Giddy ~ GD

Chapter 26 - Love Game

I just finished pulling over a sweater when Marissa called me down to the hall. Dad was here. I could hear him. I trotted down the stairs, almost tripping from my speed, running to my dad that I haven't seen in 4 months. I hugged him like it was our last time. He squeezed me into a bear hug, just like he always does. I nuzzled into his neck, smiling broadly. 

I whisper, "I missed you, Dad." 

He looks down at me, lifting my head up with my chin and kissing my nose. "I missed you too, little bear." 

"You're calling all different types of bears!" I grin. 

"You're all different types of awesome, Jenna." He hugs me tighter. Then he lets go, out of respect for Marissa who was waiting right beside us. "You have a stunning place here, Rissa."

Everyone had nicknames. "Why thank you, James. Why don't we go into the kitchen and eat lunch?" Marissa leads the way. My dad smiles and strides into the kitchen. 

We eat turkey sandwiches Marissa made. They were perfect. I didn't eat more than one bite, I was still bothered. I tried to focus on dad, but before I knew it he was leaving. 

"I'm sorry that was so short, Jenna bear. I promise I'll come and visit ASAP." He smiles next to the Uber. I sigh, crossing my arms. We stare at each other. I can see through his glasses that he knows somethings wrong. "It's not just me, is it? Jenna..."

I unfold my arms. "Sorry, dad. I'll call you when I have the chance, okay?" I play with the ring on my pinkie. "I love you." I try to make eye-contact, but I can only hold a gaze for a millisecond. 

Dad opens the door. "Do something, buttercup." He closes the door with himself inside the car. 

And I know what he means. 

~

Morgan thinks I'm going insane. "We are not surprising them in New Jersey, Jenna! Please think for a second." She sits at the edge of my bed. She's painting her nails dark purple. She hated the color, but I know that she alternated her feelings. "Their family will hate me! I'm crazy." 

I fiddle with the fur on the pillow cuddled in the corner of the window seat. "Let's just do it, it's worth a try." She still doesn't look convinced. "I know you miss Ethan, Morgan. We can get away from Alex and spend time with them." 

Morgan glances up like she's about to agree, but she shakes her head and looks back down at her nail. "I don't miss him." Morgan fidgets with the nail bottle. Why can't she be straight up with me? It's so obvious she misses him. "You've already run away once,"

"Don't speak more of it." I glare at her, but she doesn't catch it. "Morgan, please. I don't want to go alone." I would hate to meet their family without support from Morgan. Instead of one goof, it would be two. I need her support.

"You have Grayson." She groans. Morgan isn't impressed with our relationship, which bugs me. I don't know what else she wants from us, it's not like I care. "Please don't bring this up again. I want to stay here in LA."

I try to think of something convincing. Morgan's pretty stubborn, but I know what would get to her. "You just have to live life freely Morgan. Why don't you go out and do something? You haven't seen your boyfriend in a week! You're getting stir crazy. Alex is getting on your nerves. Why don't you just come along? You won't regret it." 

"No." Well, that didn't work. 

"Morg-"

"No." I know there's more to it than her seeming crazy. I know to respect her. She may have some issues right now, I'll just stop. 

"I'm sorry."

"You never stop talking, do you? Look - I don't want to go because I know it'll make me miss Ethan more when we leave. Because guess what, Jenna? Perfect things don't last forever. Ethan and I won't last forever. I know something will get in the way. And you know this with Grayson." She huffs. "Don't get too attached to someone, okay? Let it go, you're reaching the end of your love game." 

That's it. She's scared. Scared to lose him. "Why be scared when you can do things, Morgan? If it's going to end, might as well make your best memories." 

"Some relationships aren't picture perfect like yours, Jenna." She mumbles.

I grit my teeth so tense it hurts my jaw. I speak through my teeth, "I don't have a 'picture perfect' love life, Morgan." 

"Oh please!" She yells a little too loud. "He went to Hawaii with you! What else could you possibly need? Admit it, Jenna, you have a perfect relationship." 

"This has nothing to do with New Jersey," I growl.

"Neither do I, so keep it to yourself." She hisses back at me like we're animals. 

"Morgan!" I shriek. 

"What?" She rolls her eyes. 

"Relax." 

She seems at ease. Her eyelids soften, her nose isn't flared and her lips aren't pushed out. She looks up at my after finishing her last nail. She looks sad. Like, the sad you feel when you want to die. "It's hard, Jenna."

"I know." I crawl over to her and wrap my arm around her shoulder. 

She sniffles before she'll cry. "Let's go to NJ." 

"Let's go to NJ." I rub her head. She looks up at me and grins. 

~~~~~~~~~~

This chapter was short to build suspense. Sorry, nothing happened, at least Jenna just talk about how she feels. Jeez, gosh bless we pass that stage. 

I get to see my brothers tomorrow. I haven't seen them in so long, AH! I know no one cares, whatever. 

Peace

-Your piece of sh*t author, Nora

p.s. Ethan is currently feeling like sh*t (via twitter) and I almost cried, because feeling bad sucks. Stay strong to everyone who isn't feeling their best self. It gets better.