What We Keep Hidden (Jai Brooks- Ariana Grande)

The Poem

"So what's this I hear about Brandon having a 'daddy'?" Edward asked as he entered the kitchen where Ariana was cutting up mangos to have for breakfast. His surprise entrance caused her to almost drop the bowl she held in her hands.

Before it could fall to the ground, she quickly held onto it tightly and sighed in relief, putting it on the counter. "Uhm.. Yeah. About that." She laughed nervously, glancing at her father. "It's a long story."

Edward sat at the island, raising his eyebrow. "Well, I have about twenty minutes while Brandon tries to find his Batman cape."

Still trying to get out of this conversation, Ariana's eyes lit up and she quickly rounded the island as she headed for the kitchen door. "Oh, I know where that is. I'll go get it out for him."

Edward grabbed her arm before she could leave and raised his eyebrow at her. "Not so fast, young lady. What's the story?"

Ariana sighed to herself, sitting next to him. "My history teacher assigned me to tutor Jai," she began slowly, not daring to look at him. "and at first, I tried so hard to keep it professional between us and to keep it about studying. But.. he came over one day when Brandon was sick because I canceled our session and.. well, Brandon met him and became attached to him.."

She took a deep breath as a small smile took over her face. "One night he refused to go to bed and demanded Jai, so.. He came.. Brandon asked why he didn't have a dad.. Jai felt bad and told him. We ended up going on a date and.."

She shrugged, looking at him. "I.. it was so hard not to fall for him again, daddy. And seeing him with Brandon.. He really loves him. And Brandon loves Jai too. I've never seen him so happy." she mumbled then hesitated. "Are you mad?"

Edward sighed and ran a hand over his face. "No.. I'm not mad. I'm just.. confused. He wanted nothing to do with Brandon. What changed? How are you so sure he won't hurt you again?" He asked seriously, looking at the petite girl next to him.

"Well.. I.. I'm not. But I'm giving him a chance. He deserves one. Brandon needs his father in his life."

"I suppose so.. But if he hurts you, I'm hurting him."

"I know, daddy," Ariana giggled, reaching over and hugging him tightly. "love you."

"I love you too." Edward chuckled and hugged the sixteen year old back.

xxxxxxx

"Uh, Ms. Innings?", Luke uncertainly raised his hand the following day in his English class that he shared with Ariana, Jai and Ivy. "What poetry assignment?"

Ms. Innings had just finished a long exposition on the class poems which had been due yesterday and she didn't intend on expounding on them further. "Ask one of your sports buddies after class, Mr. Brooks. Now, as I was saying, I've extended this project's due date through tomorrow. And those of you who haven't availed yourselves of punctuality", she paused to glare at Luke, "... may view two excellent examples from your fellow classmates which I have posted anonymously in the hallway."

Just as she finished her last word, the bell rang and students started to gather up their things, preparing to leave.

Ariana quickly packed up her belongings and left the classroom, scanning the hall of students for Jai's beanie covered head. She smiled to herself and rushed over, ignoring the suspicious big group of teenagers crowded around the bulletin board outside their English class.

"Jai!"

Jai turned around at the sound of Ariana's voice and smiled at her as she approached him. "Hey Ari. Nice ears." He grinned, flicking the cat ears she wore on her head in the spirit of Halloween.

Ariana laughed and straightened them, grinning at him. "Thanks. So uh.. Brandon was wondering if you wanted to go trick or treating with us tonight." She asked, a little apprehensively.

Jai looked at her in surprise, an even bigger grin taking over his face. "I'd love to. What's he going as?"

Letting out a small sigh of relief, Ariana smiled. "Dash from The Incredibles.. I'm going as Elastagirl.. You should come as Mr. Incredible. Yknow, a family costume."

The 'family' in her statement didn't go unnoticed by Jai and his heart almost burst at the thought. A family. They were a family. "That's awesome." He smiled brightly. "I can't wait. Should I come to your house or.."

"How about you come with me to pick him up from daycare after school? That way the three of us can get your costume." Ariana suggested with a twinkle in her eyes.
"That sounds perfect." He grinned and leaned down, kissing her cheek.

Ariana blushed and she cleared her throat. "Great. See you in History." She smiled and scurried off before her blush could get too red.

Luke came up beside Jai and placed a hand on his shoulder, looking at him seriously. "You need to see this poem."

Jai snapped out of his thoughts and looked at his brother in confusion as he led him to the bulletin board.

Chance and Trust

After 9 months alone in a world that didn't try to understand,

Baby is born.

Girl is overwhelmed with love and happiness.

Boy wants nothing to do with baby.
Baby's first word is "dada".

Girl cries.

Boy comes back, says he wants to help.
Girl doesn't know if there's enough trust.

But the child's eyes are filled with delight.
Girl takes a chance.

"Wow.."

"Yeah. Wow."

xxxxxxx

I'm not sure how many more chapters this story is going to have - and my Parent trap story is coming to an end very soon. Probably this week. But I have an idea for another story - it's not Jariana, but it will include them. It's Ziley. Zac Efron and Miley Cyrus. Here's a snippet though, since I have written most of the first chapter 😃:

Miley paced back and forth across the soft carpet of her and her husbands bedroom, trying extremely hard not to freak out.

Taking a deep breath, she stopped in front of the bathroom door and shut her eyes, placing her hands on her flat stomach and softly clutching the fabric of her white tank top.

She heard a buzzing sound and opened her eyes, looking over at her phone that rested on the queen-sized bed.

Hesitating for a moment, she looked at the bathroom door and then, deciding she wasn't ready, shuffled to the bed and grabbed her iPhone, finding a text from her husband who was currently out of town for business.

Hubby: Alright so far I've seen only ten Wal-Mart's here. Tell me again who told you there were 119 stores in Missouri?

Despite the anxiety Miley was currently feeling, she couldn't help but laugh at the odd (to most people) text that he sent her. With a smile, she quickly typed up a reply.

The Mrs.: It was Luke, but we both know how reliable he is. *heavy sarcasm* but are you seriously just driving around looking for Wal-Mart's? Don't you have a job you're supposed to be doing?

Hubby: Hey, its my day off. Why not spend it doing something fun?

The Mrs.: And driving around searching for 119 Wal-Mart's is fun to you? Remind me why I married you again?

Would you read it? Above is the cover for it😊