The Sceptic

1. New beginnings

^^Jackson's apartment ^^

•Tevan•

Finally! We're here after driving for 14 hours in Jack's SUV. He pulls up in front of a tall building stacked with apartments. Getting out of the car I stretch my whole body like a cat while he locks the car- we will get the luggage in tomorrow morning seeing as it is midnight and we're both tired off our heads.

Going through the revolver door of the building, the air inside is warm compared to the nippy wind outside. I look around in awe at the interior of the building, this place must be expensive from the looks of it. They have a fancy chandelier hanging from what seems to be the fourth floor, it looks like an ice sculpture from a Disney movie.

After a while of admiring the decor of this place I follow Jack to an elevator. Getting in next to him, I'm excited as I have never before been inside an elevator. Jack presses a button with the number 7 and the doors close before the cubicle we're inside starts moving. I start to giggle due to the sensation in my stomach as it ascends to his floor. Jack raises an eyebrow at my actions with a smirk making my face flush with embarrassment.

Ding, the elevator's doors open once it reaches the seventh floor and Jack steps out with me on his heels. We walk to the left and he stops in front of the fourth door and reaches in his Jean's pockets retrieving a key before unlocking the doors. He let's me in first then follows before locking the door. Woah, that's my only thought as I look around his apartment. It is not big, it's enough for one person or a couple to live in. But the decor is a beauty, it is so homey and welcoming.

Jack comes out from around a corner he had disappeared around without my noticing- already in black and white plaid pajama pants with a white wife beater- holding a blanket and pillow that I assume are for me. Seeing as his apartment is small, I doubt he has a second bedroom hidden somewhere in here. He places the items on the cream coloured couch before looking at me with a yawn. He must be tired because he drove the most hours. His blue eyes were developing bags under them and his light brown hair was a mess from the scratching I know he does when he is overcome with fatique and needs sleep.

"Sorry, you have to use the couch while your here. It's comfortable though.", He says with another deep yawn as he scratches his abdomen with one hand while the other points aimlessly around. My brother can never win a fight against sleep.

"Nah, it's okay Jack. Just go to sleep, your tired and you have work in two days. Rest up tonight and I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight.", I tell him while fixing the blankets on the couch. Going to him, I give him a hug that he equally gives back. "Thanks brother.", I whisper before pulling away and patting his back gently.

"It's what I'm here for, goodnight TeyTey.", he says, using my childhood nickname to tease me before going around the same corner he had appeared from with the blankets and pillow- it must be his room. Chuckling, I turn to the couch and start peeling off all my clothes except for my black boxers before sliding in under the thin sheet after.

•••

I wake up to the smell of chicory and vanilla, what delicious smells to wake up to after a long long night of sleep. Pushing away my blankets, I sit up and start pulling my clothes. I fold up the blanket and neatly place it on the couch with the pillow on top. I get up and follow the smell around a corner to the right. I find Jack making pancakes in his tiny kitchen, he is making the pancakes for me because he doesn't like them. But he knows I love them, they're yummy with syrup and a huge mug of coffee. Walking into the kitchen I sit on one of the chairs surrounding the table.

"Hay.", I greet while placing my chin on top of my hands that are folded together on the table, looking up at him as he flips a pancake.

"Hey. How'd you sleep?", He asks as he pushes the plate stacked with pancakes and a medium mug of coffee with cream to me.