(I'm updating again tonight because McKenna noticed this story and voted and I kind of squealed awkwardly and loudly and I'm so happy and I don't really know what to do so here's another chapter)
Jordan and I made our way back inside the church, sitting in the front this time. She seated next to her mother, hugging her the entire ceremony. When it was time for Jordan's grandmother to be buried, she cried into my chest and I held her.
Jordan asked me to come with her back to her house after the funeral. We ended up sitting on her couch, my hand on top of hers, as we waited for Jordan's mother to return so she could apologize. It wasn't her fault, but she refused to listen to what I was saying.
"I'm so sorry for running out like that," Jordan apologized quietly to her mother. "I just couldn't take it... And you never told me how Grandma died, so it was a pretty big shock."
For me as well.
"I'm sorry, Jordan," Mrs. Emery sniffed, seating on the couch across from us. "I just couldn't tell you that she was killed..."
And it was my fault...
I kept adding little comments after everything they said, but never said them out loud. Keeping them to myself would be the better choice.
"I just don't understand why someone would do this to her," Mrs. Emery bent over in her seat, talking through her tears. "Why would someone do this to an elderly lady?"
Without thinking, I placed a hand on Jordan's knee. She looked surprised by my action, but didn't push it away. When the front door flew open, Jordan jumped and I removed my hand. She let out a sigh or relief and stood to go see her father.
"Sorry I was late," he said, "I had to drive Mary Lou home."
Jordan hugged him, and once they pulled away, his eyes landed on me. He looked confused, and I felt a little self conscious that he was staring at me.
"Um, you remember Jesse, a friend of mine," Jordan broke the silence, stepping closer to me.
I stepped forward, extending a hand toward Jordan's father. "Um, nice to see you again, sir," I said, trying my best to keep my voice steady, when I was actually kind of nervous.
He raised his eyebrows, but shook my hand anyways. Turning back toward Jordan, I noticed a small smile on her lips after I looked back in her direction.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"So how was the trip with Jordan?" Alex smirked, and I felt sick to my stomach when I remembered everything that happened. I was the reason Hunter killed her grandmother. I was the reason she was feeling so much pain the past week. Maybe I was the reason for everything bad in her life.
"We went to her grandmother's funeral," I said flatly, and Alex gave me a look as if he didn't know if I was being serious or not. When he figured out I was, the smirk dropped to a frown.
"I'm sorry," he said sincerely. I simply shrugged. "How is Jordan? I was going to ask why I haven't seen much of her lately, but now I understand why."
"She's smiling more, so I'm guessing she's feeling better. But, I'm not. I did something horrible and I think she hates me more than ever."
"Why would you say that?"
I sighed deeply. "I fucked up, Alex. I've fucked up a lot."
"I'm sure it's not that bad, Jess," he shoved his hands into his pockets. "I thought you said you two were getting along better now."
"I thought we were, too."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Jesse!" I heard the high-pitched, flirty, irritating voice call my name. Aimee ran up to me and held on to my arm as tightly as she possibly could.
"Hi, Aimee," I greeted flatly. She began moving her hand higher up on my arm, which I tried hard to push away. Unfortunately, it only made her clutch my arm tighter.
"Get a room, will you?" A familiar voice called from behind, causing me to look up at her and smirk. Jordan smiled, annoying Aimee who just scowled and glared. AJ, Lexi and Chelsea stood behind Jordan, looking shocked or upset.
"Oh, Jordan, I didn't recognize you," Aimee began, not letting go of my arm. I looked at her in confusion, waiting for her to continue what she was saying. "I'm so used to seeing you sucking face with Dallas, I hardly recognize you when you don't."
Jordan flushed in embarrassment, and I felt myself tense up. As long as Aimee didn't point it out, I'd be fine.
"I recognize you just fine," Jordan said, a small smile playing at her lips. "If you didn't have your hands on every guy you meet, I wouldn't be able to recognize you at all."
Aimee's scowled turned harsher, making Jordan smile brighter.
"Come on, Jesse, why don't we go back to my cabin?" Aimee turned toward me, running a hand over my chest. I tried backing away, but since her arm was wrapped around mine, she just stepped with me. Even though my attention was focused on getting my arm back from Aimee, I couldn't just ignore the sudden look of anger on Jordan's face.
"I actually have to study," I pried her hands off of me, pushing back a little. There wasn't a chance I'd ever actually be studying, but she didn't have to know that.
"How about I come and study with you?" Aimee took another step closer, and I knew her idea of a study date was a lot different than mine.
"Sorry, I like to study alone," I excused myself, taking a step back again. I found myself extremely close to Jordan, making the cocky smirk reappear on my face. "Unless you want to join me, Emery."
I'm sure it was just my imagination, but I thought I saw Jordan flush. "In your dreams, Jacobsen," Jordan snapped, crossing her arms and looking away. Her gaze met Aimee's and Jordan looked like she was going to start laughing.
"Oh, yes. We're definitely... studying in my dreams," I shoved my hands in my pockets, winking. Jordan's eyes widened. Something was different.
"You're a pervert," she spat, turning around and heading back to her cabin. Her friends sheepishly followed behind her. "Have fun studying with Aimee."
"I'd have more fun if I was studying with you!" I called, emphasizing the 'studying' greatly. Before Aimee could come back over to me, I turned on my heel and hurried back to my own cabin.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I left the cabin late at night. It was too stuffy, and I needed some air. My nose felt blocked up, and I really hoped that I wasn't catching a cold. Not now.
The door shut quietly, so I didn't wake anyone else up. The second I walked out of the door, I heard voices and ducked down. If I was caught by a counselor now, I'd be in trouble. But in fact, it wasn't a counselor. It was Jordan.
She was sitting on the stairs of her cabin with AJ. Walking up to their cabin smugly, I tried thinking of the best way to pop up and greet them. I finally became close enough to hear them, but I still stayed out of sight. Right when I was about to reveal myself, I heard my name.
"Jesse," AJ spat, making me freeze and rethink my idea. I quickly hid behind a tree, not wanting to make any loud noises. "I hate him so much. He's annoying and rude and the most insensitive guy on the planet!"
Jordan didn't say anything right away, and this was one of those times when I wished I could read minds, just to see what she was thinking.
"Yeah," she finally said. "He is."
I wasn't expecting her to stick up for me, but her response surprised me a bit. She didn't add anything else? Say how I ruined her life or how everything bad that's happened was caused by me? Something changed, and I'd do anything to figure out what it was.
"I don't get how you put up with him for four years!" AJ continued. "I would have killed him!"
Jordan said nothing to this, in fact, she ignored her comment completely. She suggested AJ should call it a night and go to sleep. Fortunately for me, Jordan decided to stay outside as AJ told her she'd leave the door unlocked.
After the door shut, Jordan stared into the darkness and stretched on the stairs. Her arms wrapped around her legs and she brought her knees up to her chin. I almost forgot what I came over here for as I continued staring.
"You look like a loner again, Emery," I smiled, causing Jordan to jump slightly. I was expecting her to glare at me, but her eyes almost welcomed me as I sat next to her on the step.
"So," I said, thinking of something to talk about. "Your mom's really nice."
"Yeah. She is," Jordan nodded, sighing. It was silent for a second, before Jordan grinned up at me.
"What're you smirking about, Emery?" I asked, leaning closer to her in the darkness. "Finally noticing my good looks?"
"I just remembered how shy you were when you met my dad," Jordan ignored my statement completely, sticking out her tongue. I frowned, not thinking she was paying attention then.
"I was not shy," I defended myself, shaking my head.
"You totally were," she teased, leaning closer, just so I could see her smirk. "It was so cute!"
Her smirk faded, making mine grow. "You think I'm cute, Emery?"
"Yes."
The first time, I thought something just slipped out, like it did at the dock when she called me cute. When she actually confirmed it, I was astonished. The smirk fell off my face as I waited for her to start laughing. When Jordan continued to stare at me because of what she just said, I realized it wasn't a joke. It actually slipped out.
A smile crawled on my face. "I think you're cute, too, Emery."
Jordan's eyes widened and she glanced away. Pushing myself off the step, I began walking back toward my cabin. "I think we should go to bed before we get caught by a counselor or your roommates," I said, giving a small smile as I looked over my shoulders.
"Wait!" She called from behind. Before I had the chance to turn around, a hand landed on my shoulder, flipping me around. Jordan stood on her toes, pressing her lips to my cheek for a quick second.
I stared in complete shock, not realizing what just happened. My cheeks started heating up and my mouth was hanging open. She just kissed me. It wasn't a prank, no one's around to be jealous, so why did she kiss me?
"That's a thanks," Jordan excused herself, staring at the ground. "Thanks for being there when no one else was."
Because she wanted to.
She spun away and scampered off before I could say anything. If I could say anything. My mouth was hanging open and my heart was racing in my chest. I continued to stare at her as she ran back to her cabin. I could still feel the pressure of her lips when they were against my cheek, and I wanted them back there. I'd do anything to get them back to where they were before. Placing a hand to my blushing cheek, I smiled - a genuine smile - before I walked back to my cabin.
Now I knew for sure that something was different, but maybe, different wasn't going to mean bad.
(D'awwww.
I love Jesse)