Mina and Jared past

Chapter Two

"Hey, Jared." Mina said, flipping through a book she was engrossed in.
He smiled and ruffled her brown hair.

"How's my favorite birthday girl?" He waved at small Charlie, her brother, who smiled back at him. 

"I'm so angry!" Mina slammed the book shut and rolled on her back, covering her eyes.
Jared rolled his eyes. 

"What's up, Mina?" He plopped down next to her on the couch. He saw the tip of her nose turn red like it always did when she was about to cry. 

"Dad hasn't been home in days. He missed my party last night and he's going to miss birthday dinner tonight ... " Mina sniffled and wiped at her eyes. "I just miss him. It feels like he doesn't care." Charlie noticed his sister's crying and waddled over. He hugged her leg. Jared felt a surge of emotion charge through him. He loved these kids. 

"Don't worry, kid. Your dad cares. He loves you guys more than anything. My dad, he never cared about my birthdays. We didn't have birthday parties or dinners or anything. "
"Really? That's awful!" Mina turned her doe eyes onto him and Jared's insides melted. "Were they ... were they mean to you, Jared?"

 "Jared?" Her voice called out to him again. 

He rubbed his face and sighed. "They were just doing the best that they could. I wasn't such a good kid, after all."

"Oh, I believe that. You were probably the worst," Mina giggled. Jared was grateful that she had stopped crying. He had to keep searching for James like he had been doing the past few days, but he knew that the Grimm family would be worried. Jared just needed to know that Mina was okay. 

••••••

It was raining. Jared couldn't tell if it was rain on her face or if she was crying. Probably both.
James was dead. Sara was inconsolable. Charlie still wasn't speaking. But Mina, she was the worst. Her usually happy and sarcastic self was now depressed and silent. She hadn't spoken to Jared all week. He missed her.

The whole family blamed him for James' death. He knew that they did. How could they not? He had told them that he couldn't protect both of them. When it came between Mina and James, he had his orders. Mina always came first. That was always what James would tell him. That thought made Jared's heart constrict. His eyes began to water. He wiped at them in surprise.

"Jared?" Her voice rang in his ears.

"Yeah, kid?" His voice sounded strange.

"Don't be sad. It's okay," Mina laughed bitterly. "Well, it's not okay. It's the exact opposite, but the point is -" Mina's voice cracked and she took a deep breath."But it's not your fault. I don't blame you. I know you tried to save him." She squeezed his hand, and he stiffened. "I love you, you know, Jared. You're my best friend." Mina whispered.

Jared looked down at the girl beside him, dressed in black with her beautiful brown hair swept up. Through the years Mina had become so strangely familiar looking to him. He couldn't quite recall where from though. Her features tugged at his heart. It was an odd feeling. Different than it had ever been. 

He shook it off and hugged her tightly.

"Don't worry, Mina. I'll protect you." He let his tears flow freely, not only because of James' death, but for the inevitable future of his Little Grimm.

•••••••

"Jared! Help me!" Mina screamed as she sprinted away from the barbaric men chasing after her. Jared appeared next to her and scowled. He had been trying to keep away from the little Grimm as much as possible lately. Seeing her made him confused. Ever since she started dating Brody, things had become weird. Jared could feel her fear though, a fear that she hadn't felt in years. He knew he had to help her.