Munchkin

•Thirty Four•

"The first girl you what?" I ask, still in disbelief. I didn't know Jace could ever love.

Is that bad of me to say?

I mean, he just plays around with girls and I've never seen him keep a stable relationship or any relationship for that matter. It's like every week he'd have a new bed buddy so I didn't just think he'd fall in love or whatever.

He chuckles, sensing my awkwardness, "Yeah. I didn't think I'd ever fall in love either."

I smile just from seeing his smile. He just has that effect on me. "So what happened to her?" I whisper, loud enough for only him to hear.

Jace grabs a spoon for himself and that's when I even remember the large tub of heaven before me. "It's a long story–"

"I got time, boy," I jokingly say trying to lighten the mood.

He lays himself down on he bed, back against the pillows and legs flat on the bed. I couldn't really do anything because I was in a skirt so I just copy his action, the bucket of ice cream between us.

"So I was about fourteen or fifteen, just starting Freshmen year. Paige was one of Kehlani's best friends but then they got in some argument about some guy so they stopped talking to the other. That time I obviously didn't know you because we lived here but Finn and I knew each other for about three years then."

"Wow. How'd you guys meet?" I ask.

He chuckles, "That's a story for another day, Princess."

I roll my eyes at the nickname before he continues. "So I was walking out of the school and I saw some girls bullying her so obviously I stopped them. They were persistent but it eventually worked. I think that's how I learned to stand up for myself and stand up for others," he shrugs.

That does make sense. Like that time at the party from a month ago and he stopped that guy from trying something on me. Lord knows what could've happened if he wasn't there. I'm forever greatful for him being there for me honestly.

"I remember the smile she had when I finally got them to leave," he smiles, eyes glossy. "And from there, she started hanging out with Finn and I. A few months went by and we got closer and closer everyday. We'd call each other everyday and hang out even on the weekends. I was genuinely happy. After that, I asked her to be my girlfriend. She said yes," his smile widens as he points out the obvious.

"She was my first girlfriend so I had no clue of what to do. But I was also her first boyfriend so it wasn't hard trying to entertain each other. We were each other's first kiss too.

"And then, about a month later, her parents started going through something. They eventually separated and she lived with her mom who had remarried. Her stepfather," his teeth clenched and his face hardened. I rub his shoulder reassuringly as if in a way telling him 'its okay'.

"He abused her. He would beat her up like she was some doll and her mom just stood and watched. I tried persuading her to report it to the police but she said if she did, her mother would kill her and if I did she'd never talk to me again. Mikayla," he looks up at me, "I could never in my life imagine living without her talking to me. It killed me knowing she was helpless in such a situation."

Jace releases a heavy breath as he looks down at his lap, "So I didn't tell a soul. I don't know how long it carried on but she still came to school and went about everything like nothing was happening. But one day she didn't come to school. I went to her house and they were looking for her too. When I was walking home from school the next day," he stopped, tears now rolling down his face and I set aside the ice cream and scoot closer towards him to wipe his tears.