Half-Hearted

Chapter 7: Painful Thoughts

The next morning, Jacqueline woke up next to Adam, curled up in his bed. His arm was around her and he smiled when he realized that Jacqueline was awake.

"Hey. You're up."

"Hey. Last night was great."

"Yeah it was. And the best part is, it's Saturday. We can do this all day."

"Don't you think your parents heard us?"

"No, but they will still be sleeping. Go grab your clothes. I'll drive you home."

"Okay." They kissed one last time before they got up.

As Adam stopped his car in her driveway, she realized that both her parents' cars were gone. She said goodbye to Adam and continued to walk further into her house. Without a second thought, she made her way to Dylan's room to see if he was up. "Dylan?"

No answer.

"Dylan? Are you up yet?" Jacqueline said while knocking gently on his door.

Still no answer.

Jacqueline slowly and quietly pushed his door open, just enough for her to get a glimpse of his room. After not seeing him in her peripheral vision, she lightly swung the door wide open. Her eyes scanned the room, up and down, left and right. There was no sign of him, just his bed, unmade in the corner of the room. Jacqueline was paralyzed at the fact that Dylan wasn't in his room. Despite him being 8 years younger, Dylan was a little protective over Jacqueline, and would do anything to let her have what she wanted, especially that night 2 years ago.

"No, he can't be gone."

Jacqueline started to mentally break down when an image of 6-year-old Dylan covered in blood and cuts popped into her head.

A cold shiver ran down her spine and Jacqueline's skin breaks out in goosebumps at even the thought of that night. He could be anywhere at this point. Jacqueline finally came to her senses.

She darted out of the house towards Thomas' house. Jacqueline stops abruptly as she hears whispers coming from Thomas' house. She inched closer until she hears every word loud and clear. The closer she got towards the voices, the more she was convinced that it was Thomas and Dylan's voices. A sigh of relief escaped past Jacqueline's lips at the realization that Dylan was with Thomas.

"What do you mean she hasn't been home?" questioned Thomas

"The past 2 nights she hasn't been home, she is usually home by 4 pm unless she has band or art club."

"Well, maybe she joined something or just needs to stay back in school for like a group project or something?"

"If she did she would tell me that she is staying back later, and not make me live with those 2 demons who raised me until 3 am."

"Wait, 3 in the morning? Why are you even awake? You're 8! You should be asleep unless you are living on the other side of the world."

"That doesn't matter! She has been coming home really late at night or really early in the morning and I have no freaking clue what she is doing."

"Okay, okay, I'll ask her about it."

"How?"

"Not quite sure, but I'll give you an update... unless you are too young."

"She's my sister, I don't want her to get hurt by some guy at school playing her."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of her, I promise."

Jacqueline felt her heart sink into her stomach at what she just heard. She never knew she hurt Dylan so much by being away from him. Without warning, the door to Thomas' house swung open as Jacqueline took a step back in case the door hit her face or something. Dylan stopped in his tracks and slowly turned his head towards his sister, making eye-contact with her.

"What did you need Thomas for?" Jacqueline asked out of curiosity.

"Oh, um, just some math homework. Didn't understand a question. Where were you last night?"

"Uh, at this guy called Adam's house. We are kind of a thing now."

"Okay." was his response. "You coming back soon?"

"Yeah, of course."

Dylan nodded his head and bowed it as he walked back home, hands in his hoodie pockets. Jacqueline watched as he entered in and closed the door behind him. She rotated her head towards Thomas' door and saw him leaning against the door frame.

"You should have lunch with Adam and I tomorrow. Riverdall Square, food court."

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

Jacqueline smiled back at Thomas and lightly jogged back to her house.