Chapter Twenty- Seven

In the coming weeks, our relationship shifted. Like the tectonic plates shifting to warn us that an earthquake is coming.

At first, I didn't notice. I didn't think anything of it. The way he'd find little ways to touch me. Like tucking a stray hair behind my ear and his warm hand lingers for a second too long. The way I'd move a little closer on the couch so our legs intertwined when watching a movie. We would smile a little wider and laugh a little more.

Nothing had changed except maybe everything had.

I had been spending weekends at his house, telling my parents I was with a friend. They didn't question me as they were too busy focusing on Brielle's recovery. I've been talking to her more. When I'm home during the week since she's on lockdown, I hang out in her room. She actually tells me things. Girlfriends and boyfriends she's had. Things that would never leave this room

But I never told her about Jace. She suspected it was a boy but I denied it every time and said I was over Destiny's house.

It felt good being around her again. Having that sisterly bond I'd missed so much.

As for Destiny we haven't spoken since the day Jace and I went to the waterfall. She stopped reaching out after week two, but I know that our friends have noticed the tension. Destiny doesn't sit with us anymore instead she spends her lunchtime doing dub-smashes in the bathrooms with the same girls we used to make fun of.

Erika and Dylan were too preoccupied in their budding relationship to care much about our drama. I was happy for them, Erika hasn't had a boyfriend in over a year and they were unbelievably cute together.

Kayden asked me about Destiny at least once a week, his crush on her still going strong. Even though he has Gianna Rogers hanging on to his every word. I told him to get over her but he refused, saying there's something about her.

There's something there alright, a whole lot of stupid. Losing herself in Jasper.

Fucking Jasper. Why does everything have to come back to him? Jace's inner turmoil, my distress, and Destiny's obliviousness all come back to him.

Every time I see him I'm afraid that he's going to blow my cover. He has been radio silent since our talk in the kitchen. But silence is deadly. He's waiting for the perfect time to strike. And I'm not prepared.

"Who's your favorite?" Jace asked, tearing me away from my thoughts.

We were sitting in his bedroom on a Saturday afternoon and he had just finished reading me the last Harry Potter book. I hadn't seen Jasper all day, but I could hear him and Destiny sneaking around the house like sneaky rats.

My head was laying on his chest and my body was curled up on his. He was absentmindedly playing with a piece of my hair. It was soothing to feel his hands on my skin, igniting me. Leaving the places he's touched, cold when he leaves.

"I don't know Jace," I sit up against his headboard. "I feel like I'm dying!" I clutch my stomach, shutting my eyes waiting for the pain to leave.

I could barely focus while he was reading, my cramps were too bad. Mother Nature came last night but Jace promised me desserts if I came over. I wasn't about to give up desserts. He came through by making me a cheesecake (way better than anything I had at the Cheesecake Factory) and buying a tub of cookies and cream ice cream.

He offered to grab me ginger ale but I declined. I thought getting up and walking downstairs would distract from wanting to curl up in a ball and cry on these white floors.

I stepped outside his room, immediately pausing when I heard footsteps coming from the stairs. It was Jasper making out with a very white, very red-headed, very not Destiny looking girl. He was gripping her waist and dominating the kiss, backing her against the wall.

All thoughts of a stomach ache left my mind when I thought about what this meant.

Jaspers cheating on Destiny.

He looked over for a split second when I shut the door and we locked eyes before the mystery girl took his attention. Jasper pulled away, shoving the girl off of him and stalking towards me. Heat radiating off him, his hair messed up and I noticed his hardened dick.

"What's it going to take for you to keep your mouth shut?" He snarled, fanning his breath in my face.

"What makes you think I will?"

"I'll tell Jace." I shrugged and played it cool.

"I'll tell Destiny."

"What do you want to make this all go away? Five hundred thousand?" He was reaching for his wallet but I shook my head.

"Contrary to popular beliefs, I'm not a gold-digging bitch," I whispered, glancing at the girl standing alone against the wall.

"Then what do you want?" He was getting impatient.

"Promise me, you won't tell Jace," he smirked

"But what's the fun in that?" I send him a pointed look, his smirk vanishes. "Fine." Is all he said before returning to the girl.

I came back to Jace's room with a ginger ale in my hand. I curled back up under the covers. He had set the book on the table beside him and was fiddling with the strings of his hoodie.

"Do you know what makes me feel better when I'm in excruciating pain?" I asked Jace. "Watching Disney movies and singing about the love I'll never have." He laughed thinking I was joking. I wasn't.

"What's your deal with Disney movies?" I shrugged.

"Just relieving old childhood memories."

"Every day?" I laughed. "No, there has to be more to your obsession than childhood memories."

"Okay," I started, sitting criss-cross in front of him. "So when I was younger and I had dreamed of high school," He snorted and I slapped him in the thigh. "It's weird but I aspired to live in a Disney movie. Watching them now just kind of reminds me of the fantasy that I never got to live out." The great love story I never had.

"Isn't reality better than fantasy?" I laughed in his face. "I'm serious. Disney movies are kind of predictable. Real-life is messy and complicated, that's what makes it fun and exciting." I rolled my eyes.

"I'm not the biggest fan of reality."

"What about right now? Right here with me?" I turned around, facing him.

"Right here, right now. Reality is pretty fucking good."

"I want you to know that I understood your reference," I beamed. Who birthed this close to perfect child? He's boyfriend material. Just not my boyfriend material.

"Then you know what movie I want to watch then!" He cut on the movie and sang along to every song with me. He was the Troy to my Gabriella, platonic of course. And I never wanted to let him go.

When the movie was over and our voices were hoarse, he suggested some fresh air. Truth be told, I was sick of looking at his navy blue walls. I followed him to the car in an old pair of shorts and a t-shirt that was two sizes too big. I settled in the passenger seat of his car, sipping on my ginger ale as he drove out of his neighborhood. I looked around at all the mini- mansions around us, thinking about my parents trapped in a shitty neighborhood in a house that's quality is deteriorating every day.

I looked away and focused on the music coming through the radio. It was some news channel, NPR I think. Typical Jace Kingston. I changed it to 106.5 and turned it up to a familiar Shawn Mendes song.

"Some people actually like watching the news," He said. "Keeps them educated about a forever changing society." I rolled my eyes.

"If I wanted to be educated, I would be in school, but it's Saturday and the sun is shining and for once I don't want to worry about the next shitty thing that's going to happen. I want to live."

"You can live and still be informed." He reminded me.

"I'm not saying you can't, but for once I don't want to be reminded of what that orange monster in office is concocting next in his evil plan to destroy an already broken America." He didn't respond and I remembered who I was talking to. He's a rich white boy, that's Trump's demographic.

"Sorry, if you support him. I didn't mean to be insensitive." I quickly added. He grinned, taking me by surprise.

"You really thought I would support him?" I think that's a rhetorical question. "God no, the man's awful, and I'm saying that as a kid who goes to school with the kids who wear MAGA hats and fund his campaign. I hate Trump." I grinned, pleasantly surprised with his answer.

"That's good," I sighed. I mean, it wouldn't have been a deal-breaker if he was, but it probably wouldn't be a long friendship. "So... where are you taking me? Another mystery?"

"I have no idea," He admits. "I've been driving aimlessly for ten minutes trying to find something to do." My eyes lit up with an idea.

"Zoo!" I screeched, bobbing up and down in my seat like a restless toddler. "Please please, let's go to the zoo!"

"I haven't been there in ages." Nevertheless, Jace pulls over and puts the Maryland Zoo in his navigation. I slapped his hand away when he showed me before stealing his phone and typing something else.

"Nuh-uh no, I want a real zoo." I gave him the phone back after typing in the D.C. Zoo. "I'm not paying money for a shitty zoo when I could go to a better one for free." He didn't argue with me.

"Where are the boys today?" I asked. We had been in the zoo for half an hour, waltzing around different exhibits. We saw the lions and tigers and giraffes. Jace didn't put on an act like the men around him did, he gushed just like I did about the overall cuteness of the animals. And I loved him for it.

"Hanging with their significant others." I choked on the soda I was drinking.

"Carter and Henry have significant others?" I said, after my coughing spree causing questioning glances from those around us.

We definitely were a sight to see before my coughing attack. I was on top of his shoulders because my height made it impossible to see anything. It was originally his idea when he saw how hard it was being 4'11 and getting a good look over metal bars.

"Yup, they met two best friends from Riverside last week at the mall and now they're on a double date." I gaped at him. I just couldn't imagine those two idiots with girlfriends. Lovable idiots, but still idiots.

"So, you're the only single one?" I asked even though I already knew the answer. He didn't respond. "I'm just so confused. How are you of all people, single?" Whoever that girl is that he's in love with is pretty stupid not to snatch him up.

"I actually... have my mindset on somebody,"

Finally, he's going to tell me about her. It's probably some Riverside girl that he met after a baseball game, they've been texting and face timing and he's fallen for her. She touches his weak spot (the spot where his neck and shoulder meet) and he melts. She whispers sweet nothings in his ear and they go to cute little batting cage dates together (somewhere he's tried to drag me a million times, but I refuse.) He'll buy her food and she won't even have to ask. She'll love him with everything she has in him because that's what he deserves. She'll never compare him to Jasper or make him feel bad whenever he gets emotional. He won't have to hide himself from her and will allow himself to be vulnerable. She'll give him a hug on a bad day and not be affected by his money or status. She'll be enough for his family, for him, for his world.

She'll be everything that I can't be for him.

"Whoever she is, I'm sure I'll love her," Even if I don't love her, I'll pretend. If she makes Jace happy then she'll make me happy. "When did you realize that you were in love?" I dragged out the last word, itching to hear all about her.

"It was a lot of things actually," He glanced at me, a hidden smile reserved for only me. "The little things, things that I never even noticed before added up to something big. Bigger than big." He was rambling, I reminded him to take a breath. "And it happened so fast and before I knew it there was no turning back. Anyway, the point is... Scarlett-"

"PENGUINS!" I interrupted Jace when I spotted the sign for the penguin exhibit that we were looking for. He moved in the direction of the sign, wordlessly. "Wait shit, I'm sorry Jace. Please continue!" I insisted but he shook his head. The moment was ruined.

We reached the exhibit and I urged Jace to move forward. He was standing in the back of the crowd and his body couldn't fit through the crack in the sea of people in front of us. But I knew mine could.

"Let me down for a second," He obliged and I jumped off his back, running towards the sea of people to get to the glass.

I made it through the crack and my body fit perfectly. I was at the very front squeezed between two families, both with screaming toddlers. I didn't even care about how annoying the children were when in front of me were the cutest little penguins.

I focused on the one standing alone on a rock. It looked out at everybody having fun, I think it even looked sad in a way. Until another penguin, bigger than that one came and stood next to it. They jumped in the water together, joining the others in their festivities. I grinned at the sight, thinking about Jace. I wanted to tell him the story.

I turned and walked quickly maneuvering through the children and adults alike wanting to see the beautiful creatures. At first, I didn't see Jace. Maybe because I didn't expect him to be standing close and talking to a mysterious redhead. I stopped short and ducked behind an abandoned pretzel cart, staring at him from a distance. She was laughing and had his sunglasses on. The same sunglasses that were filled with his glasses prescription that we spent twenty minutes rifling through every compartment of his car looking for. The sight made me feel something that I didn't understand and maybe I never would. She took them off, letting them hang loosely off her shirt and I could see her remarkable green eyes. That's it, she has him in a trance. There is no other reason that Jace would be talking to a stranger he met at a Zoo in a state he didn't live in. She didn't even have to crane her neck to see him, they were basically the same height.

I stood up, my knees getting tired. "SCARLETT!" I cursed. How does he do it every time? It could be a million people around me and he'll still spot me in the crowd.

I plastered on a smile that was replaced by a grimace when I asked myself what I needed to fake one for. There is no reason to be upset or distressed at the girl whose attention is now on my two sizes too big shirt that I deeply regret wearing.

I neared the two and she whispered something in his ear that I couldn't hear. He nodded at whatever he said and a smile appeared on her face.

"What were you doing over by the pretzel cart?" He looked over my shoulder, narrowing his eyes. "Is it even open?" He's not even wearing glasses, his blind ass couldn't see the buttons on the remote but he can see if a pretzel cart is open.

"I was checking if it was," I lied through my straight teeth. "Who's this, new friend?"

"Actually, this is my-"

"Jenny, this is my Jenny." She interrupted.

"And you are?" She didn't show any malice or jealousy towards me. Just pure curiosity. I already like her.

"Scarlett. How do you know Jace?" My eyes trained on Jace's sunglasses hanging loosely from her shirt.

"She's my-"

"Friend from Riverside. I'm on the softball team." I nodded. Maybe, this is the girl. I looked down at her yellow sundress and sandals. She sounds nice enough, looks like a girl who prances around daisy fields and picks flowers. I wouldn't mind if this was her.

Jace looked at her weirdly. "Jace and I were just talking about going out to dinner soon, but if you're together I'll totally back off!" She exclaimed, damn this girl is forward. She knows what she wants, I like that.

"No, together? No never," Her- Jenny's face falters for a second. "He's all yours."

"Awesome, well Jace, you have my number," Jenny picked up his sunglasses and set them slowly on top of his head, her fingers capturing one of his curls and twirling it around. An unfamiliar feeling bubbling in my stomach as I watched Jace's eyes widen as she stretched it all the way to his nose. She released it before taking a step back, biting her lip.

"See you around, Scarlett. Jace." Jenny winked before walking away and disappearing amongst the crowd.

"That was interesting. I leave for two seconds and you've already got a date." He's still staring in the direction that Jenny went, the feeling in my stomach growing more intense with every passing second. "Jace- JACE!" I waved my hand in front of his face.

"What? Yeah, interesting." He mumbled, putting his sunglasses back on shielding his eyes. I rolled my eyes, dragging him along to the next animal. The unfamiliar feeling never leaving. I took one last look at the penguins, nobody was on the rock anymore, they were all together, happy. Nobody was alone.

I didn't even tell Jace the story. He was too busy with Jenny. Jenny and Jace. Jace and Jenny. Mr. and Mrs. Private School. Mr. and Mrs. Rich Kids. Mr. and Mrs. Give MevA Damn Break.

We've been to nearly every exhibit and seen every animal when my stomach felt chicken tenders before I did. My stomach growled before my eyes saw the food stand a few feet away.

"Jacey," I was on his back again and there had been no mention of Jenny in the past two hours. "I'm starving." He stopped much to the dismay of the man behind us who gives us a dirty look when he passes us.

"Do you want to stop here?" I scrunch my face up. Overpriced food at the zoo vs. reasonably priced Chick fil- a? I think I know my pick. "I'm guessing that's a no?"

"But I would like to buy an overpriced stuffed animal!" I said when I spotted the gift shop a few feet away. He let me down when we made it to the entrance and I walked alongside him.

After a few minutes, we separated. I don't know how it happened, but I wasn't surprised this shop was huge. Bigger than the one in Maryland, that's for sure. I didn't buy anything because the last giant stuffed penguin was gone. I decided to wait outside for Jace, trying to find the top of his head over people way taller than me.

I finally saw him waltzing out of the store with a grin on his face and his hands behind his back.

"Hey! I was looking for you-"

"Close your eyes!" He instructed.

"Why?" He rolled his eyes, the grin never leaving his face.

"You ask too many questions!" I blinked, unfazed. "Please, for me." I sighed, shutting my eyes. A few seconds pass when I feel something soft being shoved into my hand. I opened my eyes and let out a squeal.

"PENGUIN!" I hugged the huge stuffed animal close to my chest. It came up to just above my waist and it was unbelievably fluffy.

I glanced at Jace from behind the penguin, holding it in one arm while catapulting myself onto Jace. I wrapped my free arm around his lower back, pulling him into a hug. His arms snaked around my waist and I can smell his Ocean body wash.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank You Jace-y!" I pulled away, grabbing him by the collar and planting a kiss on his cheek. His face flushed and I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks, but my happiness overpowered my nervousness. "Me and Mr. Pengy salute you!"

"Mr. Pengy?" Jace snickered, hand touching where my lips once were. I stood on my tiptoes and flicked him on the nose. "Okay, are you ready to go now? Since you have your stuffed penguin and everything." I nodded, skipping ahead.

And I'm not a person who skipped. The people I surround myself with don't skip. My classmates. Teachers. Family members. They don't skip So why am I? I can't help but think this new appreciation for skipping had something to do with the boy gasping for air behind me.

"Can you slow down?" Jace sputters, breathlessly. I go faster, adrenaline pumping as I run through the zoo being chased by the boy who made my heart race faster every time I saw him. The boy whose company I enjoy more than anybody else's in the world.

"I thought you loved running!" I teased

"I love running bases not whatever this is," We reach the exit and I turn back to Jace. He stopped in front of me, his face a more noticeable red than mine, thanks to my abundance of melanin.

Jace took a deep breath, straightening up. He looked directly into my eyes, his hands shaking before he clenched his fist to settle himself. "I've been trying to tell you something all day-" His phone rang interrupting whatever he was about to say, the sound of the Hannah Montana theme song playing. He cursed, snatching his phone out his pocket before slamming it into his ear.

"What Carter!" He's silent for a second, I can't make out what Carter was saying. "I was just about too. Yeah, asshole you did. I don't care how sorry you are. Okay bye. No! I'm not. Why? Because you ruined the moment!" He hung up soon after he said it, irritation clear as day.

"What was that all about?" he shook his head, eyes trained on the ground. Anger turned to nothing in the blink of an eye. "Seriously, what did Carter do?"

"Nothing, absolutely nothing," Oh, it was definitely not nothing. "Are you ready to go? Chick fil- a right?" I nodded, searching his face for a sign of what that nothing was. But it was blank. He noticed my frown and waved me off. "Seriously, I was overreacting."

"Will holding Mr. Pengy make you feel better?" I ask, holding out my oversized penguin. He cracks a grin, slinging an arm around my shoulders.

"You're something else, you know that right?" He pulled me closer. "The guy who wins your heart is going to be so lucky." He said wistfully.

I didn't know how to respond so I stayed quiet. I don't even think he meant to say that out loud. But sometimes things just slip out for no reason at all. With no underlying meaning or any reason for my heart to beat any faster than normal rate.

His arm quickly left my shoulder and moved down to my hand, playing with my fingers and messing with the ring I slipped on this morning.

The summer breeze welcomed us when Jace rolled his window down, driving the scenic route through towns that I'll never see again. The music was blasting, my Disney playlist coming in through the speakers, and Jace's hair moved wildly in the wind. I stuck Mr. Pengys head out the window, exciting some children that we drove past. The sun was shining and we were spotting bright smiles.

I think I would be content if this was my last day. If I had to go out like this, today was a perfect day.

A perfect day.

But while we were having fun, back home a storm was brewing.

I didn't know that. I was in the car, laughing at Jace's stupid jokes and thinking about the milkshake I was about to devour.

And I forgot for a second. I forgot about my life in the city, my bitchy best friend, the lies I've told, the truth that I can't let out.

I let myself believe that the world was against us. But it wasn't the world, it was one person, maybe two, maybe three. But ultimately it all came back to me.

I wish I knew what I know now, but I didn't so I walked into the house. My head held high before everything came crashing down.

And I was the one left in the rubble.