An American Werewolf in London.

Chapter Twenty-Five

--JACKSON--

Oh God. This couldn't be happening. Was he really staring at Ellie and Lydia? Were they both really together right now? He rubbed his eyes, taking in a deep breath. Sure enough, the two girls were still standing in front of him as his eyes opened once again."I-uh.."He trailed off, clearing his throat as he shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. What was he supposed to say? Who was he supposed to address first? He had never had this problem before.

"Well, aren't you going to say something?"Lydia piped up, taking a step towards him. Jackson's eyebrows furrowed together as he looked down at her, then at Ellie. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her eyes narrowed at him. Jackson grabbed the two pairs of skates from the counter, stepping straight past Lydia to Ellie's side."Here babe, Lindsay grabbed these for us while you were in the bathroom."He told her, smiling as she did the same."Thank you, love."She said sweetly, her hand slipping into his. Lydia let out a huff, her hands rested on her hips."What the hell, Jackson? Are you not even going to talk to me?"She questioned. Jackson clinched his jaw, staring down at her."I've got nothing to say, Lydia."He responded, leaving with that. 

Jackson led Ellie into the skating rink, taking a seat on the bleachers. Both of them swapped their shoes for the skates, not talking until they were all laced up. Ellie leaned over, kissing Jackson slowly."Let's have some fun."She said happily, standing up and pulling Jackson with her. He laughed, following her out onto the ice.

"I haven't done this in years, so don't laugh at me if I fall, okay?"Jackson warned. Ellie giggled, putting Jackson to the right of her."There ya go. You can hold onto my hand with your left one, and the bar with your right one."She teased, beginning to glide slowly, with small strides. Jackson did his best, trying not to slip. He didn't want to embaress himself, especially in front of Ellie.

After about fifteen minutes, he was feeling confident. He removed his hand from the bar, now only holding onto Ellie's hand. He looked over at her, taking in a deep breath."I think I'm ready.."He told her, squeezing her hand gently. Ellie grinned, nodding once as she began advancing towards the middle of the rink with the rest of the crowd. Their strides prgoressed, going longer and smoother. Jackson was impressed with himself."You know, I think i'm starting to get the han-"Just as Jackson was complementing himself, he slipped, landing straight on his back. Without even meaning to, he pulled Ellie down with him. After a few seconds, both of them bursted out in laughter. Ellie rolled over on her side, now facing Jackson, her arm resting on his face."I don't think skatin' is your cup of tea. But as long as you're happy, I'm happy."She said softly, kissing his cheek before pushing herself back up. Jackson put his hand up, allowing Ellie to pull him up too.

As Jackson stood up, he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He pulled it out, looking at the screen. On the screen, an unread text from Lydia awaited him. He opened it, biting the inside of his cheek.

'Come talk to me, without her.'

Jackson helf the phone tight in his hand, snapping back to reality when Ellie placed her hand on his shoulder."Is everything okay?"She questioned, concerned. Jackson nodded, hitting the lock button on his phone."Yeah, babe. Everything is fine. It was mom, she wanted me to call her. I'm going to go out here so I can hear. I'll be right back, promise."He assured her, kissing her cheek before heading towards the exit.

--ELLIE--

Ellie let out a silent sigh as Jackson walked out the door. It wasn't him that she didn't trust, it was Lydia. When they had been in the lobby, Ellie felt a odd vibe coming from that girl. It was obvious that she still had feelings for Jackson. But Jackson ignored her, which pleased Ellie. She was the jealous type, that was made obivous the night when everyone had went to the club.

After skating around for a few moments, Ellie decided she needed a drink. She made her way into the lobby, heading towards Lindsay who was standing behind the counter. It was as if she were staring at someone."Whatcha starin' at?" Ellie stood infront of the girl, turning to see if she could spot what might be so interesting. In the photobooth sat a girl and boy who appeared to be seventeen. They looked basically perfect together. The girl had medium length hair, though her skin was fare. The boy had a crooked jawline, his tan skin matching his brown eyes and hair.

"What am I staring at?"Lindsay repeated, not looking away from the couple."Only perfection. I mean, c'mon! How is it even possible to look like that? Look at those dimples!"She chirped, throwing her hands up in the air. Ellie couldn't help but laugh at the girl."Well they do look cute. But I didn't come out here to stare at people. I was wonderin' if I could get a water?"Ellie asked, pulling two dollars from her pocket. Lindsay nodded, breaking her stare to grab Ellie's water. By the time she turned back around, the couple had made their way into the rink.

Ellie traded the money for the water, leaning up against the counter as she took a drink."So who were those kids anyway?"She asked, sitting the bottle down. Lindsay got settled on her stool, looking over at Ellie."Scott McCall and Allison Argent. I'm surpised Jackson hasn't mentioned them to you, they were friends. Well, he and Allison were. Scott was-"Before Lindsay could finish her sentence, Ellie interrupted."on the lacrosse team. I know who they are now. Jackson told me about them, I'd just never seen a picture."

Lindsay nodded slowly, sitting her iPhone down on the counter. Ellie looked at the lockscreen before it went black, seeing a picture of Allison as the background."Uhm, was that a picture of Allison?"She asked, a little shocked. What was this girl, some kind of stalker? Lindsay quickly shook her head, flipping the phone over."What? No. No, it was uhm, it was-"The girl stopped talking, looking towards the entrance."Wait, why didn't you leave with Jackson?"She asked. 

Ellie stood up straight, gripping on to the water bottle."What? Jackson left?"She questioned, her anger rising."Lydia went out a few minutes before and-"Lindsay placed her hand over her mouth, stopping herself before she revealed anything else to Ellie. Ellie clinched her teeth together, unlacing the skates that were on her feet."Dammit, why must I tell everything I see?"Lindsay mumbled under her breath. Ellie slammed the skates onto the counter, heading out into the winter cold without her shoes. From the alley, she heard a familiar voice. 

--JACKSON--

Lying to Ellie was the last thing that he wanted to do, but he needed to get his point across to Lydia that they were over and there was nothing she could do to change his mind. As he made his way outside he walked around, trying to find Lydia. With his back turned to the alley, he felt someone pull him into the darkness. To no surprise, Lydia was standing only inches away from him.

"London has done you well."Lydia mumbled, pressing her lips against Jackson. Feeling her lips against his, it was different than before. It was almost as if nothing were there. There were no sparks, nothing. With Ellie, it was completely different. You could basically feel the love.

 Jackson grabbed Lydia by the shoulders, pulling her away from him. She let out a loud sigh, shaking her head."What's your problem, Jackson?"She questioned, her hands running up his arms. Clinching his jaw, he backed away from her.

"You, Lydia. You're my problem. You have always been my problem and I'm pretty sure you always will be my problem. I'm done with you, I thought I made that obvious."Jackson growled, his old self showing. As he looked into Lydia's eyes, he could see tears forming."Why do you even care? You had sex with someone before I was even out of the damn state! I saw it, you can't act like it didn't happen, but I know it did! At first, I was hurt. Maybe that's why I was looking for someone to hook up with while I was in London. But Ellie is like an addiction to me. I can't live without her."

Lydia took in a deep breath, her arms crossed over her chest."What do you even see in her, Jackson?"Lydia questioned, her back rested against the building.

"Her name is Ellie. And I see everything in her. I see someone who cares about others and isn't self centered. She's not the most popular, she doesn't have all of the best clothes, she isn't rich. She has her flaws which make her imperfect. But that's what makes her perfect to me, Lydia. I see the girl that.."Jackson trailed off, taking in a long breath."I see the girl that I want to spend the rest of my life with. The person I want to have a family with and grow old together. I see the woman I love."

By the time Jackson had finished his explenation to Lydia, she was in tears. She wiped her eyes, looking up into his."That can't be true. You love me. I'm perfect for you, Jackson. You have to still.."She was practically in shock."Do you still?"