I felt giddy and embarrassed as I watched Jackson leave. I couldn't stop myself from blurting out how much I liked seeing him smile. He normally has a straight face or the corner of lips form a smirk. It was cute seeing him let out a full grin and as always my brain and mouth never work together. The only thing that makes up for the fact that made things awkward was Jackson hugging me. I don't know why he did it but it was the best hug I've ever gotten. It was awkward at first. As much as I've gotten to "know him" these past few days I still don't feel as if I know him well enough.

"You know he's long gone right, Melissa?"

I felt my heart drop at the voice. I looked over to see my mom standing in the corner with a knowing smile. I blushed lightly relieved it was only her and not dad. "Mom you gave me a heartache!"

"So I drove past Jackson who wasn't too far from the area." She said and motioned for me to join her on the couch.

Knowing I couldn't excuse myself I followed suit. "He was in the neighbourhood and stopped by." I fiddled with my fingers trying to avoid her knowing mom looks. The special one she always brings out when a boy is involved... Not that there has been many.

"I bet you were happy to see him. Did he explain why he didn't visit these past few days?"

I paused to collect my thoughts. I was about to jump the gun and say that he didn't have to visit but I know she didn't intend to mean any harm in the question. There we go again with this automatic urge to protect him.

"He was caught up with a lot of things. Tony... He has a bit of a past with harming people. One boy who I think is around my age was seriously hurt by him." I grew more timid discussing this as I watched mom lose the playful look to a more concerned one.

"What happened to the boy?"

I swallowed hard as I pictured how it could have been my fate. My fate could have been worse.

"He was stabbed. There was too much blood loss and he fell into a coma." I watched my mom's mouth fall a little and then the doctor in her came out.

"Which hospital was he admitted to? For how long has he been in a coma? Why didn't Jackson report this?" Her voice raised with each question.

I grew irritated as the questions came out. I love my mom but when you mix the fact she is a passionate doctor it can overpower her mother role. "Mom, Jackson did try to report this. He was the only one who stayed with Josh when the whole thing broke out. There wasn't enough evidence to question Tony and Jackson wasn't supposed to be there so it was a mother strike for him." I waited to let her process it all before I continued. "He was in a coma for a month. I don't know which hospital he's in but he woke up a couple days ago. Jackson had to go see him and they are working on developing a case now against Tony."

"Well that's good. Since he can't leave the police station after what he's done, adding more charges will ensure that he is jailed for a long time."

I nodded and for a moment it was just silence surrounding us. I cant believe that it's really hit me now that I could have been seriously hurt or even killed. I leaned against her and rest my head against her shoulder. I closed my eyes appreciating this moment with her. Both her and dad are workaholics and sometimes they brought back work at home by discussing cases during meals. It was nice having a moment where it was just her and I.

I felt moisture on my head and looked up to see her crying. I quickly sat up and hugged her properly.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, Melissa I just can't help but think about the moment I saw you on the stretcher. You weren't responsive at all. With what you said about Josh, it hit me hard that I could have lost you."

I rubbed her back gently and looked into her eyes. "Mom, please don't be cry. Don't focus on the what ifs, I'm right here." I smiled gently happy to see her smile back. She hiccupped lightly and wiped her eyes.

"Melissa, your father and I have been so focused on our jobs in order to provide you with nothing but the best. I am truly sorry for not being there for you as mother - "

"Mom, you haven't done anything wrong." I watched her shake her head and place her hand on top of mine.

"Don't try to shrug it off, sweetheart. I know what it's like to feel annoyed when all your parents do is talk medicine. I can't believe I've become my parents." I felt uncomfortable seeing my mom going through an identity crisis but wanted to see her come out of it with a better attitude.

"Mom, it's not too late for you make a few changes. I'm not saying to cut hours at work but maybe you could talk to dad and keep work where it should be, at the hospital." I say gently.

She grinned widely and hugged me once more. "I'm so proud of you, Melissa. You are such a selfless and gentle problem solver." She murmured into my hair.

We pulled back and it felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. Suddenly I thought of something random. My cell phone.

"Mom, do you have my cell phone?"

"It's up in your room along with everything else from the... Incident."

I nodded and tried to disregard her stumble. "Can I go up or do you need my help with any meal prep?"

"You can just go up, dear. Your father wanted to order some takeout today."

I smiled and quickly made my way upstairs. After what felt like an eternity I went and laid down on my bed. I closed my eyes and let out a relaxed sigh - hospital beds are not the most pleasant beds to sleep in.

I turned around to my bedside table and saw my phone. I turned it on and scrolled through the contacts in hopes of finding one name in particular. There it was Jackson.

I began to squint as I started to feel a memory come up.

Flashback:

I couldn't contain my laughter as Jackson tried to read Hamlet. Soon he rolled his eyes and let out a chuckle.

"I'm sorry, Jackson! Really I am, but that was really... Really bad." I struggled to say through my laughter.

"I'm glad you find my failure to speak Shakespeare so amusing."

I stopped laughing and looked over at him; relieved he wasn't upset but amused. I smiled and felt uncomfortable under his gaze. I looked over at the clock and realized I needed to go home."

I cleared my throat and started packing up. "So, it's getting a bit late. I need to get going."

I watched him nod and help me pack up.

"So are walking home? Cause I can join you, if you'd like?"

I smiled apologetically. "Um, my dad is finishing work up now so he said he would give me a call when he comes here." I suddenly wished for once that he took on an extra shift.

He let out a hum in understanding. I suddenly wanted to look anywhere but him. I did a double take when I saw an iPhone box beside a textbook.

"Jackson did you get a phone?" I remember in the beginning of our lessons asking for his contact number and him being a bit embarrassed over giving his home phone number.

I saw his cheeks go light pink then his face went blank from any emotion.

"Sarah got it for me."

I raised a brow at why he sounded so upset. "So why haven't you opened it?" I asked softly hoping he wouldn't find me too nosy.

He sighed and got up grabbing the box and bringing it over. He sat in front of me and let out a sigh.

"Mel, everything that's happened makes me feel like I'm losing myself. Once upon a time I never had my own room or went to school properly. Living in an area like this was like winning the lottery. It just doesn't happen. So now I get all these great things and I feel like a hypocrite, you know?"

I nodded understanding what he meant.

"Getting an iPhone just added to the list of things making me forget who I am. Where I came from."

I didn't say anything and I feel like he appreciated that. I knew better than to try and talk about it or change his mind. It was still too soon.

A ring from my phone broke the silence. We looked at each other briefly as I placed the phone to my ear saying a quick hello to my dad. He said he had to place an order for takeout and would be here to pick me up in ten minutes.

I noticed Jackson was still staring at the box but he didn't look as tense. We heard footsteps near the door and looked over waiting to see Sarah. She walked in looking a little tired from work but was still a polite and sweet lady mustering up a cheerful smile asking how I was doing.

"I'm doing well, Sarah. How are you?" I asked.

"I'm doing alright, sweetheart. Let me tell you kids that you will never appreciate a Friday until you get a job!" She exclaimed.

I giggled at her remarks while Jackson raised a brow and smirked lightly.

"Whatever happened to 'if you do something you love, it won't ever feel like work'!" Jackson said cheekily.

She playfully slapped his shoulder and grabbed the empty glasses on his table. "Watch the cheek, kid!"

"Sarah I could help with glasses, I mean one of them is mine."

She shook her head. "Nonsense, dear! You've done quite a lot, this is nothing."

I blushed when I realized she was referring to Jackson. I could tell he caught on caught on and he kept his gaze lowered.

Before she left she asked if I wanted to stay for dinner which I politely declined to and explained how my dad was on his way. She understood but told me to not be a stranger and visit more often. Once she left it was back to silence. This time it wasn't as comfortable.

Unsure of what to say I decided to try and escape. "So my dad will be here soon so I should probably go out and wait."

Jackson finally looked up at me and nodded. "Alright but could I... Maybe ask you one thing?"

I nodded immediately trying to refrain from saying anything to ruin this moment.

"Can I have your honest opinion on what you think about the cell phone?" I could see he was still a bit tense.

I swallowed all of my fears and spoke up, smiling gently. "I understand why you feel... Conflicted. Wait, I'm not trying to say I understand it cause I obviously don't." I squeezed my eyes shut in utter horror of what I was saying. I'm not one to stumble when giving advice to people, but this was Jackson.

I opened my eyes relieved to see he wasn't upset by what I said but a bit confused so I tried to redeem myself.

"I mean what I meant to say is I'll never really understand how you feel because I've never been in your position. That being said, as an outside perspective I see why you feel conflicted. You've lived your life stuck in a position you should've have been in. You are a good guy who deserves great things, Jackson. I don't think getting a phone is a bad thing because as much as you paint yourself to be a bad person, you still care. That separates you from them any day. A phone or house may seem like you've become a different person. But you always were different from them."

I could see him looking at me thoughtfully. So I carefully took the box and realized it was opened up before. I cautiously looked at him hoping he could understand what I wanted to do. He nodded and then I opened it up and took the phone and placed it in his hand.

He looked at and finally turned it on. I smiled happy to see him finally understanding. I'm also happy that I played a part.

I looked at my phone and realized my dad would be here in about two minutes. I debated on whether or not I should leave but decided to wait for his call. This moment felt too good to be true.

"So you think I'm different?" He said with a smirk.

I blushed lightly but looked straight in his eyes. "Yeah, but a good kind of different."

The air in the room started to feel different. My words seemed to have impacted Jackson cause his eyes were turning into a darker shade of blue. His phone had finished being configured to the right settings and we both looked at it.

"Well it's done." He said.

I nodded surprised of his lack of words. "Now all you need is to get the numbers of your friends and pass on your contact details." I said without thinking.

He smiled lightly and gave the phone to me. I blushed and squeaked out "You want my number?"

"Well, yeah. We are friends. Right?"

I nodded grinning from ear to ear. "Of course. Um, here's my phone you can put your number in."

We quietly put in our info and then I heard my phone ring. Jackson passed my phone over to me and I answered it quickly realizing it was dad.

"Hey dad."

"Melissa, I'm outside and have been for four minutes now."

I quickly got up grabbing my stuff. "I'll be out in a minute, dad!"

"Good, I'll hold you to it."

I rolled my eyes and knew most of the agitation was because he was hungry and partially with me at Jackson's. Jackson walked with me quickly to the door. I smiled as he unlocked the door. "So now that you have my number, feel free to call or text me any time." I wanted to cringe at how desperate or pathetic I sounded. To my relief Jackson smiled. "I think I may hold you to that."

End of flashback

I held my head as I felt it throb painfully. All the details were so vivid and my body shivered slightly with all the information. I knew I had to tell someone so I found the number of the person I wanted to talk to and called. I waited for the third ring and spoke immediately.

"I remembered something!" I say breathlessly.

I'm terribly sorry for not updating frequently! It's summer but I will be going on vacation for four weeks and I won't be able to update... So I hope this update and the length compensates for it. I would like to thank a few people in particular for your support:

Lunabella99 and Catdejonses thank you for reviewing the last chapter! I-love-scopion thank you for motivating words and constant support these past few weeks. I wouldn't have completed this chapter without it. And Miss RDJ if you read this, just know you're support in the writing world has always been appreciated!

So what were your thoughts? Was the flashback too long? Once I started I couldn't stop haha! I hated writing the mom and Mel scene... it's not my strong suit and I definitely need more practice! And do you think the person Melissa called was Jackson?

I hope to have another update for you all near the end of August!

-TheOnceAnonymous14