Bittersweet Endings

Chapter Five

The morning arrived much too quickly, the moment my eyes open I begin to feel the effect of last night's drinking episode. Hindsight 's a beautiful thing and I was now been constantly reminded of that reason I had told myself before I left the house that I wasn't going to be drinking. Thankfully it's only the second day back to school and I doubt anything exciting would be happening today. It was moments like this that I was generally wrong. Rolling over I glance up at the clock, damn my alarm wouldn't be going off for another 30 mins. I hated waking up early but I realised I could use this to my advantage, I knew mum wouldn't even be close to thinking about getting up yet and I figured dad would sleep late so this would mean if I got up now and left then I could avoid them.
 
Climbing out of bed I grabbed my jeans from last night, searching through the pockets I pulled out my house key and the twenty dollars I had put in their and returned them to my school bag. Chucking the jeans into the dirty clothes basket I pulled a clean pair of jeans and my school shirt out of my cupboard. The school would most likely call mum again today and inform her that I am still not wearing the uniform that I needed to start wearing the skirt or pants but jeans were much more comfortable and right now comfortable is what I wanted. I opened my door slowly and slipped down to the bathroom, I tried to be as quiet as I could to ensure that I didn't wake mum early. I turned the water on and adjusted it so that it would be as hot as I could handle, letting it reduce the headache that was starting to build. If I wanted to be gone before my parents woke I knew that this needed to be a quick shower not the long one I wanted.
 
I quickly did what I had to do, go out of the shower, dried off, got dressed and put on the bare minimal makeup that I wore. I slipped back to my bedroom and grabbed my backpack and phone. Once I had both items I quietly left my room and walked down the hallway and out the front door before anyone noticed I was up. It was a rather chilly morning but I was glad it was refreshing. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and sent a quick text to both Megan and Luke to let them know I wouldn't need a lift again this morning, that I was walking. A few minutes passed when they both text back in quick succession, asking if I was okay. I'm not entirely sure what they were hinting at but I was fine. If this was to do with Scott he could live where ever he wanted, I didn't care. Did I?
 
The walk to school was uneventful and I arrived at school 30 mins early as well, I guess I couldn't walk that slowly even though I had tried. I walked around to my little smoking area and grabbed them out of my bag quickly lighting one, got to do something while I wait right? I slid down the wall and pulled my knees up to my chest as I took another drag of my smoke. My thoughts began to swirl in my head, what am I meant to do? Do I become friends with him again and see how it goes? Do I just go on being the way I am? I am so confused and I hate it.
 
Sounds began to register to me and I realise that it’s the other students beginning to enter the school grounds. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I had been sitting way longer than I realised. Standing up I picked up my bag and decided to go and see if Megan and Luke were here yet, I didn't want them worrying more about me. Rounding the corner I could see everyone sorting themselves into their groups. I shook my head, I couldn't believe these people. They looked like sheep following one another. My eyes scanned the now gathering crowds looking for Megan's bright green ones or Luke's deep blue ones.
 
Although I could see neither my eyes did find those warm chocolate brown ones. That had been haunting me for the past two days. I quickly looked away not wanting to maintain eye contact with him any longer than necessary. I still haven't decided what I'm going to do. It wasn't a decision I could come to lightly. Both my heart and my mind were fragile and I had to work out if he was worth the risk. There was a part of me deep down that knew I shouldn't doubt him because of everything we had been through, but when you add everything I had been through it suddenly changed things. I wanted to be able to slip back into the easy friendship we had but it just couldn't happen. I made my way inside to the lockers to grab the books I needed for the first few lessons and to see if they were inside. The hallways were empty as everyone preferred to grab everything at the last minute, knowing the teachers were used to it and wouldn't say anything to them. I got to my locker and found the two people I had been looking for, they looked like they were waiting for me. It wouldn't be surprising if they were.
 
"Hey, Megan and Luke," I said.
 
"Hey Joey, I was about to come looking for you," Luke replied.
 
"Yeah, I was here early so I was around the back having a smoke and thinking. I'm all good now. What do we have first?" I explained.

"English," Megan replied.
 
I nodded. I should have remembered that Tuesday's were the same as Mondays for the first part of the day. It meant that I would have to see Scott first up. Not something that I was looking forward to. I needed more time to work it all out. I think I'm just going to continue to ignore him. It was bad enough yesterday discovering that he was back and then making it home to discover dad was back too, it's just too much. Last night was good though, seeing the boys. I knew they would make me feel better without even knowing the full story. I grabbed a spare book out of my bag as I couldn't remember what was second. Placing all the books I didn’t need back in my locker.

I looked back from my locker and noticed Megan and Luke whispering about something together, concern flashed quickly through Megan's eyes before it disappeared as fast as it appeared. I shook my head and walked off to homeroom, not bothering to say anything to them. They would tell me when they were ready and would understand. I sat at the back of the classroom, waiting for the bell to hurry up and ring so I could get to class and get it over and done with. I also wanted this day to be over so I could gauge how many classes I actually have with Scott.
 
Ten minutes later the bell rang, people began to fil into the classroom and just how I liked it no one stopped to notice me. I was thankfully all I needed right now was for one person to make a comment, it would result in me losing every ounce of control I was barely holding onto. The teacher finally walked in, crossed the names off the list and this morning didn't even bother to read the announcements knowing that not a single student was listening. I stood up and walked out, heading to the English classroom despite the fact the bell hadn't rung yet. I regretted my decision instantly when I arrived out the front there stood none other than my now personal demon. Taking a deep breath I realised that I should be nice and apologise for yesterday. If anyone else saw they would claim a miracle had occurred me apologising but he was different he wasn't just some random person, he was someone who I had known for a long time.
 
I wandered closer to the door and looked down at my shoes losing every bit of confidence that I had, will he forgive me or just stare at me like an idiot. Either way, I need to do this. Five years ago I was in love with him, not that he knew that. There was a very small part of myself that was buried deep underneath everything that had happened that possibly still loved him. I looked up and noticed that he was staring at me, instead of dropping his head like I thought he would, he continued to stare and I stared right back. It couldn't have been more than a few seconds later I got enough courage to speak.
 
"I'm sorry about yesterday. It's just the way I am. A lot has happened since we last saw each other and I've changed." I quickly said.
 
I looked back down at my shoes, it had been a long time since my confidence had left me. I couldn't look him in the eyes for his response. I was beginning to think that he wasn't going to say anything, then he surprised me again.
 
"You don't need to apologise, I shouldn't have pushed you. Especially since it has been some time since we last saw each other, and you're right. We don't know each other anymore." He replied.
 
I wasn't sure what to say back so I simply nodded and continued to stare at my shoes.
 
The school day was finally over and today was rather productive. I managed to stay at school for the entire day, not get in any fights and I of course apologised to Scott. I gave myself a mental pat on the back. Now I just had dad to deal with, which I doubt would be as easy as apologising to Scott. I wasn't ready to deal with him yet so decided to head the gym and see the boys like I said I would.
 
I walked out to the parking lot to see both Megan and Luke standing there waiting for me, along with Scott. That's what they were whispering about this morning but hadn't worked out how to tell me, they had become friends with him yesterday.
 
"Hey all." I said in a somewhat happy tone.
 
"Hey" They all replied not at all chirpy.
 
"What's up with you guys? You all sound like someone just died." I replied.
 
"Nope. Just wondering why you're so happy." Luke replied.
 
"Oh right. Well I'm off to see my boys. I forgot to tell you guys I was around there last night. Had a few too many shots too." I said.
 
Luke and Megan both shook their heads knowing who I was talking about and not at all surprised I was drunk last night.
 
"Your boys?" Scott questioned.
 
"Yeah my boys. If you want you can come and meet them." I replied, I wasn't going into detail right now. Let him sweat it out.
 
I really didn't want him to come but I knew Megan would want to come, she enjoyed watching myself and the guys train more so the guys and their abs. If Megan was coming so would Luke, so it was only the right thing to do to invite him too. I could cope with this, I had to get used to him been around.
 
"Sure, you two coming as well?" He asked.
 
"Of course. I never say no to a chance to see Joey's boys. There so funny plus the abs." Megan replied with a giggle.
 
I could see the look of jealously flash through Luke's eyes before he simply nodded. I wish he would understand despite the fact she talked about their abs she really only had eyes for him.
 
"Who's going with who?" I asked.

"Well I'm the only one who drove. I picked Luke up this morning and you two walked so looks like we are all going together." Megan replied.
 
I nodded and made my way over to Megan's car. Luke took the front seat with Megan obviously driving, so that put me in the back with Scott. It wasn't too far to the gym so it would be fine. He didn't say anything to me and not even ten minutes later we pulled into the gym car park, I didn't even wait until she had pulled into a park before I was jumping out of the car. I wanted to see the boys whilst we were all sober. I was beginning to realise that I cared for them more than I let on and I needed to make sure I was around more.
 
Max was sitting at the front counter and looked up when he heard the door open.
 
"Max!" I yelled.
 
"Tone it down little J, some people are still suffering hangovers." He replied.
 
"I'm sorry." I replied.
 
He smiled that all knowing smile that said he knew I wasn't really sorry and he knew the only reason I had yelled was because I knew he was still suffering. Thankfully my hangover was over by lunchtime. I smiled back and then walked around the counter and hugged him, I was still in his arms when I heard the door open and close as the others walked in. He was trying to be quiet but I heard Scott whisper in confusion to Luke 'I thought she didn't like people touching her.'  Luke replied 'These boys are different.' I let go of Max and he turned to greet the others.
 
"Max you remember Megan and Luke, and this is Scott." I said.
 
I left them saying hello to each other and properly introducing Scott. I headed straight out the back to see my other boys.
 
"Jesse! Johnny! Caleb!" I yelled, before racing over and jumping into Jesse's awaiting arms.
 
"Little J, what's with all the yelling? Don’t you have a hangover like the rest of us?" Jesse asked.
 
"Nope, had one this morning but it was gone by lunch time." I replied with a smile ruffling his hair.
 
"Bitch." He replied.
 
I heard footsteps approaching guessing the others had joined us.
 
"Megan and Luke are here, the other one is Scott." I said. Everyone turned to look at them.
 
"Scott?" Caleb asked.
 
"JD." I replied.
 
They instantly knew who I was talking about and turned to glare at Scott. Once when Jesse tried hitting on me I told them all that I was off limits, my heart belonged to someone else. One thing led to another and I told them the story of Scott. I hadn't had a chance to tell them he was here, at first I was angry and then I was intoxicated.
 
"I don't trust him." Jesse whispered in my ear.
 
"Good neither do it. He just turned up yesterday. That's why I was here last night, plus my dad is back." I whispered back.
 
I wasn't expecting what happened next, he dropped me. His fists clenched tightly, he knew my dislike for my dad and shared it. It took a moment for him to realise what he had done and looked down at me.
 
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to drop you. Are you serious though?" He asked.
 
I nodded and before he had chance to do anything else I swiped my leg at his ankle causing him to fall to the ground. Lucky for both of us we were on the mats. He looked over at me and gave me his best death glare. I just laughed at him. Then quickly jumped up knowing I was about to get my rematch. Which was what I was aiming for. Not quite how I planned it but it worked out better than expected. I began to smirk at him, I wanted to piss him off even more and I was achieving just that. It took him a few extra seconds but he jumped up and that's when I heard Caleb yell "Clear the mats boys and girl, it's going to be on now." I threw my head back and laughed, he was right.
 
Scott's Point of View
Some random guy who's name I think is Jesse just dropped Joey. I wanted to rush to her side and make sure she was okay, but decided against it. After what happened yesterday when I simply touched her arm I didn't want to know what would happen if I attempted to help her up. You could see the look of realisation cross his face as he looked down at her and asked her something. She just nodded at him, then all of a sudden he was laying on the ground near Joey. He gave her a death glare and she laughed. This was nothing like the Joey I knew before. She jumped up and smirked at the boy on the ground.
 
All of a sudden I heard one of the other guys yell "Clear the mats boys and girl, it's going to be on now."
 
I made my over to him weaving between all the people who had come over to watch, pretty sure everyone in the gym was now here. She will get killed by this guy. When I finally reached him he was looking at me with anger. I was a little taken back by the look, I had never done anything to him. Ignoring the look, I made my way closer still.
 
"Shouldn't we stop this. He will hurt her if you let it continue." I said to him.
 
He laughed. "You really don't know this girl anymore. He will be worse off than her so stop worrying, maybe you should just go back to where you come from before you cause more trouble then what you're worth." He replied.
 
He walked off before I could say anything else. I had no idea what he was talking about. It wasn't my fault I was here. It was Joey and I's fathers fault and the stupid contract they made eighteen years ago.