Chapter 14

A Chapter by Melissa

“So,” Jason’s saying. “Blake wants to hang out with you and I today. You know… to get to know you better.

I nod my head. It’s been two weeks since the day in the music room. Jason doesn’t know about the note that David left Katy.

“When?” I question. Jason and I are currently walking to our last block, Spanish class.

“Tomorrow. It’s Saturday tomorrow right?”

“Yep,” I nod.

“So is that okay?” he asks.

“I guess… just you, me, and Blake?”

He nods in response as we enter the classroom.

As far as the school knows, Jason and I are nothing more than friends and housemates. Jason wanted to tell everyone and be open about us, but I knew that wasn’t a good idea. To some people. We’re almost siblings. Step-siblings, but still siblings. Jason wasn’t worried of what people would say or think, but I was. I knew that it would hurt our relationship if everyone knew, so I convinced Jason and Katy to keep it a secret.

“Hello,” Jake says as I sit beside him, he accent still incredibly noticeable.

“Hey!” I respond. As Jake and I chat mindlessly I can f eel Jason’s eyes on us. I can practically feel the jealousy raising from his skin. It happens every time I talk to Jake.

“What should I wear? Where are we going?” I ask Jason. It’s Saturday and we’re supposed to meet Blake in two hours, but I have no idea where we’re going.

“Like I told you before,” he begins, “Blake is simple. Wear jeans or something. We’ll probably just get pizza or something.”

I sigh a little bit and mutter an “Okay” before going to my room. I don’t know why I’m so nervous, I’ve already met him. This part should be easy… but I can’t shake the nervous butterflies.

Shutting my eyes and taking deep breaths helps me keep the butterflies slightly calm for now. After I get dressed, I stay in my room, wanting a few moments alone.

“Hayley!” Jason calls after what seems like only a few seconds. “Are you almost ready? We have to leave in five minutes!”

“Yeah,” I call before standing up.

“Bring your phone!” I hear Katy yell from wherever she is. We didn’t text too often, since she’s always just a few feet away. It’s because of this that I don’t usually carry my phone with me.

“Okay!” I yell. It takes me a few minutes to find my phone, but once I do I realize I have a text from her already.

From Katy: Keep me posted on what’s going on, okay?

It only takes me a moment to understand why she’s asking me that, and only a second to respond.

To Katy: Okay

Opening my door allows me to see Jason on the phone.

“Where? Okay… which one? Okay. Yeah. Fifteen minutes. Yep. Bye,” Jason then turns to me. “You look nice. Are you ready?”

I nod, “Yes.”

Jason takes my hand and leads me downstairs and then to the car. Jordan had allowed him to pick any car he wanted as a reward for finally warning up to the house, and to me and Natalie. Of course, Jordan didn’t know the real reason Jason was finally happy to be living here.

As we reach the silver car, Jason opens the passenger door for me. I flash him a smile before slipping inside. As soon as I’m settled, Jason shut the door and gets in on the driver’s side.

“Here we go!” he murmurs as he pulls out of the driveway.

I spend the ride staring out the window, the nervous butterflies fluttering in my stomach refusing to stop. My eyes aren’t focused, so the world passes by in front of me without any recognition.

“Don’t be nervous,” Jason murmurs softly as the car comes to a halt. He allows his compassionate side �" one rarely seen �" to seep out as he gently covers my hand with his. “Blake likes you.”

I shake my head slowly. “No… no we didn’t talk. He doesn’t know me.”

Slowly, Jason lifts my hand to his lips and kisses it gently. “He will like you, because I like you.”

A blush creeps up to my cheeks, a bright smile now displayed on my lips. “Okay.”

Jason smiles brightly before letting go of my hand and opening his door. I allow a deep breath to leave my lips before I do the same. Immediately after he locks the car, he grasps my hand tightly in his. Wordlessly, we enter the small ice cream store.

“Hey!” Blake says loudly, having beaten us here.

“What’s up?” Jason asks as we approach him, letting go of my hand to give Blake a man-hug. “Hungry?” he asks Blake.

“Not yet. Are you hungry, Hayley?”

My shyness causes me to be only able to shake my head in response.

“She’s nervous,” Jason says sitting down after putting a chair out for me. My mouth drops a bit.

“Jase…” I say, a blush raising to my face out of embarrassment.

“Aw!” Blake says. “Don’t be nervous! I don’t bit. Well… I don’t bite pretty girls like you.”

When Blake says that, my cheeks immediately flood with color.

“She’s shy, too,” Jason says, explaining my blush to him.

“Aw, well that’s cute. So I’m not going to be all ‘interrogating best friend’ okay? Just… tell me about yourself.”

“I can’t just… talk about myself,” I say, letting a blush fill my cheeks yet again.

“Aw, come on. Yes you can,” Blake argues.

“No, I can’t…”

“Okay so you’re not conceited. Now talk.”

I look over at Jason for help, but he says, “Go on. Tell him about how fantastic you are.”

When I shake my head, Blake says, “Okay, so just tell me one thing.”

After a few moments I murmur, “I’m a swimmer.”

“On a team?”

“I used to be.”

“Oh that’s cool! Me too,” Blake says, smiling at me.

“Really?” I question, a little surprised.

“Yeah. I gave it up though. I didn’t practice enough and my coach wasn’t very helpful…”

“I could help coach you if you want…” I offer, still feeling a little shy, but wanting desperately for him to like me.

Blake flashes me a smile, and when Jason places his hand on my knee and squeezes, I know I’ve said the right thing.

After a few more minutes or small talk, Jason finally says, “Alright, I’m starving. Want anything?”

I shake my head, “No money.”

“I’m buying,” Jason states.

When I shake my head again, Blake chimes in. “So we’ve got humble, helpful, and non-imposing. You actually picked a winner this time, Jay.”

Jason chuckles and nods. “I did. And I’m getting you a vanilla cone then, okay?”

I smile and say, “If you must.”

“Oh and I’ll take a chocolate cone with sprinkles. Thanks,” Blake says, smiling.

Jason rolls his eyes but doesn’t argue. As soon as he’s gone, Blake turns to me.

“Listen, I know this will sound weird, but I need you to listen. Okay?” after I nod he continues. “Whatever you do, don’t tell Jay about this conversation. Don’t ever let yourself get alone with David. Even for a short period like you and I are now. He’s dangerous, and he doesn’t like when his friends have better things that him. I don’t know what he’ll do, but he’ll do something. Just… steer clear of him.”

I raise my eyes to look for Jason, and see him ordering for us. “Why do you let him be friends with Jason then?”

“We don’t have an option. If we say anything negative about David to Jason, he flips out. He’s got some weird connection to him, and we can’t break it. We’ve tried, trust me. Maybe you can help. But I won’t put that on you. If you want to try… you can. It’ll only do good things for you.”

I nod, just as Jason comes back to the table.

“Talking about me?” he asks playfully.

“Oh, don’t be so conceited,” Blake says before sharing a look with me.

I wish I could tell him about the note.

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