Shadowland

Chapter 2 ~ Jason's POV

Hear Hear

Listen clear

the inevitable has come

a separation near

do not fear

I am here

“Esme? Spacing out again?” I ask seeing that she’s not responding to my direct attempt to divert her mind.

“Huh? Oh, yeah, sorry Jace” she says unfocused. “I thought I heard something...”

“Huh. You sure your alright?” I ask truly worried about her. I do care about her, for real. She stares off into space again looking nervous. She’s been doing that lately; honestly it freaks me out; I don’t know what to do to help her. She denies that there IS a problem even though I can obviously see that there’s something really bothering her. “Esme?”

She takes my hands into her and looking desperately at me asks “Sorry, i’m really sorry but I swear I heard something. Please tell me you heard it too....”

When I don’t answer she walks to the window. She turns around but her face is hidden in the shadows. Uncertainly she asks “Jace...why is there a girl in a dress walking out of your door?” Her voice progressively turns angrier. “ Oh my god, there’s a girl walking out of your door. Why is there a girl walking out of your fuckin’ door, Jace?”

‘SHIT’ I think. Suddenly it dawns on me that Arissa’s still over.  Oh my god, what it must look like to Esme...and Arissa’s not even old, she’s only 19. Oh my god, it must look like I'm cheating on her. What the hell was I thinking inviting her over today?? Sibling bonding could have waited; hell, I didn’t even know who she was my sister until a month ago and Esme doesn’t know even now. Ugggh, why didn’t I tell Esme or at least not invite Arissa today?’

“I...I’m...shes my sister Esme...please listen to me before you misjudge the situation.” I plead desperately. She laughs sarcastically, folds her arms and says “You have one chance to make this better. Hell, I might break up with YOU, considering everyone seems to think that YOU wanted to break up with ME.”

“Look, I'm being completely honest. She really is my sister...her name is Arissa. I only found out about her last month. She came down from Denver, CO to quote on quote ‘bond’ with me.” I add a “seriously” looking at the way her face is slowly turning into a look of ‘what a sad excuse’. I don’t know if she believes me so I hesitantly say “you can even ask my parents, if you don’t trust me.” At that sentence I see a silent tear fall from her face. I can see her struggle to maintain a tough demeanor but she gives up the fight and falls down onto the mat and bursts out crying. “I...I...I thought I'd...I'd  almost lost you....” she stutters. Immediately I sit down next to her. I bring her head to my shoulder and attempt to smooth down her hair. “I...they all said...that..that you were going to break up with me..and...and I thought it was true...and ...and that girl...Arissa...I thought you were cheating on me..and..and it hurts Jace...it hurts.”

As I listen to her all I can think is ‘I need to get her to calm down’. “Esme, Esme. It’s alright. Calm down. I’m right here. No need to worry, Ok? I’m still right here.” I say while failing to smooth her curls.

Instead of listening to me she continues on uncertainly “We’ve been together for...for three years...and...and you really couldn’t do that...could you?” At that she looks up at me with her huge dark brown eyes, grabbing my shoulders. I can feel her grip on my shoulder; it sets my nerves on fire. I bring my hands up to her face so that we’re opposite each other and reply “No, I could never. Cross my heart and hope to die.” Finally she starts to calm down and leans her head into my palms.