Not All Skin And Bones

"A Good Reason to Go"

I shuffled Jack into the passenger seat of Nate's car. Nate had pulled over and rolled down the window. "Need a ride." He spoke in a sympathetic smile; I returned the same expression when helping Jack detach from me.

We sat in silence as Jack sniffled to calm down, I tapped Nate on the shoulder so he'd look back at me. My eyebrows were raised and my lips were pursed as I cocked my head towards the radio in hopes that he'd get the hint. His eyebrows raised as well and he nodded. "Oh." He said aloud and I swear I did a face palm. Nate reached over to hire the volume while staring at Jack as if he was asleep and didn't want to wake him, Fun. was, of course, on the radio. Nate scoffed and returned to his usual snarky demeanor. "God."

I was sitting in my usual middle seat preference I liked to look out all the windows and felt that it was the most aware spot of the car, right and it's of everything, so, naturally, I saw when Nate attempted to change the station. "No!" I said reaching over and grabbing his hand in instinct. We were at a red light and I believe it was the longest red light ever known to mankind because when Nate looked back at me I swear we stared at each other for hours. He gulped.

I spoke softly; now willing to break his gaze. Oh- his eyes. I gulped too. "Fun. is... fun." I smiled shyly.

His lips parted slightly, At first I thought he didn't hear my witty pun, but then his lips began I curl. I returned to my look of fantasy as I eyed Nate's features. His thin lips, his chiseled structure, I felt myself subconsciously leaning in but either I wasn't actually do it, or Nate knew better, because instead of kissing me, he smiled and turned away.

Right... I thought. It's Nate Ruess I'm dealing with here; he could do better...

It wasn't a pity party, just a reality check. Nate Ruess was a sparkling bachelor, and I had a kid waiting for me back home. Shit! Nate! I have to go pick him up soon. I guess I just got to caught up in this gorgeous Nate right in front of me to recall.

He turned back quickly to face me as if he suddenly realized some thing, actually, we both had that face. And Jack had it too. Balancing his head on his palm he eyeballed Nate and I with sad, purple eyes. His lips spelled out confusion and I could tell a thought was running through his head. Nate was still a bit off, but the light had turned green and I reminded him that he was still on the road. "Green light." I laughed awkwardly, and for the third time in a row I was reminded how similar I was to this beautiful being, because surprisingly enough, he laughed too.

....

"I'm not going back in there?!" Jack scoffed. I huffed and grabbed Jack by the fabric of his arm and opening flap.

"C'mon Jack you love her! So fight for that!"

Jack, however, just continued to hiss and sneer at me while attempting to back away from the situation at hand. I don't care how scary it was, he needed to face this and get Daniella back, they love each other, she'd take him back in a heartbeat I just know it.

As I viciously continued to try and persuade stubborn ol' Jack to rest his fate, the oh-so helpful Nate picked the grime underneath his fingernails from afar. The occasional chuckle escaped his lips as he watched the both of us struggle between a fair fight, yeah Nate, big help.

"Hey!" I called in exasperation, this feud seemed to be going on forever and I was beginning to wear down. "Ruess?! Mind breaking a fingernail over here for me?"

Nate flicked some dirt of the edge of his nail and gave a teasing pout before rolled his eyes in disinterest. He was obviously against unessecary hard labor at the moment. "s' long as you promise not to call me Ruess again, sweetheart." He compromised. I spat and blew a strand of hair from my vision. Sweetheart?

Nate cracked his knuckles and twisted his neck a bit for theatrical effect before panting warm air into the palms of his hands. He rubbed his hands together in preparation of helping me win this battle, but before he could even lay a hand on Jack I stopped him by placing my foot across his path. "Actually." I crinkled my nose. "I don't think I want help from a man that calls me sweetheart."

Nate looked stunned and slightly offended, he laughed and began to walk away. I was grunting and wheezing as I tried to beat Jack in this tug of war, but before my fingertips could finally give and slip away, I heard Nate from a distance.

"TOO BAD! " Nate roared in a maniacal tone and torpedoed after Jack. I could see Nate racing towards us but I just couldn't process what on earth he was doing. That was of course until I saw the fear in Jacks eyes and the way his eyebrows raised up in anticipation. My brain finally out two and two together as I instinctively released Jack. Luckily enough, just I did so, Nate came barreling in- tackling Jack to the ground and standing up as quickly as he came speeding in.

I could see Jack crumple beneath Nate as he let out a loud and breathless. "Ohh." He heaved in overly dramatic pain. My eyes sparked back to reality and my motherly instincts kicked in.

"Oh gosh- Jack are you alright?! Did you get scratched?! Let me check your knees. Poor little guy." I scrambled mouthfuls of nursing phrases before it actually dawned on me- Jack is a grown man. I looked up to see Nate covering his mouth in a fit of muffled, amused laughter and Jack staring at me with a raised eyebrow and clearly disturbed facial expression.

"I mean- uh..." I stammered. "You good?" Wow. "Man..." Just horrible. I patted him awkwardly; attempting to recover my unrecoverable stage of awkwardness.

Nate finally couldn't hold in his laughter any longer and began blurting out sarcastic remarks from all around. "You alright Jackie?!" He mocked. "Were you playing nicely?! Want her to kiss it for you?! Ha!" Nate howled for a good few minutes before hunching over and gasping for air he's lost in the midst of his amusement. He began wiping away joyful tears and finishing off with a few self-compliments. "Good one Nate- right on."

"Dude!" Jack frowned after a steady pause; straightening up he brushed himself off and clearly ached all over. "We are standing on cement! We fell on cement!"

Nate shrugged. "I didn't think it was that bad. Honestly, I felt nothing."

"THATS BECAUSE YOU LANDED ON TOP."

"Alright, alright- enough!" I spoke in a disciplinary tone. "Let's focus. Jack," I turned my presence towards him in a chastising tone. "You gonna stop being a pussy or what?" Half way through my sentence I couldn't hold in my fit of giggles either, but soon enough, I heard an annoying echo beside me.

Nate cackled until I gave him a warning glare; he settled into a soft giggle.

Jack opened his mouth and took in a defensive breath, but instead, simply exhaled. "Okay..." He slumped. "I'll talk to her."

I nodded and patted his back. "That'a boy." I encouraged.

Nate suddenly turned sincere as well and reached over to slap Jack on the back; offering some strength and sympathy to him. "Good luck in there, buddy."

Jack smiled and traveled across the stepping stones to the front door of Daniella's little cottage-like home. Guided by rows of neat petunias he paused and took a breath before raising his hand to knock. "Yeah." He gulped. "I'm gonna need it..."

...

Longggg chapter for once! :D do you people like long chapters or short chapters more?! I'll adapt :') please leave a vote and comment xo it really means a lot to me if you do so xo till next time!! :') see ya!