Chapter 5: No One Has To Know, Remember?

Jack walked back inside before I got a word out. I was thankful, really. I didn't know what I would even say. I had nothing to say. My mind just went blank. I started back towards my house the same time James was getting out of his car. How convenient. "Looks like I'm not the only one getting home late." He smiled.

Actually smiled at me. And he didn't look like he wanted to rip my head off. "Pretty sure we are getting home late for two different reasons."

"I was just driving around. And I don't have a boyfriend."

I narrowed my eyes at him, confusion contorting my features. And my eyes widened with realization. "Jack? Oh, god, no. Not in a million years."

James laughed. "It doesn't say that when you're leaving his house at almost one in the morning."

I didn't even realize how late it was.

"I'm helping him," I said, my cheeks starting to burn.

"I got that."

"What is with you guys?" I exploded. "I'm helping him with his homework, get your head out of the gutter."

I started walking inside with James right behind me. I directed him to the second guest room that was next to Meredith's room. "There should be clean towels in the bathroom already." I pointed to the door next to his room. "And can you not tell anyone about tonight?" I asked sheepishly.

He smiled a little. "I won't say anything to your grandparents."

"Thank you."

"I'm sorry about earlier as well. Things have been..."

"I understand," I commented with a sad smile. I remembered what Meredith told me and I guess I could understand. I felt bad for them.

"Goodnight, Juliet."

"See you in the morning."

James sent a nod in my direction and I went down the hall to my room. My mind was on overload. I couldn't get Jack's response out of my head. I don't know? How the hell do you not know? I expected for him to at least say he didn't do it.

But he did neither.

I didn't know there was a third option.

I struggled to turn my brain off when I got into bed. I tossed and turned, trying to decode Jack's response. One simple sentence. I'm definitely over thinking this and I definitely don't want to go back over there.

When I woke up the next morning, I didn't remember even falling asleep. I dreaded getting up and going downstairs. I didn't want to face the day. I just wanted to lay in bed and not do anything. But of course, the day has different plans for me. I got out of bed and did what I had to in the bathroom. I tied my hair into a ponytail and changed into a pair of shorts and a loose fitting tank top.

I dragged myself downstairs, everyone was already awake and eating breakfast. James and Meredith were mid-laugh when I came into the kitchen. Knowing it was from one of my grandpa's stories. He did like to over-exaggerate.

"Little bug, you're awake." My grandpa grinned.

I gave him the best smile I could and leaned over to kiss the top of his head. "Good morning, Grandpa."

"Since you're up, can you get the paper for me? It was late this morning."

I nodded and walked outside. I guess Grandma was called into work early. But I never minded doing favors for them. They're they best people in my life and I would do anything for them. And that includes getting the paper from the driveway.

The sound of car doors slamming made me jump a little. I get scared too easily.

After I picked up the paper, I looked over to the McKinnon's. They were all dressed up. Even Jack was in a black and white suit. And it's like everything he said to me last night just melted away. He saw me and sent a wave in my direction. Next, he waved me over and my stomach dropped.

I just said I didn't want to be over here anymore, and I find myself walking towards him. "I'll be in in a minute," He told his parent's and his sister, Anna, was in town as well. I haven't seen her since she left for college two years ago. But we never had any problems. She smiled at me and followed her parents inside.

Jack stopped in front of his line of string with his hands in his pockets. I can't deny he looks really good. And I wanted to punch myself for thinking that. "What's with the suit?" I asked.

"Had a meeting with the lawyers today."

"Ah, so they let you out of your cage for a few hours." That was a horrible joke and I wanted to take it back. Sort of.

But Jack laughed. "Something like that. I'm not in jail, so that's gotta count for something."

I nodded in agreement. I hesitated for a few moments, but opened my mouth to speak, "Are we going to just pretend you didn't say that to me last night? Or why you even told me that?"

Jack looked around anywhere but my eyes. He took a nervous glance back at his house and finally met my gaze. "I shouldn't have said anything, okay?" He rushed in a whisper. "Don't bring it up again."

The sound of Anna's voice calling for Jack broke our contact. "Mom wants to talk to you."

"I said I'll be there in a minute." The annoyance in his voice didn't go unnoticed.

She just nodded and went back inside.

Jack turned back to face me, the same irritated look still etched into his features. "You really shouldn't have said that to me then."

He rolled his eyes. "I just said that. So don't bring it up again. No one has to know, remember?"

"That was about me tutoring you, it's different—"

"It's not. Just stop talking about it. When we work together, you don't talk about any of it. We strictly limit our conversations to French and Chemistry."

Feeling the burn of my cheeks, I just nodded. "Just a tip, Jack, learn to be a little nicer to people and maybe you'll get the same in return." I hissed in a whisper.

"This is me being nice," He retorted. "If I was being mean, you wouldn't even be standing here."

I took a step closer to him and dropped my voice down to a lower whisper. "You really expect me to help you after that?"

He lowered his face down to mine, his brown eyes more taunting. "Then leave."

"Fine." I placed my hands flat against his chest, giving him a forceful shove. "Good luck passing your exams."

And for once, I didn't feel guilty walking away from Jack. He had it coming. He's been nothing but mean to me since I asked him for help. I don't know why I stayed around so long.

Because Jack was right. I always feel like I need to help people when they can't help themselves. No matter what the circumstance is. In Jack's case, it's murder. But I'm not putting up with it anymore. He isn't better than me and I don't deserve to be treated that way. If he needs help, he needs to learn how to be nicer to people that are actually willing to help him.

I walked back inside, ignoring the tight grip I had on my grandpa's newspaper. I handed it to him and sat down at the table next to Meredith. "We were just talking about getting out of the city and heading to the lake," Meredith piped with a smile.

"Okay, have fun." I didn't mean to sound as harsh I did, but Jack soured my mood.

"We want you to come with us, Juliet."

I looked at Meredith, "I don't know—"

"Oh, come on. It'll be more fun with you there." She smiled.

I pushed a smile on my own face. "Yeah, sure. Thanks for inviting me." My grandparents did raise me to be polite, and getting away from here sounded amazing.

"Yay!" She cheered. "We'll get ready and leave." And she was out of her chair before I got a word out. That left me alone with James after my grandpa went outside.

"You okay?" James asked.

The sound of his voice snapped me out of my small trance. "Yeah, sorry. Just distracted," I mumbled.

He smiled at me and that smile alone made me feel a bit better. "You know you don't have to go. She's stronger than she looks."

"No, I really want to go. It'll be good for me." I finally smiled like I meant it.

"Good. I'll meet you guys outside." James got up from the table and I head his footsteps walk upstairs.

I pulled myself together and walked upstairs to get ready. I didn't even know what to wear. I just plucked one of my bathing suits from my dresser. A simple navy blue bikini I've only worn a couple of times. I pulled my red sun dress from my closet and got dressed. I put my hair into a braid, slipped on a pair of shoes, and grabbed a book before walking downstairs. Just as I reached the landing, Meredith came running down the stairs. "I'm so glad you're coming with us!" she cheered.

I followed her outside and James was already waiting by his car. I climbed into the back behind Meredith and soon James pulled out and we were on our way. I used to go to the lake all the time when I was little. When Meredith and James visited, my grandparents took us all the time. I just hope it can help keep my mind off of things for a while.

James let Meredith choose the music we listened to on the 45 minute drive and he was regretting it. I could tell by the slight clench of his jaw. But I did catch him smiling a few times. Maybe because he realized his sister is all he has right now.

The lake was pretty secluded. It was a once and a lifetime find and we were lucky enough to keep it a secret as long as we have. I'm sure we aren't the only ones that know about it, but it's nice to know there's a small part you can escape to if you want.

Meredith jumped out of the car and ran to the trunk before I even got my door opened. She grabbed the bag of towels she brought and took off towards the dock. James followed behind her, and I was behind James. Meredith laid out her towel before stripping down to her bathing suit and running across the dock to jump into the water. "Are you getting in?" James asked as he kicked off his shoes.

I shook my head. "Not right now."

"If you don't get in, I'll throw you in myself." He grinned.

"I would like to see you try." I challenged, crossing my arms across my chest.

He reached behind his neck and pulled his shirt over his head. He sent a smirk in my direction and took off towards the dock. A splash followed soon after and Meredith's surprised scream.

I laid out a towel and sat down. I stretched my legs out in front of me and started reading my book. The words just meshed together and I couldn't really make any of it out. My mind wondered off to the oblivion that is Jack McKinnon. I don't feel guilty for what I've done at all. He shouldn't have treated me that way when I'm the only person that's willing to help him. It all seems repetitive.

Maybe I felt a tad guilty.

Jack still has my notes, but that's only going to help if he's actually motivated to do the work. And for some reason, I doubt he is. At least not motivated enough to care. Or maybe he does care, that's why he was desperate enough to ask me for help. I was his last resort. But also if he did care enough, he would have been nicer to me.

Now I just sound like a child and over analyzing everything.

My book was ripped from my hands and James's hands were on my waist. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" I yelled after being thrown over his shoulder.

"I like a challenge," He replied and I could hear the light laughter in his voice.

"If you don't put me down, I swear I'll—"

"Swear you'll do what? You're about as intimidating as a puppy."

He sat me back down on my feet and I noticed we reached the end of the dock.

I glared at James, his stupid grin becoming more irritating by the second. I clenched my jaw and took a giant step forward. He was already standing at the edge, so it'll make this more easier for me and less painful for him. James looked confused until I placed my hands on his chest and his eyes went wide. Before he could even protest, I pushed him over the edge of the dock and into the lake.

When he surfaced, the grin was gone and I was laughing. "You are definitely going to pay for that," He breathed and started swimming towards the ladder. As soon as his feet hit the dock, I took off running. James was laughing, so he couldn't be too mad at what I just did. But before I stepped a foot off of the dock, James's arms were back around my waist, causing me to yelp in surprise. My back was pressed against his newly wet chest as he tightened his arms around me. "Ready to go for a swim?" His breath brushed across my ear.

He lifted me up again and this time I didn't say anything. Instead I laughed on my way into the water. James jumped in behind me, brushing the hair out of his face. "You two are nuts," Meredith yelled as she tried to suppress her laugh. Today was going better than planned.

The moon was high in the sky by the time we made it home. We had a good day despite how mine started. We went to lunch and spent more time at the lake. We talked, we swam, and I got to push James into the lake again. But of course, that resulted into me being thrown back in. Overall it was a pretty good day.

When we got home, I was in dire need of a shower. I took my time because it was probably the only moment I'll ever had to myself. I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my body. I proceeded to my room and dug around in my drawers for clean clothes. Sweat pants and a t-shirt it is.

I walked past my window, forgetting about my curtains being opened. I haven't dropped my towel, so far no need to hide in my closet for the rest of my life. I took the chance to glance at Jack's window without thinking twice about it. He popped into view a few moments later and had that same look on his face. Like he wants to pull his hair out. Or maybe that's just his face. Maybe he's just constantly annoyed.

All he did was snatch a book from his shelf and plop down on his bed. He ran a hand through his hair and threw the book aside. He lowered his face in his hands and I couldn't look away. I do realize he's going through a lot right now, but it's nothing he didn't bring on himself.

I blocked my thoughts and I started to close my curtains. But before my view was cut off, I caught Jack's glance in my direction.

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Filler chapter, but hey, at least it's something, haha. All stories need development, and I don't want to rush this. Sorry it took so long to update, I finally got a new computer so hopefully updates will be coming sooner!!

Hope you have a good week, and thanks for all the positive feedback. :)

Part roughly edited Nov. 8th, 2015.