Ghost of You ✧ jordan baker [2]

18. loyalty

✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧

Stacey laid her head on Darnell's lap as she read her textbook. Darnell was sitting up on his bed, watching film for the game tomorrow night. She loved how simple and easy it was around him. Their bond during the summer held up strong and filtered into their relationship now. For the first time in a while, Stacey was truly happy and not stressed.

Her phone started buzzing constantly on her bedside table. Then, her ringtone blared through the room. Stacey marked the page she was on and answered the call.

"Hey Liv, what's up?"

"Can you come to The Boulevard? Like right now?" asked Olivia. "Ash and I are on a date and we'd love some company."

Stacey chuckled. "I don't know if I want to go on a double date with my brother."

"Please," begged Olivia. "I need you here. Bring Darnell if he's with you."

Stacey glanced up at her boyfriend who seemed focused on the IPad. She sighed, "I'll ask him."

"Thank you. I owe you one."

Olivia hung up and Stacey sat up. Darnell glanced at her, "What's up?"

"Liv wants us to go to The Boulevard right now to hang," she told him. "She sounded like she could really use me."

Darnell placed the tablet down. He didn't seem thrilled with the idea. "So basically I have to entertain Asher while you help Olivia?"

"Yes..."

Darnell leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I'm fine with that. Your friend need you."

Stacey smiled. "You're the best."

Stacey changed into a more decent outfit and had Darnell drive them to The Boulevard. Once Darnell parked, she saw Jordan walking out of the cafe. He stopped once he saw Stacey and Darnell get out of the car.

"I'll wait by the door," he whispered to her as Jordan slowly came up to them.

Stacey didn't know why Jordan was here, but he looked upset. She felt some sympathy; she couldn't just erase him from her life. "You okay?"

"Simone and Layla tried to get Spence and I to talk," he sighed. "So, I'm leaving. Why are you here?"

Stacey held onto to some of the first words he said. "Wait, Simone, Layla, and Spencer are here? Liv said it was just her and Asher."

Jordan shrugged. "I guess we both got lied to."

Stacey chuckled. "Guess so."

Jordan was about to walk off to his car, but he turned back to her. "You're coming to the game tomorrow, right?"

Stacey glanced over at Darnell. "Um...I'm not sure."

Something changed behind Jordan's eyes. Stacey couldn't tell what it was. "But, you haven't missed a game yet. Beverly is your school."

"So you're telling me to not support my boyfriend?" asked Stacey.

Jordan slightly flinched at the word 'boyfriend'. "No. I - I just thought you'd still support me. As a friend, you know."

"I wish I could support you, Ash, JJ, and the rest of the team," admitted Stacey. "But Layla is going for Spencer. Why don't you give her this talk?"

"Because...it's you," sighed Jordan. "I know you're with Darnell and I'm not trying to interfere, but it's hard adjusting to a life where you're not always there. Especially when I don't have a reason to hate you."

Stacey hated hurting him, but it was bound to happen with her finding someone else. "Listen, I'll try to go to a lot of Beverly games, but I also have to support Darnell."

"Isn't he not even starting?" pointed out Jordan.

Stacey gave him a glare. "Thought you matured?"

Jordan nodded his head. "Yeah. Damn it, I'm sorry I said that. No, Stace-"

She started to walk away. "Just please stop making the situation harder. I have to go."

"I'm sorry," mumbled Jordan as she walked away.

Stacey composed herself as she reached for Darnell's outstretched hand. She heard a car door slam in the distance, but she didn't pay much attention to it. She was about to go in, but Darnell stopped her.

"You know, he's right," said Darnell.

"What?" asked Stacey, but then she realized what he was talking about. "Oh, god don't listen to Jordan. I'm going to your game."

Darnell shook his head. "I'm not even playing, though. It'd be a waste when you could go sit with your friends and watch your school play."

"I'm going to your game," insisted Stacey.

"I don't want you to see me on the bench," said Darnell. "I want you to see me out on the field as the UCLA commit I am. I want you to be able to cheer me on and hear you as I score a touchdown. That won't happen as long as I'm second string. This'll give me another reason to prove myself at practice."

She caved in. "Okay, if you're forcing me to not to go then I guess I can't do anything about it. However, I would much rather be with you."

Darnell smiled and opened the door for her. "I know I'm irresistible."

Stacey rolled her eyes and walked through the door.