Under the Stars

39. Help

 Chapter 39: Help

Mia's POV

*****

I froze in place at his words, not knowing how to react. I was afraid of asking him any further questions, even if I knew that I had to. There was no way he actually liked me, not when he had Jade.

Jade was probably one of the kindest and most beautiful people I had ever met. Nobody in their right mind would like me if they had the chance to be with her. That was how I knew that Justin was wrong.

The fact that Justin liked Jade also came as a surprise to me. I had always known that his relationship with Susan was toxic, and that there was a chance that he did not like her, but I always hoped, for Susan's sake, that he did. She was not a great person, but I knew, first hand, how horrible it was to be fooled by a guy who I thought loved me. I would not wish that on anybody, and I hated that Justin was doing that to Susan.

"I'm sorry, maybe I shouldn't have told you," he sighed, running a hand through his hair as he looked down at the floor, unable to meet my gaze.

"But are you?" I finally asked him. My heart felt as if it was going to explode as I could feel my cheeks heating up in embarrassment.

He looked at me, about to answer, only to close his mouth once more as he saw Jade walking out of the restroom.

"Is everything okay?" Jade asked, looking between Jack and I in concern. "Why do you look so upset?' She asked Jack, caressing his cheek lightly, making him smile.

"Nothing, it's just Justin being Justin again," Jack sighed.

Jade's eyes softened as she sent him a small, supportive smile before taking his hand in hers.

"This thing has been going on for so long now, do you feel like telling me why he's always at your throat?" She asked him gently, clearly careful not to push him.

That was what I loved the most in Jade. She would get worried about somebody, and she would show them that she's there if they need her to be, but she would never push. It was one of the traits which I envied her for. I was a curious person, and sometimes, without knowing, I would push people more than they would have wanted me to. I had messed up a couple of times with people, just because I did not know when to drop something.

"It's not important," he smiled, intertwining his fingers with hers. "It's just stupid cousin drama."

She nodded, noticing that he did not want to talk about it any further.

"If you ever want me to talk to him, just tell me," she sweetly said.

"No," Jack blurted out in panic. Jade cocked her head sideways in confusion at his outburst, her brows furrowing. "Come on Jade, how would that make me look if I send my girlfriend to fight my battles for me."

She chuckled, shaking her head at him. I, on the other hand, let out a deep breath. I had no idea why I was still standing there, but I knew that I could not get myself to move. I was still shocked with what Jack had told me, and the fact that I did not get an answer to my question made me even more nervous.

That was the only thing in my mind as we walked back inside, a couple of seconds before the start of the movie. Sophie looked at me questioningly and I smiled at her, not wanting to make matters worse by telling people.

I did not want to know Jack's answer to the question because it would change anything between us. I wanted to know for Jade's sake. Jade and I never fought, and I did not want to give us a reason to. I was not one of those people who would let a boy get in between me and my friends.