Pay the Price

Chapter Five: The News

I never really understood why Siena got so worked up about the Regionals date being changed. We already have almost all of our routine and the team knows the first chunk, anyway. Doesn't she trust the squad?

I sat fiddling with my phone on my bed. Zoya had ended up having track so she didn't mind me sticking back for cheer. I was also trying to get ahold of Karen, but she was busy apparently.

I sighed, bored, and slouched upstairs. The house was empty since Mack was at Baseball and Mom was still at work. She would be at the hospital until just before supper. Dad was asking around for jobs.

Just as I pulled out a bag of chips, a knock on the door sounded out front. I didn't hurry to answer it, but wish I had've when I saw who it was.

"Jack, hi." I said, regretting grabbing the chips. He'll think I slouch around and eat all if the time after school.

He gave that boyish smile he always has. "Hi, can I come in?" He asked and I didn't hesitate to open the door fully.

"Jenn, I just wanted to let you know that Blair and I... well, we aren't... a thing, I guess. I mean, she likes me, and I guess I like her a bit, but we aren't together."

I smiled inwardly and tried to hide it from Jack. "Oh," I said. Jack began to blush, but tried to push it away. "Wait, Jack, how did you know where I lived?"

He smirked. "Tony told me. I asked and he said that you wanted to live a... 'Normal life.' Yeah, I would understand that."

Jack and I sat at the kitchen table for a while. We chatted about all sorts of things. I told him about cheer and he said how he was now on the football team. School was another topic. We had two classes together, second and fourth- chemistry and English. I wish he was in my first class, since it was French and he was really good at it.

"JJ, would you, you know want to go out sometime. I know this great place up street to eat. I wouldn't mind taking you." Jack smiled and entwined his figures with mine.

I couldn't help but shiver, with happiness. It felt good to be like this again. He was asking me on a date! "Yes." I blurted, un attractively. "I mean, sure. That would be nice."

"How about tomorrow night?" Jack asked as we walked back to the door.

I nodded and he led himself out. "Oh, Jack?" I called, before he got in his car. "Can you not tell anybody about this?" I said motioning to my house. "I wouldn't want people swarming,you know, trying to talk to my dad."

Jack agreed, then drove off. I shut the door and leaned up against it. It felt so nice to hear that he didn't like Blair. I wonder if she knew?

"Sweetie, you home?" I heard Dad's voice as I turned on the T.V. "Jennifer?"

"In here!" I shouted so he could hear me.

He came in with his brief case. "Okay. I'm going to drive up to Brookdell. I'm going to search for jobs up there. I'll probably stay up there for the night."

I turned from the T.V. to face him. "But then you'd have to drive almost 45 minutes to get to work everyday?"

He shrugged. "It's better than no job." He came and kissed me on the forehead. "Mom will be home soon. You can cook something or order a pizza."

After Dad left, I called the pizza place. I wasn't in the mood to cook. I left an order for a large pepperoni and bacon pizza, Mom's favourite.

My phone vibrated from the table. It was Mom.

Mom: Not going to be home until tomorrow morning. New patient. Stay by urself or go to friend's. Mack's sleeping over at his friend's. Don't stay up too late.