AN: I caught a break. A REALLY BIG BREAK! After testing was done we were released early and I quickly got to work. You guys are the luckiest people ever. Guess y'all won't have to wait so long after all. Enough stalling though. Let us begin. Working on next chapter as soon as this one goes up. Enjoy!
After a very long and awkward silent walk, John and I returned to the hideout at sundown. All of this futuristic setting has left me awestruck and unsettled all at the same time. The city seemed so large and bright but also dark and frightening. I don't know what made me feel that but having John walking beside me removed that sensation.
We reached the hideout and John invited me to the dining room. It was quite large. It seemed more like a cafeteria than a dining room. Rows of tables filled the room. Most of them were occupied with other members that I didn't recognize. Well, I recognized three: Nate, Zeek, and Jack. John motioned me to the long hotdog-stand like counter that was filled with a variety of food: pizza, salads, chicken, lasagna, sandwiches. John chose lasagna and I went for a sandwich, not feeling too hungry.
We were about to sit down on a table when I heard a very familiar and somewhat annoying voice.
"Yo! Lovebirds! Come over here!"
Ah, Jack... I have no doubt in my mind you are indeed THE Jack. How I am going to fit you in if you're all the way over here is beyond me...
"Hey, guys!" John said. "Can we sit?"
"Sure!" Nate said enthusiastically.
John and I sat next to each other to face our invitees.
"So...Lovebirds, huh?"Zeke asked.
Oh, god... Not you too...
"Please don't call us that. Jack is annoying enough as it is." I said as John and I began to eat.
"You know it's true." Jack interjected.
"Did you tell us to come over here just to tease us?" John asked. This obviously made John uncomfortable just as much as it did to me.
"No. Well, sorta. But we also wanted to ask you something."
"Shoot." John and I said simultaneously, which caused a giggle te escape from me.
"Strangely cute giggle aside," Nate said, and I felt John shift uncomfortably in his seat, " Where did you two learn to shoot like that? You two are extremely young to know things like that on your own."
"Well-
"Honestly-
I burst into another fit of giggles. Twice already John and I had said something at the same time.
Three times a charm...
Shut it...
"Lovebirds, quit chirpin' and start singing."
Talk about figurative language... Sheesh ...
"Aw, come on , Jack. You can never get enough of that giggle. I know I can't." Nate said.
Is...is he...flirting?! With me?! Nah probably just being friendly... Right?
"Careful, Nate. Little J here's gonna get jealous." Jack said playfully.
"You can start, Sel." John said as he tugged the collar of his shirt, his pitch slightly higher than normal.
"Right," I started, ignoring John's unusual behavior. "Let me put it in very simple terms for you: neither John nor I had never, ever held a gun before in our sixteen years of existence."
The shocked faces from Nate, Zeke, and Jack were quite amusing. Zeke's jaw,was actually dropped a bit.
"What the hell? Are you saying that-"
"You've never held a gun before? The fuck?!" Jack interrupted Nate.
"Yep." John began. "I've been stuck in a foster home the majority of my life. Sel came in at twelve. We got to know each other for three years and we escaped that hell hole a day ago. Had to kill two guys that shot Sel, but I didn't use a gun."
"That's quite the story, John. So...Selena, right?" I nodded in response to Zeke. "So he was at the foster home all his life. What did you do for your first twelve years?"
Wow... Totally didn't see that coming... If you count right, though, it would be twenty five years if you count my past life but I'm not going into that...
"Well, I lived a normal life. Went to school, had parents. I actually lived here in New Bronx."
"Really?"
"Yeah. That house for sale near the entrance of the neighborhood, that's where I used to live."
"The Davidson's, right? Heard what happened to them. Sorry." Nate said.
"I'll get used to it eventually. At least, I hope I do. Its hard enough thinking about...other stuff."
Go right ahead and spill the soup, Sel. Go on. It's not like they'll freak out or anything if you tell them about the Reapers. Or think you're crazy.
Shut it!
"What other stuff?" Jack asked playfully.
The fate of the galaxy, for one.
"Er... Just... Stuff." I said as I stuffed a piece of my sandwich into my mouth, thankful for the excuse to shut up.
"Like what?" Jack persisted. "Thinking when you're gonna fuck Little J here?"
OH MY GAWD! Jaqueline Nought, you are SO DEAD!
Bith John and I tried not to choke on the food and, taking a large gulp of water to hide the blush I felt surfaced, I tried to retaliate.
"Jack. Let me be perfectly clear. *cough* Me. John. Not together. Comprende?"
"I 'comprende' the fact that you two are just waiting for one of you to make a move. You practically drool over each other, for fuck's sake."
"We do not drool over each other." John defended.
"You went all deus ex machina on two guys who shot her, didn't you?" Nate dove in.
Nate, you do NOT want to be caught in the hell I'm planning for Jack...
"Nate, if you still want to keep your head on your shoulders, I suggest you don't stick your nose in. Same for you, Jack. And Zeke if you're thinking of butting in." I threatened.
"I just find all this extremely funny." Zeke said with a smirk.
"Guys, let's just...talk about something else, please." John said.
"Fine. Ruin my fun." Jack pouted.
Its real nice to know Jack and not the psychotic biotic... She won't kill me-at least I hope she doesn't- but still keeps her 'I don't give a damn' attitude...
We talked a while more about each other. Nate's dad had been a Templar as well, so when he died, Nate joined up at thirteen, five years ago. Zeke had a similar life to that of John's and at eigtheen he joined, finding no other way. This was his seventh year with the gang. Jack simply answered with a "Fuck off," obviously not wanting to talk about it.
The cafeteria began to empty so we parted ways.
"Have fun, Lovebirds!" Jack said as she and the guys left. When she was at the exit of the cafeteria, she yelled, "Use protection!"
"That's it!" I said as I began to stomp my way toward a fleeing Jack. However, arms wrapped around my waist to stop my rampage.
"Woah! Easy there, Tigress. She's just messing around."
Tigress?!
"Fine. I suppose I'll kill her some other day. We should probably go to sleep...Tiger." I said with a smirk.
John chuckled nervously as his white skin began to turn slightly pink.
The great Commander Shepard is blushing! Where's a camera when you need one?
He's not Commander Shepard yet, remember?
Still, he looks awfully cute.
Cute?
I turned around, pretending that I hadn't seen him blush, and headed for the bedroom. John didn't follow, probably waiting for the blush to fade. I changed into an oversized white t-shirt and black shorts. John still hadn't arrived yet by the time I was laying down on my bed and sleep consuming me. Before I fell completely asleep, I heard the door open, slightly illuminating the dark room. I didn't have to open my eyes to know it was John.
I heard a shuffling of clothes and was tempted to sneak a peek.
Selena, you gotta sleep... Stop check- what are you doing?!
I peered through my eyes and saw John change into a similar attire to mine.
FOCUS!
Oh, I'm focusing...
But not on him! You have to guide him, not check him out!
When he finished changing he sat on the bed and began to look at...me. He was oblivious to the fact that I was staring back, since the room was dark. He just...looked at me. Watching over me. I made a slight snoring sound and he chuckled softly. Then, he laid down to sleep.
After what seemed like eternity, sleep consumed me with fleeting thoughts of John watching over me.
AN: Ah, Jack. Always a pleasure dealing with her. I want to thank all of you for your patience and support. Sate a curiosity: Do you guys want me to jump right in and tell John his fate, or do you want more story plot? Lemme know because i have two ideas for the next chapter. And i wanted y'all's ideas. Or if you want mystery, then i have a card up my sleeve as well. See y'all!
PS: Thanks for the reviews, favorites, and follows. Everytime I see a new follow, fave, or review, I am encouraged to write even more.