The Runaway

Chapter Nine

I made it to the cabin, which took three hours, four coffees, and one starburst roll to do. I jumped out of the car and made my way inside. As I got inside, I ran up to my room and set my bags down. The beautiful smell of pine filled my nose. I ran over to the other side of my room and opened the window leading to my neighbors window. I pulled out a few starbursts that I didn't like and started to throw them at the window. It took a few minutes, but a shirtless boy walked over and opened it. His copper colored hair glistened with sweat and his hazel eyes landed on mine. His wolf-like dog started to playfully yip when it saw me. I smiled widely.

"Sup, Jace!" I called. Jace Brax, my cabin neighbor and the boy I've had a crush on for the longest time. Now that Sebastian was put into the picture, it's kind of hard to tell anything anymore.

"Hey, babygirl," he called back. I climbed out the window and sat on the shingles while he did the same.

"So, how's life?" I asked.

"Good, what about you? Your mom told me that there was this boy following you around, need me to beat him up?" he asked rather playfully. I laughed and nodded.

"He's so mean. Like, bitchfuck, worthy," I answered.

"So, total douchebag?" he asked. I nodded again. "What'd he do to be on your bitch list?"

"Threw a slushee with rock salt in one of my friends eyes," I answered, "And stole our set list for Regionals."

"Now that, is bitchfuck worthy," he said.

"But, Jace... he kissed me. In my studio after I was singing and painting. He joined in on the song and we started dancing. And then he was all like, 'Ah, fuck it, I'll hate myself later,' and kissed me. I pulled away, thinking of my friends. It was so screwed up, so I told a friend of mine where I was going and to make up an excuse for me. So she did, I called my mom, sent her the address, and came here," I finished. Jace sat there, mouth wide in shock.

"He kissed my girl?" he muttered. A blush inflamed my cheeks. Jace got up, jumped onto my roof, and sat down next to me. "Sorry, the space between us was unbearable."

"It's all good. So anything new in Saint Clair, Michigan?" I asked, referring to where we are now.

"Not much, except for the fact that sluts hang all over me, ew," he said. I laughed at his disgusted, scrunched up face.

"Aw, but Jace, they just want to love you!" I exclaimed laughing.

"But I don't want them to love me... I want you to," he mumbled under his breath, although I caught it.

"J-Jace?" I asked, my mood turning serious.

"S-Shit, I said that too loud, didn't I?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck. His cheeks turned a bright pink. I shook my head.

"No, you just said it perfectly," I whispered.

"Joey, do you... do you return my feelings?" he asked. I laughed heartily, but he seemed down and thought the reason I laughed was because I didn't.

"Of course I do, Jace! I've liked you ever since I met you that day on my balcony," I replied. He rubbed the back of his neck and his blush deepened.

"Yeah, sorry about that," he mumbled.

"Don't worry about it. You didn't know you had a girl neighbor," I chuckled.

Jace scooted closer and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer. Considering it was night time when I got here, we decided to look up at the sky and star gaze. Jace grabbed my hand in his and interlocked our fingers. Just then, my doorbell rung. I sat up and motioned for Jace to follow me. We both climbed back in the window and I walked down the staircase, Jace following.

Just as I opened the door, Jace's phone rung and he stepped away to answer it. I looked over to Santana, who was the one standing in the doorway, and saw her holding M&Ms and ice cream. I pulled her in, set her on the couch, and told her to set up Netflix.

Jace stepped back into the room, phone in hand, and a frown on his face. Santana looked over and saw him.

"Hey, Joey, I gotta go. My mom says she's going to take me out of state for a while. I don't think I'll be back by Regionals," I nodded solemnly.

"Okay, be back soon, Jace," he nodded and walked over, leaving a peck on my cheek. Jace went back upstairs and left through our window meet place. I blushed furiously and turned back to Santana. She was wiggling her eyebrows.

"So, you're already moving on from Sebastian?" she winked.

"I don't know. I've liked Jace for as long as I can remember, but my feelings for Sebastian are becoming more and more suffocating. It's getting annoying," I murmured. She laughed.

"I should write this down and make a story for it. This would be great," she laughed.

"My life isn't a Fanfiction or a story, Santana! This is real life..." I trailed off.

"I know, I know. Come on, sit down and let's watch some... If I Stay?" she asked instead of demanded. I laughed and sat down next to her. She tossed the M&Ms to me and I ripped it open, pouring some into my mouth and the ice cream. Starting up the movie, we watched.

Two tissue boxes, a whole ice cream bucket, a trip to the store to get more ice cream, more M&Ms, and another ice cream bucket later, we finished the movie. I have to say, this has to be my favorite thing to do with Santana. She can be bitchy, but other times, she can be a total softie like me.