My Name is Jesse, Not Johan
Chapter 11
Kellyq
"Are you sure you don't want any help?" Jaden asked, watching Jesse reach the living room with a handful of Sodas. He placed them on the table.
"It would be great if you could bring the bowl of Chips and the bean dip from the kitchen."
It had been a week since Jaden moved in, and the others wanted to make sure Jaden was settled incorrectly. During that time, a bond was starting to develop between the two boys. Jaden met the other animals: Cobalt Eagle, Emerald Turtle, and Sapphire, a beautiful white stallion with a personality to accompany him. Jaden smiled.Maybe when we finally find Johan, Jesse will let us live here!Then he blinked. Jaden almost forgot about Johan, and with all the commotion going on, he was sure Jesse had overlooked helping him look.
"Jesse," Jaden called out. Jesse followed him to the kitchen. "Is ... is alright if Johan can live with us after we find her? I mean - until we find a place of our own?"
Jesse smiled. "Sure. And don't worry, I haven't forgotten. I've just been making sure you've been comfortable."
Jaden expression softened as he pulled Jesse close. "Thank you so much for helping me, Jesse. It means a lot that you are trying to understand Johan and me."
Jesse smiled and moved some hair away from Jaden's face. "You're my friend Jay ..."
Jaden chuckled. "I like being calledJay and then being calledpartner."
A playful look flashed across Jesse's eyes. "Oh? And what did you call her?"
"Precious," Jaden answered. "Anyways," he continued, shaking his head, "we better get the rest of the stuff out before the others get here."
They didn't have to wait long. Banner came first, holding a small box. He handed the box to Jaden, who gave Banner a tour of the large house.
"I'm glad that things are working out for you," Banner said as he sat on the couch.
"It took a little bit to know where everything was and get some of the animals to trust me," Jaden chuckled nervously. Banner looked closely at his client and saw three-day-old scratches on his face.
"Oh my. One of them doesn't seem to like you," Banner remarked.
Jaden chuckled again. He scratched his head and looked to where Amethyst was resting. "I don't think she trusts me being around Jesse. And she always stares at me like I'm a snack bar or something."
Jesse walked into the room and chuckled at Jaden's reaction when Amethyst pounced on him.You taste good, and Amethyst wanted a taste, too,Jesse thought with a smirk. "Like I said. She's very protective of me."
It was then that the doorbell rang. Topaz walked to the door and opened it with his paw. Jesse walked up to see that it was Syrus, Kenzan, Jim, and Alexis.
"Hey guys," Jaden said from behind Jesse. "We were going to start the party without you!"
Alexis observed Jaden the whole time, and he looked a lot healthier. She couldn't help but smile as he unwrapped presents, talked, and laughed. Alexis eyed Jesse, and their eyes met for a brief moment. She motioned for Jesse to follow her to the other room.
"Have you mentioned anything to Jaden about Johan yet?" Alexis asked.
Jesse sighed. "Not yet. I want to get him to trust me first so that he won't be too shocked when I do take him."
"You guys," came Jaden's voice from the living room. If you want some chips and bean dip, you better get in before we eat it all!"
By seven o'clock, the guests were ready to leave. Jesse and Jaden bid everyone good night and a safe trip home.
"That was fun," Jaden said, stretching. He walked to the stairs that led to the second floor. "Well, I'm off to bed."
"I'll be up shortly," Jesse said, leading the animals toward the kitchen.
Jaden smiled and walked up the stairs, down the hallway, and opened the door to his room. His room had lovely carpeted flooring and a twin-size bed. The ceiling was painted with a picture of outer space. Jaden's desk was off to the side of the bed, and the window was off to the right. Jaden laid back on the bed, stared at the ceiling, and smiled. He lay there for a moment until the clock started to chime.
Jaden grumbled. "I wish that I didn't have to take my meds." With that, he walked to the bathroom and looked for one of them in the cabinet. Jaden frowned.Where did I put that last one?He closed the cabinet door and walked into Jesse's room. "Jess, have you -" Jaden paused when something caught his eye. He turned and walked to the desk to see a peach-colored folder. Next to the file was the picture of Johan after her fight with Yubel. Jaden's eyes clouded over with grief and confusion. Why would Jesse have this picture? His eyes shifted back to the file, and his heart started thumping painfully in his chest as he reached for the file.
"Jaden," came Jesse's voice from the open doorway.
Jaden slowly turned. His eyes had not changed. "W-where did – you find this?" He asked, holding up the picture.
Jesse approached and pulled Jaden close. "This is not how I wanted you to find out," he murmured. Jaden felt uneasy in his stomach as Jesse began leading him to the bed.
"W-what do you mean? She is alive, right?" Jesse's expression darkened as he took the file and sat beside the shocked Jaden. Jaden moved away. "No! Johan's not dead!" Anger started to grow in Jaden. "Why would you lie to me?"
"Listen to me, Jay ..."
"I ... I trusted you!" Jaden seethed. He was trying to keep Haou from coming out and hurting Jesse. Jesse tried to comfort Jade,n but Haou surfaced. Jesse was pinned underneath him, having a tight hold around Jesse's throat. "I warned you, didn't I? I didn't want to hurt you, but you crossed the line!"
Jesse tried to pry Haou's iron grip from his neck. "Please. I'm just ... just trying to help ..." he wheezed. Jesse reached up and cupped his face. "I'd never wanted to hurt Jaden. I want to help heal his heart. Please give me a chance!"
Haou narrowed his eyes as he lessened his grip on Jesse's neck. "Why? So you can play another twisted game?"
Anger flashed across Jesse's eyes. "I'd never do something that cruel to anyone, and you know it!"
"Then tell me why you kept it from Jaden and me?"
"I was trying to find a way to share the file with you," Jesse explained. Haou got off Jesse and picked up the folder that fell to the floor. Jesse sat up and rubbed Jaden's back as he sat the depressed teen down. "We'll do this together, Jay. You don't have to do this alone."
By now, Jaden had tears streaming down his face. He turned and threw himself in Jesse's arms. "I'm sorry!" he sobbed. Jesse rocked the sobbing teen back and forth. "Johan ... Johan!"
To Be Continued ...