A/N So I know I've been slow on updating, talking about
writer's block. I was really typed up with finding ideas on all
my next chapters and on top of that I had school work, and on
some days, I just really didn't feel like doing anything. I really
want to do another story though, but I don't know if it should
be a one-shot series or a chapter series, so go on my profile and
vote on the poll. Kay? Cool. But never the less, here's your
12th chapter.
Jack's P.O.V.
"Hello? Jack, you there?"
I sighed as I groggily picked up the phone. I had come home from school
and just needed to sleep away the troubles. Apparently, they were coming
back.
"Yeah I'm here." I listened to the noisy back round.
"Where are you anyway?" There was faint crackling sound on the other end
of the phone line, as though she was walking through the old forest that was
just outside our neighborhood. Before I asked if my conclusion was right,
she had responded.
"Right now, that's not important. Just get ready for the group date. I'll be at
your house in 20 minutes."
Group date?
Oh right. Why do I keep forgetting? Maybe it's because I know for
sure I'll have a terrible time.
I sighed a
nd immediately became depressed at the thought.
"Uh sure, fine." The phone line went dead and I rose from my bed. I
trudged over to my closet to look for something decent. I slid on dark dress
pants and a black vest. I looked at all the bright colors in my closet and
chose purple since it matched my current mood. Mellow, with a hollow
heart.
I walked into my bathroom and splashed water on my face to make me look
more alive than I felt. I couldn't let anyone see how I weak I was, especially
John, that'll give him the satisfaction. I wet my hair so it took away the
shaggy look and walked back into my room when I heard my calling my
name.
"Yes mom?" I yelled back.
"Come down stairs. Dawn is here for you." It's been 20 minutes already.
"Okay! I'll be right down." I walked over to my dresser and slipped my
silver dog-tag necklace over my damp hair onto my neck. I grabbed my
purple sneakers and wiggled my feet into them as I walked down the stairs. I
passed through the kitchen for a drink, only to have my mom staring at me
intentionally as I did.
"What?" I asked her, looking down at my outfit then back up at her. "What's
wrong?" she shook her head.
"It's not your outfit Jack, you look fine. I've just been worried about you
that's all." I gave her a puzzled look.
"Why?" she shrugged her shoulders.
"You just haven't been yourself lately and me being your mother makes me
worry. Anything you want to talk about?" I shook my head.
"Are you sure?" I nodded. My mom turned her head sideways and stayed
straight into the core of my eyes. I knew she could see right through me, but
I still tried to hold a good front.
"Is it about Kim?" she said quietly after our stare down had ended, not really
sure who won. Her words passed through my brain and entered the
emotional part of me and a lump formed in my throat, but I quickly washed
it away with my drink.
"Mom I'll see you later. Bye" I quickly hugged her and walked out the front
door. I closed the door and leaned up against it, letting a long breath escape.
"You alright hot shot?" Dawn said smiling. Even though her voice was no
more than a whisper it still just about shook every bone in my body. I stood
up straight and let my cocky side take over.
"Yeah everything's cool. You ready to go?" she nodded and I followed
behind as she walked down the steps of the porch onto the sidewalk. After a
few minutes of walking, I started to relax.
"So…where is this thing being held?"
"At the Olive Pit." I nodded my head as I stuck my hands into my pockets.
"Oh cool… I heard their lasagna is great." She smiled.
"Yeah." it became quiet as we walked further into town. I turned to take a
glance at Dawn. She was wearing a light lavender dress that flowed around
her easily. Then something clicked in my mind.
"What were you doing when I answered the phone? I tried to ask you before
but you said it wasn't important." She looked up from the ground quickly,
causing her brown hair to cover her cheeks.
"Oh, I was following John." she answered simply.
"Where were you?"
"In the forest."
I knew it! but wait-
"You were following John…through the forest?" I asked confused. She only
nodded.
"How did you end up in the forest?" she smiled.
"It's a long story, but the good news is that I found out some interesting stuff
about him." I saw her eyes glisten. I couldn't help but smile, almost all my
pain went away.
-Almost.
"Dawn! You're amazing! What did you find out about him?" she put a
finger to her mouth.
"Shh! Let's just say he's not Mr. Perfect like all the girls think he is." I
watched her as she walked into the restaurant, her brown hair flowing from
side to side following the way her hips moved.
I sighed and walked into the Olive Pit, anticipation running through me,
getting to a higher level with each step. If Dawn didn't tell what she found
out soon, I was sure I was going to explode when I saw John. But the sight
of Kim changed everything .I stopped abruptly. I couldn't move, I couldn't
speak, and I even placed a hand on my chest to see if my heart was still
beating. Her golden blonde was curlier than usual, but it still had that messy
touch to it that I always liked. They bounced as she laughed and her face
glowed as she smiled. Kim never liked to wear dresses, but when she did,
she was a show-stopper. All heads turned, and her magic seemed to be
working tonight.
I gained back my control and walked towards our table. Kim was sitting next
to John, who sat next to Grace who had her date on her left side. Then last,
there was Dawn sitting on the opposite side of the table with one open seat
next to her. I sighed and walked forward until I came into the view of the
others.
"Jack! Over here!" Grace called, waving her hand. I waved back and put on
one of my best smiles.
I took my seat next to Dawn as everyone else greeted me- everyone but Kim.
I tried my best to hold myself back as I shook hands with John. He smiled a
lot and seemed nice.
A little too nice. I heard a voice in the back of my head said.
After all the superficial greetings passed, Dawn was the first to speak up.
"So… what's this about?" I couldn't help but smile to myself. That's Dawn
for you, always gets straight to point, no beating around the bush with her.
"I just thought this would be a good way for all of you to get to know John
better." Kim said as she placed a hand on his broad shoulder. Her voice had
a sing-song touch to it. Definitely didn't belong to know.
Scratch that- The Kim I knew.
The karate loving, take-nothing-from-no body- Kim was gone. Long
gone. I tried to take a deep breath and block the thought from entering my
head again, but I couldn't all I could do was stare at Kim and wonder what
happened to her.
What could he have possibly done to change her that much?
Why would anyone even want to change Kim?
I mean yeah, she's aggressive and can sometimes be mean, but that doesn't
mean that-
"Don't you think?" I plunged out of my thoughts to fine everyone looking at
me. I cleared my throat as my face gained temperature.
"Excuse me?" Everyone laughed, but Kim only smiled.
"I said don't you think Kim and John make an awesome couple?" Grace
beamed at me. I couldn't help but gag. I cleared my throat and tried to
answer but no words came out. I looked at Dawn, pleading for help.
"You guys ready to eat?" she said, distracting everyone from my burning
face.
Since the Olive Pit was a buffet, you had to get up and pick out what you
want from the variety of foods they set out for you. Naturally, a few people
waited behind to occupy the table and keep sight of our things. So after
everyone got up and walked towards the buffet line, it only left two people
still sitting. Kim and I. I looked back at Dawn as she walked away, before
she disappeared into the crowd. She smiled and winked at me. I sighed and
turned back to face Kim. She got me out of one problem, but into another.
A/N Part 2 coming soon!