Dancing with Fire (John Pearce/Justice Crew Fanfic)

Chapter 8

“My mom is messing up with my head with all the college applications and stuff.” Jason said, he finally talked and told me what’s bothering him.

I knew Jason would change his mood when we were enjoying our dinner at Aria Restaurant. It was our favorite restaurant, and I’m sure glad I took him there.

“She wants me to take a course I didn’t like.”

“She wants me to let go of football.”

“She wants me to…” and then he stopped. He was looking down, and dropped his fork on his plate. He was sad again, just like that.

“Jay, you don’t need to talk if you don’t want to. Let’s enjoy dinner, okay? And when you’re ready, I’m here.” I slipped out on his forehead and flicked it.

“Ow! What was that for?” He asked, holding his forehead. I laughed. It was mean, but he is really cute.

“You’re really cute when you’re grumpy.” I giggled, and there goes his glares shooting at me.

“You do know you didn’t have to wait for me to go all sad before taking me out to dinner” Jason stated. Since I told him, we were going out for dinner, his mood changed a bit. He was still sad, but he wasn’t all gloomy when I found him sitting outside the house

“Well, I-“

“Just kidding” he teased, and he was back. I hope so.

We did enjoy the next hour, catching up on things we have missed. My friends and I haven’t really gone out to hang besides in school. Amy had cheerleading practice, Jason and Andrew had football. Caitlin has work, while I was hanging out with Justice Crew.

“So what have you been doing lately?” he asked, curiously.

“Library, I’ve been going to the library.” I lied to my best friend. Why? I don’t know. But I can’t just tell him that I’ve been hanging out with Mr. Pearce and his friends because it’s weird, illegal even. It’s not like we have a romantic relationship, I just don’t want to let him know. I feel bad lying to him.

“Do you know what you want to take in college?”

Honestly, I have no idea. Since deciding I wouldn’t pursue my dancing career, I didn’t have anything in mind to replace it. The thought of being a doctor or a nurse, or a lawyer bored the hell out of my mind. I wasn’t sure of what I would want to be when I grow up. And lately, I haven’t been thinking about my future nor applying to any college.

“I don’t know.” I uttered, shoving some pasta in my mouth. I didn’t want to talk about it. Not now.

“Pursue your dancing career.”

“Like my dad would love that.”

“Do something you like… Prove it to him you can do it,” he encourage me.

“Like your mom approves of something you like.” I said, regretting it after I saw his reaction and he stiffened.

“She doesn’t want me to decide my future… with you.” And that, my friends, just threw a knife in my heart. I thought she loved me because I was her best friend’s daughter but I guess not.

It took me longer to welcome everything he just said. Wondering why his mom suddenly hated me like I was some disease and I was pulling his son down with me. Or maybe I was, because all these times Jason has been with me, cheering me up, making sure I was okay. I didn’t return the same towards him. Thinking of myself, I forgot of the fact Jason and I planned everything out when we were younger, when my mother was still alive. Unsure of what to take in college may be the reason why his mom wants me out of the picture because I wasn’t helping with his son’s future with my life.

“I think you should listen to her.” I uttered, avoiding his gaze, biting my lip to control the tears in my eyes.

“What? Are you serious?” he argued, thinking I was crazy.

“Your mom just wants the best for you.” My heart was hurting; you know that streak of pain that suddenly shot me.

“Don’t you even love me to let go of me just like that?” He raged. “Here I was fighting for you, and you’re just letting me go.” He spat.

“I-I…” I stuttered, didn’t know what to say. Watered eyes started flowing in my cheeks. My heart was burning in pain.

He stood up, left some money for dinner, and stormed off hitting the wall loudly with his bare hands, not minding how much that hurts. Just like that. He didn’t turn around when I called his name, nor answered his phone when I called him. He was mad at me. One of the rarest times we’d fought, but this one was too serious.

I was scared. Jason’s one of my closest friends, even considering him as family. And knowing he is mad at me makes me even sadder. I shouldn’t have told him that. I should have said something else, but all was too late.

Thinking about his point, I knew where he was coming from. He didn’t want to change our plans, even though I changed my destiny. I wasn’t going to be a dancer anymore, but he can still be something he wants to be. With me in the way, that would be impossible. His mom might think I was a bad influence to him, and that’s what I didn’t want. I want him to be free.