J.B. Mercer

The Truth

JB was sick. Luka could see it but had no idea on what to do. They weren't really talking. JB had not made it obvious but ever since that day at her locker she had been distant. Sure, she stuck to their roles and gave the appearance that everything was okay. It wasn't. Luka realized he had fucked up. And since JB was holding tight to her secrets, he had no way of moving forward. Even her cousins knew something was wrong, but she wasn't speaking to them either. Instead, they all watched as she slowly began to crumble before them. Stronger than before but there was traumatic edge that now surrounded her. Something had happened to her. And no one knew what it was. Only that she was sick, and she was changed. Was it for the better?

He fucked up bad. He knew it from the moment JB had closed that locker door months ago. And now... he still couldn't get that look off his mind. JB had shut down from that day. Closed off and shattered. It only took a second, but she had gone from open book to stone. And it was driving Luka insane. More so right now as Luka watched JB stumble to her locker. The girl didn't know what stumble meant, but there she was barely standing and struggling to get to her locker. All while being half asleep and a little green in the face. She really looked sick. "Is she sick?" Nick asked as he stepped beside Luka. Luka really wish he knew. "Seems that way." He murmured worriedly. Nick looked over at his grim face. "Still haven't mended the thread from your last foot meets mouth."  Nick knew about that night he had caught her leaving the same room as Fabio. It had pissed him off. He had warned Fabio and with what people thought the two of them were it was obvious Fabio should have stayed the fuck away. He hadn't. From that night Fabio changed. He wasn't as flamboyant and promiscuous. He had gotten his head back on straight. For some reason that had pissed Luka off more. He had figured that Fabio must have wanted a real commitment with JB, so he got his act together. That's why Luka said what he did because truthfully apart of him was jealous. Only afterwards did Luka realize that he may have had all wrong. Yeah, Fabio had sex with JB, but they were still messing around. Fabio changed for another reason and Luka didn't give a damn as long as his Tia was happy. And as long as Fabio stayed away from JB permanently. So, yes, his cousin knew he said something he shouldn't, but this wasn't like negotiating a deal. This wasn't a business. He didn't know how to fix this and unlike the family business where he cannot admit no wrongs, he has to admit this one and redeem himself some way.

As he came to that conclusion he walked towards JB. They had to talk. "I'll tell her cousins." Nick said. He raised his hand up quickly to acknowledge that he had understood. JB was leaning her head against the locker she wasn't paying attention to anything going around her, so it made it easier to come up to her. "Can we talk?" He asked softly.

JB had to catch her breath. She was dizzy and nauseous. She felt like everything was about to come up, but she had nothing to give. She couldn't eat dinner last night nor breakfast this morning. And she was tired. She just wanted to close her eyes and sleep. But lunch was about to start, and she needed to meet up with the others. When she had Luka thought, she pushed it down and stood taller. She wouldn't ever let herself be seen as weaker than him. Not after what he did. "Sure." She said coldly. She grabbed her bookbag and closed her locked. She walked beside him. People made way for them. Nowadays they were practically royalty.  They walked outside to his Bimota motorcycle. It was really made for a one seat, but JB put on the helmet and held on close. The ride was peaceful, so peaceful JB found herself letting go and relaxing. Leaning into the back of Luka. Comforted by his body head. She closed her eyes. Unfortunately, the ride was short. They were at a closed off building. The building was small and homely. It was currently in the works of being fixed and expanded. JB knew this was where they were planning to open a restaurant. She didn't know why they decided to enter the food market, but she understood it would not be a problem for her own family business. She leaped off the bike. He shorts were too small again, so she was wearing the school shirt. She was not experienced enough to understand the quicker you got off the less chance a guy had to catch sight of what was underneath.  She leaned against the wall and waited. She was not going to be the first to speak when asked for them to talk.