Played By Strings Of Fate

7th String - Black and Black

"We wouldn't be here this late if you stopped being a dick."

Jesse gasped dramatically "Clark! Jade might notice your disdain for me!"

"I wasn't trying to hide it."

I snickered. I wasn't laughing at Clark but their whole exchange. Clark is wittier when it came to Jesse. It maybe because he isn't afraid to offend him. Then again, he isn't afraid to offend me either.

"Can we go now?" I interjected. They were only bickering now and my stomach's calling out to me already, "I'm hungry."

"You always are." Clark commented, smirking at me.

I stuck my tongue out at him, "Jerk."

He laughed, "Fine. Let's go." he said as he began to make his way out of the booth.

"Where do you think you're going?" Jesse questioned him with an eyebrow raised.

"Dinner. Don't worry, you're not invited." Clark answered, waving his hand at Jesse in a shooing gesture.

"Well technically, neither are you."

"Huh?"

Jesse handed over some papers and Clark took them in a not so friendly manner. Curiosity swept through me so I made my way and stood beside Clark.

In his hand, several music sheets of famous songs were present. He stared at them confused.

"You're three songs behind." Jesse clarified and realisation dawned on Clark, though I was still confused. I had no idea what they were talking about.

"Do I have to do this now?" Clark asked his manager, tapping his foot impatiently on the carpet.

"I won't be able to help you on another day. This is the only extra time I can spare." Jesse explained, leaning back on his office chair.

Clark stared at him flatly, "Really?"

Jesse smiled innocently. Clark sighed and turned to me.

"Do you mind waiting for two more hours? I promise I'll be quick." he pled.

"And I promise I'll be dying of starvation by then." I deadpanned.

"Such a sweet best friend." he remarked sarcastically.

"I live to be sweet."

"It's only two hours." he argued, crossing his arms at me.

"You intend to put me through two hours of impending torture?"

"It's not really torture if you like it." he said smugly.

I snorted, "I won't starve for you Clark."

"Hypocrite. I've sacrificed meals for your skipping needs in Year 8."

My eye twitched, annoyed by his comment. It was true. I always dragged Clark to skip school before lunch time. He is such a monkey for bringing that up just because I didn't want to wait for him.

"I'm still not staying." I said, determined.

"Jade."

"Clark."

"Jesse." we both turned to look at the smiling manager. He laughed, "Why don't we all just have dinner together first, then we come back?" he suggested, standing up and putting an arm around Clark and I.

Clark ducked under Jesse's arm, "No." he said firmly, "I would rather have Jade not wait for me."

"Okay then!" I chirped happily. I turned around and headed for the door.

"Not so fast." Jesse said, pulling the back of my shirt. I stumbled and he didn't bother catching me.

I glared at him.

"What?!" I snapped.

A look of surprise crossed his face and he held his hands up, "Easy." he said, stepping back a few metres. Clark laughed at this.

"Don't make her hungry. You won't like her when she's hungry." Clark said, laughing hysterically when Jesse still held a look of apprehension. 

Well said.

~~

"Keep your eyes open." Clark whispered as we swiveled through the bushes outside the mall.

I rolled my eyes, "If only I could. I can't see anything with these aviator glasses on!"

"Shh!" he covered my mouth, "We're hiding here. You can't give us away by shouting." he reprimanded.

I pried his hand off, "Oh, this is ridiculous." I muttered, pulling off the sunglasses and wig.

"No! You can't take the disguise off! You'll be seen!" he looked around frantically.

"You can't be seen if you're hiding in the bushes during nighttime, you twat." I snarled.

"That's where you're wrong Jade." he shook his, "Come on, let's go."

By our behaviour and attire, one would think we were hiding from Clark's insane fans but no. We, and by 'we' I mean he, was hiding from Jesse.

"That bloke has eyes on the back of his head, I tell ya." Clark specifically told me an hour ago.

Clark had told me how Jesse would always pop out of nowhere whenever he was having a day off or when he wanted to enjoy his day. Guess how things turned out for him.

Clark hissed as I accidentally stepped passed him, "Idiot, don't walk so carelessly!" he scolded, opting to pull me by my shirt when I just stared at him flatly.

This is really getting irritating. If he was hiding then he should do it by himself. I didn't want to hide with him. It would just be a nuisance to me. Aside from my weird feelings for Clark, he was my source of amusement. I wouldn't be able to last a day anymore without laughing at him.

"I'm not the one dressed up in black." I snorted, "Are you stupid? You look suspicious wearing all black in a brightly-lit mall. If anything, you attract more attention than you probably would if your fans discovered you."

"Shh!" he covered my mouth once again. I licked his hand and he removed it at once. He gave me a disapproving look.

I shrugged. He should really stop shutting me up.