DISCONTINUED.

~=:(" Chapter Five "):=~

~=:(" Jack's Arrival "):=~

I walked around my room aimlessly, just staring at the posters on the wall behind my bed. They were of my favourite musicians and bands: The 1975, girl in red, Nirvana and there were even a couple of The Lumineers.

My music taste changed a lot over the past years, mostly because I never used to venture into the different genres. I used to just focus on contemporary country or pop like Kelsea Ballerini or The Shires - both are great, but I haven't listened to either of them in a while.

A knock on my door then shifted my attention from my thoughts and I slowly looked towards it, an eyebrow raising as I mumbled, "come in?"

James then poked his head around the door, smiling widely. "Hey, someone just arrived. You coming to say hi or what?"

I blinked rapidly, I hadn't even heard the doorbell. Was I really that deep into thought?

James squinted at me confusedly as he tilted his head. "Hello, did you hear me?"

I then choked before nodding. "Yeah, sorry. I'll come down in a second."

He returned the nod, furrowing his brow before he shrugged it off and left, closing my bedroom door on his way out. His quiet snort audible from the other side of it. "She's lost the plot."

"Oi, I heard that." I grunted loudly.

"Heard what?" He called back before I could hear him jog back down the stairs.

I rolled my eyes before I looked at myself in the mirror, cheeks puffing. I stood at five foot in height, my hair a deep brown and my eyes a soft auburn colour. I was wearing my usual outfit, a pair of black ripped jeans, a faded Guns 'n' Roses t-shirt that used to belong to my grandpa, my leather jacket, a red plaid shirt that was tied around my waist and a my black air forces. As for jewellery, I was wearing my silver hoop earrings and my chain necklace that had a lock hanging from it in the middle.

"Eh, I look decent enough." I huffed quietly before I wandered out of my room, making sure that I shut my door behind me before I went downstairs.

As I arrived at the bottom of the stairs, I could hear a strong Irish accent.

"Shit," I grumbled before sighing. "It's Jack."

I then forced a smile before I headed into the kitchen, the room where the others were in and as soon as I stepped inside, Ryan gave me a stern look as if to say, 'don't you dare'. I gave him a brief nod before stepping over to James, looking to my feet.

"Hello to you too." Jack pouted jokingly, folding his arms.

I inhaled slowly, clasping my hands together and keeping my eyes down as I mumbled, "hi."

Jack then rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, biting his lip as he looked up at Ryan.

"This is joyful, huh? How about I make coffee. Ely, be a darling and start a conversation." Ryan coughed quietly, heading over to the kettle and flicking the switch which led it to boil.

"Umm.." I finally looked up, though not at Jack. "How was the plane trip?"

Jack raised his eyebrows, smiling weakly. "It was alright. I was asleep most of the way, though."

I nodded slowly, puffing my cheeks as I looked to James for help, my social anxiety already beginning to bubble up.

James nodded, running a hand through his hair. "D'you wanna go find yourself a room? I'll come with you, if you want. I can give you a little tour."

Jack's smile widened. "Yeah, sure. Lead the way."

James then left the room, Jack following quickly behind him.

I then fell back into one of the chairs at the table, running a hand through my hair. "God, I hate socialising."

Frauke frowned, sitting in the seat beside me. "You were fine with me, Ryan and Floof. What's different with Jack?"

I avoided eye contact, though I caught a glimpse of her worried expression. 'Ah, fuck.' I thought to myself, 'now I've worried Frauke.'

Ryan then came over and placed a coffee on the table beside Frauke, his expression also slightly concerned. "It's not because of—"

I quickly cut him off as I shook my head. "No, I'm over that now. It's just because I haven't spoken to him as much as I used to."

The pair then nodded, sipping on their drinks in unison. "If you say so."

I then squinted at Ryan. "Since when do you drink coffee?"

He cringed. "I don't, this is hot chocolate. I hate coffee."

I laughed softly. "Yeah, sounds like you."

The three of us then talked for a while.

- - ( ~ End of Chapter Five ~ ) - -

Hey, y'all!
Thanks for reading and sorry for the late update. I've been busy throughout half-term doing college work because I procrastinated during the actual damn term.
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