So Wrong, It's Right
Building Bridges
My first day and Dulaney wasn't too bad. There was a lot of people I didn't really associate with on a regular basis, and everyone was curious about the new girl. Thanks to Jack's antics with my underwear, I got a lot of mean looks from girls, and wolf whistles from guys. I ignored most of it, not caring. Plus, thankfully, I had classes with Zack, Alex, and Rian. I even finally met Cassadee in person. Turns out she rides my bus home too, I would ask Jack for a ride home, but I rather not be killed in a car 'accident'.
Cass had asked what was up with me and Jack, apparently the guys had told her we fight worst than cats and dogs. I told her about our little show down with the bathroom products, but kept the more physical issues to myself. I wore a sweatshirt today, partly because I had no appropriate shirts left really, and I didn't feel like getting questions about the bruises.
“You know, you and Jack should probably just, you know, talk. You're a lot alike.” She told me on our way back home. I sighed.
“Look, Cass, I've heard this speech plenty of times. Jack and I just don't like each other.”
“Have you even tried?”
“Kinda sorta.” I shrugged.
“Why aren't you willing to give him a chance?” She asked, pouting. I knew she didn't mean to be pushy, Cassadee was totally one of those people who just wants everyone to get along.
I shrugged as an answer, but her question did spark my own curiosity. Why did I hate Jack so much? Sure, he was kinda mean at the wedding, and it all escalated from there. I was just so...mad. About a lot, and I guess he was the thing I could take it out on. He's mean back. Doesn't like me either. Kind of a jerk. Why not?
But then again, nothing exactly his fault. The stress of moving, the feeling of my mom being replaced, the fact that I was gone from my friends, and my dad was too busy with his new wife these days. I sighed.
“Maybe I'll talk to him.” I mumbled, earning a giant smile from Cass.
When I finally got home, I went straight to my room, glad Jack wasn't anywhere to be seen. Despite what I said, I was still really nervous to see him quite yet. This morning was... I don't even know. Like yeah, Jack scared the shit out of me but there was something else. I couldn't help but remember feeling his breath on my neck, his voice low in my ear. Maybe it's just my stupid teenage hormones.
Whoa, slow down. I am not attracted to my 'brother.' Hormones or not.
I walked into my room, hearing a faint sound of music from Jack's room. Guess he didn't have plans today with his buddies. Unless they're coming over later or something. With a glance over at his door, I just opened mine and headed inside. Something on my bed caught my eye. I knew I didn't leave anything there.
Inspecting the items, I found a new toothbrush and a shirt. It was a Blink shirt, clearly old and worn. Is this Jack's? Did his mom leave it here by accident? I looked back at the toothbrush. Why would that be here too then? Did...did Jack do this?
Taking off my sweatshirt, I tried on the new shirt. Sure enough, it was too big, going down to my thighs, but it would still work out. I looked at it in my mirror, it was a pretty sick shirt. I actually really liked it. I started wondering why Jack would give me this when I remembered what he did to my clothes this morning. If this is his way of apologizing then I definitely accept.
And now owe him one too.
Taking a moment to relax, and not be awkward, I walked over to his room down the hall. I didn't bother knocking, since all I heard was more music, but when I opened the door. I was surprised to fin that the music was from Jack playing a guitar.
“You play?” I blurted out, surprising him. Jumping, he stopped and looked at me.
“What are you doing here?”
“Um..I... Uhhh.” I took a breath. “I wanna just say thanks... for the shirt.”
“Oh...no problem.”
“And I'm sorry, about this morning. And last night. And for being a bitch. And-”
“Ember,” he cut me off. “It's cool.”
“Okay.” I stood there awkwardly, both of us remaining silent. Till Jack coughed and broke it.
“Umm, my mom likes to visit the mall a lot. I'm sure if you ask, she'll buy you more shirts...”
“Oh..no it's okay. I have money saved from allowances and when I worked back home.”
“It'd really be no problem.”
“I don't wanna take advantage of your mom like that.”
“She's your mom too now.” He tried, and I just shook my head. No, she really wasn't. No one can be like my mom.
“I'm gonna just....go back to my room.” I said, starting to walk out. “You play really well, by the way.”
I quickly shut his door and retreated back to my room. Well, back to just ignoring each other I guess. I leaned against my door and ran a hand through my hair. That's when I realized I was wearing his shirt, not my sweatshirt. Shit, did he see the bruises? I mean, yeah, Jack left them, but I didn't want to make him feel more guilty.
Why do I even care though? I still don't like him.
Even if I kinda like how this shirt smells like him.
Cass had asked what was up with me and Jack, apparently the guys had told her we fight worst than cats and dogs. I told her about our little show down with the bathroom products, but kept the more physical issues to myself. I wore a sweatshirt today, partly because I had no appropriate shirts left really, and I didn't feel like getting questions about the bruises.
“You know, you and Jack should probably just, you know, talk. You're a lot alike.” She told me on our way back home. I sighed.
“Look, Cass, I've heard this speech plenty of times. Jack and I just don't like each other.”
“Have you even tried?”
“Kinda sorta.” I shrugged.
“Why aren't you willing to give him a chance?” She asked, pouting. I knew she didn't mean to be pushy, Cassadee was totally one of those people who just wants everyone to get along.
I shrugged as an answer, but her question did spark my own curiosity. Why did I hate Jack so much? Sure, he was kinda mean at the wedding, and it all escalated from there. I was just so...mad. About a lot, and I guess he was the thing I could take it out on. He's mean back. Doesn't like me either. Kind of a jerk. Why not?
But then again, nothing exactly his fault. The stress of moving, the feeling of my mom being replaced, the fact that I was gone from my friends, and my dad was too busy with his new wife these days. I sighed.
“Maybe I'll talk to him.” I mumbled, earning a giant smile from Cass.
When I finally got home, I went straight to my room, glad Jack wasn't anywhere to be seen. Despite what I said, I was still really nervous to see him quite yet. This morning was... I don't even know. Like yeah, Jack scared the shit out of me but there was something else. I couldn't help but remember feeling his breath on my neck, his voice low in my ear. Maybe it's just my stupid teenage hormones.
Whoa, slow down. I am not attracted to my 'brother.' Hormones or not.
I walked into my room, hearing a faint sound of music from Jack's room. Guess he didn't have plans today with his buddies. Unless they're coming over later or something. With a glance over at his door, I just opened mine and headed inside. Something on my bed caught my eye. I knew I didn't leave anything there.
Inspecting the items, I found a new toothbrush and a shirt. It was a Blink shirt, clearly old and worn. Is this Jack's? Did his mom leave it here by accident? I looked back at the toothbrush. Why would that be here too then? Did...did Jack do this?
Taking off my sweatshirt, I tried on the new shirt. Sure enough, it was too big, going down to my thighs, but it would still work out. I looked at it in my mirror, it was a pretty sick shirt. I actually really liked it. I started wondering why Jack would give me this when I remembered what he did to my clothes this morning. If this is his way of apologizing then I definitely accept.
And now owe him one too.
Taking a moment to relax, and not be awkward, I walked over to his room down the hall. I didn't bother knocking, since all I heard was more music, but when I opened the door. I was surprised to fin that the music was from Jack playing a guitar.
“You play?” I blurted out, surprising him. Jumping, he stopped and looked at me.
“What are you doing here?”
“Um..I... Uhhh.” I took a breath. “I wanna just say thanks... for the shirt.”
“Oh...no problem.”
“And I'm sorry, about this morning. And last night. And for being a bitch. And-”
“Ember,” he cut me off. “It's cool.”
“Okay.” I stood there awkwardly, both of us remaining silent. Till Jack coughed and broke it.
“Umm, my mom likes to visit the mall a lot. I'm sure if you ask, she'll buy you more shirts...”
“Oh..no it's okay. I have money saved from allowances and when I worked back home.”
“It'd really be no problem.”
“I don't wanna take advantage of your mom like that.”
“She's your mom too now.” He tried, and I just shook my head. No, she really wasn't. No one can be like my mom.
“I'm gonna just....go back to my room.” I said, starting to walk out. “You play really well, by the way.”
I quickly shut his door and retreated back to my room. Well, back to just ignoring each other I guess. I leaned against my door and ran a hand through my hair. That's when I realized I was wearing his shirt, not my sweatshirt. Shit, did he see the bruises? I mean, yeah, Jack left them, but I didn't want to make him feel more guilty.
Why do I even care though? I still don't like him.
Even if I kinda like how this shirt smells like him.
Oh how I always come back to this story
1/27/18