"Hey Ella," Jasper says as he pulls me into our apple tree. "Word on the street is that Blink cheated on Star with you."
"That's not true," I gasp. My cheeks are flushed with stress and anxiety.
"Well, He and Star broke up and Hype is pretty upset about it." He reasons.
"Hormones," I cut in, reminding him they are having a baby she didn't want. I couldn't imagine anyone doing that to a girl in her sleep, it's not right. Of course it is its taking advantage of someone. The mood of the day has transformed from blissful to sullen as it progresses.
"I never see Blink anyways; I don't even know who made up this rumor." I mutter. I think for a second, laying my head on his shoulder. He shoves me away with a frown as I look at him.
"Jasper, you know the rumor isn't true," I plead. "You have to believe me."
"Alright," he sighs, "I believe you."
"So what now" I ask after some thought as we see people stroll by our tree. Race comes to make his hourly cat call if we are in the tree, we give him the same insult we do every time; must have gotten old as he hardly comes anymore.
"Maybe I can find the Delanceys, figure this out. I know it's one of them, just have to find out which one." I say, grasping his hand. He doesn't look at me, possibly still pondering if he trusts me one hundred percent. We jump out of the tree and head straight for the distribution center. We are greeted with a familiar greeting as we see Mr. Weasel. He isn't as bad as Oscar and Morris, but he still hates us, he proves it daily.
"How many street rats?" he asks as he eyes Jasper; he takes note of me clutching to Jasper's arm and smirks. "Haven't you guys already sold a hundred today?"
"Yes sir," Jasper says formally. I roll my eyes at him, scoffing as Jasper speaks. He remembers us, I can tell,
"Watch it girl," he says as I glare at him.
"We need to find Oscar and Morris." I cut in. Weasel gripes and points to the nearest alleyway.
"Of course," I mutter. Jasper doesn't hear me and call them out, emerging like snakes.
"Oscar," I say sternly, "I know you made that rumor about me and Blink."
"What makes you so sure?" he smirks as I somewhat shrink in size. The alleyway is large, but both of their presence seems to dominate the space. Here it comes, I think as I lean closer to Jasper. He stands tall but he isn't one to pick a fight. Will I get brushed? I think, Jasper surely wouldn't let that happen but it's possible.
"I'm waiting," Oscar says as he pulls his brass knuckles out of his pockets. It's somewhat hot right now so even being touched by them would make you feel like being branded like cattle. Morris gave me a curt nod after he takes off his hat, roughs up his hair and places it back on. Both of them looked oddly handsome, considering they looked drunk, surrounded by trash bags. They dress nicely in clean shoes and perfect hats. I catch myself before I get too far and see Oscar is starring me down, still waiting for his answer. Determined to face what lay ahead.
"What is that unpleasant aroma?" Morris asks as I groan.
"Lighten up, it's just newspapers," I grouch.
"I'm still waiting," Oscar says. This scares me a bit as I have to think fast. Has Hype talked to them? I risk it, but then what. I look him dead in the eyes.
"I heard you talking to Hype. I say and I quote from you 'I'm not afraid to admit it, but I am sorry for what I did.' And that, Oscar is how I know." I smirk at him as Morris gives a sour face.
"Yes okay, I did admit that, but only because my idiot brother took my Lavender." Oscar gripes.
"I am right here," Morris says defensively.
"Whatever," I say.
"Idiot," Jasper mutters as we walk out of the ally, surprisingly we are still conscious. I slightly cringe as I hear Oscar and Morris fighting again.
"So what do you want to do now?" he asks plaintively. I shrug my shoulders in aggravation and we go to Hype's apartment, who knows if she's there. We timidly knock on the door and it swings open in a flash.
"Quiet down, you'll wake the kids," she snaps. She immediately gets a really sad look on her face and invites us in.
"Sorry," I say meekly. We sit in the main room as Jasper looks around as I tell her my tale.
"It isn't the first time," she says mutters, covering her eyes with her hands. Her husband comes through the door and kisses her as she answers the door, its Star.
"Hype, it's her, I promise, she did it." She yells, not noticing us in the main room.
"Shush, the kids are sleeping," Hype scolds. We hear a small cry as Hype hangs her head. Ike goes into the nursery and slams the door. You can feel the tension in the room and I sink down in the chair a bit.
"One, what the heck are you talking about. Two you woke up my kids. Three, she is here." She scolds.
"Sorry," I hear her mutter as they both come in. Ike comes out with Cole.
"Um, Hype, not to be awkward around our guests, but um, Cole is hungry." He says cheekily as He hands him over to her, she sighs and walks into their bedroom and shuts the door.
We sit in fear for a bit until she comes out. Cole dives deeper into her arms as Star comes out at me.
"Blink wants to get back together with me," she says, pointing at me. Jasper talks to Ike, possibly because he doesn't want us to be in the middle in a cat fight.
"Okay, and?" I ask.
"He likes me more," Star points out.
"I never see him," I protest. She looks at me sternly; she has piercing eyes and frowns.
"Well, Blink broke up with me, not the other way around." She says. "Explain that."
"Hype said you broke up with him. You were the one that got jealous." I scoff.
"I said nothing" Hype proclaims as she walks into the room.
"You said something to the Delanceys," Star smirks.
"Whatever; figure this out on your own," Hype says as she plops into a chair. Star and I go after it for what seems like forever. We can tell Hype had enough of it; I glance over at Jasper a number of times before Ike can kick us out. It's not him we are afraid of, it's Hype.
"I've had enough," Hype says as she stands. Her voice is so stern it's somewhat scary as she speaks. She looks at Ike for a second, then Jasper and smirks.
"Star, you're an idiot." She says.
"It was her-"Star protests, "What?"
"Get out, Go." She points to the door. "I'm starting early too, maybe we can figure this out in the morning," I can tell Star is trying to reason with her, considering she is pregnant again. Ike tries to calm her down, but makes no effort. He is getting nowhere. Jasper comes to me and begins to lead me to the door.
"Ella," Hype says harshly, "Get over here." Jasper looks at her and then glances at me. I know not to cry, we both know I'm innocent. I bite my lip as I turn then walk over calmly. She comes very close to my face.
"Look, you have Jasper, your great together, if something happens, I'll be here," she says sweetly, her voice turns to thunder next. "But I see the way you look at my husband, so stay away from him. Stay away from Davey and most importantly, stay away from Blink." I look at her and turns immediately sad again.
"Hype, I'm sorry," I whisper.
"Hormones," she mutters, looking away. "Just, be careful, sometimes Star is a bomb with a short circuit. Just like me. Blink, she cares about him a lot. I believe you don't see him, but remember Star protects the people she loves. I think you just got on her wrong side…and mine. But she still is in love with Blink and maybe showing emotions isn't easy for her sometimes, but just don't talk to her and don't try to help. It's okay; I'll talk to her about it." I do nothing but nod my head as she finally lets me go. As Jasper offers me his arm, I take it without hesitation. This argument is pain city, and I may finally be getting out of it. I've already had enough scars from fighting with Dad, but friends are a different story. They understand me, and Hype has proved what a friend she can be.