[Ah, a good days work! Here's to Tarakf, who left a comment on my last chapter! Hope this one's both good and long enough to make you shed a tear, at the end. You'll get what I mean when you get there. Remember guys, happy writer = happy ending and the best way to make a writer happy is to let them know what you think of their work. And by happy ending, I mean one that exists XD Happy Reading! ^_^]
Hey, is it okay if I come over before we head to the hospital?" Jack asked. They were sitting at Belinda's table (It just didn't seem right for Jack to go back to 'the dark side' as he called it) talking about how much Keith had missed. Jack had got him up to date with everything important and everyone else had filled in the rest. "You know, to see Maggie. She can ride on the back of my bike if she wants to come with."
"Wow, since when can you give rides?" Keith joked. He knew Jack had been trying to get it right before he left, so it was only a matter of time before he did really.
"I used to pick Belinda up in the mornings," he said, grinning back. "But I suppose you'll be able to do that. Unless she's still planning on walking Maggie to school..."
Keith just couldn't answer. There was so much he didn't know about Belinda, obviously. For example, he had known Belinda was staying at his house, but he had no idea why. And then there was that whole being alone thing. He had never bothered to ask why she didn't like being alone, why she got so scared when she was.
"I realise this is going to sound stupid to you, but why's Belinda staying at my house?"
"Oh, God, sorry! I forgot, you wouldn't know. Her mum's in hospital and Gina said she'd take her in. It was really awkward for Bel but Maggie tried to make her feel more at home. But Belinda was such a mess, you know? Everything just seemed to go wrong. If there is a God, I can't see what Bel did to piss him off so much..."
"But...what about her dad?"
"Oh, he walked out years ago. Her mum went a little crazy after that, you know," he mimed chugging a bottle "and...well, Belinda hasn't heard from him since. Like I said, sucky life. She was really lucky Gina took her in actually."
"Yeah," Keith said distractedly. No wonder Belinda was always so cynical. Who exactly was she supposed to trust? "Why's her mum in hospital now?"
Jack looked uncomfortable, glancing around the room before looking back at Keith apologetically. "I can't really tell you about it," he admitted. "If Belinda wants to tell you, when she wakes up, she will. But...it's just not my story so it's kind of unfair if I tell it. Anyway, it's not like she wouldn't want you to know. I just think she'd want to tell you herself."
"Nah, it's fine," Keith shrugged, understanding completely. "Sort of like my being the way I am. I wouldn't really want people talking about it."
"Hey, you're not mad that I know, are you?" Jack asked worriedly. He always had difficulty reading Keith. "Because, I'm really sorry. Belinda just thought I would like to come with and get you. Plus, it's a little difficult for her to keep secrets from me. Ditto for me, just so you know."
Keith pondered that for a moment, wondering why Belinda hadn't told him how well she was getting on with Jack. It wasn't like she hadn't had the opportunity. Maybe she doesn't want to talk about it with you, part of him whispered. Don't you think it would be a little awkward for her to bring up a new boyfriend with a sort-of-but-not-really-because-he-was-faking-it boyfriend? He almost got the courage to ask how long they had been dating when he heard someone else say his name.
"So, why're you two sitting all the way over here?" Emma said chirpily, looking at Keith. It was like this morning with Jack had never happened. "I mean, it's not like there's anyone else sitting over here."
