Soulmates and Exceptions #Wattys2016

Bonus #3: Words of Warning

A/N: This is the argument between Jackson and Spencer that's referred to when Jackson is chasing Brea after "The Talk." It takes place the night before "The Talk."

     Jackson made his way back to his room as his stomach tied itself into knots. His brother and Brea were going to kill him – there was no doubt in his mind. He pushed his bedroom door open and was greeted by Spencer. "Get out of my room Spence."

     "Not until you tell me why you were out with Brea." Spencer demanded of his older sibling.

     "Why do you care?" Jackson looked away, pretending to be occupied with a book on his desk.

     "Because she's..." Spencer paused, re-thinking his next statement. "Because you said that you weren't allowed. Not without someone else with you." He studied his brother's actions carefully. "I don't blame the parents for keeping you from being alone with Brea. You seem pretty convinced that she's your match."

     Jackson whipped his head towards his brother. "I told you to stop reading my journal!"

     "You leave Brea alone. It looks like you listen as well as I do." Spencer hissed back.

     "Why? Why do my feelings for Brea bother you that much?" He glared at Spencer. "It's not like I ever acted out on them." Spencer snapped his mouth shut. "Yeah, I know all about your kiss with Brea."

     "She kissed me Jacks!"

     "And you kissed her back."

     Spencer bit his lip. "What's it to you? It's not like we can get our marks or anything."

"You don't even want to get matched. Why are you leading her on like that?" Jackson asked, genuinely wanting an answer. "You know you're just going to hurt her."

     "I don't want to be matched and I'm not leading her on!" Spencer slowly realized what else his brother had just told him. "I would never hurt Brea! Why would you say that I would?"

     "Because she thinks you're her..." Jackson ran his hands over his eyes and through his hair. "Never mind."

     "She thinks I'm her what? Her match?" Spencer laughed coldly.

     "It's not funny!" Jackson shot back.

     Spencer crossed his arms across his chest. "It's funny that you'd think that after all the crap we've gone through, that you'd think either one of us could be matched to the one girl that talks to us."

     "I know you felt something when you kissed her."

     Spencer walked to the door. "Shut up. And while you're at it, leave Brea alone." He stormed into his room.

     "If you don't want to be matched, then you shouldn't care if Brea gets matched – maybe she'll be mine."

     Spencer flew back to his brother and slammed him against the wall. "You leave Brea alone! I know she's mine! Do you understand?"

     Jackson shoved his brother away from him. "You don't want to be matched, but say that Brea's yours? Isn't that a bit selfish? You know, keeping Brea from finding happiness and dragging her down in your misery?"

     "Shut up Jackson! Just leave her alone!" He stormed back to his room, turning his head to issue a final warning to his brother. "If you breathe a word of this to Brea, I'll tell her about the picture of her you keep under your pillow." He slammed his door shut.

     Jackson gulped. He wasn't sure which he was more afraid of: Spencer and Brea finding out that they were getting "The Talk" tomorrow because of him, or Spencer possibly telling Brea about his hidden picture of her.