Fifteen

Chapter 35: Bounce

Jaden tried to pretend that he wasn't a bit shaken that night. Never mind the sweat on his palms. That was just an illusion. He checked his texts again and there were two notifications on an email he rarely checked, both from Travis. Both one-line emails on the variation of the same theme. 'You need to call me back.' Icy dread laced up his spine. He would have to deal with him.

Usually Travis could be put off for months, maybe even a year. But it looked like he wasn't going to fade into the background until Jaden was ready to deal with him this time. He wanted something now. Jaden didn't need this. Not when he was making real friends and about to start school. From the sounds of it, if Jaden tried to ignore him any longer, it would be ugly. He couldn't afford ugly right now.

Growing up, Travis had always been in trouble thanks to their mother not being around. He was five years older, but it was Jaden that took care of them all. When their mother was around, she was so high she didn't even know they were there. Or worse, she was so high she had some guy with her.

Jaden barely suppressed the shudder at the memories. It was best not to think of her. The last time he had seen her, he had been covered in blood and she'd been screaming, "You killed him, you killed him" as he ran from the ramshackle apartment. He was nine years old.

Bile rose in his throat as he thought of one of her guys pawing at him, grabbing for him. It had been safer for Jaden on the streets than in that excuse for a home. That was until Travis started using him as an errand boy and courier for his dealing. Jaden shook his head. He was not going to let his past interfere with his future. He wasn't that same boy and he was going to do everything in his power to make sure things stayed that way.

Daisy was realizing going clean was going to be harder than she thought. The subtle signs of withdrawal were getting to her, but she was determined to beat this. She was going to do this for her brother, for herself and most importantly for their dad.

"How lucky are we?" Stefan interrupted her thoughts as he jogged beside her. "Which part? The fact that this school was obviously designed to cater to the carnal desires of young adults or that we managed to wrangle up 13 people who seem uniquely awesome?" He smiled at the observation. "I'd say both."

"So, have you given up your mission to be Romeo?" JT asked with a hint of annoyance in his tone. "I think you and Aria would make a cute couple," Faye interjected. "Of course you would." JT retorted. "What is that supposed to mean?" JT ran his hand through his hair. "It just means that girls want the lovey-dovey stuff. Most guys don't, but Stefan is a rare breed." Daisy rolled her eyes at the generalization.

JT made stupid choices for sure, but he wasn't a bad guy. There were many instances that day alone that he had been funny and enjoyable. Daisy wondered how long he had hidden behind the tough, cool guy exterior. He reminds me of Jack in a way. Hiding behind the drugs and the parties. Afraid to admit that there might be nothing underneath the surface. Stefan seemed to be able to hold his own when it came to JT. You couldn't be friends for that long and not learn how to defend yourself.

"I'm just saying," JT continued. "The whole one girl, two guys thing is kind of – " Daisy interrupted. "Slutty." JT glanced her way. "That's bullshit and you know it." Faye smiled slyly at Daisy's bravado. She loved a girl who could handle her own.

"If it were a guy – you would be congratulating him. But girls aren't allowed the same freedom to just date around and figure out what they want?" The question was valid and highlighted the double standard in society. They all knew it and even JT had to admit it.

"I'm just saying it's too soon to tie yourself down is all." Stefan laughed without much humor to it. "The day I take relationship advice from you is the day hell freezes over. Unlike you, I don't mind that she might be interested in Caleb. I'm not going to lie and say I like it, but she's not my girlfriend yet. So, it's all fair game I guess." Faye smiled as she wrapped an arm around him. "Yet. You sound sure of yourself." He laughed at his false sense of confidence. "Let's just say I'm hopeful."