Dear Dahlia // B1

[40]

My backpack hits the wall with a thud when I toss it to the ground. I huff before flopping onto the couch.

"Dramatic much?" A voice chimes from somewhere else in the garage.

I turn my head to see Reggie sitting on the ground and writing in a notebook. "Reginald," I greet him.

He shoots a glare over his shoulder before looking back at his notebook.

"Whatcha writin?" I ask.

"Nothing," he huffs, pulling the notebook closer to himself.

"Somebody's crabby," I stick my bottom lip out. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he says again, closing his notebook. He stands up at walks toward the loft before poofing up the ladder.

"Reggie, I didn't mean to upset you," I say, getting off the couch and walking toward the ladder.

"Just leave me alone," he says.

I ignore his request and climb up the ladder. "Can you at least tell me what's bothering you?"

He looks over at me before fiddling with his hands.

"Did Luke really spend the night with you?" He asks quietly.

I take a deep breath before answering, "Yeah. He did."

"I was really hoping he was lying," Reggie mumbles.

"Nothing happened, Reg," I say.

"Yeah, he said the same thing," he nods, sticking his tongue in his cheek.

"I don't understand why you're so upset," I shake my head, trying to steady my voice. I don't want to make him more upset than he already is, but I just don't get it.

"I just-" his voice begins to rise before he stops and runs his hand through his hair. "I just am."

I tap the floor with my finger a few ties, not looking up at Reggie, "You're still in love with him, aren't you?"

We make eye contact and I can see Reggie's eyes turny glossy.

"I'm sorry, Reg," I look back down at the ground.

"Do you even like him?" He asks me in a serious tone.

"I don't know," I shake my head.

Reggie let's out a single laugh, scoffing. "Why would you? He's a ghost. Doesn't stop him from wanting you, though."

"What am I supposed to say to that?" I ask.

Reggie shrugs.

"You know I'm not trying to make you feel like this right?" I ask, though it nearly comes out as a whisper.

"I know, Lia," he says. "And I'm sorry that I'm being so butthurt about it."

"Don't say that," I argue.

"Well, it's true," Reggie laughs. "And you've done nothing but support me. I should actually be thanking you."

I chuckle and roll my eyes, "Whatever you say."

*****

When I go back inside, Julie is running up the stairs. Dad and Tia are talking quietly on the couch when I hear her say, "You need me to watch Carlos don't you?"

"Just for a couple hours?" Dad answers.

"Where are you going?" I ask, interrupting their conversation.

"Mijo!" Tia ignores me and walks toward the kitchen in search of Carlos.

"Papa?" I ask.

"We are going out tonight," he answers.

"I'll go get Julie then," I say excitedly.

"No," he says, holding my shoulder. "Just us. Julie is grounded."

"Why?" I ask.

"She missed her first three classes today and a calculus test," Dad explains. "Victoria decided it was best that she stay home and study tonight."

"Well where are we going?" I ask.

"Thats a surprise," Dad smiles.

*****
Julie's P.O.V.

"Julie," Luke appears in my room with Alex. "What are you doing? We gotta go."

I had barely started my walk home from the school when Luke and Alex found me, profusely apologized, and told me about the gig they got us for that night. It's too bad that, "I'm grounded."

"Grounded? No, you can't be grounded," Alex shakes his head.

"I can't go," I say.

"Just sneak out," Luke says, taking a step toward me.

"My aunt is right downstairs," I argue. "I can't just walk out the front door."

"Oh," Luke walks across the room and opens the window. "You're not taking the stairs."

I look out the window then back at Luke. "You're crazy."

"Come on," Alex says. "We need you."

I look at the two of them before waving my hands to shoo them away. "Let me get changed."

A.N.

Hia!

Here's chapter 40. Ik its short but I thought this was a good stopping point for rn.

Anywho hope everybody had a good day!

Also... Who is your favorite JATP character?

-Redd

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