[✔︎] 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒 ✫ POST-DESCENDANTS TWO ⁶

✖︎ TWENTY FOUR: Missing You ✖︎

HJ always had trouble falling asleep in new places so it didn't come as a surprise when he found himself up late at night with nothing else to do. He got up and tiptoed out through the hall, not wanting to wake anyone as he did so. The halls were deserted and he quietly made his way past the rooms, entering the office Ben had given Sam. The door was open which he found rather odd so he peered through the door, not wanting to be seen.

He found Sam there, sitting in a chair by the window, talking where he'd left her. He entered the office though he remained quiet and she didn't seem to notice him. He hid behind the bookshelf, peeking through a few books and making sure he remained unseen.

"Thanks for agreeing to talk to me." the voice HJ couldn't place said. "I didn't think you would."

"Where are you?" Sam asked. "And why is it so loud?"

"I'm in Facilier's arcade." The person said. "I couldn't go anywhere else. My dad doesn't like you if you remember."

"I wonder why." Sam laughed. "So what did you want to talk about?"

"Are you sure that no one is there with you?" He asked.

"I'm positive." Sam said, her gaze shifting across the room. It rested on the bookshelf for a moment and HJ feared he'd been found out before she fixed her gaze on the screen. "They're all asleep."

"That's good." The person said as HJ edged closer to the edge of the bookcase to catch a glimpse of who she was talking to. It was just who suspected though he hadn't expected Sam to be talking to him. HJ had never liked hi

"So what did you want to tell me?" Sam asked. "And why couldn't have been in the morning like a normal person?"

"You said you'd talk to me last week and bailed." Jackson said."Then I found out you left which is so like you."

"That is not my fault." Sam argued as Jackson raised an eyebrow. "Okay it's my fault but I'm still talking so that's something."

"You bailed the first time." Jackson retorted.

"I thought we were past that." Sam said. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I don't know if I want to tell you anymore." Jackson replied, crossing his arms over his chest. "But Uma went m.i.a again just so you know."

"Of course she did." Sam mumbled. "Is it Chelsea?"

"It's not." Jackson said. "We're not together anymore but it's something close to that."

"Mal? I thought you were over that." Sam said, before pausing. "Oh you mean your thing for Heather?" Sam asked, quirking a brow. "Or is something else? Because either way this could've waited until ten not five in the fucking morning."

"I mean something like that." Jackson said. "But she'd never like me Sam. Why would she? She hates me. My dad hates her. How can I love her?"

"I don't know." Sam said. "Why would you come to me of all people for relationship advice? I don't know how the fuck mine is working."

"Well I don't really have anyone else to talk to." Jackson said. "If I told Harriet she'd make fun of me."

"Who said I wouldn't make fun of you?" Sam questioned as Jackson pouted. "Don't take I'm kidding. Just tell her how you feel."

"You think that would work?" Jackson asked.

"Possibly." Sam said. "Come back and tell me if your not dead after. I'm still kidding." Sam assured when Jackson's eyes widened.

HJ didn't like that Sam was encouraging him and telling him to go for it. He knew Heather liked him. The problem was HJ didn't trust him. Sure their dads had stopped hating each other long ago but HJ supposed it stemmed from the fact that he dated Sam when had still liked her in that way. He wasn't going to admit that now. It would sound ridiculous.

"Thanks Sam." Jackson said. "I appreciate that. The store's about to open and all so I should go."

"Tell Celia hi for me." Sam said. "She still owes me ten dollars."

"I know I do." Celia said, appearing behind the counter. "And before you ask, I was eavesdropping on your conversation. It wasn't that interesting."

"Of course you were." Sam said. "That's what you do."

"Business starts early here." Celia said. "People come all day and night. Here come some now. Hey guys."

"Hey Celia!" Gil said enthusiastically. "Harriet made us bring the twins here because she didn't want to."

"That's great Gil." Celia said. "Hi Squeaky, Squirmy, Harry."

"It's six in the morning." Harry said. "Do not 'hey' me."

"Someone's a drama queen." Celia muttered.

"What was that?" Harry asked.

"Nothing." Celia replied, faking a smile.

"Thought so." Harry said, tapping his hook on the counter, nudging Jackson's shoulder. "What are you doing here this early in the morning Sparrow?"

"I could ask the same to you." Jackson said with a shrug.

"I don't have time for this." Harry said, before he caught a glimpse of the screen. "Hi Sam how are you?"

"I'm okay." Sam said. "How are you?"

"I'm fine." Harry said. "I miss you."

"I miss you too." Sam said.

"We miss you more than he does." Squeaky said, sticking his tongue at Harry.

"Of course you do Squeaks." Sam said. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas!" the twins chorused.

"We can go now right?" Squirmy asked. "Because I'm so going to beat Squeaky at Skull toss."

"No I'm gonna beat Squirmy." Squeaky said as he hurried after his brother.

"Well I'll be back later." Harry said. "Gil you're going to watch them right?"

"Gil's gonna watch them?" Sam asked, raising her eyebrows.

"I hear myself now." Harry said. "Sparrow can watch them."

"Where are you going?" Jackson asked.

"Heather was supposed to meet us here so I'll find out what happened to her." Harry said. "Bye Sam."

"Bye Har." Sam said, watching as he disappeared out the door.

"Oh Sam." Gil said. "Uma went missing again."

"Did she?" Sam asked. "When did she come back?"

"She showed up for a bit but then she left." Gil said. "Or maybe we all imagined that."

"Well that's cool and all." Sam said. "But i'm going to go now. Talk to you later Gilly."

"Bye SAM! Tell Gigi I said hi!" Gil exclaimed cheerily as she ended the call. She sat for a moment before she stood up and walked toward the bookcase.

"HJ I know you're there." Sam said. "You can come out now."