Trauma

Part 23 "Pepper Shot"

"Ugh..." I groaned as I hurriedly ended the ringing alarm. It was 5 in the morning and I had to prepare to leave by 6. 

"Do I really have to go home?" I muttered to myself as I dragged myself out of bed. 

After cleaning myself up, I looked up at the clock. I still had about 20 minutes left till we leave. I locked up my apartment and rang the buzzer to Jack's.

"Hey!" Jack opened the door and a delicious smell wafted from inside.

"Were you cooking at this hour?!" My eyes bugged as I went inside.

"Well, yeah. I wanted to bring some food to your parent's house." Jack said, scratching his neck. There were about dozen griddle pancakes displayed all colorfully in a basket.

"It must have taken you hours to make all this! There are about 15 different kinds of food!" I said, staring at the basket.

"Well, I couldn't exactly sleep. I was too worried about meeting your parents and all.." Jack said, yawning.

"There are bags underneath your eyes." I said as I rubbed the dark circles under his eyes.

"I'm okay, hon. We need to leave soon if we are going to make it to your parent's house in time. Just let me clean up and we'll leave soon." Jack said as he kissed the top of my head. He soon rushed off to his bedroom.

I was just too touched that he made all of this just so he could impress my parents, and worried at the same time because he couldn't have had much sleep.

When Jack came out wearing a white shirt and black pants, I snatched the keys from his hand.

"Uhuh. I'm going to drive while you take some rest." I said, shaking my head. Jack frowned.

"It's going to be a long drive, Lizzie. I would rather do it." 

"It's not an option. You'll fall asleep while driving if I let you." 

"I'll never put you and myself in danger, Liz." Jack said as he picked up the basket gingerly.

"I know. But you look dead tired right now, and I want you to get some rest." I said as I rubbed his back.

We made our way to the elevator, and soon enough, we were standing in front of his car.

Jack soon smiled. "Fine. But you have to hand over the wheel later."

I smiled back. "Deal."

"Ugh. You guys are making me sick." A new voice was heard out of nowhere and I spun around holding my pepper spray. I quickly sprayed the stranger.

"Rick?! What are you doing here?" I said, finding Rick on the ground crying.

"Water, quick! My eyes are burning!!!!" Rick shrieked as I ran up to my apartment to get some water.  God, I can't believe I just sprayed my pepper spray on my own brother. 

"Here." I said, gasping for air while I gave the water bottle to Jack who was holding my brother in place. Jack quickly splashed the water on Rick's face.

"Argh.... This doesn't help at all!!" Rick said as tears ran down his face.

"Yeah...You'll just have to cry it all out." Jack said as he put a hand on my brother's back.

"The effects will last about 30 minutes." I said as I worriedly stared at Rick.

"Just kill me now." Rick said, lying on the ground.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were driving home by yourself!" I exclaimed as I rubbed Rick's back.

"I was going to, But I wanted to go with you guys because I hate driving alone!" Rick said, blinking furiously. His eyes were bloodshot.

"Well, You'll have to get in the backseat for now. Up you get." I said as I grabbed one of his arms while Jack grabbed the other.

"Yikes. Remind me to never piss you off." Jack said, laughing.

I fake glared at him. "Guess you are not sleepy now, huh?"

Jack smiled. "Nope."

I shook my head. "You're still not driving though."