Between the Sheets

Chapter 1

The day began between the sheets of my twin bed, face pressed into a duo of plump white pillows. My window, which desperately needed to be fixed, squealed as it opened. It signaled the arrival of my childhood friend who was attempting to sneak through the quadrilateral portal to the outside spring air. I rolled over to make room as he crawled through, his tattooed hand holding up the frame and a Marlboro cigarette between his full lips.

A light Fall breeze carried the scent of cut grass, and end of season barbecue to my nose. Goosebumps rose on my arms.

"Hey," Jace said, sliding under my comforter.

Groaning, I sat up and lazily rubbed my eyes. The musky scent of Jace’s cigarette making me crinkle my nose

I blinked, glaring at him, "What did I say about smoking on my bed?"

"Not to do it," he replied before taking a long drag  "But I'm not on your bed. I'm in it."

"Jace!" I snapped at him, picking up a pillow and smacking him hard with a loud thump. A lone white feather floated down onto his long tattooed neck.

He held his stomach in mock pain. "Okay, okay. I'll put it out."

He swished out of my bed, throwing the sheets wide. I squealed as air from the window caressed my bare legs.

"It's just air, Jess, " he sighed, a small smirk on his lips. Jace put out the cancer stick, placing it back in the box and pocketing the rest into his leather jacket. I pulled the sheets back around myself and tucked them under my legs before Jace sat back down.

"So why the visit?"

"Got a new tattoo last night," he replied nonchalantly, tracing his finger over the stitching on my worn comforter.

I clapped loudly," Ooh, show me!"

Shrugging off the aforementioned jacket, he lifted his grey knit sweater to reveal a very large tattoo on his ribcage.

"Ouch," I winced. "Masochist much?"

"You know it." He winked, putting his shirt back down.

"Jessica! Are you awake?" my mom called from downstairs.

"Yeah! " I yelled back.

"I thought I heard voices! Is Jace up there?"

"Yup!"

"Hello Jace, dear!"

"Hi Ms. P!" He shouted back, chuckling and shaking his head.

"Why don't you come down and have some pancakes? And drag Jess with you while you are at it!"

With a swoop, Jace picked me up and threw me over his hard shoulder. "Ouch," I said, smacking his dark washed back pocket. He chuckled again, the vibrations coursing through my body as he proceeded to nip my upper thigh.

I stared at the leather of his jacket in shock as he carried me down the stairs. With a fluid motion, he deposited me onto a dining room chair and flopped into the one adjacent. He smiled innocently at my mom, who placed two plates of pancakes on the table in front of us.

"Thanks Ms. P."

"Your welcome, Jace." she made her trademark huffing, uncertain sigh. "I still can't get over that thing on your face."

She indicated the double dermals on his cheek with a wave.

Jace laughed, "Neither can my mother."

Mom sighed again and trotted over to the sink, steaming pan lying within.

"Have any plans today, " she asked, scrubbing the dishes with a green sponge.