Sick Little Games (Zack Merrick)

• Beach Day •

{ t h r e e }

"Justice, honey, wake up." I groggily forced my eyes open to see my moms face. I groaned, shutting them again and pulling my duvet higher on my body. "Jacks dressed and he wants you to go out with him and his friends."

In my bed-like state, I still briefly remember telling Jack that I'd spend time with him, so I slowly peeked my head out of my covers, almost all of my hair sticking out before me.

"Fine, I'll be ready soon."

"Do you want the shower or can I use it?" She asked me. I pointed to my door, just wanting her out and she nodded and headed towards it.

"I showered last night. It's all yours." She left and I thought about getting comfy again. Jack won't mind...

With another groan I threw the duvet off of me, deciding that I will need to bond with Jack either way. We are practically going to be related, and living together.

I stomped over to my boxes seeing the messily written 'clothes' one and ripped it open.

*

"Why is your name Justice?"

"Why is your name Jack?" I retorted with my eyebrow raised. He frowned at me, and continued walking along the pier.

Obviously, I don't know why his name is Jack, but I once asked my mother why my name is Justice. She literally told me and I quote 'because Justice was served when you were born and your father was seen for the rotten thing he is and put in jail.'

I didn't question her further, I used to hear her nightmares about him, and I know enough about that man to know that he's where he belongs.

"So what's your deal?" He asked me, still walking. He's brought me here to meet up with Rian and his girlfriend. He told me that Rian is his best friend too, and that they're the same age as me.

That was unexpected, but according to him I'm just a shorty.

"My deal?" I asked, and he just nodded, absentmindedly staring out at the sea "uh, I've never been to a public school. This is the first time I've even moved house, and I guess most people would call me shy."

"You don't seem shy." He's right, and I tried to explain that to myself in my mind, and then I came to a conclusion.

"I just feel comfortable around you." It's true, Jack is one of the easiest people to be around, and I've known him less that 24 hours.

Usually I'm shy and I refrain from speaking, but I'm just comfortable here. It's got to be a good thing.

"Good to know sis. So- fuck." He gently grabbed my forearm and took a different direction completely. We spun around and started walking the way we came.

"What?" I asked confused, trying to glance behind us. I saw a bunch of people sitting down by the beach, some have bottles in their hands, but most are just in the sea or lying down.

"I know those people. We shouldn't go near them."

"What, Jack, they won't even notice us go past them." I assured. He stopped his mad walking rampage and turned to look at me. Only now can I really see his face, and how scared he is. Questions swarmed through my mind, but the only theory that can't be wrong is that he must have a reason to be scared of them.

"Nothing's going to happen, not while I'm here. We'll sneak past them if you want?" I soothed, and his look softened. I feel like I'm talking to a cute little brother. I've always wanted to be someone's big sister anyway, and even though Jack's the same age as me, this could totally work. He's like a little kid.

"Okay." He whispered. I smiled at him, realising that he's trusting me, and that he feels just as comfortable with me as I do with him.

He turned around, and I went on the inside of the path, hopefully blocking his view of the group of teenagers, and their view of his.

As we got closer to them, I almost had to jog to keep up with his speed. He kept his head down, his hair curtaining his face, and kept his eyes on the floor.

I studied the group as we passed them, half of the group being in the water, and the rest just chilling on the beach. One guy has a guitar in his lap, and I felt my smile widen, as it usually does when I hear or see something musical.

He's away from the rest of the group, just plucking random strings. I felt my head turning backwards as I kept up with Jack and I continued watching him.

When I finally faced forward again, we were far away from then, and Rian and a girl- I assume his girlfriend- were in view.

"Hey Jack!" The girl said with a big grin on her face. She used her arms to push herself up and gave him a quick hug. She looked over to me and smiled brightly "you must be Justice, right? I'm Cassadee." She pulled me into a short hug too.

"Hi." I replied quietly. Rian motioned us over and we all sat in a circle form.

We stayed at the beach until it was dark and we had to go back. I have to admit, I think I've found some actual friends here.