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Chapter Thirty-Four - Maybe It's Worth It

Days go by, going to school, going home, to the empty house, and the boys don't talk to me. I think my not making any contact after the party, made them really think I didn't want to be around them. I mean they did technically rescue me from a what would have been a seriously bad decision. 

I'm walking to lunch in my usual daze, when hands grab me and pull me into a room. I can't see who it is at first but then I'm looking up into sky blue eyes. It's Jace.

"I know what you said, but I just have to say my piece. You can go on about your life as soon as I'm done. Just give me five minutes." He looks tense and I press my lips together, nodding silently. This is the least I owe him, after saying those things last week and not thanking any of them after they helped me at the party.

"I didn't mean to make you feel pressured to tell me anything. I was just worried about you. I care about you. But you were right, it's your life. I don't need to know every little secret you have. I just, all of us just, want to go back to being friends. Hanging out, messing around. You don't have to talk about anything you don't want to. But if you ever did want to talk know that we will always be there to listen. Honestly I don't understand how this has all happened, we were all fine and now suddenly its like we are strangers and I hate it." His breath has quickened, as he rushes to get it all out.

My brows are high and I don't know what to say to his outburst. He cares about me? I'm about to speak but then he shakes his head.

"That what I wanted to say. Balls in your court. I just want to go back to what we used to be like."

The rest of the day I'm left in a sort of daze, not really sure how to do respond, not that Jace really gave me a chance to at the time.

When I get home I make something quick and stew things over in front of the TV, chewing and swallowing, but not tasting. I head up to my room and lay flat on my back. My brain isn't working properly. I know what I want, but it scares me.

I sit up swiftly and go to stare out of my window and can see Jace through his. He's dancing, fully committed to the moves; head banging, hips thrusting, arms out wide. I completely forget all the whys and how's and all of that and I continue to watch the little show, laughing lightly. It's a real laugh and that fact alone almost makes me loose it.

He turns to the window and sees me staring, he freezes. I can see his beet red face even from all the way over in my room.

After a second he wiggles his hips, exaggeratedly, and then poses for me, pouting his lips. I grin wildly and shake my head at his antics. I've missed this, really I have. Its not even the way he acts its everything he makes me feel. I realise then that it's all good things when it comes to Jace and the other boys.

He puts his finger up, indicating for me to wait. Then disappears before returning with a familiar pad. He writes and then lifts it up for me.

FRIENDS?

Do I want to go back to spending time with the boys?

Yes.

He did say he wouldn't try to dig. I couldn't think of any reason to say no.

I lift my hand mimicking our first conversation and give him a thumbs-up and a shy smile.

He turns and sprints out of his room and I'm left wondering where he's gone. I wait for him to come back but he doesn't. I wait, and I wait.

Was it all a prank, or something? Getting back at me for being so weird.

Arms wrap around me from behind pulling me into a hug. I yelp, shocked by the touch.

Jace's laughter lets me know it's him. I turn to face him and the smile he gives me makes any second guesses about this disappear. Having the boys in my life cant be anything but good. A flitting worry about the short kiss with Nate and Deacons weird attitude comes to me, but I'll deal with that when it comes.

Right now I just want to enjoy reconnecting with Jace, here and now.

"Want to play some Xbox?" He asks, wiggling his eyes in competitiveness.

Now? Already?

I falter at his eagerness but then play it off by rolling my eyes and follow him as we head over to the tree house. I'm kind of surprised at how easily we are sinking back into this. It all kind of just happened, so naturally, too fast. I need to be careful. I want to start being around the boys again, but I still need to try and keep a distance between us. 

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THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN! WOOOOOO BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN!!!

#TEAMJACE??

OH AND PS. I AM EXCITED FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER.... OH I WANT YOU TO READ IT NOW.... OH YEAH I DO...