Chapter Fifty-five:
Everyone is at Randy's house for their last day together before the new school year starts. AJ and Sarah head back a day early to get settle before classes.
"I can't believe tomorrow is the beginning of school." Sarah curled up in John's arms around a bonfire.
"I know it feels like we just started our Summer vacation." AJ agrees, who is beside Jack. "Maybe we should call in sick Sarah." She sarcastically suggest.
"AJ." Randy and John are shocked by this. she is the one that promotes them to always attend classes.
"Sounds good." Sarah approves the plan.
"Sarah." John looks at her in shock again.
"Me as well." Stacey joins in to witness their expression.
"Haha very funny." Jack notice how they all agree one after the other figuring out their trick. "We get it you are all like playing tricks on us."
"What?"
"Isn't it obvious, Stacey and AJ brainwash Sarah to be like them." Jack acknowledge.
"That is not true." John declines. "AJ promise me not to manipulate Sarah. My closest friend always keeps her word." John mentions her good nature.
"I didn't." AJ utters the truth.
"Although, you didn't mention that I can't." Stacey smirks. "I have been teaching her our tricks to not only trick you all, but to be part of our plans for you three."
"Randy, look what you have done." John blames him for himself not pondering on the option.
"What, she is your girlfriend you should have ponder all possible option." Randy defends. "You can't always blame me for everything." He huffs.
"Yeah, sorry man, so we blame Jack." John grins.
"Definitely." Randy grins as well.
"What, no you two can't." Jack discourage in he should have seen this coming.
"She is your sister." John replies.
"Randy is her boyfriend."
"Well, you are more... you are related to her." Randy doesn't have another reason.
"Wait, why didn't you.. oh, I see you two are scared." Jack figures out himself.
"Scared, scared of what?" John and Randy dismiss the truth.
"You two are scared of AJ and Stacey. You don't want to confront them so you use me as the shield." He reveals the similarities of each time he has taken the blame.
"We are two strong football players, we can handle ourselves." They both speak confidently.
"Randy, John tell the truth." AJ scold.
"Fine." They admit. "Jack, you would too if you grew up with AJ." Randy states.
"I live with Stacey so I know how it works." He divulge having more experience of the topic.
"You are not scared of her?"
"Terrified, but I don't want to convey it, it feeds her head." Jack admits, even though he is the older brother.
"Is this true?" AJ looks up. "Are you terrified of us both?"
"Definitely." He replies with no shame.
"Good." She takes his arms to wrap her tighter loving the fear he has to not lose her.
"You too." Stacey wonders.
"Yes." Randy pecks her cheek.
"Why aren't you scared of me?" Sarah pouts feeling left out.
"What do you mean?" John questions.
"You are not scared of me."
"Not of you per say, but of losing you." He confess. "It took us awhile to start this relationship and I don't want to lose you. I get nervous that you will find a better guy for at the school. Now, for here on out, I can't be just your friend." He rubs her cheek with his thumb.
"I am like your friendship with Randy and AJ it will never end or break. We are going to be together forever." She express in confidence.
"Thanks, together forever." He pecks her lips.
"How about we have a Truth or Dare event now?" AJ suggest.
"Why?" Randy wonders with this suggestion requested out of nowhere.
"To have Sarah know us better or Sarah can asks us any questions?" She shrugs. Since she hasn't been with that long, she thought it would be a great way to make her feel welcomed.
"I will go with the Truth or Dare." John decide liking that AJ wants to be comfortable in the group.
"I don't know Sarah could ask questions that could be controlled by AJ."
"Hey!" AJ huffs.
"Come on, I know you better you have intention when you suggest Truth or Dare." Randy sees through her facade.
"What, me having intentions." AJ acts so innocent.
"Yes you are my best friend and I love you, but I know your tricks." Randy doesn't want to fall for another AJ trick.
"Please." She pouts.
"Nope." He avoids her pout to stay strong.
AJ stands up to sit next to him. "Still not going to cave." She hugs him tight.
"You are the best, best friend ever. You won't let me trick you." She smiles. "Thank you for always being there for me."
"You are impossible you know." Randy caves in he can't say to his best friend.
"Nope, I am just your best friend." AJ pecks his cheek for agreeing with her.
"The best." He hugs her.
"See, we will always be that way, along with romantic intentions." Sarah assures John who brings her closer.
"So your decision?" John inquires Randy.
"Truth or Dare."
"Great, you can go first." AJ smiles.
"Excellent." He grins. "John... truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"How long have you liked Sarah?" He inquires casually.
"Ooo..." They all speak except Sarah and John.
"I have like Sarah all my life, well the amount we started to become a couple." John speaks in caution on his answer to not have his words backfire on him. "
"You had a crush on her since you met her?" Randy clarifies.
"Isn't it supposed to be one question each?" John dodges the question.
"I will asks the question." Sarah accepts. "How long?" She looks at him with her beautiful brown eyes.
John just smiles brightly loving that her eyes shine when she looks at him. "Sarah, do you remember when we did Romeo and Juliet for our parents?"
"Yah, the year before I left to go to Impertinent High School." She recalls that perfect performance to her anyways.
"We kissed." John mentions.
"We did." She blushes. "You mean... aww." Sarah kisses him. "You are the sweetest." She lays her head on his shoulder. John grins happily at the respond.
"You mean... man you are sweet." Randy agrees.
"Thank you." John appreciates.
"Okay, my turn." Stacey happily speaks next.
"Okay sweetie." Randy utters.
"AJ, what are you favourite moments with my brother?" She forgets to ask Truth or Dare.
"There are so many moments, although, it is when he held a candle in my room. I will never forget that." AJ pecks him.
"Okay my turn." Jack hugs AJ closer. "Miss AJ, tell us an embarrass story of Randy."
"This is not Truth or Dare anymore." Randy notices.
"Okay, Truth or Dare?" He legitimately asks.
"Dare."
"I dare you to show us embarrassing pictures of Randy."
"Okay." AJ all excited as she stands up.
"No AJ." Randy orders. He should have seen that coming.
"Fine." She sits back down.
"I get another one because AJ won't accept the dare." Jack hopefully demands.
Randy ponders that it could much worse. "AJ, go get my embarrassing images." He gives permission with a sigh.
"Are you sure?" AJ looks in his eyes for the complete truth.
"Yes, however try to not involve my parents you know how they will be." If his parents know they will all comply the most embarrassing pictures ever of him.
AJ chuckles. "Don't I know it." She walks back inside the house.
"While we wait, my turn. Jack, Truth or Dare." John asks.
"Dare." Jack not afraid to convey or accept any challenge.
"I dare you jump into they pool from Randy's balcony." John sits his challenge. Stacey gulps knowing Jack has a slight fear of drowning and heights.
Jack gulps. "I... I accept." He hesitant.
"Great." John smiles.
They all stand up to have Randy put out the fire. As they head inside, AJ is on her way with a photo album.
"What is going on?" AJ confuse.
"Jack accept a dare from John." Randy divulge to her.
"Be safe, can you promise me this?" AJ has an idea on what John dare him to accomplish.
"I will." Jack assures her kissing her forehead.
AJ concern doesn't go unnoticed by Randy. "I will be by the pool to watch over him." Randy heads back outside,
"I am coming." She runs to him. It is Randy's turn to witness the complete truth in her eyes. He sees fear, although truth to be there with him.
Jack is on the balcony with John, Sarah, and Stacey. "Where is... oh right?" John sees Randy and AJ by the pool. He looks at the fear in AJ's eyes. He dare Jack to hope ease his fear of this being that he can't go swimming with them before. "Are you sure about this, Jack?" He takes back his dare not wanting to put AJ through this.
"Yes." He pumps himself up. "I need to accomplish this."
"Randy and AJ are by the pool when you arrive there." John informs him. Jack cautiously looks over to see Randy comfort AJ with a hug.
"Pass me my phone." Jack request which Stacey hands over holding it until after he completes the dare. i love you never forget that. I need to accomplish this.
When he witness AJ receive this and smile, he gives her a flying kiss before preparing himself for the jump. He calms down his nerves before he jumps off.
It seems like her heart stop until Jack arrives back to the surface. "Oh thank God." AJ takes out a big breath.
Everyone cheers as Jack approaches AJ and Randy. Just after he stands on the desk, AJ hugs him tight. "Don't scare me like that again." She rubs her cheek on his chest.
"I am sorry." He rubs her back for assurance. "Baby, it is your turn."
She nods. "John, Truth or Dare." She calls out to the balcony.
"Truth." He knows if he picks dare he will have to jump off as well.
"Are you afraid to attempt the jump from there?"
John looks down. "Nope." He speaks in a worried tone.
"That is not a firm 'nope.'"
"I am not." He speaks firmly.
"Okay, prove it." AJ tests his words.
"I don't know."
"Are you lying?"
"No." John defends his words. He approaches the end of the balcony. When he is about to jump, Randy's parents interrupts.
"What is going on here?" Mr. Orton inquires.
"John is jumping down from the balcony to the pool." Randy replies.
"You know you can't do that." Mr. Orton orders.
"We did it before." Randy recalls at his birthday party.
"We were prepared back then, however we are not now. I can't guarantee safety like I should." Mrs. Orton assures.
"What if we cover each side to prevent that, can we?" AJ suggest.
"I am sorry AJ we can't. You were lucky Jack didn't hurt himself." Mr. Orton notice the wet state of Jack.
"Okay." AJ understands not wanting anyone to be injured.
"John, don't jump." Mr. Orton warns.
"Thanks Mr. Orton." John appreciates saved by Randy's parents.
"Everyone come inside, Jack lets get you in dry clothes."
"Thank you, Mrs. Orton." He follows her to Randy's room.
Everyone is in the living room watching a movie.
"Anybody wants snacks?" Mrs. Orton offers.
"Yes." They all accept. "Sorry Sarah, I don't know your favourite snack."
"It is okay Mrs. Orton." She appreciates the acknowledgment.
They all take a bit which John notices something wrong. "This chocolate chip cookie taste weird." He tries to figure out why it different.
"Really, let me taste." AJ picks up a cookie to take a bite. "It tastes fine to me." AJ shrugs taking another bite.
"It doesn't taste minty or sour." John takes another bite.
"Nope."
"Maybe it is my taste buds." John takes another bite. "Nope, this doesn't taste good." He puts the cookie down.
"Mom, John doesn't like your cookie." Randy calls out.
Mrs. Orton heads to them. "John, you don't like my cookies."
"Just this one." He shows her the cookie.
"Oh right because I put toothpaste and tomato in that one." She speaks casually.
"Why would you-" John realizes he has been tricked. Everyone witness his expression as they all titter. "Come on really."
"Sorry John, you know the rules here." She lets him recall.
"At least your mouth is fresh." Sarah acknowledge the positive.
"Do you want to taste?" John offers as he moves closer.
"Why not?" Sarah shrugs not bother by the cookie he ate.
"Eww, get a room." Everyone else gently throw pillow as they laugh.
"You are all just jealous." John respond.