A Faltering self (Distorted Reality book 2)

Chapter 28- Someone on Your Side

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It's time. I'm nervous about it, but I know that eventually it's bound to happen, so we head to the backyard, to the back porch, to join the rest of everyone. Jonathan and his friends that is. There are a couple of faces I wasn't expecting, yet don't surprise me. I'm not sure if they'll be staying for dinner, but it's not uncommon for them to migrate here whenever Zach or Jonathan are here. So it makes sense that with both, they would be. One is our direct neighbor, Braden, and the other is, Corry.

Corry is pretty nice, but Braden not so much. He can be as much of a pain as Zach. They act in a way that always bothers me and reminds me that I'm not truly a part of their group. Jonathan tries to be the peace bringer whenever I say something later to him that bothered me, but I've learned it's best to now keep things to myself. It only causes more conflict and taunts from the two.

Whispers in my ear, it's two different voices and tries to drive me mad by having the two seemingly always on opposite ends.

"You know this is only going to turn out bad, Darling."

"Take a breath, Mads. It will be fine. I'll make sure no one messes with you. That's my job, and I can't have anyone taking it."

I almost laugh at Liam's comment. I know now that he doesn't mean any harm.

I hope not.

But it reminds me of the teasing from Peter at times. The real one... Or when he was alive? I don't know. The Peter in my dreams, I'll leave it at that.

I look up at him with a smile, trying my best to listen to him over the shadows always seeming to follow me now.

"Oh, is it? Well, just know, that means it's fair game to taunt you back."

I'm back to feeling that self that wants to be bold and flirty with him. One more willing to risk things to see where we truly stand. How he truly feels about me.

I tighten my eyes at him with a smirk. Something that seems to take him back. He has a grin of his own before there's a shift and I know that it's someone I'm less wanting right now.

"And we should be joining them, right?"

I roll my eyes without realizing until after it's done and head up the back stairs. Alder follows close behind before another shift seems to happen, and I hope back to Liam. He'll be the one best to handle this right now.

"Oh, hey, Ducky! And Jackson? Cool, I didn't know you two were hooking up."

A dirty look from Jonathan towards Braden, but he doesn't notice it.

"Really?" Corry pipes in confused before it's Jonathan getting cut off by Braden.

"No, they're-

"Kidding, kidding. I just wanted to see her reaction. Come on man, I know your mom's rule. But for real, it's nice to see you, Jackson. Come, join us, we're just chilling for now."

"Sure, but I'd appreciate it if you weren't so crude about that."

I'm taken aback because even though he did say he'd say something, I didn't fully expect it. Not when I'm so used to the others keeping the waters calm like I usually do.