Crossing Jupiter (#Wattys2015)

Chapter Eighteen

My bag is overflowing with junk. It's not like I bought anything while I was living in someone else's home, but it's just that fact that I'm lazy. I don't want to fold my dirty clothes, because in my mind, if it's folded, it's clean.

I zip up the last of my belongings and trudge downstairs. Bay stands by the doorway, smiling. "I'm gonna miss you, you know."

I roll my eyes. "I'll just be ten feet away. I doubt our separation could kill you."

He smirks. "It won't, but maybe one day we won't have to be apart."

"In your dreams." I whisper as I give him one last hug.

If I'm being completely honest, I'm excited to get back home. I miss the old surroundings.

-

Never mind.
The minute I walked through the door, I was met with stares.

My mom's guests were still living here. Dad jumps up and smiles. "Come in, July! The Patterson's were just getting ready to leave."

Mom glares at me. I'm not sure why, considering this is the day I'm supposed be back. Perhaps I should've waited for Jasper. An awkward silence sits between everyone.
"I'm going to my room." I announce, dragging my bags up the stairs. I burst through my bedroom door only to find a tall, thin boy laying on my bed. By the looks of it, he's close to Jasper's age. He smirks. "I never knew you were brunette."

I fumble with my bags. "I, um, wasn't expecting anyone to be up here."
I clear my throat. "Pardon my language, but who the hell are you?"

He sits up. Now that I think of it, he reminds me of Jasper. Same hair, same eyes. It's strange. "You're feisty," he mumbles. "I appreciate that."

"You never answered my question."

"I've been staying here with my family for the past few days. If you ask Jasper, he'll tell you who I am. We used to be friends, but something happened with us last year. He's talked about you various times. I gotta admit, I wasn't picturing your personality like this." He says. "If I'm completely honest, I was hoping for some angel."

I raise my eyebrow. "I haven't heard of you. Do you go to our school?"

The rasp in his voice is gone. "Used to. Then I dropped out."

I pick up my bags and set them on my bed. "Well you need to leave. As you can see, I'm back." My hands press against his back, pushing him off the bed, towards the door. "And I need privacy. So if you would be so kind to leave, then I would greatly appreciate it."

Once he's out, I close the door and lock it. This week has been pretty weird, and I'd love to forget about it.
A quick scan around my room tells me that few belongings were touched. A slight layer of dust covers perfume bottles, but not on pictures.
My book manuscript has been shifted to my dresser. It's been a slow process writing it, but I know it'll get done.
I've never allowed anyone to read it, mainly because it's always changing. I don't care if a stranger has read it, but if it was someone I knew, I would die of embarrassment. I shove the stack of paper behind my desk, so no one can see it.

I hear the familiar click of the bedroom door opening and closing. I turn around to find Jasper, staring into my eyes. He leans against the doorframe and simpers. "Missed me?"

Joy immediately begins to course through my veins. "You bet." My feet stumble over each other as I embrace him. I can barely keep a grin off my face. "How was your trip?" I ask.

A laugh escapes his lips. "I mean, it wasn't a trip, but it was interesting. Not much happened. I stayed out of everyone's way and they stayed out of mine. Neither of them talked to me, so I never got to know them anyways. After I finished talking to you on the phone, everything changed. It was weird, but I just went with it."

I step back and take a look at Jasper. Only now do I realise how much he looks like me. Considering we're related, it's a bit obvious, but only now do I see it. He has the same green glint in his eyes, same brown hair. The only difference between us is that I got my mothers nose and he got our fathers. Same goes with the height. It's strange, how you and your siblings share the same traits, and never realize it.

"It's odd, how relatives can ignore you." I say. "It's like you're a ghost."

"Yeah, well it's all behind us." He shrugs. "I'm just glad to see you."

A simper tugs at the corners of my mouth. "I'm glad to see you too." A few moments pass before I add, "So who was the guy that passed through here?"

"Oh, him? Don't worry about him. He's just a kid who likes to freak out everyone he meets. It's not a big deal." Jasper says. "Anything interesting about your visit next door?"

"Nothing worth sharing." I shrug. "I think the so-called prank war was a bust, but that's just my opinion."

"Ah, well things usually never go to plan when it comes to things of that sort." He says. "I assumed that would happen."

We lounge on my bed and talk until dawn. Never once has the conversation simmered. People say that it's a sign, but I don't believe in those sorts of things. Instead, I believe that it's just a start. A start to a great path.