Inside My Head

Chapter 19

I woke up to the sound of glass breaking. I got out of bed and walked to the door, so I could go see where it came from.

Shawn: Where you going?
Jackie: Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. I'm going to go check what dropped because I heard glass shatter. I'll be back.
Shawn: Okay. Be careful.
Jackie: I'll use my phone as a flashlight so I don't step on glass. Don't worry Shawn.

I turned the handle and opened the door. The light was on and the door was slightly opened to the room across the hall from mine... Gage's bedroom. I knocked lightly, then opened the door. Gage was standing there, shirt off, red eyed, and with the half a beer bottle in his hand. The other half of the bottle was shattered by his feet.

Jackie: Gage what the hell? It's three in the morning! Where were you last night?
Gage: She left.
Jackie: What?
Gage: I turned around and she was gone.
Jackie: Gage, you aren't making any sense.
Gage: Sit.

I sat on the edge of his bed while he went to go clean the glass up. I had no idea what he was trying to tell me. Who is she?

Gage: So there's this girl that I kinda liked for a while now... actually it's been a few years. She's the kind of girl who won't have sex before marriage. I always tried to stay the type of man that she would date. She's younger so I haven't made a move-
Jackie: NO WAY!
Gage: Oh no.
Jackie: It's Ella isn't it?
Gage: Why do you have to be so smart?
Jackie: Because I work hard.
Gage: Fair point. Can I explain though?
Jackie: Mhmm.
Gage: Well after you shared Nathan's letter, I went out to a bar instead of getting Jeremy... and I got wasted.

No wonder Jeremy didn't say anything to me. He's still mad because Gage didn't talk to him. I put my head in my hands. This was not good.

Gage: There was a girl... and I took her back here...
Jackie: No need to finish that. I can guess where this is going. GAGE! Why didn't you just say something? Why'd you have to go get drunk? Why did you have to go hook up with some random girl? I'm your sister and you're supposed to-
Gage: SHE WASN'T RANDOM AND SHE LEFT!

We stood there in silence. I think we were both waiting for someone to tell us to be quiet so they can sleep. I decided it would be better to whisper yell.

Jackie: What?! Gage seriously you should never get drunk again. Who was it?
Gage: It was this girl I used to go to school with, Marisa, okay? Can you just leave me alone? I already feel bad and I'm questioning everything.
Jackie: I think I overreacted. Gage it's okay. If it's Ella you're worried about... well let me just say you shouldn't be worried.
Gage: Why shouldn't I be worried?
Jackie: Nothing!
Gage: Jackie, I know you know something.
Jackie: Goodnight! Get some rest. Clear your head. No more beer!

He called after me as I ran into my room. I smiled as I was getting ready to literally jump into bed beside Shawn. His face changed from happy to see me back with a smile, to worry. Before I could think of why, Gage picked me up from behind and carried me back to his room. I squealed and Shawn laughed.

Jackie: Hey! What was that for?
Gage: We're not done here. Tell me.
Jackie: It's not my business to be telling other people's secrets.
Gage: Who else could you value higher than your brother?

Okay he had a point and I was being hella stubborn.

Jackie: Fine. Ella likes you too so I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be upset. She knows we aren't Christians like her.
Gage: Oh my God why didn't you tell me?! I've drank my own body weight in beers trying to forgive myself.
Jackie: Well she is my best friend so I'm not going to just lay her secrets out all over the place.
Gage: I'll be glad to be the one telling her, and not the papers. I drove out far enough that there wasn't any paparazzi that would recognize our family's cars.
Jackie: Good. At least you thought of that. They'd eat you alive. You're too innocent... well I guess not anymore.
Gage: JACKIE!
Jackie: Can I sleep?
Gage: You're impossible.

He kissed me on the top of my head and let me leave his room.

Shawn: Everything good?
Jackie: I think everything worked out perfectly.