Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Alex shoots me a bright smile the moment his face appears on my screen and I smile in return. His health has taken a drastic turn for the better in recent weeks. I think home-schooling is helping him get well really fast. Dad decided that he be home-schooled for the time being until they are sure he's fit. Dad can be super careful.

"Look who remembered she has a brother!" he chirps then shrugs nonchalantly. "Well, can't say I remembered you either so, we're even."

"Is that how Mr. Jack taught you to address your older sister?" I squint, trying to pull off a menacing look.

He puts on a thoughtful look before responding, "nope. Mr. Jack is not my moral instructor."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah really."

I grin. "So tell me, how have you been coping? Did you have to start from kindergarten?" His face drops at my insinuation making me throw my head back in laughter.

"Actually, Mr. Jack had to remind me of a few letters and where they are positioned," he states seriously. My mouth shuts itself.

‘What on earth?’

"Are you serious?" He simply shrugs, looking glumly at me.

"Oh my gosh. I didn't mean to―" I stop myself when I see his expression falter. "Lex, not cool at all!"

His lips spread into a wide grin and I huff in mild exasperation. "Don't ever do that to me."

He cracks up while I fight to suppress my own laughter. "I love you too, sis."

I roll my eyes dramatically, making him smirk. "Do me a favour," he starts, earning my full attention.

"Tell Jason that I'll kill him if, by the time I return, he hasn't worked up the nerves to tell that chic he likes her," he states with a menacing look.

"Oh I'll tell him that alright." I chuckle.

Letting out a sigh, he states. "Right, talk later. I need to go somewhere."

I smile. "I thought you were grounded for life." This causes a glare to form on his face while I maintain a smirk.

"I'm never calling you again." And with that, he hangs up.

"I love you too, brother." I say lowly as I shut the laptop.

‘Time to do Melody's bidding... Pft, more like something I've always wanted to do.’

I sigh as I hesitantly get up from the stool only to be stopped by my ringtone.

"Speak of the devil, and she calls!" I chirp into the phone and I hear Melody groan on the other side.

"There's only one kind of friend who, when you call her, calls you the devil. That's the lucifer-kind." I chortle at her insult.

"Tame your tongue, young lady."

"Oh I beg to be pardoned."

I roll my eyes. "Shut up and speak or else I'll change my mind about talking to him."

"Ooh! Am I interrupting anything?" she asks.

"No. Just that if you annoy me, I won't bother talking to him anymore," I threaten and hear her hiss.

"Babe, it's not like it's me who offended him! Plus, I'm sure you're dying to talk to him yourself." She sighs heavily while I scowl at no one. "I just can't believe Jasper's into drugs. What on earth could have led him to do that? Was he depressed or something? Or, or maybe it's because of the gang." I told Melody and the girls everything I overheard from Jasper's mum's conversation with mum.

Alice is super pissed and wants to come see him but decided to wait until I speak with him. Lima on the other hand, has her pregnancy to deal with. She has stopped school altogether because the whole school has found out about her state, thanks to that witch, Diana, and her minions.

Now, they won't stop insulting us. N.C is still not aware that he's the father and Lima is freaking out because her mum might come home anytime soon.

I've sighed like three times now trying to get Melody's attention but the girl is just gushing!

"Mel! I wouldn't know the answers to those questions cause I'm not Jasper and neither am I his mum." I finally speak up.

"You're right. That's why you're going there. Make sure you ask him..."

"Mel?"

"...And scold the hell out of him."

"Mel?"

"I mean, why can he not just give it up for your sake?"

"Mel! Did you take some talking pill or what?"

She giggles on the other end before clearing her throat. "Anyway, just wanted to tell you that my mum finally paid for the registration. Phew! Totally didn't wanna use my money."

I scoff. "Your money? Last time I checked, you didn't earn it. Why didn't you want to use it anyway?"

After a few seconds of silence, she replies. "Babe, you talk too much. Just go already and stop stalling!"

My eyes widen. "Did you just say that?"

She hangs up. ‘God save me from some people.’ She refused to pay for her WAEC registration with 'her' money even though it's almost too late. I scoff.

It's been a week since Jasper came home from the hospital but I haven't worked up the nerves to talk to him. I hardly even see him. He's not been in school; always locked up inside. When Melody and I managed to get a hold of Mary yesterday, she and Melody planned that I go to their house when no one is around. I thought it was ridiculous but they said I was ridiculous for thinking it was ridiculous. Of course it was just Melody who said it but Mary supported her.

Mary informed us that everyone would be out almost all day long. Including Luke. He came back for mid semester break.

So now, Mary will let me in secretly.

‘What if his dad comes and catches me? I'll automatically become Jasper's accomplice in the drug business!’

I sneak glances around myself as if I'm about to rob a bank.

‘Babe! Just knock already. You only want to talk and not steal.’

With a deep breath, I lift my hand to knock.

"Hi!"

My hand falls forward, making contact with only thin air as the door opens to reveal Mary.

"Mary! Did you see me coming?" I ask, trying to hide my flustered look. She could have seen me acting like some criminal with a bounty on her head.

Mary smiles brightly and lets me in. "He's in his room. I don't think the door is locked," she whispers and I nod.

‘What will he look like? Hopefully not dead. Why would he look dead anyway? I'm so ridiculous!’

Deciding not to just barge in, I knock softly.

No response.

I knock again.

Silence. ‘Where on earth is he?’

Leaning close to the door, I hear shuffling on the other side. ‘Seriously? You're just going to act like no one's at the door?’

I barge in.

"I can't believe―" I stop. He doesn't look dead. He's just sitting on his bed, backing me with headphones on.

But that's not it. He's shirtless! And there's a tattoo of a large wing spanning his...

‘Is that his right shoulder? Or left? Uh...’

"What the hell?!" I'm forced back to reality by his voice.

‘Shoot, he saw me! Was he supposed to not see me? Ugh!’

"How the hell did you get in here?" He walks over to me at the door, pulling off the headphones and dumping them on the bed.

I clear my throat. ‘Don't get so confused, brain!’

Trying to scowl, I look him over but stop at his feet. A funny giggle escapes when I see them.

"You're wearing doc McStuffins stockings." I cover my mouth, still giggling.

"Why are you wearing doc McStuffins stockings?"

He scoffs. "What are you doing here, Bella?" he asks rudely, making me frown.

"I should be asking you that." He grimaces.

‘Yeesh!’ I mentally face palm myself.

"T―that came out wrong." I close my eyes and draw in a deep breath. When I open them, I find Jasper leaning dangerously close. It takes me a second to realize he's closing the door behind me.

"What are you doing here Bella?" he asks for the second time and this time, I'm ready to talk.

"That's a terrible question to ask Jasper. What, you thought after all that happened I'll just go on with life like everything is fine?" I snap.

"Everything is fine," he states much to my annoyance. "You look fine. Am I wrong?"

"Sometimes I feel like hitting you."

A smirk pulls at his lips but he masks it immediately and moves deeper into the room. I follow him.

"You weren't pulled into any mess, were you?" he questions as he pulls himself onto his study desk.

"I think I'm in enough mess as it is." I fold my arms, taking a seat on the edge of his bed. His scent grows stronger immediately and I sneakily breathe it in.

"What mess is that?"

"I was drugged at a club last week!" I blurt but regret it immediately. He only stares at me blankly.

"Oh," I start in a low voice. "That was my fault." I take in a breath to suppress the feeling of embarrassment while a thick cloud of silence hangs around us.

‘What on earth did I come here to say now?’

"Thank you." The words slip out so silently, I wonder if he'll hear. He does.

"It's okay, " is all he says.

"Why?" This catches his attention, making him look squarely at me.

I shrug. "Why take drugs?"

The uneasiness is evident as he readjusts on the table and looks away.

"Who told you?" he asks.

"Does it matter? Why on earth would you want to do that? I mean, you have everything you could possibly want!"

"Is that what you think? Is that?" His eyes meet mine again.

"Look Bella, I owe you no explanation about this okay? So stay out of my mess," he deadpans. I feel a pang inside.

I nod, the hurt pushing it's way to my face. "You're right."

He sighs, rolling those grey orbs at me. "Don't be such a pain, Bella."

I shake my head, standing up. "It's fine." Almost at the door, his voice stops me.

"I'm sorry." I turn around. "I feel guilty for what happened that night. I shouldn't have let him spike your drink."

"You didn't know I was there," I say, coming closer.

"No," he says, eyes on the ground. I shake my head but of course he can't see me. He also shakes his head.

"I should have done something. I thought being far away would solve it but it didn't. I failed her; I fail everyone." He's still shaking his head. Now I'm getting worried.

"Failed who?" I ask.

"Audrey." His head snaps up the moment he says this. My mouth falls open.

‘Audrey is not just a nickname for me, it's a person's name. A person he knows.’

I feel my chest tighten with what I can only describe as hurt and jealousy.

"Shit, no. Bella look―"

"Who's Audrey?" I cut him off.

"No one. It's just a name I call you."

"You're such a liar! You never want to tell me the truth about anything." I don't know why but I feel tears on the rims of my eyes.

"It's actually my fault. It's me who's forcing this whole friendship or what do I call this? Why do I even ask you to explain yourself always? It's none of my business right?" I scoff, a sad smirk playing on my lips.

Jasper tries to hold me but I jolt away from him.

"Sorry for trying to barge into your affairs, Jasper. It'll never happen again. And...sorry for kissing you that night." I move to go but he grabs my arm and yanks me back.

"That's the thing here! No matter how hard I try, you're always everywhere."

It's like a large hand is squeezing my lungs, trying to seize my breath.

‘Why me? Why did I have to fall for the wrong person?! Yes! I admit, I like him.’

I force back tears with all my might. "Do I disgust you that much?"

He looks away. "It's no that."

"Then tell me what it is!" I snap, trying to wriggle free but his grip is firm.

"You want to know what it is?" Before I can respond, his lips land on mine, sending waves of electricity down my body.

At first my eyes are wide with shock but they start to close slowly as I subconsciously place my hand on his arm.

His hand trails down to my waist, pulling me closer even though there's hardly any space left to close. His lips, though soft, move with intense want against mine.

The flood of emotions coursing through me is indescribable. Wrapping one arm around his neck, I brush the other one through his black locks, enjoying their soft feel.

‘Mary was right. His hair...’

Just as my lips part, giving his tongue entrance, a cough cuts through the air. I practically jump out of his grasp to look at the door.

Mary is standing there coughing like she's going to die.

‘Kill me! Kill me! Kill me!’

I don't even know where to fix my gaze as I'm almost fainting from the embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, didn't mean to distract you," she says, biting her lip obviously holding back a laugh. I can't even look at either of the siblings.

"You should have knocked, Mary," Jasper scolds mildly and I finally look at him. He looks a little embarrassed too but nothing near how I feel right now.

"Sorry." And with that she runs off, leaving us alone again.

‘What just happened?’

Jasper goes to sit on his desk again and I awkwardly take my former position on his bed.

My eyes dart around in search of something interesting to look at and probably talk about until they land on his stockings clad feet.

"Why―" I stop to clear my throat when my voice comes out strange. "Why are you wearing those?"

Jasper looks at his feet and sighs. "You won't stop looking at them, will you? Fine, Mary gave them to me."

I give a touched smile. But everything becomes awkward again.

‘I just had my second kiss. Sober!’

"Why?" I begin. "Why do you always keep me in the dark?"

He looks at me. "I don't know. You ask too many questions."

"Is that all you have to say?" I ask, surprised. He simply shrugs.

After a brief moment of silence, I speak. "When did you get a tattoo?"

With a small smile, he says, "two years ago. My dad almost killed me."

Looking at him, I realize his dad must have been very furious when they discovered his secret.

‘Wait...’

"How have you been holding up?" This is one important question I was supposed to ask him a while ago. He sucks in a deep breath, clearly tired of my questions.

‘Deal with it cause I can't help it. I'm trying to clear the awkward air here.’

"It's obvious I'm fine."

"But I'm sure you took those drugs for a long time. You don't crave for them?" I ask in astonishment.

He won't meet my gaze.

"Jasper? Are you..." I pause. "You're not going to tell me this one also right?" I look away, the hurt seeping in again.

‘We just kissed, Jasper! Just trust me for once!’

I feel myself almost tearing up. Why won't he just open up? He sighs.

"You want the truth? Okay. I still take the drugs. I can't just stop."

"Yes, you can. There's rehab and I'm sure the doctors gave helpful suggestions," I say but he only scoffs.

"Yes, the doctors gave solutions. But were they taken?" He's beginning to sound angry.

"Although I don't want any therapy or rehab, the least a caring father can do is agree to do what can help me." I can see the anger raging in his eyes but he keeps a calm expression.

"What are you talking about?" I query.

"Oh, nothing. Just the fact that my own father insists that I'm locked indoors to deal with my mess alone. No rehab, nothing."

‘That's impossible!’

"Not for Mr. Lawrence."

And I said that aloud.

Though he's keeping a straight face, I can see the deep hurt beneath the façade. I walk slowly to his side, making him look up at me. I spread my arms, trying to pull off my best puppy dog face. I’ve been a sucker for hugs lately.

His face squeezes into a frown of displeasure but I send him a bright grin.

"Don't be a baby, get in here or I'll make it worse," I order.

With a disgruntled expression, he gets up and looks down at me. I roll my eyes.

‘Someone is domineering.’

He smirks and I roll my eyes again.

"I just said that out loud." This time, he spreads his arms and I step into his embrace.

His warmth engulfs me and I press my head into his bare chest, taking in a whiff of his perfume.

"Why are guys so proud?" I ask, earning a chuckle from him.

I raise my head to look at him. "Don't worry, Belle, you'll get the answers to all your questions in due course," he tells me and I pout.

"Belle?"

"Hm?"

"Can I see you everyday?" I smile.