Hey dudes, song to the side kinda relates to how Lynn feels, remember to listen!
Chapter Ten
Trying to keep up with having a fake relationship was a hard job.
Firstly, you’d have to pretend at school that you were smitten with the one guy at Chesterville High that did not-and I repeat that-did not have relationships which lasted more than two weeks. And even though Jace was relatively new-well more or less new after he returned since his mysterious departure-everyone knew that he wasn’t the type of guy that played ‘boyfriend’.
And since Beth had at one stage dated Jace, she was suddenly watching his comings and goings like a hawk-a very beady, blue-eyed hawk with boobs the size of Texas and a skirt so short you could see her tonsils when she bent over. Yes, it was Beth who was literally forcing Jace and I to be more of a couple than we wished to be-but as they say ‘beauty is pain’ and then something about shallow girls and their mascara-the point is, that if I didn’t try, then I wasn’t going to beat Beth once and for all.
The second bit of having a fake relationship was just that-it was false. I still knew next to nothing about Jace, better put by Juno as, ‘Purr, purr, meow.’ And what I deciphered out of my useless conversation with my cat as I had changed into pyjamas was the fact that I sucked at understanding cats and that Juno really wasn’t the best person to go to when I had to talk about boys. The cat was meowing to Marty for God’s sake! She had no morals, she was like a prostitute on Viagra-it was all hormones-emphasis being on ‘moans’.
So it brings me to the third thing about how hard fake-dating really was a hard job-the pretending you were in love.
When it was just Jace and I, everything was completely fine. We were more like best friends-scratch that, just friends; okay fine we were like colleagues-and then suddenly around school-read Beth-we were somehow a lot more sugary sweet to each other leaving us feeling all awkward similar to catching your parents’ making out on the couch and realising that they must have done something to have created you.
But shudders aside, that was not the point.
The point was that Jace and I had agreed to spend a lot more of our time together out of school-even if somehow we ended up back to square one with tons of threats and insults between Jace and Brett-to get to know each other better. I had to admit, the idea that was brought up by the man in question was actually smarter than the silly notes I had made, but I wasn’t going to admit that-not ever.
It was the whole act of spending more time together that brought me to where I was currently.
‘The Jazz House’ was the proper name of the garage-like building in the middle of Chesterville. It was home to many musicians-famous or not-and because of the swarm of young indie bands-read high school bands that thought they were big-‘The Jazz House’ had quickly been nicknamed ‘Joint’. Now while I wasn’t much of a musician despite my father managing a few upcoming bands, I still enjoyed good music and to get into the Joint, you’d have to be somewhat a celebrity or as much as a celebrity you could be here in Chesterville.
And to be a celebrity in Chesterville, you’d have to be either very rich-which I was not-and very attractive-something my hair and height robbed me of.
But Jace Collins-now he was attractive-and even though he wasn’t spitting out money like a billionaire, he still ranked pretty high on the ‘Celebrity’ list. The only problem was, unless you had enough money to slip the bouncer-who really was just a guard who worked day shifts at the local mall-you were going to get nowhere near the inside of the Joint. The closest I had ever gotten was the pavement next to the building-and that was almost five metres away!
Needless to say-I would never have been able to get into the Joint.
Which was why it came to a surprise when Jace had come up to me at my locker and told me to keep my night clear of any plans-much to the delight of gossipers who leaned in their ears-because we were going to the infamous Joint. Now while the Joint wasn’t anything really bad, it wasn’t all that sun-rays and roses either. It had a reputation of being the dingy little café made into a music bar where girls lost their virginities in drunken states and guys lost their dignities because they were caught running around half-naked in the lower regions.
To say that I wasn’t cautious about finally going to the one place that had a reputation notorious for being a hook-up spot would have been a huge lie.
“You’re really wearing that Pipsqueak?” Jace asked as his grey eyes fell onto my outfit.
I followed his gaze to my ripped jeans-Dad loved them contrarily to most father’s reactions-and white tank top. I had to admit, I was sort of impressed at how quick I had managed to organise myself an outfit that wasn’t out-of-place and in my eyes mature. Adding boots to the whole outfit and some makeup-I say some because I wasn’t too fond of anything more than some eyeliner and lip gloss.
“What’s wrong with this?” I asked.
“Nothing,” he chuckled, “just you look normal for once.”
“Gee thanks,” I retorted.
Jace flashed me a toothy grin before he swung an arm around my shoulders and led me towards his car before replying, “You’re most welcome Pipsqueak.”
“So do you have like some special connections to get into the Joint,” I asked as Jace started the car engine.
Another grin took hold of Jace’s lips, “You could say that,” he answered.
My brown eyes narrowed suspiciously as I glanced at Jace who was purposely avoiding my gaze. My gut told me that somehow ‘connections’ didn’t necessarily mean being best friends with the owner of the Joint and this caused a funny, nervous feeling that spiralled outwards from my stomach down to my fingers and toes. After a few minutes of silence, I turned back to face Jace who was focusing on the road.
“What do you mean by connections,” I asked.
“I mean just that,” Jace responded.
I nodded before questioning him again, “And by that do you mean friends or…”
“If you’re trying to figure out whether I’m going to break down the place to get in,” Jace began with an amused smirk, “then you’re terribly wrong.”
“I wasn’t implying that,” I retorted.
“And I’m the Pope,” Jace said.
We fell back into the silence which inhibited the car but strangely it wasn’t an uncomfortable one. It was the kind that you sat in while doing your homework-well as long as it wasn’t hard homework-or when you just relaxed on your back, staring at the ceiling and creating countless other lives you lived in your mind. It was a peaceful quiet where you felt absolutely comfortable with being yourself and not caring if anyone was judging you.
Eventually Jace pulled up to the Joint which was already full with cars and people loitering around the parking. He chose to park really far in the back-something I disapproved of because who wants to walk so far to get to the entrance? But Jace ignored my protests and got out of his car, leading me towards the side of the building which was quickly living up to its notorious title.
The walls in the early night were grey and shone with nearby streetlights and the strong smell of cigarette smoke hung thickly in the air. A few loose beer bottles were scattered around the ground and for a moment, I doubted myself for agreeing to come here. Sure I wasn’t going to go near any psycho who offered a drink or tried to force some religious view on me, but that didn’t necessarily make me feel any safer.
“Are you sure about this,” I murmured.
Jace turned to face me and smiled reassuringly, “Don’t worry Pipsqueak. No one will even touch you.”
I gulped-but I wasn’t sure if it was from fear or from the fact that a weird sensation had started in the pit of my stomach-and rubbed my bear arms before I spoke, “So when are we going to go in?”
“In a moment,” Jace replied then nodded towards the back of the building, “but you’ll need to be really quiet.”
“Quiet,” I shrieked, “Are you sneaking us in? What if we get arrested or worse-”
Jace pressed his palm against my mouth, cutting me off with a glare, “If you don’t stop freaking out then we’ll get caught,” he ordered.
“Okay,” I mumbled through his hands except it sounded a lot like ‘Ooh-Kay’.
Removing his hand off of my mouth, Jace grabbed my hand and led me around the corner of the building towards the back where a single and abandoned door to the inside laid against the wall. I frowned at the convenience. If there was no one guarding the door then what was the point of waiting in the line at the back? I began to roll my eyes but stopped halfway when I realised that there was a guard standing near the door with crossed arms.
He was huge and had muscles beyond steroids and a cruel look in his dark eyes. His shiny bald head shone in the light and I couldn’t help but stare at it, wondering if he polished it when he was at home. Because of his shiny head, I decided to call him ‘Shiner’. Jace turned to me with a serious look in his grey eyes before mouthing, ‘follow my lead’ and sauntered towards Shiner.
“Norman,” Jace greeted.
Shiner-or better Norman-turned his dark eyes onto Jace then grinned widely, revealing shiny teeth-he was definitely a Shiner, “Jace Collins. Well I never thought I’d be seeing your face around here again.”
“What can I say,” Jace replied effortlessly, “I could never stay away from this place.”
Shiner grabbed hold of Jace’s shoulder and grinned wider, “I knew you’d be back. The place has been bad without you,” he enthused.
Jace managed a smile of his own then nodded in my direction, “This is Marilyn my,” he paused with slight awkwardness then finished, “girlfriend.”
Shiner turned to me with a booming smile, “Marilyn, it’s a pleasure to meet you! I’m Norman Johnson, bouncer and barman on weekends here at The Jazz House.”
I smiled uneasily in return, casting a look towards Jace who motioned for me to play along and quickly replied, my voice coming out high and nervous, “The pleasure’s all mine uhm Norman.”
Shiner beamed at the use of his name before he turned to Jace, “So you want me to get you two in?” he asked slyly, “I can do that so long as you keep an eye out on Mari here.”
“It’s Marilyn,” I corrected but Shiner either didn’t hear me or chose to ignore my correction.
“I will,” Jace replied, taking my hand in his and tugging me closer although I wasn’t exactly sure why.
“Seriously Jace,” Shiner warned, “I’ve got a tip-off that the feds will be popping later tonight. If they catch you school kids here, they’ll throw you in the slammer until-”
“Until we’re singing to our graves,” Jace finished with a roll of his eyes, “I know Norman.”
Shiner nodded in thought before he cast another look in my direction and grinned as he spoke, “You have fun in there Mari! And don’t let this troublemaker here do any funny business with you.”
“Thanks for the,” I hesitated for the right choice of word, “tip.”
“Anytime kid,” Shiner replied then opened the back door.
Jace tugged my hand as he pushed through the archway of the door and almost instantly taking us into a completely different world from the one outside. Music was playing in the background and the darkened yet lit up area seemed to have created a cosy atmosphere. My eyes adjusted to the dimness of the small room that Jace and I were in and I frowned at the sound of the music being played.
It wasn’t anything like the kind you would hear normal students playing at school or at silly parties such as Beth’s. This music was something entirely different. It sounded a lot like the Jazz age type of music only it had a modern hint here and there with slightly faster beats enabling whoever was listening to it to dance along with the rhythm. I must have stopped walking, listening to the music because Jace turned to me with a frown.
“Is something the matter,” he asked.
I shook my head, “No,” I swallowed, my mouth dry as I continued, “I was just listening to the music.”
Jace smiled at me then responded, “Beautiful isn’t it?”
I could only manage a nod, because I could have sworn that as Jace said that, his eyes had somehow drifted down to my lips. Maybe I was imagining it or maybe I wasn’t but all I knew was that Jace and I weren’t really dating. And after calling Jace out on the fact that he hadn’t kissed me when we had been stuck in a muddy mess, I was feeling a tad bit reluctant to say anything that involved anything to do with kissing.
As Jace led me through a single white door, I couldn’t help but gasp. Beyond the door was a large room, filled with tables-each with their own candlelight lamp-and a huge stage where a modernised Jazz band played loudly. A smile slowly crept onto my lips and somehow it managed to stay there as I followed Jace further into the room which smelt like strong spices and sweetness from different drinks.
Jace was leading me towards the bar and while passing a few people who either greeted Jace or nodded in his direction, I couldn’t help but wonder why Jace knew Shiner and what the whole conversation of being back was about. And with even more people greeting Jace, I came to the conclusion that he wasn’t just some random guy who had struck luck by knowing a bouncer who allowed any old freak in.
“Jace,” I called as he came to a stop at two empty bar stools, “How do you know Shiner?”
Jace turned to me, raising a dark eyebrow at me with a frown as he repeated, “Shiner?”
“You know, Norman,” I replied with a shrug.
“We go way back,” Jace explained simply then fired a question of his own at me, “Why do you call him Shiner?”
“Isn’t obvious,” I retorted, “his head is you know, hairless and shiny. And his teeth are always being flashed around.”
Jace laughed before he ruffled my hair slightly, “You’re so weird Pipsqueak.”
“Funny,” I replied, slapping his hand away, “but seriously why does almost everyone here know you?”
“Not everyone knows me,” Jace answered.
“Jace my man,” the bartender on duty called with a wide smile, “I never thought I’d see you here again.”
Jace turned to me and I made a face that said ‘I told you so’ before he replied, “Great to see you too Andrew.”
“Will you be playing tonight?” Andrew asked as he noticed me and smiled.
Instantly my eyes were back onto Jace, “You play here?” I asked in surprise.
“Played,” Andrew cut in, “as in not anymore because Jace over here couldn’t keep his-”
“I’m not here to play,” Jace cut Andrew off with a scowl, “I’m here to take out my,” he glanced towards me, “girlfriend Marilyn out.”
“Ah so you are his girlfriend then,” Andrew replied with a friendly smile.
“Why,” I asked, “who did you think I was?”
“Well definitely not lover boy over here’s girlfriend,” Andrew replied, “He never brought any decent girls to the Joint.”
“Okay,” Jace cut in throwing a scowl at Andrew, “I think that’s enough.”
“Oh please Jace,” I responded, “I already know about your less than decent girl history.”
Andrew chuckled, “I like you Marilyn; feisty I can tell.”
“Don’t you have some drinks to be mixing,” Jace asked.
Andrew rolled his green eyes before grinning at me as he made his way toward another customer. I turned to Jace who was now staring towards the stage where the band had begun to play another song, with a faster beat and louder.
“So,” I began, leaning closer so that Jace could hear me, “you seriously used to play here?”
Jace shrugged slightly then smiled a half-smile, “Yeah I did.”
“Then what happened?” I asked.
“Nothing happened,” Jace replied but there was a strain in his voice as though he was hiding something, “I just had other things to deal with.”
“Like Laura,” I questioned.
He turned towards me then, his grey eyes hard and dark like storm clouds about to give way to a thunderstorm, “It doesn’t matter Marilyn.”
I scowled, “Why not? It’s clear that you love coming here so it would matter to you if this Laura person stopped you from playing Jace.”
Jace noticeably tensed before he replied through gritted teeth, “Just drop it Marilyn. It’s not your problem, it’s mine so don’t bother worrying about it.”
And just like that, Jace shut down away from me. His posture changed and he turned his full attention to the stage, but his clenching and unclenching fists gave away how he really felt and I couldn’t help but feel stupid for even bringing up Laura just because my curiosity had gotten the better of me. I sighed and leaned against the bar counter and watched as Jace sat there, unmoving and staring across at the stage. Not for the first time, I couldn’t help but wonder who Laura was and what type of role she really played in Jace’s life?
A/N Okay guys, I know a long time since I uploaded but school's been a pain! Anyway, waht did you think of this chapter? Was it not that good? Not enough action? I like hearing your thoughts! Remember to vote, comment and spread the word!
xoxo
Mona-Mae <3