Chapter 9

Disclaimer: All rights to the Mother-Daughter-Book-Club series belong to Heather Vogel Frederick.

I sigh as I flip the calendar over my desk to the correct month. February. It's been a month since Jonas and I became an official couple and he still hasn't visited. Not due to a lack of interest or communication, but because we both are so busy with coursework that we barely have a chance to IM regularly, let alone make the five hour drive that separates us. Needless to say it's been a frustrating month. Long distance takes its toll any relationship, but for a new one it can be especially tough. Still, Jonas and I have been making it work somehow.

I'm tempted to text Jonas to see what he's up to, but the clock on my nightstand reads eight AM. With a mental groan, I remind myself I should be getting to work on my biology paper that's due on Tuesday. It's Saturday, my supposed day of rest. However, my professors seem to be playing a game called "Let's see how much work we can give our students at one time". So the only "restful" thing that happens on Saturdays is that I allow myself an extra hour and a half of sleep, setting my alarm for seven thirty instead of six.

I'm just getting into my writing mode when my cell phone rings. Annoyed at the interruption, I pick it up while rereading my introduction. "Hello?"

"Jess?"

The person on the other side sounds so surprised that I pause looking over my paper and check the caller ID. It's Emma. The sight of her name sends a jolt through me. The two of us haven't spoken since the fateful day outside Pride & Prejudice. It's not that I haven't thought about contacting her. I have; in fact I spend most of my (very limited) free time staring at her contact profile on my phone. Sometimes my finger hovers right over the "call" button, but I always lose my nerve, worried about how she might react. Even though she clearly called me by accident, now is my chance to finally talk to her.

"Uh, yeah, it's me Jess," I manage to say, trying to conceal my eagerness.

"Oh, I was trying to call Jasmine," she says distantly. All traces of surprise are wiped away. Although she doesn't sound mad, the indifference is almost worse. "Bye, Jess."

"Hold on a second!" I cry. I hold my breath, waiting to see if she'll hang up. She doesn't although the only sound is background noise; I let out a whoosh of air. "Emma, I'm not going to try to make excuses about what happened, well is happening, with Jonas but you have to believe me when I say that I didn't do it to intentionally hurt you or Darcy."

It's silent.

"I really care about Darcy," I continue, hoping that she'll understand what I'm trying to say. "But that doesn't mean I'm incapable of having feelings for anyone else. What Darcy did really hurt me and I think that Jonas is helping me to heal."

"So he's your rebound?" she asks wryly. Over the years Emma developed a wickedly sharp wit that stems from being a writer. It's something that she manages to keep fairly well hidden and only surfaces in times of stress.

I make a face. "Not exactly the words I'd choose to describe what he is."

"Whatever floats your boat," Emma quips.

I snort at her choice of words and then catch my breath. We're having a normal conversation—or at least a semblance of one. Emma seems to realize the same thing I am because we're suddenly both very quiet.

She then sighs heavily. "It's really hard to be mad at you, Jess."

I want to laugh in relief. I'm one step closer to having my best friend back. "Emma-"

"But I'm trying really hard," she cuts me off. "Because what you did was totally inexcusable."

I frown but keep silent, sensing she wants to have her say and I figure I owe her at least that.

"I mean, yes, Darcy cheating on you sucked. But you moved on within a week! It was like those four years with him suddenly didn't matter or even deserve a moment of silence. And remember when we went to New Hampshire for Christmas during our sophomore year?"

"Yeah," I say slowly, nodding even though she can't see me. How could I forget the Christmas that was nearly a full-blown catastrophe?

"When I saw you and Jonas were flirting, I'd make these arguments in my head about where my loyalties lay. With my brother or with you—and I guess I made my decision this January. Only I didn't realize the lasting consequences about my actions. Like the fact that I can't talk to Darcy about Stewart or my friend problems."

At this I can't help but laugh out loud. I recall several times when I tried to tell Darcy about some incident at school involving some friends who got into a fight and he nearly fell asleep.

"Darcy's a great brother, but he's a terrible friend," Emma says.

"And that means?" I ask, eagerly anticipating her response.

She lets out a sigh of defeat. "I'm going to be neutral. I'm not about to throw away over fifteen years of friendship just because my idiot brother made a mistake. And I'm sorry about what I said—you know, about telling it to someone who cared. It was a heat of the moment ting to say. Just so you know," she adds, "if we were Concord, I'd probably forgiven you ages ago."

I can feel a broad smile spreading over my face. A weight that I didn't know was even there, lifts off my chest. Having Emma back makes everything more bearable.

"That means the world to me," I say softly. "This past month has sucked and this is possibly the best thing that has happened to me in ages."

Emma gives a faint laugh. "Is college kicking your butt, too?"

I grimace. "Yeah, the amount of work is insane!"

"Same here. And everything with"—she hesitates for a fraction of a moment—"Jonas. Is that okay?"

"Uh-" I'm quiet for a second, contemplating whether she actually wants to know or if she's just asking to be polite.

"It's fine, Jess. Me being neutral means you can tell me about Jonas, just like I can tell you about Stewart."

Another weight lifts off my chest. This day keeps getting better. "Well, it's difficult. I mean, we don't exactly have a solid foundation. We don't even know each other that well and we're already split apart for the next few months. Plus, he hasn't visited yet."

"That's true," Emma replies. "But the fact that you're both sure you want a relationship together so soon means it'll only get stronger, right? And don't worry, I promise you that Jonas will visit soon. He's just as invested in this relationship as you."

I've gone through all the arguments Emma has made in my head endless times, but it feels reassuring to hear them out loud.

Suddenly Emma gives a gasp. "It's already nine-thirty? I've got to call Jasmine about the study group!"

"Oh," I say, surprised that it's that late already. The two of us have been too wrapped up in our conversation to notice that the morning has been passing by.

"I better go," says Emma. "I'll talk to you later, Jess."

"Bye," I reply, and am greeted by silence which tells me she's hung up.

I put down my phone, and feel as though I could do anything. Pure relief and joy at Emma's forgiveness floods me, but I force myself to sit down and complete my coursework so that I can enjoy the rest of my day in peace.

Lunchtime finds me downstairs in the cafeteria, seated at a table with Katie. We both have our hands wrapped around cups of tea, our lunches sitting in front of us.

"So everything is sorted out between you two?" asks Katie, leaning closer to me across the table to be heard over the buzz of the dining hall.

I nod. "Thank goodness. And I was so happy that I managed to get through all my work for the upcoming week."

Katie stares at me enviously. "I wish that would happen to me. But really, Jess, it's great that you and Emma made up. It was obvious that you were really distraught about it all."

I look over her. The thing I love about Katie that everything she says is genuine. There's no pettiness or hidden motives. When she says she's happy for me, she means it. It's a refreshing change from the drama of middle and high school. At the moment she's leaning down, digging through her bag, but she pops back up and catches me staring at her.

"What?" she asks self-consciously. "Do I have something on my face?"

Smiling, I shake my head. "What's that?" I ask her, pointing to a brightly colored flyer in her hand.

Tucking it behind her back, she replies, "Now, I know that you're going to say that you don't have time for it and that schoolwork comes first, but really think about it."

I stare at her suspiciously. "Whenever someone says that to me, it turns out being some activity. That's what my dad said when he told me about my mother-daughter-book-club."

"And look how great that turned out," Katie points out. "Anyway, take a look at this."

She puts down the flyer on the table and slides it toward me. I scan it, blink, and then scan it again.

"Um, how about no?" I say.

"C'mon, Jess," wheedles Katie. "You told me about your a cappella group in high school and I've heard you sing when you work. Your voice is amazing."

I lean back and cross my arms. "Maybe if I'd seen it at the beginning of this year, but now? I don't think so."

Katie sighs. "The professor who runs it was on maternity leave then. She's just starting it up again."

"I don't really have time for this," I tell her, giving the flyer back.

Rolling her eyes, Katie replies, "You're running yourself into the ground, Jess. I've barely seen you the past month and we're taking almost all of the same classes."

"Well-," I start defensively.

"I know, I know," Katie waves her hand dismissively. "Just think about it. The group meets next Friday so you have almost a week to change your mind."

I frown at her. To be honest, my problem isn't scheduling. The idea of joining an a cappella group makes me uncomfortable. Singing is one of my passions, but I know that being a professional singer is full of ups and down. It is also full of rejection which is something I don't necessarily take well. But I know that if I get a taste of singing in competitions, I won't be able to stop myself from trying to pursue a career in performing.

I'm still pondering the idea of singing when Katie and I step off the elevator which is why I don't notice the tall, lanky figure standing by my door.

"Jess," Katie hisses, elbowing me in the side.

"Ow!" I complain, rubbing my ribs. "What is it?"

"Look," she says, pointing.

My eyes widen and all thoughts of a cappella fly out of my head. I take a hesitant step forward, as if the figure might disappear at any moment. "Jonas?"

He turns around, a grin lighting up his face. "Jess!"

I run down the hall and launch myself into his arms. After a moment I pull away and look up at him. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I figured that it's been a while since we last saw each other and trying to plan things wasn't working. I finished all my work last night and made the drive here this morning."

Grinning at him, I reply. "That's amazing. And a coincidence because I finished all my work too so we can spend the whole weekend together."

He leans down to kiss me and as we separate, I notice Katie has discreetly slipped away. Classic Katie; she's can be subtle when she wants to be.

"How about we don't just stand around and go out to a café or something?" I ask.

He shrugs. "I'm happy to if that's you want. But it's just nice to be with you."

That's one of the things I've learned about Jonas in the past few weeks. While Friend Jonas is very polite and funny, Boyfriend Jonas likes romantic gestures and is outspoken about his feelings.

"Let me just grab my coat and then we can go," I tell him.

"Sure thing," he replies. "I'm just going to find the bathroom."

I quickly kiss him and duck into my dorm room. I not only grab my coat, but comb my hair and apply a little makeup. The only bad thing about your long distance boyfriend showing up unannounced is that it gives you no chance to make yourself look good.

I exit my dorm room and am just locking it when Jonas reappears. "Good to go?" I ask him.

He nods and falls into step with me as we head for the elevators. As we wait in front of them, he leans down and takes my hand. I smile. It's nice to have my boyfriend here.

It's four in the afternoon by the time Jonas and I return to my dorm, flushed from the cold. I'm riding a high from being around Jonas. Some might call it the "honeymoon phase", I guess.

I drag him down the hall exclaiming, "I've got someone you've got to meet. She's the reason we happened." I gesture to the two of us with my free hand.

Standing in front of Katie's dorm room, I smile at Jonas before knocking.

"Give me a second!" exclaims Katie from behind the door. A moment later the door swings open and she appears. "Jess!" she says brightly.

"Hey," I smile, calming down slightly. "Katie, this is Jonas. And Jonas, this is one of my best friends here at NYU, Katie."

"Nice to meet you," Katie says warmly, offering her hand.

Jonas shakes it. "Good to finally put a face to the name. Apparently I have you to thank for Jess's agreement to be my girlfriend."

Katie shrugs nonchalantly. "She would've gotten the guts to say yes, even if I hadn't been there."

I grin at the two of them. "So, Katie, do you want to come and hang out with Jonas and me in my dorm?"

Glancing at Jonas, she replies, "As long as I won't be intruding."

Jonas chuckles. "You won't be. In fact," he says, with a teasing smile at me, "I could use with a break from Jess's energy. She's punch drunk."

The three of us laugh and start down the hall to my room. In my dorm, I settle on my bed with Katie while Jonas sits casually on my desk chair. The conversation flows and I can't seem to stop smiling. It's been an amazing day and it feels completely normal to be hanging out with Jonas and Katie, who as it turns out have very similar senses of humor.

Then it all comes to a screeching halt when Katie points to a brightly wrapped package sitting on my desk.

"What's that?" she asks, eyeing the package curiously.

I flush. She's pointing at Darcy's present which I got out of my closet after my conversation with Emma. Talking with her had brought the questions about the package and card to the front of my mind. Questions, that for the past month, I'd successfully managed to keep at bay.

"It's, um, nothing," I manage, trying to keep my voice calm.

"It's obviously not nothing if it's on your desk," she said. "Right, Jonas?" she added.

"Oh, great. You guys are already ganging up on me?" I say dryly.

Jonas shrugs. "I guess it must be important if Jess has kept it."

Oh, no. If Jonas thinks it's important that I held on to it and finds out it's from Darcy...I don't even want to think about it.

Katie bounces off my bed and over to the present which she plucks off the desk. She shakes it, sniffs it, and then looks at the wrapping paper.

"It's from Christmas?" she asks. "If I had a present, I'd have opened it by now."

I groan. "I-"

Katie laughs. "I'll open it for you!"

"No!" I exclaim.

If I had any chance to get it from Katie I'd try, but I know from experience that Katie has superior reflexes. This is one of the few times I wish that Katie and I are so close. If the situations were reversed, I know that I'd be doing the same thing. Heck, if Jonas wasn't here, I wouldn't care if she opened it. In fact, I'd be grateful that I didn't have to make a decision about it. But the thing is, I have no desire to explain to Jonas why I have a present from my ex-boyfriend, unopened, on my desk in February.

Unfortunately, Katie chooses not to notice my panic. She takes the card off and hands it Jonas before methodically undoing the wrapping paper. The paper falls off to reveal a cardboard box. I watch with bated breath as she slowly lifts the lid.

She looks up with wide eyes. "Jess, you should see this."

A/N: So I'm back with a new update! Any guesses about what Darcy's present to Jess is? I'm on vacation in Maine, which means I don't have a lot of time to write, but I'm doing my best. Sorry for any grammar errors.

I know a lot of you were unhappy with Emma's reaction (or at least eager to see her and Jess reconcile) so I hope this will fix things.

I've also had some questions about what the final pairing in this story will be, and I'm beginning to think it will be Jess/Jonas. I know the Jarcy fans out there will be upset, but I haven't seen many stories with this pairing and want to explore it.

As you can see from the last few chapters, this story is beginning to veer away from what I originally imagined and is starting to just explore Jess's life at college instead. Will people still be interested in reading if this is the case?

In response to Rebel Belle: I'm really flattered that you like my story and would like my advice. And to answer your question: YES, write a Stemma story! I would most definitely read it. The fact that not many people have written about the pairing will just make it more original (which is always better). Good luck and I hope to see a new story in the fandom soon!

Sorry for this novel length author's note. I greatly appreciate the reviews, favorites, and follows. You all are awesome! Read and Review!