We Meet Again (JanTom AU)

Chapter 16

•

"What truth?"

Both girls swerved their heads to Tom walking back in carrying two bags of candy corn.

"The truth being that the Halloween party my friend is throwing is gonna be lit." And just like that, their little fued was put on hold.

"Wait, like an actual high school party?" Tom asked, barging into the conversation.

"Yep, you guys should come. You look like one to enjoy a good party Janna," Jackie said with the brightest (fakest) smile.

She wasn't about to let Jackie speak for her. They both knew that was a lie. "I'm not going and I despise parties," she said upfront and center.

"What about you Tom?"

He looked at Jackie with excitement in his eyes. Of course he wanted to go, it would be huge once in a lifetime experience for him. Then he glanced at Janna.

"My best friend and I used to love Halloween."

"Well as your current best friend, I say we go trick or treating."

His excitement died down. He had totally forgotten that they already made plans on Halloween. To back out would be like giving her a backhanded slap on the face, especially since she already has sad memories from her favorite holiday.

He placed the candy bags on the kitchen table next to him, sighing.

"Sorry but..."

He walked over to Janna's side with a proud smile. "...as much as I really want to go, Janna and I already have plans." Both girls were inwardly shocked at his response.

Jackie wasn't accepting 'no' as an answer but kept her chill. "C'mon Tom, if people see us come to the party together, they might start to get ideas about us which is what our goal is, isn't it?"

He hesitated for a bit. "I know...but it wouldn't be right to just cancel on her. Maybe another time," he said.

Janna couldn't help but let a grin spill at Tom who was already looking down at her.

He's too good for anyone.

She looked over at Jackie, forgetting she was here. She looked like she was about to piss herself, with his unsatisfying answer. Her smile then disappeared remembering this was Jackie they were talking to.

"I know you wouldn't do or say anything stupid that would jeopardize him or his career no matter how heartless you are."

If Tom didn't go with her to the dumb party, Jackie would most likely let their parents know which would end up bringing Janna's name into the conversation. Everything would go downhill from there.

As if reading her mind, Jackie smirked. "Last chance."

"Sorry Jackie, but the answer is still-"

"-We'll go."

"Huh?"

She looked at only Jackie who had a satisfied glare in her eyes. "But only for an hour. And I'm not doing this for you, I'm only doing this to get out of some stupid trick or treating and just mind my business for the 60 minutes that I'm there."

With those final words, she turned on her heel, walking to her room.

"Dumb Jackie, ooo I swear that girl still gets on my nerves," she whispered to herself in annoyance.

Before getting a chance to open her door fully, two arms wrapped around her shoulders in a tight embrace, moving her side to side.

"Thank you thank you thank you so much Janna! I promise we'll have so much fun."

"I highly doubt it. Now let go of me before I break you," she whispered, too flustered to speak any louder.

One tight squeeze later and he finally pulled away. "We'll go with Star and Marco later to find some costumes ok?"

Without waiting for a response, he left to go work with the devil. She walked inside her room, slamming the door. She slumped on her bed, her book falling to the floor. She stared at her ceiling, her body was drained and it was barely noon.

I was supposed to start reading. Damn it.

She slowly reached for her book on the floor but ended up tumbling over. Luckily, it was carpeted.

And soft.

She opened her book to the first page, "Ok Janna, start...The April sun..."

She gave up and succumbed to her slumber.

__

Extra:

Tom opened the door to Janna's room excited to go out. "Hey Janna, Jackie left and we finished the project so let's go-"

He scanned her entire room, surprised to not see her anywhere. He took a few more steps inside.

Maybe she's in her closet-

He was stopped from walking any forward as his foot bumped into something.

He glanced down to see Janna sleeping with her book under her head. He chuckled at her attempt to read then bent down to pick her up with support to her back and behind her knees. Her breathing was calm and steady as some hair blew in front of her face.

He brought her small body close to his, causing her head to lean on his chest. He blushed crimson at the close intimacy in that moment.

She would definitely murder me if she saw us like this.

He fixed his soft gaze on her. It comforted him to know that behind her threatening presence, she was still a softy and cared about people, even though she would never in her life admit it.

It kinda made him understand why she still agreed to go to the party even after verbally saying that she hated them. In all honesty, he could care less about where they go, as long as they have fun.

Not wasting anymore time at the chance that she might wake up, he slowly placed her on the bed, covering her with a blanket after.

With one last glance, he closed the door.

•

Who's ready for the new year? Not me :)