I Know You Feel The Same Way.

Chapter 24 - More Than It Seems

(Jeffrey's POV)

What does Skylar want with that guy anyway? He's nothing but trouble, and I know he's going to try and corrupt her. If I were her parents I'd b-

"Jeffrey? Honey, you haven't even touched your pizza, it's bound to get cold." Skylar's mom says, raising her head. Skylar is sitting next to her, picking at her pizza with a fork. The tension in the room has intensified as we dwell in silence.

"So Sky, have you talked to the new neighbors much?" Her mom asks.

"I'm assuming a little bit more than talked." I mumble, Skylar shoots me a menacing glare as she stands up.

"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed." She scuffs, walking upstairs.

"What makes you say that, Jeffrey?" her mom asks.

"I-uh-excuse me." I stutter as I run upstairs. I open her door to find nothing but an open window.

(Skylar's POV)

To Alec: Hey. Ditch the party.

From Alec: Have something in mind? ;)

To Alec: Meet me at the pier. 10 Minutes.

From Alec: On my way ;)

I arrive at the pier in nothing more than spandex shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt. Alec submerges out of the darkness in the same jacket from earlier.

"You don't seem drunk. Turning your life around?" I joke, wrapping my arms around myself.

"I like to keep it sober. Don't want to wake up with someone in my bed and regrets. So tell me sunshine, what's a pretty little lady, like yourself, doing here so late at night?"

"Something is going on with Jeffrey." I tell him.

"Since when has your little secret admirer been any of my concern?" He asks, I tense at the word 'admirer' ,what is he taking about? "it's not difficult to tell, Skylar." He adds.

"That's exactly what I mean, he's been acting different, he isn't like this." I explain, pacing back and forth.

"Maybe you're just now finding out who he really is...and no offense darling, but I didn't ditch a pretty sick party to hear about your boy troubles. See you later, Love." He says, sinking back into the same darkness as before.

By the time I reach my street, I see Jeffrey running towards me.

"Where on God's green Earth have you been? You must be freezing! Why did you leave the house! Why didn't you tell your mom? Wh-" He yells, I grab his wrists, stopping him mid-sentence.

"What has gotten into you! Less than a week ago, you couldn't give a damn about me!" I scream back, he shakes his arms free as he lets out a deep breath. He raises his sleeves to reveal new markings, new cuts. "J-Jeff" I mumble, taking his arm into my palm.

"I'd been clean for over a year." He explains, his lip quivering as if he'd cry at any moment.

"Come on." I tell him, grabbing his shoulder and walking into my house. "Mom! Jeffrey is staying over, okay?" I ask, creaking her bedroom door.

"are you out of your ever-living mind!? I want him home by ten."

"but mom-"

"woah woah woah. Just because I won't let my teenage daughter have a teenage guy sleepover, does not make me a butt-mom." Jeffrey chuckles at her joke and I shoot him a glare. "See Sky! Someone appreciates your butt-mom's jokes!" She teases.

I roll my eyes as I yank Jeffrey up the stairs and into my room. He starts biting his fingernails out of anxiety and begins pacing.

"Jeffrey." Silence "Jeff." Silence "Eli!" He stops as he focuses his tear-soaked eyes on me. He shakes his head, and continues to pace, tears streaming down his face. "Calm down." I tell him, he buries his face into me as he starts sobbing. "Shhh" I mumble, stroking his hair.

"I'm so stupid." He cries, with muffled sobs, as he soaks my shirt.

"No you're not. Stop it." He lifts his head and wipes the tears from his eyes.

"I better go." He sniffles, standing up.

"Wha-Jeffr-" I object, he cuts me off by closing the door shut. I turn to find Alec leaned against the window sill.

"Quite a show, if you ask me." He smirks as I roll up the window.

"shut up." I groan.

"Defending your boy?"

"What would you do in a situation like that?"

"not that" he shrugs "anyways I think I know why Jeffrey's been acting up."

"really?" I ask.

"Yeah, really. I heard talk at the party about it. I don't think it's just because of a breakup."

"w-what do you mean?" I gulp, he gestures for me to move as he jumps in through my window.

"I mean that it's more than a breakup."

"what makes you think that?" I question with curiosity.

"What do you know about Jeffrey's Ex?" He asks.

"Julia?" He nods, "Well...ummm..not that much...she keeps to herself."

"Exactly." He begins to pace, thinking of a reasonable explanation. "Julia was never to herself, or so I heard, she always felt the need to share every aspect of her life. She was never to herself until..."

"Jeffrey. Until she started dating Jeffrey." I finish.

"Well yes, but it was after. Something happened to make Julia break up with Jeffrey, and I don't think it was just because she wanted space."

"then what?" I ask.

"I don't know, but I want to." He scuffs.

"Well have any ideas?"

"I thought of one, but you aren't gonna like it." He insists. "We have to talk to Patrick."

"ale-no-"

"I know, I know, but he has friends who are close to her. I think it's worth a shot." He explains.

"Just let me talk to Jeffrey first." I beg.

"that train-wreck with legs?" He tsks.

"Please Ryder." He shrugs and makes his way back through his window.

"Sleep well, Sunshine." he smiles, latching the window shut.

(A/N) oh hihihi I have a confession. I've been writing chapters for the past 2 weeks in class but I was just too lazy to type them out...but I actually did it. I still have 2 more chapters I have to type out but I hope this is good for now🙃