TROUBLE // Jemma

Chapter 22: Fire Away

After finishing their meals, Emma felt butterflies in her stomach. One that she hadn't felt like before. Her whole world is about to be turned around once more but is she going to let him?

Sure, she almost died the last time she gave him a second chance but a strong feeling inside wants her to give him a third one.

He changed positively for her and she knew about it, even if she doesn't say it out loud. Let's not forget about his flawless hairstyle (It was always on fleek. as she would regularly compliment.)(I mean, who can up against that?), those dazzling eyes, and that charming smile that makes her knees feel weak.

Oh boy.

Jax cleared his throat and glanced at Emma, who was stuffed at eating the tasty food served in the platters. "Em?"

Emma looked up at him. "Yeah?"

He gulped and took a deep breath, preparing himself for what he had to say. He scooted closer to her and took another deep breath, making Emma even more confused.

Finally, he took he hand in his and spoke, "Look, Em, I know we had a rough past and all but--" he stopped, suddenly stuttering, helpless for words.

Emma raised a brow, waiting for Jax to continue.

He blew out a breath. "This was harder than I thought."

"I never wanted to lose you in t
He heard Emma chuckle, which calmed him down a bit and gained confidence, but not enough. "Em, I don't know if you still feel the same way about me but I... I still love you. And I was wondering if there could be us again." he smiled at him, and she did the same. "I miss us."

"Ditto." she replied.

His smile went impossibly wider. "So... what do you say?"

Emma audibly gulped. Was she going to let herself back to him again? He was a good boyfriend until he tried to suck your life out. He was nice and charming until his true colors flashed out when he switched sides. But the real question is... does that still matter now that he had changed, for real?

"I... I don't know." She let her arms fall limp on her lap, creating a small clap noise.

Jax's face expression fell harder than his grades. From the advice his friends have been telling him, this was not a good sign.

"I need time," she paused to frown, "to think."

Jax nodded, respecting her decision. He already prepped himself for a no a long time ago. However, in the inside, he was emotionally drained. It hit him like a ton of bricks. "It's okay."

Ripping off the awkward air between the two, Emma stood up and said, "I have to go."

Jax pursed his lips and nodded once more, hurtfully watching his alleged soulmate walk away.

What surprised him is that she actually turned around and went back to him, but only to say, "Irregardless of whatever decision I'll make, thank you." She gave him a kiss on the cheek, which was good enough for him at the moment.

A little later after Emma left the Novoa's household, Jessie walked up to the backyard gazebo, eager to ask a list of questions to her alleged brother. "Hey big bro, hairstyle on fleek." she patted his back, "I've got a TON of questions to ask."

Jax wasn't in the mood, but he embraced the fact that he still had someone with him anyway. He reluctantly answered, "Fire away."

"Well--" Suddenly, she stopped, realizing the amount of food left at the table in front of him. "Don't tell me you're eating all of these... without me!"

The wizard snorted and chuckled. "Like I said, fire away."

"Yieeeee! Which one to eat first? I'm reserving the Chipotle burrito for later; I call dibs on that." The little girl yammered. "Are those Nachos? Oooh, cheesy. Oh, and those tacos look pretty tasty. Milkshakes--"

Jax grumbled loudly. "Would you please stop narrating your thoughts? It's annoying."

"Geez. Calm down, sassy pants. Fine then, tacos go first. I'm coming down to the pastas later."

***

As soon as Emma got home, she laid herself on her bed in an instant and covered her head in a pillow.

"I miss us." Jax's voice echoed through her head.

"UGHHHHHHHHHH..." is all she could think off.

What she really thought was that she will give him a third chance, but not just yet. But she does want to go back to him now.

It's complicated.

All she could have done was just say yes. It was so easy. And yet, here she is, slightly declining and pushing the chance away.

Why does it have to be so hard?

As an attempt to distract herself, she grabbed her phone to call on her besties. When she opened her phone, she already had 10 unread messages; 8 from Mia, 1 from Andi, 1 from Jax.

She hovered her finger over to Andi's message first.
Andi: Mia's staying over at my place. Sleepover after going to Birdman's?

She quickly typed a simply reply.
Emma: K. Be there in a few.

Next up, Mia's spammed messages.
Mia: DUDE
Mia: HELP ME
Mia: PLEASE
Mia: IM STUCK IN A ROOM FULL OF RAGING VIDEO GAMERS
Mia: HELLO?
Mia: ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?
Mia: EM?
Mia: JEIRHEBDGXHNDGDHSJSGCYDJDNSGHS HELP ME

No need to reply to that.

Next up, Jax.
Jax: Okay, I'll see you in the swim meet tommorow...if you want to come. I'll respect whatever decision you'll make. It's okay if we're just friends.

***

Meanwhile, Jessie was busy, bombarding Jax with questions about his family and eating the leftovers from Jemma's sort-of date. "So, tell me. Why do you live alone here? Since when were you here?"

"I live alone here since I had better opportunities here and it was more safe than where Dad is in Australia. Well, I'm not really alone since Uncle Leon and my cousin Bill comes over once or twice a month to check up on me."

"Are you also a witch? Do you have powers? Are you as strong as dad? Stronger?"

"I'm a wizard, and duh, I have powers."

Jess raised a brow. "You didn't answer my last question."

"Dad is a powerful wizard. I don't think I can top that but I do have advanced knowledge."

"Oooh, does that mean I'll also be as advanced as you guys are?"

Jax scoffed. "Depends, was your mom a witch?"

"I think so. All I remember was that I had an adopted brother named Julio. And my mother's maiden name was Torres."

***

Does anybody want to take in a guess on who Jessie's alleged mother is? I think it's pretty obvious. hehe XD