Bring Me Back To 5SOS {Book 2}

15- Jacob

Maya's POV

Dad didn't wake me up the next morning like he usually did. It was my phone ringing, indicating that someone was calling me, that did.

"Hello?" I groaned.

I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

"Hey. Are you walking to school today?" Leila asked.

"Yeah. Why?"

"I'll meet you at your house. We can walk together," she said.

"You couldn't have texted me?" I asked.

"Nope," she replied, popping the p.

"Alright. I'll see you when you get here."

I hung up and sighed. My closet seemed so far from my spot on the bed. I grabbed some gray sweatpants and a shirt with sleeves long enough for sweater paws. I was too tired to wear a nice outfit.

I threw on a beanie and put on a bit of makeup before heading to Dad's room. He wasn't there, but Zoe was. I checked the guy's rooms to find that they were gone too.

"They left without saying goodbye," I said to myself.

I couldn't believe them. They didn't even bother to wake me up when they left. I would've gone to the airport with them. I just wanted to say goodbye.

It was too late to eat breakfast, and my sudden realization ruined my appetite. I sat on the couch and stared at the blank Tv screen until Leila arrived.

*~*

Thomas caught up with me and Leila halfway to school. I dreaded going back, especially since I was mad at the guys for ruining my morning. Switching back and forth between schools, when they were in two different countries, could make for some interesting moments.

"I can't believe they just left without saying goodbye. I know Dad was upset, but still. Luke or Calum could've woken me up. Even Uncle Ash," I said to them.

"Maybe they did, and you just don't remember because you were half asleep," Thomas suggested.

"Yeah, right," I muttered.

"You know what you gotta do?" Leila said.

"What?"

"Make 'em pay for it." She smirked.

"How do I do that?" I asked.

"Show them what happens when they get on your bad side. It's like, good girl gone bad," she said.

"I can't. I don't want to be sent away again."

"Always a suggestion," she said as we arrived at the school.

"That's the new kid. He's from America," Thomas said.

He pointed to a boy with dark brown hair facing away from us. He turned around, and I saw his face. I stared at him, trying to figure out why he looked so familiar.

"Jacob!" I yelled, recognizing him.

I ran over to him. He looked confused but then smiled when he realized it was me.

"Maya! Oh, my god," he said and hugged me. "I can't believe it's actually you! I never thought I'd see you again."

"I know! This is amazing. It's been so long," I said. "How do you feel about a three-mile run later?"

"Don't push your luck, Maya. I might just say yes," he laughed and pulled me into his arms again. "Man, this is crazy. What are the odds?"

"I don't know. I have either the worst luck or the best."

"Does this qualify for the worst category?"

"I don't know," I said with a smirk. "We'll see."

"I think it should be in the best. As long as we don't get chased again. Is there still a possibility of that?" He asked, actually seeming concerned we'd be chased.

"Not here, no. Things have calmed down a bit over the last year."

"Great," he said and noticed my friends walking over to us.

"Who's this?" Leila asked, nudging my shoulder.

"Jacob Morris. A pleasure to meet you," he said and kissed her hand.

She blushed, and Thomas rolled his eyes.

"I remember you. You're the one who made Nick think Maya was cheating on him," Thomas said, pointing at Jacob.

"That was an accident that I'm sure was cleared up. It's in the past. I heard about what happened and I'm sorry for your loss," he said.

"It's okay. I'm moving on," I said.

Nick's face flashed through my mind, and I blinked hard to keep from crying. I didn't have time to think about Nick while I was going through treatment in New York. Not thinking about him allowed me to heal.

Crying over him wasn't how I wanted to start the school year in Australia where his memory was so present. I'd be taking two steps back from where I was.

"Hey, are you alright?" Thomas asked, looking at me with his soft blue eyes.

"Yeah, I'm okay," I told him. "Why don't we go inside? Don't want to be late."

"I agree," Jacob replied.

He went to put his arm around me, but Thomas shoved him. He put his arm around me and marched into the building.

I gave him a 'what the hell' look, but he ignored me and kept walking.

Thomas's POV

Out of all the people in the world, Jacob Morris had to be the new kid. And he tried to make a move on Maya? Who the hell did he think he was?

What was he doing in Australia, anyway? He probably got shipped here after being kicked out of another juvenile detention center. It wouldn't be much of a surprise to anyone that knew him.

Like me.

That bastard needed to stay away from her before she got hurt like Jade.

The thought of what happened to her tore open old wounds. I couldn't let happen to Maya. I promised myself I would protect her. I promised Nick.

"Jade!" I yelled, but it was too late.

Her eyes widened as the knife went through her stomach. Gunshots ricocheted off the ally walls, and police sirens echoed in the night.

My eyes landed on the person who started it all. The one who was to blame for my cousin's death. Jacob.

I was shaken out of my memories by the devil himself. He had come up behind me and put a hand on my shoulder like we were old friends. We used to know each other but we were never friends. He made me sick.

"Hey, man. You're not still upset about the whole gang situation, are you?" Jacob asked.

"You mean my cousin being stabbed and, oh, you know? Killed because of your dumbass? Yeah. A little bit," I sneered.

"Well, it's not going to happen again. I've changed. Maya would agree," he said.

"Stay away from her, or I'll-"

"You'll what?" He interrupted, taunting me. "You tried to stop me before and look at what happened."

"That was your fault!" I said.

Sick of looking at his smug expression, I scoffed and started walking away.

"You can't deny the truth!" He yelled.

He was right. I was just lying to myself. It was my fault Jade was dead. I knew about the fight. I knew there would be weapons.

And I let her go anyway.