The Only One » cth [en]

11. jade meets duke

"Ash, I told you I'm fine. I just came for a walk."

"To the dick park?" He asks against my ear.

"Yeah." I chuckle "It's been a while."

"Call me if you need anything."

I put my phone in my bag and I put my blonde waves into a messy bun, giving the word a meaning, instead of looking tumblrly pretty.

I find a great spot of grass where I lay down.

I remember coming here with my dad, my uncle and Ashton when the boys first moved here, 3 years ago.

I used to come here a lot for some fresh air but I just grew out of the habit, I guess.

"Duke!" I hear a female voice scream before something starts licking my hand.

I sit up, petting the happy little dog next to me. He's so fluffy and cute!

"Shit, I'm so sorry." I look up, seeing a blue haired girl kneeling next to me. Woah, she is really beautiful.

"It's okay, dogs are lovely." I watch as she rubs the animal's belly and I am mesmerized. She looks so mature and charming, even though she's probably only a few years older than me.

"I'm Ashley. This is Duke."

"I'm Jade." I smile at her, suddenly feeling self-conscious about my worn-out jacket.

Duke quickly stands up with perked up ears.

We look in the direction he's looking and I recognize Calum's sister walking towards us.

"Duke, baby!" As the words leave her mouth, the dog starts running crazily to Mali.

I eye Ashley, who is looking to them in adoration. I put the pieces together. Calum was right, there is no way they're just housemates.

The girl I just met stands up and I follow.

"Hi, hun." Ashley greets Mali with a kiss. This is so adorable.

"Hey, Ash." Mali looks at me and her smile widens. "Jade, how are you?" She hugs me tight and Ashley's voice makes the worst question ever.

"Do you know Duke's new friend?"

Which leads to the most embarassing answer.

"Yeah, she's dating my brother."

"Calum? Figures, he's a snack, alright?!"

I really hope the sunset can hide the redness in my cheeks. In my whole face actually. I don't even know if just red covers it.

I remember him touching me a few days ago and I want to hide inside a tree.

"Hum... you got the wrong idea. We are not dating. Just friends." I feel this is the worst excuse ever. Except that it's not an excuse. He probably wouldn't even go for someone like me, ever.

I glance at Ashley, who doesn't have pimples, and has great probably silky hair. I'm sure her face is very pleasing to feel. And I'm sure she just said he's hot.

Even though she might be fully or partially lesbian, she's very nice. There are plenty other Ashleys out there and I'm really far from that standard.

"Got it, but are you into him?" the blue headed asks seeming interested. She sits down, making it really hard for me to think of a lie to run away.

Mali smiled and steps away with Duke so I don't feel intimidated, I suppose. I thank her internally. This is weird enough as it is.

"So?" Ashley seems really excited for this conversation and I realize she might enjoy some gossip.

"I don't know."

"You don't know if you like him?"

I divert my gaze to Duke, who is chasing a ball like crazy.

"This is kinda awkward to talk about, specially with someone I just met." I decided being honest here is my best option.

"You think so? I think that's easier than talking to someone who already knows you and might be biased."

"You are dating his sister, how is that not being biased?"

"Fair enough." She chuckles and even her laugh is mesmerising. Ugh, I wish I was beautiful.

I sigh and acknowledge that she's probably right.

"I don't think he likes me that way."

"Is that the problem? You think you'll get rejected?"

The tone in her voice is not judgemental at all. She really sounds like she wants to help. Or at least to listen.

It's when it comes to me that to be having this conversation I'd have to admit to myself that I actually have feelings for Calum. And I don't.

"Usually, that's what people do." I cringe. I am really not cut out to talk about heart issues.

"Does it bother that he is, you know, blind?"

"No, of course not. He's still hot." When I catch sight of her smirk my eyes go wide and I realise what I've said.

I didn't mean that.

"So you do have a crush in him."

My mind goes back to the moment my heart was racing when he was getting my features.

I did mean that. I just didn't want to say it out loud.

"Yeah, I guess that's it."

Why did I just say that to a girl I've just met who is actually his stunning maybe secret in law and that, for all I know, could go tell him about this conversation as soon as I leave.

Worst of all I'm so nervous that she's probably getting a wrong idea.

Mali and Duke get closer to us after a while, both visibly tired and I take that as my cue to stand up.

"I should get going. My cousin is waiting for me."

"Okay." Her smile really is as beautiful as Calum's. "I've never seen you around. We live close by."

"I haven't come here for a while, actually."

"My family used to come here a lot before, huh-"

"The accident?" She seems surprised by my intervention. I shouldn't have said it. Stupid Jade. "Yeah, me too."

"You know about the crash?"

"Yeah, sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned it."

Mali rests her hand on my shoulder. "Oh, please. I'm just surprised he told you, that's all."

She gives a knowing look to Ashley and I feel awkward.

"Right, I'll get going now." They both hug me goodbye.

When I enter Ash's car I find myself smiling alone.

I really should get some friends that aren't also my cousin's.

I give one last glance to the park and today I forget to feel sad.