The Remedy

Chapter 11

"Alli, I feel horrible for saying this but I think I still like Aaron, even though Jax and I are kind of together. I mean I really, really, really like Jax, but there's still a voice in my head asking me why I haven't just left him for Aaron yet." I explained as we walked into a dress store. We were looking for prom dresses.

"Clara, it's normal not to be completely over Aaron yet. Especially after he opened up to you. What exactly did he say, anyways? I can't imagine him talking about anything serious. It's totally not him. No offense..."

"None taken. But he opened up. He told me about something he hasn't told like anyone about. And he wasn't even flirty or anything. Well, until I asked if we could be friends."

"What do you mean?" she picked up a sparkly blue dress and held it up to her. "What do you think about this one?"

"Oh, it's really pretty. Try it on. And to answer your question, he told me he still likes me, and it would be too hard to just be friends."

"Wow. That leaves you in a dilemma. If you decide to choose Aaron after all, I'll take Jax off your hands." she teased.

"Hahah, no. I just need to spend more time with Jax to solidify how I feel for him."

"You do that."

As she said that, a blue dress with a pretty floral pattern caught my eye. "I'm going to try this one on." I said. We both went into the dressing rooms, and came out to show each other what the dresses looked like.

"Oh my goodness, Clara, you look like a super model. You have to get that one!" Alli urged.

"I think this is the one. By the way, your dress is so cute! You look amazing too."

"Thanks, I know I do." She winked and we both laughed.

XxXxX

"Honey have a great day!" my mom said as I grabbed my lunch and headed for the door.

"Thanks, Mom. Love you."

"You too. Oh wait a second." I stopped walking and turned towards her. "So I've been thinking, and your dad and I want to meet this Jax. Do you think he could have dinner with us tonight? Or if not tonight, sometime soon?"

I was caught by surprise, but I wasn't opposed to the idea. "I'm not sure, but I'll definitely ask him. I'll text you his response later, okay?" I said.

"Okay babe. You should hurry now, or you'll be late to school."

I laughed, and hurried out the door. When I got outside, I saw a car parked in my driveway that wasn't mine. I looked inside the glossy window, and there was Jax.

For a second I panicked, not knowing why he knew where I lived. Then I remembered my date with Aaron, and how Jax had ditched work and taken me home afterwards. I sighed in relief at the thought that he wasn't a creepy stalker.

He got out of his car, and offered me an explanation. "Hey Clara. I know, I didn't call you first to ask if I could pick you up. Anyways, I was at Starbucks, and they messed up my order so they gave me an extra drink. I sure can't drink two coffee's so I came here to ask if you wanted the other. And a ride. Yeah. Do you wanna ride with me and drink Starbucks?" He seemed kind of nervous. It was funny how he could be so confident and cocky, but he still got nervous.

"Sure, I mean I couldn't turn down Starbucks now, could I?" And smirked at him as I got into his car.

He backed out of the driveway, and as he did, I saw my mom watching through the window. Not in some creepy horror movie type of way, but with a smile on her face. As we pulled out, my phone vibrated.

Mom: That's Jax, huh? He's a cutie! Tell me the details of why he was in our driveway when you get home.

I shook my head with a smile. She was definitely not the average mom. I loved her for it, though.

Jax handed me a warm cup. "What's in it?" I asked.

"Coffee." he replied.

"No way, really?" I said sarcastically.

"Yeah, it's such a surprise, right?"

"No, but really, what type of coffee is it?"

"I think it's a caramel macchiato. I don't remember what the cashier said it was. At the diner, we didn't have all the fancy names for coffee. It was either black, with creamer, or decaf."

"Wait. You said you didn't have."

"Didn't have the mumbo-jumbo names, correct."

"No, I mean you said it in past tense. Like, you don't work there anymore." I really hope this doesn't mean what I think it does.

"Uh, yeah. I was let go."

"Bu-"

"Nope, stop. Don't blame yourself. It was my choice to leave the diner. I could have stayed."

"But I was the reason you didn't. I'm the reason you got fired. I'll talk to your manager and explain wh-"

"Clara, listen to me. I don't need to get my job back. I have an interview tomorrow. And even if I didn't, it wasn't your fault. If I'm being honest, if you had went out those doors with Aaron, I probably would have chased you anyways. I liked you too much to see with that jerk. I still do."

I was about to defend Aaron and explain that he had another side to him. Then it struck that Jax didn't even know we'd talked. Should I tell him?

"Did you hear me, Clara?"

"Yes. Where do you have your interview for tomorrow?"

"I'm only telling you if I get the job."

I hope you do. I already feel horrible for making you lose your job.

"Hey Jax?" I sipped on my coffee. Yep, definitely caramel.

"Yeah?"

"Are you busy tonight?"

"Not as far as I know. How come?"

"Well right before I left my house, my mom told me to ask you if you wanted to come to my house for dinner. My family is curious about you. It's completely fine if you don't want to come, though."

"I want to come. I just hope they don't hate me."

"Aww, they couldn't. Just bring my mom lots and lots of flowers." I joked.

"Note taken."

We pulled up into the school parking lot. "Okay, then I'll see you at 6. You know where to find me. Oh, and thanks for the coffee." I said as I slipped into the crowd of students hurrying to get to class before the bell rang.

Author's Note: Hello, beautiful people! The next chapter isn't going to be a real chapter, but it is a page of beautiful covers for this book done by various people, and a few are done by myself. You can vote on your favorite, and I'll put up the best one as the cover. Also, thank you so much to all of you loyal readers. It means the world!