you want to be like every other guy on this planet and get reeled in by the Kelly Prescotts of the world, go ahead. Just leave me alone."
I pulled my hand out from under his and quickly entered the code. I opened the safe and hastily started putting the money in the backpack.
Once everything was zipped into the backpack I shut the safe and walked out of the office.
I bounded down the stairs and back to the back door. I entered the alarm code and Julian and I were out the door. I threw the key back in the plant and started walking away.
Julian grabbed my wrist, pulled me away from the back door, and pushed me up against the side of the house.
"What the…?" I started.
"Caretaker." He whispered.
From where we stood, hidden by the shadows, I saw an older looking man walking toward the back door.
The old man was inches away from where we stood. He unlocked to door and walked into the house.
Julian and I remained where we were for a few more seconds.
I felt a shudder run through Julian's body.
I looked up at him and he looked down at me.
In the dimness of the shadows I saw his eyes widen slightly.
"What?" I asked.
He said nothing.
"Julian?"
He furrowed his eyebrows but still said nothing.
"What's your glitch?" With a pang of sorrow I remembered saying the same thing to Jesse. "Look will you just let me leave?"
He shook his head rapidly back and forth. And said the one word that made my heart hurt more than anything. "Querida?"
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A/N: Yes I am evil for ending it there.
Ok, so y'all can guess at what's happening. I'm not going to say it, don't wanna give anything away.
You just have to wait for the next chapter.
I have a favor to ask of you. This is as close as I'll get to begging.
Please leave reviews; I need to know what y'all think of this fic.
