Velocity-> Jack Gilinsky

Chapter 49

*Jack's Pov*   editing ltr

"Honey, please, just relax. Everything's alright, just relax." I could hear my mom's panicked voice as I hesitantly followed it, entering the kitchen. Her tired eyes shot up from the coffee mug in her hands to me, as did my father's. He narrowed his gaze, clenching both fists. We stood in an awkward silence until he stomped out of the room, going to another part of the house. I was relieved; relieved that there wouldn't be yet another argument between us. 

She weakly smiled as I took a seat across from her at the dining table, and I let out a deep breath before knocking my knuckles on its wooden surface. 

"What the hell was that about? Why were you calming him down?" I furrowed my eyebrows as I watched her scoot away from the table and stand up, going over to one of the cabinets and rummaging for something. I continued watching as she poured 2 pills into the palm of her hand, throwing them into her mouth and coming back to the table, swallowing them with her coffee. She sat back down, responding to me with a shake of her head. 

"What were those..?" I suspiciously asked, nervous that maybe her illness was getting worse.

"Pain meds. My back's been acting up for the past couple of days..." She took another sip before wrapping her hands around the mug, resting them there and looking back up at me. "So, how have you been?" I knew she was just trying to change the subject. 

"Mom, seriously-"

"He was just concerned about the bills, and-"

"Why would he be worried about that? Can we not afford them?" I didn't know what to believe.

"No, honey, we're ok. It's just ... the hospital bills are really high, but we've got it." She cleared her throat, slouching in the chair. 

"God, he really, really hates me. But it's my fault... I gave him reasons to." 

"You've known him your entire life, Jack. He's got a harsh way of showing love, but he doesn't hate you. I don't think he ever could."

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"Jack!" I instantly smiled at Liv's reaction of getting a call from me, happy to hear her voice. 

"Hi baby, how is it?"

"Good,  but I should've listened to you and stayed home. I miss you too much." I smiled again, flipping onto my back as I sprawled out on my bed.

"I'm always right, huh?" I could almost see her rolling her eyes at me, but she knew I was only teasing.

"...Anyways, -"

"Oh, come on, you know I'm right. Just let me hear you say it," I obnoxiously and sarcastically pleaded, knowing I was getting on her nerves.

"You're never right." We both began laughing, and it momentarily took my mind off of earlier.

"Ok, ok, well anything new?"

"Nope, not with me, you?"

"Not with me either, I just want you home... and here with me." I pouted, although she couldn't see.

"Six more days and I'll be home... and there with you," she responded, mimicking my tone.

"I'll be looking forward to then, but for now, I'm gonna let you go. Love you, Liv."

"Love you."