Sidelining

Chap. 6: Love is Overrated

I think you'll understand why I chose "Because of You" by Kelly Clarkson as you read this. Thanks so much for the votes, comments, and likes!!!
XOXO,
M.
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Eva's POV
I watched a few episodes of Grey's Anatomy, but then my head started hurting, and I decided the harsh light from my phone probably wasn't helping, so I plugged in my headphones and put all of my music (over 1,000 songs) on shuffle. Only around 20 minutes had passed when became extremely dizzy.

Yanking the earbuds from my ears, I rushed to the bathroom and emptied the contents of my stomach into the toilet. I puked until all that was coming up was bile.

"MARYANNE?!?!" a voice below bellowed. Fuck, fuck, fuck!

"Yes, honey?" my mother responded sweetly.

Yep. My dad was home. By the sound of it, he wasn't drunk, just extremely angry. My mom only yelled at my dad when he was too intoxicated to reciprocate. Suddenly, I remembered Jackson.

For some odd reason, I hauled my body off of the bathroom floor and rushed around corner, desperate to find Jackson before my dad saw him. Usually, when Dad was pissed, he tried to beat on Will, but we all hid in my room. Mom would cover for us and say that we were at some sporting event. Knowing my dad, he forgot that Jackson was moving in, and was probably drunk or only half-listening when he agreed to it.

I couldn't find Jackson on the second floor, so I crept down the stairs to the lower level of our house. I spotted him sitting down at the grand piano. My parents were right next door, and if my dad heard him...

"Jackson!" I hissed. "Don't do it!"

"Do what?" he asked, loudly. Fuuuck!!!

"We need to get upstairs. Now. Before my father-"

"Evangeline? Who is this?!?" demanded my dad.

"Oh, hey, Daddy. This is, um..."

"That's Eva's boyfriend, George," my mom explained. What?!? Why the fuck would my mom say that?!?

"No-" I started, but my dad cut me off.

"Good. Hurry up and get married, or have sex, or whatever kids do these days," my dad said, much to my horror. "As long as it's one less mouth to feed."

Holy. Shit. That did not just come out of my father's mouth. I shrugged it off, biting back a sob.

"We'll do just that," I responded icily. Grabbing Jackson's hand, I pulled him upstairs to my- our room. Slamming the door shut, I turned to the idiot/murderer in front of me. "And that," I said. "Is why we never go downstairs while my dad is home."

Jackson was staring at me. He looked shocked.

"Wow. He's...interesting." Was all he said.

I snorted. "Yeah, that's an understatement. To think I actually used to look up to him. And my mom. I mean, why the fuck won't she leave him?!"

"It's hard when you're in love, to just up and leave," Jackson mused.

"Love's overrated. I mean, you don't need it. What's the point of even trying if all that's going to happen is a horrible breakup and definite heartbreak?!? Who wants that???"

"You don't actually think that."

"Yeah, I do," I responded. "Whoa, is the room spinning?"

I staggered across the room to my bed, and Jackson caught me as I was about to fall. I felt oddly safe in his arms. And that scared me.
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Jackson's POV
Eva's a freaking pessimist. Nonetheless, we have an odd connection I can't explain. When I caught her, it felt as though her entire body was on fire. She had a weird, glassy look, like she was drunk.

"You're hot, ya know that?" she giggled. Eva wasn't like this. It was scary almost.

"Um, thanks, I guess." Eva was delirious, she wasn't thinking straight. That's what I kept telling myself, but I hoped it wasn't true.

"Can you keep a secret?" she asked.

I shrugged. She grinned.

"My last boyfriend was worse than my dad and that's why I don't trust you!" she stage-whispered. "But for the record, you're totally bangable. And I'm only mean to you so that I can prove to myself that I don't like you but I think I do. Is that weird?"

I was seriously taken aback. My brain was a mix of emotions: happiness because she admitted that she didn't hate me and she likes me; anger because she didn't trust me and her last boyfriend pretty much ruined my chances; sadness because there's always the chance she doesn't know what she's talking about; and many more.

"Hey, Jackson?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah?" I could barely choke the word out.

"Will you kiss me? I want you to be my first real kiss."

"Evangeline, I need you to listen to me. I will kiss you in the morning if you sill want me to. Not now, though. After your second kiss, kisses are just...kisses. They have to be special, not delirious, sick kisses."

Eva seemed pouty, so I laid her in her bed and pulled the covers up over her. I was about to turn to leave, when at the last second, I pressed my lips to her forehead.

"I'll be back in a bit. I'm going to check on your brother, ok?" But she was already asleep.
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I walked out of our room and next door to Will's room.

"Hey, you feeling better?" I asked, surprised that Will was sitting up, texting someone.

"Yeah. Still have a minor headache though. You want anything?"

"Um, no. Hey, what would you do to a guy that liked your sister?"

"Cut their balls off...wait, why???" Will was suddenly suspicious. My heart sank at his words, but didn't let it show.

"Well, since I'm basically Eva and Genevive's honorary brother, I should know what to do, what the family tradition is."

"Very true..." Will grinned at his phone. "Check out the babe that I met at the game the other night." He showed me a picture, and I almost gagged.

The chick was a total slut. She had light blonde hair, waaaayyyy too much makeup on, and her boobs were practically falling out of her top. Nothing like Eva. Wait, what?!? I did not like Eva. No way. Not happening. I'd be so screwed over if I did like her, which I don't! Right????

"Yeah, hot," I said, forcing a look of what I hoped was lust on my face.

"Dude, you look constipated. And tired as hell. Get some sleep and don't you dare touch my sister," Will warned.

I gave him a thumbs up and walked away, out of the room.

"No promises," I muttered, but no one heard me.