It's Complicated 2 ~ Back for more

Just My Luck

After the day I received the ominous letter, which I still didn't know the sender, Kalem, Blake and Jace hadn't let me be alone for even a second. As much as I loved how protective they were, it was actually starting to get very frustrating very quickly. It was to the point that I wanted to run and hide from them if only there wasn't the threat of some unknown, scary person finding me. It had taken me half an hour the first night to convince them not to follow me into my dorm and sleep on the floor of my room. While Kalem was just being a pervert like usual, Jace was entirely serious about it. Thankfully I managed to make an agreement to only leave the dorm if one of them were outside to walk me wherever I was going just so they would drop the idea of sneaking into my room at night.
But even this was starting to cause rumours and ideas to be spread about me and the boys. And I'll tell you now, I was not happy about them.
"For the last time, I am not an undercover doppelgänger princess that switched lives with Jesse Patchent, and Blake and Kalem are also not my bodyguards!" I seethed.
"Well that's boring," the guy pouted.
"I swear to god if you don't scram..."
"Jesse calm down," Jace groaned, holding me back from punching the idiot in the face. "He was just curious!"
"What idiot believes that bullshit?!" I snapped at him as the kid ran away in terror.
"Anyone will believe anything in this world; you know that," Jace sighed. "Now hurry up or you'll be late for class again,"
"I'm only going to hurry for your reputation," I mumbled, crossing my arms over my chest as we began walking to class.
"No, you just don't want to be yelled at by your biology teacher again," Jace said, rolling his eyes.
"You know me too well," I sighed, wishing today could be over already.
"I'm your twin; if I didn't know you the best I'd be worried," he pointed out. "Now, I'm just down the hall with Blake in English, so text me if anything happens okay?"
Nodding, I waved as I slipped into my classroom and sat down just as the bell rang. As the shrill ringing came to an end, my least favourite teacher burst into the room and dropped a dozen papers on his desk, causing a loud bang that turned all the heads in the room towards him.
"I have marked your preliminary tests that I designed to help you with your final exam in a few weeks and I must say I am very disappointed," he began to snap, lecturing the class, but I quickly zoned out; I didn't even take the exam since I completed it already.
That's why I was incredibly confused when an exam was plopped down on my desk. Glancing up at the teacher, I realised he was still so deep in lecturing the class about how poorly they were achieving to realise he had handed me an exam I never completed or even touched for that matter.
Glancing down at it I realised it had my name on the cover, but that's all it was; a single piece of paper from the cover of the exam. Puzzled, I turned the page over only to feel my stomach plummet.
Walking buddies won't protect you. We'll find you.
Gritting my teeth, I refrained from scrunching the note up and instead folded it and shoved it into my breast pocket. This was the third once I had received since the initial one in my locker. Since then I had found a note on the underside of my sports bag, one at the lunch table I usually sit at and now this one. While I still didn't know who was sending these notes, I was aware that they knew me and the people around me well enough that they could leave these letters in almost plain sight and not get caught.
You really should tell Kalem about these other letters; he might be able to help.
No, if I tell him I'd never get a moment to myself. I'm safe as long as I have someone with me.
You know how men don't ask for directions, and they keep refusing until they're stuck in the middle of no where with no fuel before they realise they made a mistake? That's you right now. Go ask for Kalem's help.
For the last time I'll be fine. Butt out.
I'm just trying to help...
As silence returned to my mind I dropped my head into my hands and sighed heavily. I knew the voice was right, but I also knew what would happen if I did ask for help. I'd even refrained from talking to my mother about it because I knew she would either laugh at me for being such a worry wart or being in an army. And I wasn't even joking.
"Patchent!"
Jumping slightly from shock, I quickly drew my attention to the front of the room to a seething Mr. Colten.
"Yes, sir?" I asked, worried about what was to come.
"I want you to go through the exam with the class and explain to them where they all went wrong," he ground out. "I'm taking a break,"
With that, he just left the classroom. Very slowly, all eyes fell on me and before I could even blink, everyone was swarming my desk begging me to help them out.
"You're the only one who can help us pass!"
"I fall asleep whenever he starts talking,"
"We can't pass without your help!"
"Okay, okay!" I shouted over the noise. "For the love of God, calm down!"
At my words, everyone fell silent; their eyes still pleading with me to help them.
"I'll go through this exam with all of you and answer any questions you have. If you still need help after this I'll organise some weekend sessions you can meet with me okay?"
Everyone's head bobbled yes at my words and shortly everyone was back at their desks; pens in hand to take down notes. By the time the bell rang I'd barely gotten through a quarter of the exam properly, considering I had to re-teach half the class the content in those questions. Thankfully though, they all appeared to have a far better understanding of that first quarter of the exam than they started with.
Once everyone filed out of the classroom, asking when and where I could meet them to study, Kalem swooped in and attempted to hug me. Swiftly avoiding his contact, I headed back to my desk to grab my bag before turning back to the front of the room where Kalem was pouting heavily.
"Don't pout, it ruins your face," I said, slinging my bag over my shoulder.
"So you're saying my face is handsome?" he grinned.
"Not at all," I shrugged, "I'm just saying it's easier to look at when you aren't acting like a child,"
"You're being quite savage today," he noted, his eyebrows furrowing as he locked his eyes with mine. "What happened?"
"Nothing happened Kalem," I sighed, breaking eye contact and heading out the door. "I just want today to be over,"
"You'd tell me if something happened though, right?" he asked, gently grabbing my wrist and preventing me from moving forward.
"Of course," I lied, praying he would just believe me.
"If you think we should do something more about this situation..."
"Kalem, please," I sighed, turning around to face him. "Just having you guys walk me to classes is making me feel infinitely safer about everything. I think this is fine for now,"
"Okay," he agreed, gently moving his hand to clasp my own. "But let me walk with you to PE like this, please? It'll make me feel better,"
I was about to immediately turn him down, but when I saw his eyes I faltered. He seemed just as worried as I felt.
"Okay," I nodded, "but just this once, okay?"
"Of course," he smiled, visibly looking relieved as he gently squeezed my hand.
And so, we walked all the way to PE like that; my face feeling like a mini sun, and Kalem looking blissfully happy the whole way.
Its so unfair how he has such an effect on me but he seems totally fine!
You know what would have an effect on him?
What?
Giving him a kiss on the cheek as a thank you for walking you to class.
THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD DO THAT!
Why not? You like the guy.
Yeah, not enough to give him a kiss in front of the whole school!
Well, you'll just have to deal with him being totally normal while you look like a tomato.
You're the worst.
I'm you; so you're merely insulting yourself here.
Completely giving up on the argument, I let out a sigh. Despite venomously denying the suggestion, I couldn't help glancing up at Kalem's profile and trying to imagine him with a blush. Eventually I furrowed my brow because for the life of me I just couldn't imagine what it would look like. For as long as I had known Kalem, he was always cool, calm and collected. Rarely would I see him scared or worried; but never embarrassed.
I wonder if he would blush if I kissed his cheek...
Almost immediately after thinking it though, the blush that had slowly faded down due to my concentration flared up again, so I immediately turned my face away. There was no way I was bold enough to do something like that! Even if I did, chances are that Kalem would have a field day and just grin like he just won the world or something. I wasn't feeding his ego; not today.
Very soon after that, Kalem and I finally arrived outside the changing rooms. It took a reassuring smile for Kalem to finally let go of my hand and let me change in peace, but eventually he did; pressing that I be as quick as possible or he'll barge in on me.
Not wanting that to happen, I changed quickly and headed over to my class. After sitting down, Blake dropped down beside me in a huff, causing me to look over at him worriedly.
"What's up with you? English not go well?" I asked.
"English was fine," he grumbled, folding his legs up to his chest.
"Then what's got you in such a bad mood?" I continued.
"Well, Jesse," He started, "You're never in the best of moods when you see the person you love holding another guy's hand,"
"Wait, you're upset over that?" I asked, " Blake, that wasn't anything romantic, I promise you,"
Frustratingly though, he wouldn't even try to listen to my explanation. With a huff, I gave in and intwined my fingers with his.
"Look, now you've both held my hand," I said, looking back up to Blake's facial profile and immediately noticing the red hue covering his cheeks.
Laughing softly at his reaction, I couldn't help but turn my thoughts back to before. It was so simple to make Blake blush; I'd seen it several times before. Kalem on the other hand was just some weird robot who wasn't effected by anything I did.
"Well aren't you two looking all cute and cozy," came a relentless voice from behind us causing us to break away and turn to face Mr. Slaughter.
"Oh no," I hissed under my breath.
"Oh yes," Mr. Slaughter grinned evilly. "Since you two seem to think this is some sort of relaxing lesson, the two of you can complete my Energised Warmup,"
I. Was. F*cked.
I don't think I've ever told any of you this before, but Mr. Slaughter has this so called 'warmup' that basically comes directly from hell. 50 push ups, 50 burpies, 50 sit ups, 50 squat jumps and a five minute plank. Literally no normal human would do that as a warm up. And I knew Mr Slaughter would make us catch up on everything else these guys did after and I'll tell you now it won't be pretty.
That's why I knew there was no way Blake would survive this lesson if I didn't do something.
"Wait sir," I began, thinking on the spot. "Don't make Blake do this; I was the one who started it anyway,"
"So what, you want me to only punish you?" He asked, raising an eyebrow and folding his arms over his masculine chest.
"Yes," I nodded.
"I'll let him off the hook," he started, causing me to let out a sign of relief. "But you have to do his set as well,"
Breaking down internally, I realised that I should have seen this coming. No way was he gonna let him off the hook for nothing.
"Jesse, it's fine I can do the workout," Blake tried to reason, but I was stubborn.
"I'll do both then," I nodded, turning over to Blake and smiling wearily. "Don't worry too much; I can handle it,"
Giving me a doubtful look, he reluctantly agreed and went off with the rest of the class for the lesson. Being only a few meters away from the rest of the group, I couldn't even pretend not to hear Mr Slaughter every time he called me out for slacking off or not holding my form properly. By the time I finished the routine, my arms and legs were practically jelly and I knew if I didn't ice myself when I got back into the dorm I wouldn't be able to walk or even lift anything tomorrow.
Of course, after that I had to catch up on the 400m warmup run that the class did, and complete the circuits that everyone had already done to try and catch up to them all. If I wasn't terrified of what else that demon teacher would make me do if I didn't catch up, I would have given up and collapsed already. But I knew full well that if I wasn't up to speed with everyone else by the time the bell rang for lunch, I wouldn't be alive to see tomorrow. Literally.
And, by some other worldly miracle, I did it. I managed to catch up to everyone just as the bell rang, and collapsed on the ground; facing the sky. Breathing deeply to keep up my oxygen levels, I laid there for some time trying to calm down my racing heart. As it slowly came back down to normal levels, a cool shadow appeared over me, causing me to open my eyes and see who was causing it.
"Jace?" I questioned. "What are you doing here?"
"I thought it was you lying out here," he shrugged, dropping down beside me. "What did he make you do this time?"
"The warmup from hell," I sighed, "Twice. And then I had to catch up to everyone else so he wouldn't actually murder me in my sleep,"
"Sometimes I wonder if you're human," Jace laughed. "I don't think anyone else would have survived,"
"I'm surprised I did," I laughed softly.
"Well here," Jace said, taking a water bottle out of his bag and passing it to me. "You need to rehydrate after all he sweating you just did. Have something salty to eat too,"
"I'm so glad you're my brother," I smiled, sitting up slightly to drink the water. "But then again, I wouldn't be in this mess if it wasn't for you,"
"Instead, you'd be in an all girl's boarding school likely depressed because they make you do cooking and sewing instead of sports,"
"Why do you always use logic?" I sighed, sitting up properly now I could muster the strength.
"I'm the brains, you're the brawn," Jace grinned as he helped me to stand up and steadied me when I swayed.
"Well right now I feel weaker than a new born," I meekly sighed, gripping my brothers shoulder for support as we slowly started walking towards the changing rooms.
"You could always take the rest of the day off if you're not feeling well," Jace suggested.
"I won't lie," I sighed, "That does sound awfully tempting,"
"Jesse, I'm really sorry," came Blake's rushed voice from behind us.
Looking over my shoulder, Blake was standing there, his head bowed low in apology.
"Hey, don't worry," I said, "Better me than you,"
"You should have let me do my half," he started to argue.
"There's no way you would have been able to finish it," I sighed.
"I'd rather have not finished and gotten in trouble than watched you break your limits!" he snapped at me, causing me to falter due to how serious and angry he was being.
"Blake, I was just trying to -," I tried to interrupt but he wouldn't let me.
"You're not invincible!" He yelled. "Do you have any idea how terrible it feels to watch someone you care about the most hurting themselves because they think you're too weak?! I'm stronger than you think Jesse. You should have just let me take my half of the punishment!"
"I never said you were weak," I snapped, starting to get mad that Blake was yelling at me.
"That's basically what you did when you refused to let me do my half of the punishment!" He hissed back, his blue eyes wavering between anger and hurt.
"That's not what I was trying to do!" I growled at him, letting go of Jace for support and stepping up to Blake who didn't step down.
"Then what were you trying to do?!" He shouted, stepping closer to me and closing the distance between us.
"I didn't want to see you get hurt!" I snapped at him, causing him to falter slightly at how harsh and serious my tone was. "I know you can handle things Blake; but Mr. Slaughter's workout? And to then try and catch up to everyone else? I didn't want to put you through unnecessary harm because of me! I didn't take your share just because I wanted to, Blake. I did it because I would hate to see you suffer because of something I did..."
After letting everything out in one big rush, I immediately felt light headed and stumbled forward; right into his chest where he quickly supported me.
"Jesse!" Jace called out from behind us, his voice thick with worry.
"Whoa there," Blake gently called out, slowly lowering me to the ground. "Take it easy,"
"I'm sorry," I murmured, gripping my head in my hands to try and stop the world from spinning.
"No, stop," Blake sighed heavily. "I'm sorry for getting upset and yelling at you. I was just so worried and felt terrible because I couldn't do anything as I watched you force yourself,"
"I'll be okay though; I promise," I wearily smiled. "A good nights rest and an ice bath; and I'll be good as new,"
"If you need anything, let me know okay?" Blake said. "I'll do anything to help you out,"
"Thanks, Blake," I replied.
After a few minutes of resting, the world finally stopped spinning and both Blake and Jace helped me back to my dormitory so I could shower and rest. Once they dropped me a the entrance, I slowly hobbled my way to my room and immediately headed for the shower. Turning it to as cold as possible, I slowly stripped and sat down under the cold water. I didn't know how long I remained there for, but after my body started to shake from the cold, I turned the heat up for a few minutes before getting out and drying myself off.
Just as I was about to attempt to climb up to my bunk after changing, a knock came from the door. Confused, I slowly made my way over and opened the door only to be faced with the very last person in this universe I wanted to see.
A sly grin made its way across his handsome face as he bowed slightly in greeting.
"Ah, Jesse my dear, how wonderful to see you again," he smiled broadly. "Please be a dear and let me in. I have something very important to discuss with you,"
Stepping aside, mostly in shock, the middle-aged man waltzed into my room and made himself a home. Eyeing him off, I slowly closed the door behind him as panic slowly started to take over. What was he doing here? Was this because of what happened before? What was happening?!
Timidly moving towards where he was sitting, I tried to find my words but all I could muster out was his name.
"Zacariah,"