The Sound

Part 15 - Jules

I was a nervous wreck all afternoon, desperate to pick the perfect outfit. Everything felt wrong – too formal, too straight edge, too lame. I settled on my favorite black skirt with a soft sweater. I pulled it over my head before going back to my mirror, finishing my makeup. There was a light knock at the door.

"Come in!" I called, still focused on my reflection. My dad entered.

"Hey, offspring," he greeted, setting himself on the bed. I smiled at him through my reflection.

"Hey, father of mine," I responded. I knew why he wanted to talk – I had managed to avoid him since the day Eddie had come to pick me up.

"So, are you going to fill me in on what's going on with the Protector?" he finally asked. I felt my shoulders slump.

"Nothing."

"Come on, Jules – you tell me everything."

"I mean it, dad," I turned to him, trying not to cry as I looked at him. "Nothing is going on. He's not even talking to me anymore."

He was confused, shaking his head.

"What? But he came and picked you up the other day – he apologized to me."

"I don't know, dad," I felt defeated as I turned back to the mirror. "He just flipped back, but it's almost worse than before."

"Because you like him?" my dad asked. I felt a pit in my stomach as I looked at my hands.

"I don't know, dad. It's stupid. He can't even tolerate me," I said quietly. I felt his stare, and it almost made me want to cry. I heard him stand, and he placed his hands on my shoulders. I looked up in the mirror and locked eyes with my dad.

"I'm sorry, kiddo. You will figure it out – if anything, it's probably got to do with him."

I nodded as I swallowed my emotion back. He kissed the top of my head before leaving my room.

~~~

"Offspring – there's a man with a lot of hair here," my dad called through the door. I grabbed my bag before leaving my room. I glanced around the foyer, looking at my father.

"Where's Steve?"

"Oh, it's the Victorious One?" he asked. I nodded as he chuckled. "He's sitting in his car out front."

I went to open the door and smiled at Steve as he waved from the car. My dad watched him.

"The Protector got out of the car," he observed, making my stomach drop. "Maybe we reconsider the Victorious One's nickname."

I laughed as I kissed his cheek before heading towards the car. I slid into the passenger's seat, slamming the door behind me. He smiled, eyeing me.

"You look great," he complimented. I smiled.

"Thanks, Steve – so do you," I offered. He nodded profusely before starting the car and heading to Robin's house.

~~~

I was barely listening to Steve and Robin chattered on, making jokes about something. I felt a growing wave of anxiety come over me, nervous at the thought of seeing Eddie. Would he be Nice Eddie? Probably not.

"We're here!" Steve cheered, parking the car. I smiled at the trailer – it was nice, unassuming and well kept. I couldn't believe I was seeing Eddie's home and that he kind of invited me earlier today. I smoothed my skirt as I wondered if he would talk to me tonight.

I shook my head – stop that. I needed to focus on Steve and squashing the butterflies.

"Eddie's trailer is pretty fun for parties," Steve explained as I followed him through the door. I nodded, smiling as he described the different parties he attended here over the last couple of years. I looked up and noticed Eddie – before he noticed me, he was smiling the smile that made my heart clench. But then he saw me, and his face immediately dropped.