Why Don't We Just...

Cheshire

// May 8, 2017 \\

Okay.. I'll see you then.. love you, bye." I ended the Skype call with Jo and sighed, clutching the phone to my chest. I walked downstairs, careful to not wake Stephan, Jonah's dad, and wrote him a note:

"Leaving tomorrow morning to Cali. I think you know why ;)."

Smiling to myself, I clicked the pen and stuck the note on the fridge. I looked at the time, 11:19. After a nightly care routine, I slid into my soft bed sheets, drifting off in a pleasant sleep and dreaming of seeing him again.

// May 9, 2017 \\

With my suitcase packed and several backpacks stacked on top, I took one last look the mirror. My hair was so blonde it was almost white, a lovely trait I received from my mother. My eyes made me look more mature. They were greener than usual and were big and round. The scars from my childhood were barely noticeable and I smiled more often. I only had Jonah and his father to thank. Without them.. I don't know where I'd be. After finishing my makeup, Stephan called me downstairs. He turned 48 last week and his grey hairs make him proud, "his trophies of life", at least that's what he told me. He held the note I wrote last night in his hands.

"I can't say I'm happy you're leaving, but I'm glad you were a part of my life. I love you." His weary eyes were watering as he pulled me into a deep hug. It was a warm, tender hug and I caught myself crying as well. He drove me to the airport and a while later I boarded the plane.
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Me: Alright I've landed. Waiting on you

Jo-Jo💕: Okay, Jack and I are on our way there. Nicole's already arrived.

Me: Sweet! Can't wait to meet her.
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I waited about 20 minutes until a black Sedan pulled up. A tall guy with brown cropped hair and a silver earring stepped out the driver's side. He wore a black sweater and ripped faded jeans. The figure ran toward me and embraced me with a soft, yet passionate kiss.

"Hey Chesh." Jonah said. I returned a grin and hugged him. After talking with Jack and Nicole, we drove to Beverly Hills and found a place to eat.

"So I've heard a lot about you from Jonah... What have you been up to since Jonah left?" Jack asked.

"Well, about a month after that I was helping his dad clear out his room. He needed an office space for his job so he was going to remodel it. I found one of his guitars and I decided to learn. I actually brought it with me, just don't tell him." He nodded and we sat in a booth while Jonah ordered for us and Nicole stepped off to the restroom.

"There's a lot that happened in those months but I'm just thankful that I was given a second chance-."

"Second chance for what?" He asked quizzically.

"Ah, I'd rather not say. Sensitive subject."

"Oh okay." He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. I spoke to ease the tension.

"So, when the other girl gets here, what are we going to do?" He looked at me strangely and asked 'what girl?' I gave him a look and said, "Nicole's best friend. She said she was coming-." He got up from the seat and walked toward the women's bathroom. I chased after him and tried to pull him back, but he yanked his arm free and marched in. "Whatever.", I muttered to myself. I sat at the table alone when Jonah came up and smiled.

"Hey, where'd everyone else go?"

"Nicole was always in the bathroom but when I told Jack that some girl was coming he freaked out and went to talk to her."

"Wait, what girl?" He sat down and leaned toward me.

"Not you too. I don't see what the problem is with-."

"What girl, Chesh?" I rolled my eyes and responded.

"Some chick named Oakley, I don't know." His eyes widened and he pulled out his phone.

"I gotta call Corbyn, be right back." He walked out of the café and yet again, I sat alone. Time passed and eventually we all reunited at the table, my food plenty finished while the others sat eating and talking.

"So what are we gonna do now?" Nicole asked.

Jonah took some time to think and said, "Well it will be awkward in the house with her there. You have to tell her she can't come."

"What? No, I can't do that. I promised her she could come." Jack sighed and took Nicole's hand.

"Hey, don't stress. We'll figure something out." She grinned and the evening went back to normal. An hour later, we arrived at the boys'  house. It looked so beautiful; not to mention the spectacular backyard view. Jack and Corbyn took our bags to the guest room and we walked throughout the house, admiring just about everything we saw.

"Cheshire, come look at this." Nicole motioned me over to where she stood. A red and black photo album laid in her hands. She opened it to the next page and I couldn't believe what I saw.

"That's the picture.. the one we took before.." I got a little emotional. It was a picture of Jonah, Stephan, and me standing in front of their house. It was the day I was officially in Stephan's care. The day I was free.

"We went out for ice cream. Jonah played me a song on his guitar.. it was beautiful." The tears in my eyes grew as I recalled those memories- the times of my life where I felt complete. Just then, a warm presence wrapped me in its arms.

"Hey, that's us." Jonah chuckled softly and places his head on my shoulder, whispering in my ear. I nodded and he turned my body around and hugged me. "It's been too long without you, and you're finally here. Let's enjoy what time we have, Okay?" He caressed my hair and kissed my cheek. "Lets go meet everyone else." I placed my hand in his and we walked into the living room where Daniel, Zach, and Nicole sat, talking.

"Whooooa! There she is! Hey!" Daniel said to me enthusiastically. I giggled and gave him a hug.

"Hi, nice to finally meet you." He smiled and Zach came up behind him and shook my hand.

"Hey- Cheshire right?" I nodded and smiled. "Ah, cool. You wanna hear the song we've been working on? It's for our new album."

"Wait- can I hear "Perfect" instead? It's my favorite song." They smiled and nodded.

"Sure!" We walked into their studio and their voices are beautiful. When they finished I applauded them, they bowed, and we all decided to take a dip in the pool.

"Hang on, let me grab my bag first." I told Jo. He agreed and walked out back with the boys. As I headed off, I realized I had no idea where the guest rooms were. I decided to walk around until I found something. Upstairs, I came across an off-white door. I cracked it open a bit and walked in.

"Wow." The rustic walls were lined with white Christmas lights, a very Pinterest-y vibe. The bed wasn't made, so it couldn't have been a guest bed room, but I chose to look around anyways. On a desk, I found a phone- Jonah's phone.

"Hmm.." I picked it up an it buzzed. Startled, I shrieked and dropped the phone. I quickly picked it up and looked at the screen:
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Mel🔥 says: I hope we're still on for tonight. See you then! Xoxo
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I widened my eyes in shock and put the phone back where it was. My breath caught in my throat and I felt nothing but betrayal and anger. Suddenly I heard footsteps and I ran out from the room. I bumped into a wall and hit my head, glass shattered everywhere. Not only did I hit the wall, I crashed into an encased platinum record. I staggered up, careful not to step on glass shards and found a bathroom. Looking into the mirror, blood, a gash, and scratches stared me in the face. I tried looking for something to cover it when dizziness succumbed me and I collapsed on the floor. I laid there until everything went dark.