The Four Seasons

Five

Pic of Zeke --->

A

Damn it. Just... damn it. I had been inches from her face when Wes had come in. I mean, those cupcakes had been freaking amazing, but not as amazing as I think that kissing Jack would have been.

Also, it had been really dumb of me to agree to that bet. Jack was amazing. She had survived everything that happened with the Querto's. I had no doubt in my mind that she would be strong enough to be up and walking within the next five days, but I also wasn't able to bring myself to admit that she could. I did have my pride after all.... which would be totally crushed when she won. The guys were never going to let me live this one down.

Damn it.

* * *

J

Over the next few days, I spent every free moment I had distracting myself from thinking about the Querto's and my dad by working on moving. The first day, after much struggling, cursing and a lot of pain which I stupidly forced myself to push through, I was only able to sit up, but then by the third day I was able to sit up completely and swing my legs over the side of the bed. Now, as I sat on the edge of my bad, I was determined that I was going to stand up today. I pulled the crutches closer to me and took a deep breath.

"What are you doing?" a voice asked, startling me.

I jumped and the crutches clattered to the floor.

"I was going to try walking" I explained, trying- and failing- to bend down and pick up my crutches.

Eli, the owner of the voice, came over and picked up the crutches, frowning, "aren't you going to hurt yourself?"

I took the crutches from him, "honestly, I survived being stabbed; I don't think taking a few little steps will hurt me."

Though I was trying to be funny, and thought I was doing a pretty good job if I do say so myself, Eli apparently didn't think so. His frown deepened and he folded his arms grumpily across his chest.

"Fine, if you're so set on killing yourself then by all means, go ahead" he grumbled.

I took another deep breath and then, using my crutches, pushed myself up off of my bed. Pain shot across my ribs but I ignored it. It wasn't nearly as bad as it used to be. I slowly began moving around the room.

"Holy hell. I hate to admit it, but you're a freaking tank" Eli said, only allowing himself vaguely impressed.

I gave him a half smile, half wince.

"Thanks" I grunted, taking another step, "By the way, would you go get Alex for me? I need to rub this in his face and tell him he was wrong."

Eli let out a small chuckle but it was immediately replaced with an angry frown, "damn it! Stop making me start to like you. Zeke doesn't trust you and neither should I. Alex will be here soon."

With that, he turned and left. Honestly, there was just no winning with Zeke or the cousins was there? I crutched around the room a bit more before stopping to check my stitches. They seemed fine to me and I knew from experience what it felt like when they burst so...

"Oh shit" a voice muttered.

I whipped around- in that slow awkward way people do when they're on crutches- and grinned, "I told you so. It's going to be bloody annoying to walk around with these clunky crutches, but I will be going to school tomorrow. You might want to spread the news."

Alex gave me a pouty frown, looking like a five year old, "are you sure you'll be okay? I don't want you to hurt yourself..."

"Sorry Alex, but I am definitely going and there is nothing that can stop me" I shrugged, giving him a defiant look.

* * *

"No" Zeke stated, "absolutely not."

I sighed and crutched forward, being careful on the slippery kitchen tiles. It had been so strange leaving my room and exploring the rest of the the house. Alex had insisted that I go with him to break the news because he was afraid how his brothers might react and wanted a witness if anything happened. His words, not mine. The rest of the house was surprisingly spotless; it was hard to believe a group of guys lived here.

"Why not?" I asked.

Zeke glared at me, "you're being chased by a gang! Going to a public high school would be a suicide mission! Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

I rolled my eyes- again, "no Zeke, if I wanted to commit suicide, I'd just climb up your ego and then jump down to your IQ."

A chorus of 'ooohs' rang out through the kitchen and Wes let out a loud, cheerful laugh.

"I'm sorry Zeke- "Zach started, chuckling.

"-but she's making it really hard to not like her" Chase finished, nearly choking on his own laughter.

"You can't go" Zeke insisted, ignoring the laughter.

I met his glare with a calm stare.

"How about this" I suggested, "if all of the guys who are the right age for it agree to go to school with me and keep me safe, then I get to go, but if not, I never bring it up again?"

Zeke's glare wavered, "I..."

"Oh come on Zeke! That is a plenty reasonable deal" Cassidy reasoned.

Zeke sighed, "fine, Zech? Chase? You guys in?"

they gave him identical guilty smiles, "sorry Zeke, but we're in."

Zeke pursed him lips, "Cassidy? Alex?"

"Of course" Cassidy nodded.

Alex flashed me a half smile, "a deal's a deal so yeah."

Finally, Zeke turned to Eli, "E?"

Eli looked back and forth between Zeke and I, seeming unsure, I could tell he was afraid to go against Zeke. After a long pause, he slowly turned to Zeke.

"Sorry Z" he whispered.

"Fine" Zeke snapped, "just bloody well fine. Have fun in hell school."

After he stormed out- which I was beginning to think was his signature move- I turned to the guys, "thank you guys."

I was met with a room full of smiles- though some unsure- in return.

We let out a chuckle, "awe, we're all getting along! Well, you guys have fun in school! Thank god I already graduated!"

I let out a laugh and then a thought occurred to me, "so what, have you guys never actually gone to school? Why is it such a big deal that you go now?"

Alex smirked, "of course we go to school, it's just that we only go often enough to pass. I do't think I've ever gone to the first day before."

"Oh... right" I shook my head, smiling, "well, we're all going to need some school supplies."

"Oh yeah!" the twins replied.

"Wes and I can go out and grab some. Besides, I wanted to go out and talk to our info guy to see if he knew any more about whether or not the Querto's were planning to attack any time soon" Cassidy suggested.

"You guys have an info guy?" I asked.

"Of course we do" Alex replied cooly, giving me a smirk, "welcome to gang life."

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