Chapter Twenty Six- Tension

"Aw, come on, I didn't mean to. Cut this newbie a break." Jack almost whined, chasing after me like a lost puppy.

It was hard not to smirk. Luckily, Chubby knew me as well as he did so was quick to make sure I got another meal, but in the account of no one due to it being an accident, which I really appreciated. I kept my back to him and walked over to my regular booth like a snobby cheerleader brushing off a metal mouth nerd who thought they stood a chance; which in reality, they always proved to be better anyways.

This was not only going to be interesting, I was going to make sure it was fun too. If he really was related to Shawn, they had to have shared some traits. And by the few minutes I interacted with him, I was assuming dignity and kindness were two of them. I placed my tray down and then proceeded to sit.

Jack was unsure whether or not to follow, but he did after a few seconds. I could feel him watching me as I ate a couple fries and pretended to be interested in our surroundings. "So," he then cleared his throat. "You never did tell me. What's your name?"

I couldn't help but smirk. Maybe Jack was going to be easier to mess with than I had originally anticipated. After everything that had happened, I figured a little fun wasn't out of the question. If he really was related to Shawn somehow, what was the worst thing that could happen? "Why are you so interested?"

Jack frowned and stayed quiet for a moment. He then grinned. "Do you always answer a question with a question?"

"Maybe," I ate a few more fries and took a sip of my drink. "Do you?"

"Should I?" He quickly reiterated.

I tried to look serious but couldn't help let out a giggle when he grinned again. "My name's Sarah."

Jack nodded. "Was that so hard?"

"Don't push it, wise guy,"

Jack put his hands up, pretending like he was going to be shot if he didn't surrender. "Duly noted."

I raised my eyebrow at him and then smirked. Curiosity killed the cat, or so they say, but I couldn't help myself. "So, what brings you to good ol' Philly?"

Jack seemed surprised by my question and hesitated for a minute. "Uh, family mostly." He looked around, obviously uncomfortable at how and where the conversation had turned.

"Yeah? Are you close with your family?" I wondered.

I watched as his attention was caught by something, or someone rather. His normally happy posture turned into a seemingly sour one. With a frown, I turned my own attention to whatever it was. Standing at the bottom of the stairs was Shawn. I lit up and quickly got to my feet.

"Hey!" I cheered out to him.

Shawn's eyes darted over to me and he smiled as I approached him. However, that once bright and happy gesture quickly faded when he caught a glimpse of who I had been sitting with. I had gone to give him a hug but he completely ignored me. His eyes narrowed. "Why were you sitting with him?"

I frowned. Before I could answer, Jack got up and joined us, jamming his hands in his perfectly pressed jean pockets. "Hi Shawn."

"What are you doing here, Jack?"

Jack's left hand slid from his pocket and rubbed the back of his head full of light brown hair. "Why does it matter? I just am, okay? Can't we just be civil?" He practically pleaded as he looked around awkwardly.

Shawn let out a harsh laugh. "I'll be civil when I know I don't ever have to see your face again."

Jack went to speak again until I pushed myself in between them as they had both begun to get dangerously close to each other. "Okay, okay," I said calmly. "We were just going," I grabbed Shawn's arm and attempted to lead him back up the stairs. "It was nice meeting you, Jack."

Shawn firmly stood where he was, glaring daggers that I'm sure bore into Jack painfully; figuratively speaking, of course. "You need to leave."

"I don't need to do anything, little brother."

"Don't call me that. You're nothing to me."

"Shawn, let's go. Please." I suddenly said, pulling at his arm. I had known Shawn long enough to know badly the whole situation could go.

"The only person that needs to go is Jack."

I let out a sigh, being sure not to let go of his arm. "Shawn,"

He stiffened when I said his name once more but then finally turned and looked at me. He shot me a fake smile and then turned back to Jack once more. "I mean it, Jack. I don't want to see your face again." And at that, he pulled his arm away from me and stormed up the stairs and out of the exit, leaving me standing there like a complete moron.

Jack nodded, rubbed the back of his head once more and then gave me a small wave. "It was nice meeting you too, Sarah. I'm sorry you had to see that." He was quick to turn and before I knew it, he was gone out of sight too. If I didn't look like an idiot before, I definitely did then.

.hell just happened?