The Treehouse Club {On Hold}

Chapter Nine // Jacob

JACOB

For the second night in a row I find myself headed for the treehouse in search of serenity. The fighting was particularly bad today, and Danny came home stoned, so I didn't stick around for long. My blanket and I were out the door before it was even 12 o'clock.

My journey into the trees went by faster today too, despite the pain that tore through my body with every step. Before I can blink I find myself in front of the creaky old box, which appears to be... swaying? Hmm, that's odd. Must be the wind; hopefully it won't disrupt my slumber, for that would really defeat the entire purpose of coming.

Nevertheless, I grab the old rope ladder and pull my self up. Gripping the edge of the doorway, I peek my head up and instantly regret it. It appears that the shaking wasn't from the wind after all; instead I seem to have interrupted something else entirely. I should just leave before they see me, no need to disrupt young love.

Whoops. Too late.

The girls head turns from their heated kiss for only a second, but its enough to catch a glimpse of me. She screeches and I start, losing my grip on the edge of the treehouse and falling onto the floor below.

Ow.

Ok maybe I deserved that, I did startle her after all, but how was I supposed to know that I was gonna walk in on a make out session? Thank God it wasn't anything more, or I think I might have puked.

Man what does a guy have to do to get some sleep around here?

I groan and pick myself up off the floor. The boy and girl I interrupted are both sticking their heads out of the small doorway, watching me.

"Sorry 'bout that," I manage, "Didn't realize I was gonna step in on something."

"No, I'm sorry," the girl responds with a shy smile, "I didn't mean to startle you, you just surprised me."

She looks almost familiar, kinda like I've seen her before, but I can't place where. The boy I know. Hard not to know Johnny Bakerman in this town. His dad made sure of that.

He's scowling at me now though, probably because of my accidental interference with him and his girlfriend here.

"I'm Jess," the said-girl introduces kindly.

"Jacob." I respond with a nod.

We stand there in awkward silence for a moment before Jess elbows Johnny hard in the stomach. He isn't even fazed; he just directs his glare at her, which is fine by me. He was starting to make me uncomfortable.

They seem to be having a silent conversation in front of me, with small hand gestures and slight head shakes. Finally Johnny huffs and turns to me.

"What are you doing out here kid?" He asks.

I frown at him. "First of all, I'm almost your age. We've been in the same school since kindergarden." I wait for a reaction and receive only a scowl. "Second, I kind of sleep here. But I can see that the space is rented out for the night, so no worries, I'll head out."

It's not really a problem. I'd rather sleep at home then with two kids high on hormones.

"Oh God no! Please don't go. You can stay here, really. Johnny and I were just leaving." Jess grabs my arm as I go to walk away.

I raise an eyebrow. "Right. I could see that."

"Seriously." She lowers her voice, whispering the next part to me, "I'm sorry about what you saw. It wasn't supposed to happen, I just got a little carried away."

I can sense the underlying threat in her tone.

"Don't worry," I smile, "You're secret's safe with me."

She visibly sags with relief. It must mean a hell of a lot to her that this doesn't get out. It's not like I've got anyone to tell anyway.

"C'mon in Jacob. We'll leave in a while, but I only get let out for a couple hours, and I'm not quite ready to go home."

She grabs a still-scowling Johnny by his ear as she passes him, dragging him behind her as they climb up into the treehouse.

I consider making a break for it once they both disappear inside, because honestly, I wasn't planning on spending my night hanging out with a delinquent who obviously doesn't like me and a girl that I swear I've seen before, but I just can't place.

But before I can do any thing Jess pops her head back out of the doorway.

"You comin' or what? Promise we won't make out again."

She gave me an innocent smile, sending me into hysterics. Still laughing, I followed her into the treehouse.

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Once I get inside, Johnny is already seated against the wall opposite the mattress, right under the window. Jess goes over to sit next to him, leaving me to set up on the measly bed.

We just sit there for a while, Johnny glaring at me and Jess playing with her fingers. I wish they would leave, I'm aching from Ronnie's beat down earlier and I really want to sleep, but I understand that they have no where else to be. I mean, that's why I'm here.

"So Jacob," Jess says, breaking the awkward silence, "I've got one question."

Oh man. Please don't ask about why I sleep here. Or about my family. Or about why my face is all beat up. Or about school. Or about anything, really.

I cough slightly. "Yeah?"

She looks me dead in the eye and asks the question that will end up changing the course of my life.

"Marvel or DC?"