Chapter 1, Part II

"And the way you cut your hair."

"Shit."

Smoke began to cloud her vision as her fingers began to twitch in pain. Her usual pale, florescent skin now grew blotched with little pink imperfections spreading out in rosebuds on her skin, giving them a blushed color that she abhorred. Bitterly, she took another drag from her cigarette, inhaling deeply and exhaling with a bit of exhilaration. This was the good pain. Slinging her bag over her shoulders, she cast her cigarette to the ground and began her trudge through the damp driveway to her house.

It was big. The best word to describe it. A big lie, a big piece of crap. A big front that people believed before they entered it's decrepit, wooden doors. Yet, she loved it. The house remained the one constant in her life. It was always there, always the same. No matter what changes appeared on the outside or in the people within its walls, it was the same house from her childhood. It was solidarity.

"Jade?" She heard a voice call out from the kitchen. Squaring her shoulders, she braced herself for the onslaught of pep that was headed her way in her maliciously annoying step-mother, Mona.

"I thought I heard you come in. How was school?"

"Horrible," was Jade's icy reply.

"Well, I know what will make you feel much better," Mona coerced, her voice resembling that of a mother talking to her illiterate new born. "Shopping! Call Cat and we'll go now. I have to pick up Gunther on my way. Maybe you two can actually be in the car with each other without attacking one another." Jade simply stared blankly as her step mother as she continued with her pointless spiel. They both knew that Jade would not call Cat to go shopping, nor would she conscientiously agree to spend time with her step-mother and her obnoxious dog.

"I'm going to my room," Jade finalized, narrowing her eyes and snaking past Mona. Just as her foot brushed the first step, she was again stopped by Mona's attempts at another conversation.

"You're mom called. She wants to know if you'll be down over the summer.I told her that we already had plans to go to Venice for a bit. She seemed upset. You should probably call her."

And that was all it took. One second, one flash of idiocy, one moment to stir up Jade's already boiling emotions, and she snapped.

"Who the hell gave you the right to tell my mother what I would and wouldn't be doing on my summer break?"

"Honey, we've had these plans decided on since December, I think I can recount the plans we've made to your mother."

"Well try thinking again."

"Jade." This time the voice came from behind her, and the trembling squawk of Mona's was replaced with the base, monotone of her father. Mr. West strode abrasively down the stairs, pushing past his daughter to rest his hand on the lower back of his wife.

"Dad, I told you that I wasn't going-"

"Apologize."

"No,"

"Jade, I do not have the time nor the patience. You will apologize to your step-mother this instant."

"I'm sorry she's such an-"

"Get out." There were those words. The ones that she'd only heard directed at her once before. It broke her heart then, but it stung now.

"Dad," she hated herself for allowing her voice to break.

"Jade, if you want to remain here for the rest of the night you will take those things out of your face, apologize to Mona, and be back down here for dinner within the next hour."

"What are you trying to prove here, Dad? This isn't that family."

"Give me your keys. I'll see you tomorrow evening. Dinner is at seven. The Lockes will be here at 6:45. I expect you no earlier or later than dinner."

She felt the hot tears begin to rise and sting her eyes as she threw her keys at her father, narrowly missing him and causing them to hit the wall instead. She threw herself off of the first step, and landed with a thud onto the foyer before drilling through her kitchen, out of the side door, and down the driveway once again. Eyeing the sore on her finger that now seemed like old friend, she reached into her bag again, fishing for another cigarette. As the burning smoke began to fill her, she felt some of the pain edge away. She began to walk.

If her house was her constant, then Beck's was her haven. The silver glow of the large vehicle called her home. She immediately resented her decision to come to him as she heard his raspy voice cry out in response to knuckles banging numbly on his door. She knew that he'd open the door, see her face, and would want to talk. All she wanted was to crash.

"You forgave me kind of early this time, babe," he yawned, rubbing his eyes as he opened the door. She watched as his sly smile quickly changed from a grin to a grimace. She hadn't even known that she was crying until she felt his hands on her face, his thumb gently rubbing the salt droplets away.

"I forgot how stupid your hair looks when you wake up," she whispered. Knowingly, he only wrapped his arms around her fragile waist and pulled her in. She resisted, but he refused to relent. And the tears came harder as he held her closer to him, gently rubbing his hand rhythmically along her back. And she lost it as she tears came down faster, and harder. Burying her face in his shoulder, she let it all go.

"So what's wrong with my hair?" Jade looked up at him, confusion clouding her face as he stared down at her. It was the morning, her makeup was smudged along her face, and she had not had her morning coffee. Yet, he dared to bother her.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, getting up from her spot on the floor where she was packing her school bag.

"You said last night that my hair looks stupid when I wake up."

"It does," she stated, a teasing smile spreading across her lips. "Maybe if you didn't cut it so stupidly, you wouldn't have that problem."

"You love my hair," he smiled brightly, walking closer to her.

"I haven't had my coffee yet," she warned him, turning back to her bag.

"I love you."

"I want my coffee."

He smiled. That smile which she both hated and loved. Her eyes narrowed at him as she picked up her bag and bumped past him. As his arms snaked around her waist and pulled her back, she sighed in feign annoyance. Turning to face him and staring into his eyes, she assured him that yesterday was past. He smiled again at her, this time moving her closer to him as she slid her hand up to his cheek. As he pressed his lips against hers and warmth began to fill her, she again became lost. This time, she didn't care.

So I hope that you all like Part II of Chapter One. It's been a while, but it feels good to be back.

Please R&R!

Thanks!

KindredHearts