CHAPTER ELEVEN
our new normal.
HALLOWEEN MORNING IN HACKENSACK! The small town was known for its gruesome events, Halloween was practically an everyday holiday for the people.
Ruby glanced out of the window as they drove pasted the overly decorated homes, occasionally her eyes would catch Juniors side profile as she between him and Jake.
The car ride was relatively silent for the most part, until Jake began to shuffle around in the backseat, looking oddly confused.
"You okay back there, buddy?" Logan asked, glancing at him through the mirror.
"Yea it's just-my seats hot." He smiled awkwardly.
The man laughed, "oh, Jake, I'm sorry. You can turn that down. There's a switch over there on the right."
Jake flicked the small switch, immediately feeling the warm ness being drained out of the comfortable seat.
"You know, long periods of exposure can cause second-degree burns. It's called Toasted Skin Syndrome." Junior blurted, smirking as he looked at his cousin.
"That's ridiculous." Bree scoffed from the front seat at her sons comment.
Junior shrugged, glancing out the window, "look it up, it happens."
"Not in a Lexus. It doesn't." She turned over her shoulder to look at the two boys, "Jake don't pay any attention to him, sweetheart."
"Remind me, what's your protein intake this week?" Logan asked.
"Uh, 50 grams a day?"Junior sounded hesitate with his answer, almost scared to hear his father's response.
Logan clicked his tongue, "Oof, you should bump that up to 75."
"But Dad, state's not till the 15th." Junior added, "plus, I'm not a sprinter, and I only weighed 105 this morning."
"We don't want you getting injured a week before the most important race of your life." He smiled, "just have a Cliff Bar before lunch, okay?"
Ruby fiddled with her hands as she stared at the chipped black nail polish, her head lifting as they passed the bright yellow school buses.
Logan pulled up to the front of the school, a knot immediately forming in the girls stomach.
"Have a good day at school, Junior." Bree watched her son exit the car, staying silent as he only shut the door and began walking up to the school entry.
Logan narrowed his eyes at the curly headed boy, "still with the nightmares? You can a week if you need it."
"No, I actually think, at this point, that it's better that I get out of the house." Jake politely declined his uncles offer.
"Jake, aren't you comfortable with us? You can be honest." Bree cocked a brow as she asked.
He immediately choked up, "no. I mean, I am
comfortable. Anyway, you guys have been really great. I appreciate it. I should go."
Ruby followed out behind him, shutting the door gently as she adjusted her back pack straps.
"Hey, Jake, Ruby?" Logan called out as he rolled down the window, the two teens slowly backing up towards the passenger side, "for lunch."
They both look surprised, side-glancing at each other before reaching for the money being held out for them.
"Thanks, Logan." Ruby chuckled, flashing the man a small smile.
Jake mirrored her actions before leading them away from the car, approaching the crowded school entrance.
As they walked, they couldn't help but hear the small whispers and the stares they received by just walking, Ruby rolled her eyes at the curious teenagers surrounding them.
They weren't surprised about everyone's confused reactions.
"Hey, Jake. How are you doing?" Oliver walked beside the two, "Hi, Ruby.
"Hi, Oliver." She gritted through he teeth, her clear hatred for the boy showing as she couldn't stand to be close to him.
Jake on the other hand, greeted him more kindly, "Hey, Oliver. I'm okay.
"Look, Jake, I just wanted to express my condolences. And I wanted to apologize for every time I ever gave you shit. That was not cool. I'm
really sorry." Oliver heavily apologized, fiddling with his black strap hung over his shoulder.
Ruby scoffed under her breathe at the boys words, "yeah."
Jake nudged her with his elbow, signaling for her to shut up, he shrugged as he looked back at the tall boy, "Okay."
"I'm having a party tonight, and I think it'll be really good for you if you came. Ruby's invited as well." Oliver flicked his eyes to her, the corners of his mouth lifting into a smirk.
"A halloween party?" Jake smiled largely.
Oliver nodded, "yep. Costumes, Coronas, and candy, and we're not talking M&Ms. My parents are in London for the weekend so it's gonna be sick."
Jake formed his lips into a flat line, "I don't have a costume."
"It's alright. Just bring Chucky." Oliver shrugged simply, "i'll see you guys there."
Ruby furrowed her brows as the boy stepped around them, turning her head over to her best friend, "what the fuck was that about?"
"I'm not sure." Jake chuckled, "do you wanna go? It sounds like fun."
"It's halloween night, Jake. Is going to a party with a bunch of overly drunk teenagers a good idea? You do remember what town we live in, right?" Ruby tilted her head to the side, shaking her head slightly.
Jake chewed on his bottom lip, "I know. Listen, when do we ever get invited to parties? Actually, when do I ever get invited? This could be fun."
"Then sure, Jake. But if a serial killer comes, I'm blaming my death on you." She giggled, shoving him playfully as they entered the school building.
Ruby leaned against Jake's locker as he locked it, her eyes drifting to the boy approaching the two, Devon.
"Hi."
Jake was caught off guard as he spun around, him stopping in his tracks, "hi."
"Jake." Devon stopped him from walking away, an unreadable expression on his face, "I'm sorry."
"Thanks. I really appreciate it." Jake nodded, his mouth curving up into a small smile.
Devon swallowed, "I've been thinking about you."
Those words had Jake's stomach full of butterflies, he couldn't help but keep a smile plastered on his face, "you have?"
"About what you've been going through. You know, my dad died when I was nine." Devon sighed.
"Yeah, I remember."
"I think the worst part is what it did to me and my mom. When I was little, we were super close, but now we barely even talk. I think I remind her of him. You know?" Devon confessed, rambling on as he attempted to sympathize Jake, "look, the point is, I would have never gone through it without my friends. Look, we don't know each other very well."
Jake interrupted him as the three walked down the filled halls, "we don't know each other at all."
Devon laughed lightly, "um, you coming to Oliver's party tonight."
"I think we are, yeah." Jake gestured to the girl beside him who was completely zoned out.
Ruby hummed as she took out one of her earbuds, the two boys laughing at her as she stuck up her middle finger, placing the bud back into her ear.
"Awesome. Bringing Chucky?"
Jake shrugged, "I don't know."
"Why not? You two really killed the other night." Devon smile slowly disappeared as Jake death stared him, "At...at the talent show. So where is he anyway?"
AUTHORS NOTE <3
jake and devon own my heart.