"You're kidding, right?" Seamus chucked. "You need new friends kiddo," he added.
"Did I miss something?" Mason asked, confused by everyone's expression.
"This house is owned by the Drake's now," Jake spoke, trying to make him understand without pointing out the obvious.
"I thought your father got a new house?" He asked, still oblivious.
"You smart one, her father passed," Seamus announced and got up. "Next time, know your facts before coming," he added and walked away.
"I have a feeling him and I will get on," Mike laughed, trying to lighten the mood.
"Your father's gone?" Mason asked, with widened eyes.
"Uh... yeah he passed two days ago," I answered, disliking with my thumbs.
"Isabella, I'm soo sorry," he apologised.
"We get it babe. Your sorry. Now can we go dance," Nessa interrupted and pulled Mason to the tiled area where the adults were.
"I'm sure he meant well," Jake comforted, wrapping an arms around me.
"I know," I sighed and put my head on his shoulder.
I didn't expect Mason to know what had happened to Joe, but I didn't expect for him to ask about him in front of everyone. Going back to normal is going to be harder than I thought. Pushing it in the back of my head, I chatted with the others until dinner was ready.
"Hope you all love chicken," Mrs Drake smiled and placed the main course on the table.
"More than anything," Mike announced and was the first to dig in.
Mason say across from me and since hasn't stopped staring at me. I know he feels terrible about bringing up the subject, but he doesn't have to feel guilty. How could he have known?
We haven't talked lately so he thought Joe was doing well and living to the fullest; a misunderstanding is all it was, and I'm not mad or disappointed in him because he meant no harm.
If only he could drop this subject, but knowing Mason, he most likely won't.
"Mason? Yoo-hoo ,"Nessa sang, trying to get his attention but his eyes never left me.
"Excuse me," he mumbled and arose from his seat.
"Babe? Where are you going?"she asked, clinging to his arm.
"Let go," he stated.
"Where. Are. You. Going?" She repeated.
"None. Of. Your.Business," he replied and left through the front door.
Awkwardness and tension filled the room,is outburst stunning us all. Nessa didn't move and stood in the exact same spot until the ring door slammed shut. However, instead of chasing after him, she sat back down, pretending nothing happened.
"You have got to be kidding," Mike spoke, breaking the silence, directing his attention to Nessa.
"What? Hormones happen you now," she replied and shoved a piece of chicken in her mouth.
"Do you sit down and act perfectly fine with all of it?" He asked, staring her down.
"What do you want me to do? Cry and run after him? I'm a big girl, I don't get hurt easily," she sighed.
"Sure, you didn't look like that when I broke up with you," he revealed and followed Mason outside.
"I have no idea what he's talking about," Nessa argued.
"Me neither," Jasmine mumbled.
The rest of the night continues on. After dinner, even though three people left, Nessa leaving after dinner, we still managed to have a good time. Jake, Luce and I were dancing our little hearts out as the adults sat and chatted.
Seamus tried starting conversation with Caden, but failed miserably. Caden showed no interest and continued to stare at his phone, acting like he was preparing himself for something; something important to appear on his screen, but what?
Excusing myself, I marched over to where he was sitting and grabbing his ear, pulling him into the house.
"Why are you acting like it's the last day on earth and you can't enjoy anything?" I asked, but was ignored. "Caden," I said. "Hey aren't you supposed to be the one comforting me about Joe's death?" I spat.
"I don't need comforting," he growled.
"Really? Cause you only spoke one sentence this evening and you keep staring at the stupid phone," I yelled, grabbing the device from his hand.
"Not cool, hand it over," he warned.
"Or what? You won't speak to me? Get your head out the gutter big brother, you aren't the only one mourning Joe," I replied.
"How said I was?" He argued and grabbed his phone out of my hand. "Get your head out the gutter Isabella and mind your own business. I'm handing everything in my terms, and if you have a problems with that, get lost,"he screamed and walked away.
"You okay?" Luce asked as I walked into the house a short while later.
"Just singling problems," I sighed, combing my hair with my hand.
"I know how that feels, Seamus and I don't get along either, but when we do, it's only for a few minutes," she admitted.
"He seems.." I trailed off.
"Like he's better than all of us combined? Yeah, he was majorly popular back in our home town. Everyone either wanted to be him or be friends with him. No one paid attention to his little annoying sister," she completed.
"Trust me, you are not annoying," I laughed. "I've met annoying and instead you're enthusiastic. If anything Seamus is the annoying older brother, but aren't all olde brothers?" I added.
"Yeah I suppose you're right," she smiled.
"Let's hey back to the party," I stated and walked back inside.
Caden will get over it when he needs something, he always does. The we make peace and pretend like nothing happened.
"I think I'm going to head out, but thank you for tonight," I smiled, hugging Luce.
"Sorry it was grand but I'm glad you came with some friends."she replied.
"I hope you'll get to know them before school starts. Your going to Edgewood a high right?" I asked.
"Hope so, either Edgewood or Oakleaf. They're both in good distance," she stated.
"Oh well, Jake goes to Oakleaf and Jaz and I go to Edgewood. Mike is home schooled so you won't be seeing his face in the crowd," I laughed.
"What about Mason?" She asked.
"He also attends Oakleaf But is transferring to Edgewood," I answered.
"Oh that cool," she said as a slight pink tone spearing on her cheeks.
"Mhm," I said, raising my eyebrow.
"But Jake isn't transferring?"she questioned.
"No, his parents believe in the 'one school' kind of thing. He went to Oakleaf elementary, middle and now high school," I stated.
"That sucks," she frowned.
"Yeah, but it'll be fine, it's not like we are in different states or actress the world from each other," I shrugged.
I guess I've never thought about the upcoming and how Jake isn't attending Edgewood with the rest of us. It's not as big dealt though...right?
It's not like he's going to forget about me or flirt with other girls. What am talking about, it's Jake. He never never do such thing and I should be able to trust him. It'll be just the same as it was this summer, we'll all be a group of friends just trying to get by. Nothing will change, not even Jake attending a different school.
"You all set?" Jake asked, coming behind me and wrapping his arms around my shoulders.
"Yes, I'm exhausted, too much partying," I sighed, and waved goodbye to Luce's parents.
"Let's get you home," Jake laughed and thanked Stella for having us.
"Next stop home," I declared as we both got in the car.
"Yes ma'am," he smiled. "Is your brother home?" He asked.
"Who cares?" I shrugged. "I sure don't."
"Love, he's family," he lectured.
"I already knew that, but it doesn't make a difference," I rolled my eyes.
"Your father Just died, cut him some slack. You're coping because you have people there for you. Caden, maybe he doesn't," Jake trailed.
"He has you, Mike, mum, and me; and possibly even Seamus. He has people, he chooses not to listen to us," I replied.
"Because maybe he doesn't want to come offa a weak, guys do that you know. People expect them to be strong and almighty, but they don't have to be; everyone has outburst and hard times to go through. Being a guy doesn't change their emotions, it just makes it harder for them to understand that they don't have hi be al the things everyone expects them to be," Jake said, while tightening the grip on the wheel hard.
"So you're saying even when he tries to push me out, don't let him?" I asked.
"Exactly. Once he sees how hard you want him to get better, he'll come around accepting the fact that he passed."
"Thank you for that," I smiled.
"What are boyfriends for," he winked.
"Chocolate and cuddles," I sarcastically remarked.
"That too," he laughed.
"Speaking is Joe's passing, how are you doing with Mason?" Jake asked, pressing his lips in a thin line.
"I'm not doing anything." I sighed. "He didn't know and he doesn't change how he's handling the situation. He's one of your best friends and embarrassing himself in front of everyone about not knowing what has happened to his best friends father, that's rough," Jake responded.
"I'll talk to him later, he seemed pretty upset tonight," I promised.
"Probably with Nessa," Jake declared.
"Why? Did he yell at Nessa?" I asked, surprised.
"Who knows? It's Nessa."
"I hope it wasn't about me, I don't want to be another reason that one of Mason's girlfriends left," I complained, twiddling my thumbs.
"And you won't be, I have a feeling they won't last, for different reasons," Jake replied, referring to Mike's confession. "Mason will hear about it and argue with Mike about not telling him and they'll get over it, but Nessa mad Mason? That's another story," Jake laughed.
"Grab the popcorn," I yelled.
"Drama alert," Jake added.
***
"Here's your stop," Jake smiled and kissed my hand. "So I'll pick you up at seven tomorrow?"
"What's tomorrow?" I wondered.
"Our first date. Wear something...nice."
***
Authors note:
I just want to say that Jake's and Bella's relationship isn't that great as there is a meaning behind why that is, just wait. There's a reason for everything. If you're there thinking "urgh, they have no passion," and all that just know that I KNOW.