We reached the destination a minute ago.
I just don't know where I am. Yeah, yeah, some secret base. But... Where? It is a secret base, though... It probably isn't on any charts or maps.
I follow Izzy off the bus with my duffle bag in hand, and James following me. When I get off the bus, I thank the driver and wait for instructions.
The second James steps off, the bus speeds away.
"Okay." James says, taking the lead, "just follow me and look like normal teenagers. Normal teenagers wearing work out clothes with big duffle bags and worry stricken faces..."
We all followed James into the small gas station. This is the secret base? I know it's not supposed to be obvious, but really?
We get inside and stand at the counter. The cashier is young with sandy blonde ruffled hair and ice blue eyes.
When he sees James he stands up and smiles, "hey, man." He says happily, "how are you? How's the old man?"
"He's missing." James says with a straight face.
"Missing?" The cashier questions, looking over James shoulder he tilts an invisible hat, "hello, ladies"
They all roll their eyes, and I'm trying to place the cashier's face.
When he looks back at James, he has a serious face, "did they find you?"
James nods, "yeah. We have the priority. Has to stay safe."
The cashier nods, and his eyes fall on me for a second.
And BAM. It hits me.
"Jackson." James says, "it's real this time."
My eyes widen in realization and I look at the floor, hoping he doesn't recognize me. After all, it has been three or four years.
Jackson nods and furrows his eyebrows, "follow." Is the only word he says before standing up and walking to the back of the small gas station.
Follow? On what? Twitter? Instagram? Face- Ohhh. I get it.
I follow everyone as we walk through the 'employees only' door by the bathrooms. He leads us down a few stairs into an open room with bunk beds in it.
The room isn't that big. It has enough beds, but there are no windows or good sources of light. There's a door in the far end which Jackson says is the training room.
After James thanks him, we all call dibs on the beds. I get a bottom bunk. Good.
The bottom bunks are better because if you roll out, you don't break your face, and you can easily get in and out.
"The hotel was better..." Amy complains, "I understand we had to leave, but... Ugh."
"Yeah..." Lily sighs, "but... Meh."
"Jackson is pretty hot though." Izzy smirks dreamily.
James spits out the water he'd snagged and shakes his head as he wipes his mouth. "No." He finally says.
Izzy laughs and sits on her bed. Everyone else sits down too, and eventually as the night gets old, lays down to sleep.
I didn't, of course.
I lay on my bed playing with a golf ball I randomly found in my duffle bag. I decide I have to pee, so I sit up and walk upstairs to the door. I open it as quietly as possible and slip out.
I'm about to open the bathroom door, when I see Jackson sitting boredly behind the counter reading a book.
I don't have to pee anymore.
What? NO. I DID NOT WET MYSELF. I never really had to go.
I'm light on my feet walking over to the counter.
"It's 2am." Jackson says, not looking up, "you should be sleeping. Unless you want some'a-" he looks up and stops talking. "Liz." He says slightly startled.
"Hey..." I mumble, "how've you been?"
"Good." Jackson says, a little dazed, but he snaps out of it. He gets his usual mischievous look in his eye and a small smirk, "you?"
"Pretty good." I answer with a small smile.
"Um..." Jackson clears his throat and awkwardly stands up, "I'm still really sorry about 8th grade... And the years to follow."
"It's fine." I say calmly, "you were there for me when I needed you, and gone when I didn't anymore... Like Mary Poppins."
Jackson smiles sadly, "but I shoulda been there the whole time."
"It's fine." I assure him, "you had to... Express your feelings. And you did. I was extremely scared and I didn't know what to do. I'd never been kissed before."
"Have you been kissed since?" Jackson asks, before biting his lip.
My heart rate slightly picks up, "why?" I ask knowing the answer.
Jackson leans over the counter towards me. Our faces are only inches apart.
"I wanna do this." He says leaning closer.
"Yo, Jackson." A voice comes from behind so I jump back. James is standing there with furrowed eyebrows, "wanna explain why the Pringles are past the due date?"
"Dude, I can explai-" Jackson starts to say.
"By three whole months?"
"Man, I'm sorry." Jackson says, "the next order didn't come in."
"Excuses, excuses." James says folding his arms, "I want a refund."
"You didn't even pay for that!" Jackson hisses.
James unfolds his arms with a blank expression, "right. Heh heh."
"Well you get what you paid for." Jackson folds his arms.
"Carry on." James says, eating a Pringle and walking away.
Jackson turns back to me, "where were we?"
I smirk, "I was just leaving."
Without further adieu, I turned and leave.
Laughing evilly in my mind, evil expression plastered on my face, I went back to my bed to get some sleep.
***
My uncle was never the same again. He loved Lisa, and I could tell she was his whole life. After the funeral, he turned to my with tears in his eyes and said, "You remind me of her."
"Don't leave like Dad." I whimpered, "please don't leave me."
Ben hugged me, "don't worry, hun." He said, "I'll never leave you."
And he didn't.
***
--&----
AN: Yes. That & sign is supposed to be there.
Hey guys! Thanks for reading this far in the book! Means a lot to me. I'm so sorry for that crappy flash back and the short chapter.
I don't like their new situation/location... We'll change that... HEHEHE
