Nace {WATTY'S 2017}

Sixteen. Nemmi.

Theres a sense of comfort in knowing

Senior Year.

There was nothing more comforting than a cup of cocoa, crying and watching re runs of 'How I met your mother' on television with Jackie as I tried to sum up in words what my brain was thinking and my heart was feeling. "I hate crying like this, I look so disgusting." I laughed, coughing out another cry. "Well this is what you get for trying to have the world on your shoulders. Trying to support Noah while also trying to hide what you feel its--its a lot." Jackie said as she drew me into a hug. "I know you can do it Nem, but don't beat yourself up over it. Noah is going through family stuff as of late, plus this whole coming out thing. He feels like his whole world is falling apart and he can't control it." She said while stroking my shoulders. "Jackie, how do you know that?" I asked, sitting up. "I uh--I watch a lot of TV y'know with all the crap there saying I might as well be a therapist." She said laughing nervously. "You've been spending a lot of time out of the condo. Who are you with?" I asked. "Ace." She whispered. 

"What? Jackie you can't get your feelings mixed up with this guy. He's gay and he's so...different from you." I said moving my body to face her. "Oh your one to talk about getting feelings mixed up, huh? He's more like me than you think. If you just get to know him--" She began. "No thanks." I interrupted. "I want to be happy for you J, I really do. But I don't want to see you get hurt. Just watch yourself around this guy. I don't know him well enough to hate him, but I have my reasons not to like him very much." I said with a sincere look on my face. Ace and Jackie being together could be almost the worst thing that has happened this year. "We're not dating or anything. Just friends. Don't tell Noah, I know that's what your thinking. Just tolerate him, for me, please?" Jackie asked sweetly. I nodded to say yes. 

"This is a sad way to spend a Thursday night, huh?" I coughed. "How was your date on Monday with Dan? You never told me about it?" Jackie asked. I caught her up n the details of the evening. "Well, why don't you talk to him? You guys seem to really hit it off. You need this Nem, just a little get away." She said smiling at me. "Noah has you. Ace has me. I think you deserve a win." She smile. "I don't think its fair for me to drag him into my awful life anyway, Its just not right." I said getting up and walking to my room. "Then don't, just spend time with the guy. He doesn't have to know anything, anything at all." Jackie said as I walked into my room. I guess he didn't. 

*•*•*•*•

I walked into the room expecting no one and what was expected was there. I entered the bathroom and avoided looking into the mirror because I knew that my tear covered face was not what I wanted to see. I washed my face quickly, asking myself what I should do next. Should I text Noah or Dan? Or should I check up on Jackie again? Soon I heard my phone vibrating and I knew a decision had been made on my behalf. I looked at my phone and saw a contact I hadn't expected to see at all, 'Mom.'

"Hey honey. Its been too long honey, why haven't you called home? How are things with Jackie out there? We've been out of town for a while, if you haven't noticed all the noise coming from us. The twins say hi, well, Nyla made a fart noise and Nathaniel sneezed so that's more or less like hello." My mom said cheerfully over the phone. I smiled at the sound of her voice. 

"Everything's fine, we're still living in the house as usual. I'm still wondering why you have to make Klaus baby sit us but anyway--" I laughed, she followed by giggling. "Everything's fine back here, I miss you guys. You should come by." 

"Honey you don't have to invite me to my own house. The twins miss you so much, but I hate driving them around. You and Jackie need to make your way down here." I rolled my eyes. 

"I bet you're rolling your eyes right now. Well how is Jack doing, have you gone to see him?" She asked. Jack, my stepdad.

 "I saw him once when I stopped by the hospital for a quick fix but nothing too serious. I wouldn't know how he is. You should just come home mama then you would find out. Why are you out of town anyway?" I asked.

"Quick fix? Is it Noah again, on that damn motorcycle breaking every bone? You guys are still together? Wow you're invincible." I laughed awkwardly. 

"So why and for how long are you out of town?" I asked, desperately trying to change the subject. 

"We're just out for two more days. I'm trying to expose the twins to our home town more, there visiting all our old neighbors and--" 

"Ma, they're babies. There's no chance they're gonna remember any of this crap." I scoffed.

 "Yeah, well its also for my benefit. I missed home a little bit and I needed some private time with them. I don't like Jack's in laws all over me all the time." She grumbled. I laughed remembering last Christmas' fiasco with the in laws. "I'm sorry mom I--" She interrupted me with a scream. "Nyla just picked up dog poop! Sorry, gotta go!" And so the phone call ended. I laughed hysterically at my baby sisters' foolishness.

I looked outside and noticed that it was getting late and there was no sign of Noah. I checked my phone for a text from him and saw nothing. 

*•*•*•*

Hey, where r u?

I'll be back in 5. Don't worry about it.

Noah...don't play with me. 

I cant promise anything baby. I really can't.😏