The Walter Boys Assistant

Chapter 19: Roomies

Will you ever know what transpired between the Walter boys last night? Probably not. After Cole left the bedroom, both of them having sniffly noses and red eyes, you assume it was a good talk. Crying instead of fighting is always better.

Things were even nice at dinner with everyone. Jackie shared stories of her time back in New York with her uncle and Danny. Cole sat directly next to her, a lovesick gaze present the entire evening. It was obvious George and Katherine were uncomfortable but they didn't ruin family time.

Alex was silent for the most part. Nothing surprising, but you missed his cheerful jabs and teases during your meal. If he spoke, which was rare, you answered. You wanted to give him space and you did just that.

The seven o'clock roll call came around and it was as irritating as you anticipated it to be. All kids living under the roof are to lineup in accordance to age while George counts heads. At least it isn't the assigned bedtime, so you can all stay up and hang out. Just supervised, of course.

Sharing a bedroom with Jackie has been weird thus far. When the two of you turned in for bed, you took to your bed and she to hers. Both of you were awake for awhile and on your phones, however, no words were shared. That's fine, to be honest. You still don't know where you stand with her anyways.

Even though Alex told you that all is forgiven and he's attempting to handle the relationship between Jackie and Cole better, you still can't help but hold some sort of grudge on her. She hurt Alex. Even worse than Paige had. You can't let that go.

It's five in the morning on your day off - and Jackie's alarm blares. You tussle in the hodgepodge of blankets, stirring about to find her turning off the alarm. She sits up and stretches her legs first before her arms. With a fast swing she gets out of bed and goes for the closet. It takes you to clear your throat for her to pay notice.

"Oh, sorry, (Y/n)... I normally go on morning runs." She spoke sheepishly, acting surprised you were still in the room. Yeah, this is so going great.

"It's fine." You mumble, staring at her through the mass of hair in your face. You are not much of a graceful sleeper on usual nights. The night you slept in bed with Alex seemed to be an exception somehow.

"Would you like to join?" She offers. It sounds more like she feels obligated to invite you than wanting to do so.

"I'm not much of a runner," you answer through a yawn, "thanks for the offer."

She gives a forced smile before taking out some clothes. When Jackie leaves the bedroom, you flop back onto your side. After ten minutes of racing thoughts, you get up. It was a waste of effort to try and go back to sleep.

Leaving your bedroom, you motion for the kitchen, catching a glimpse of Nathan walking outside where Jackie was stretching out for the run. You forgot Nathan likes to go for runs in the mornings too.

"Jackie wake you?" Alex asks from the table and you look to see him. Now you really wish you had gone to the bathroom to fix yourself up. "Nathan woke me... As usual."

Without drawing much attention towards it, you rake your fingers through your hair like a brush, soothing out snags and messes to appear more presentable.

"Yeah..." You respond tiredly and grab a bowl from the cabinets, eyeing the box of cereal he has out on the table. Without an invitation, you sit across from him and grab the cereal, pouring it in.

"What are you up to today?" You ask, trying to kill the silence of the house. Alex calmly sits back and watches you.

"I was going to take Murphy on a trail. Would you like to go?" He offers. See? That's how you invite someone to do something. You are being quite petty towards Jackie, but you find it justified.