The Flare

Chapter 14

Estelle's POV:
I pushed my way into the door, leaving Kammie and Jonathan by the car. When I looked up, I could see Jace and Clary sitting at the kitchen table with their head on their hands and bowls sitting in front of them. I checked my watch, it was only 10:45. That's Jace's usual weekend wake up time, so he's just now eating breakfast. I rolled my eyes and walked over to them.
"Hey kiddo," I said ruffling his hair.
"Where have you been? I woke up to Mia and Lexi in my face." He said smoothing his hair back down.
"The barn with Kammie and Jonathan." I said rummaging through the refrigerator.
"He's still here?" Asked Jace.
I grabbed an apple and laughed. I ruffled his hair again and went upstairs. I looked out the window and saw Kammie walking up the walk way with Jonathan close behind her.
I almost dropped my apple. I left them alone. That was dangerous business, considering I kissed him right in front of her.
I turned around to head for the stairs, when three people were right behind me. Mia, Lexi, and Nicki.
"Hi, guys," I said sweetly.
"Save it," said Lexi. She doesn't go to my school, but I went to elementary with her. We met in first grade and became immediate friends because of our red hair.
"Where'd you go?" Asked Nicki.
"She smells of barn," observed Mia.
"Ok, ok you caught me. I went to the barn with Kammie and Jonathan." I threw my hands up in surrender. "What are you gonna do to me?"
They all cracked up laughing, and I took this as an opportunity to escape.
I ducked under their arms and ran down the steps. I bolted into the living room to find Kammie and Jonathan sitting across from each other. Kammie was slouching with her arms crossed and Jonathan had his elbows on his knees.
"Estelle!" Yelled the girls.
Panicked, I grabbed Jonathan's hand and dragged him up out of the seat. "Kammie! Come on! You know what happens when they catch you!" I screamed. Kammie shot straight up and bolted for the door.
We ran for about 12 blocks, and I made a sharp right turn down an alley. Kammie and Jonathan stumbled in after me.
"What was that?" Asked Jonathan.
"That," said Kammie out if breath. "Was a mob of girls who hate it when you leave them to babysit unexpectedly."
I looked around the alley we were in. I stood up and walked out from behind the dumpster we were hiding behind. I walked to the back and saw doors that looked like they were trying to be hidden. I went to open the door when I felt arms wrap around me. I turned around in them and hugged Jonathan. I let my arms hang around his neck, and his hands held my waist.
"Ok love birds. I think they're gone," said Kammie. "We can go home now."
I rolled my eyes and wiggled out of his grasp. I ran to Kammie, who was walking pretty fast. We walked home in silence.
~*~
Jonathan's POV:
When we got to Estelle's house, Kammie got in her truck and went home. Estelle stayed by her driveway, looking after her until she rounded the sharp corner, then came running up the concrete steps to her house.
"Sorry, sometimes she can't get around the corner on this small road." she said laughing under her breath.
I laughed at her, grabbed her hand and lead her inside. She let go of me and ran to the kitchen. She opened the fridge door and came out with an apple in her mouth. Estelle made eye contact with me and laughed, almost dropping it out of her mouth. I tried not to laugh, but lost control and doubled over. My stomach started to cramp and before I knew it Estelle was on top of me. She had the apple in her hand and brought it down to my mouth. I made the mistake of keeping my mouth open and the apple got caught right between my teeth.
She started laughing and said, "You look like a pig on a plater!"
I bit into apple, taking a big chunk out of it, and sat up and kissed her. She stopped laughing and relaxed, kissing me back.
She pulled away soon after, and started spitting something out of her mouth.
"And why did you decide to kiss me with a mouthful of apple?" She said with a completely disgusted look on her face.
Shot got off me, while also making sure she stepped on my stomach for her payback. "Jace!" She yelled. There was no response. A puzzled look came to her face, "Jace always answers me."
I got up off the floor, "Here maybe Clary will answer me. She always does." I pulled in a breath and yelled, "Clary!" No response. We looked at each other and Estelle's face became terrified. She turned around suddenly and ran toward a room. Her father's room. I ran after her, but I was too late. She was already banging her fists on the door. Tears were streaming down her face and she was screaming Jace's name.
I pulled her away, her hands were red and spots were split open where her hands hit directly. I pulled her up off the ground and lead her toward the sink to wash the blood away. I put her hands under the cool water and gently rubbed away at the cuts. Her hands felt soft and weak, but the other side was coated with calluses from her playing.
I turned the water off and cupped her head in my hands. She leaned into my right hand, but pulled away immediately and ran to the door again. Though this time she stared at the door handle. It was moving.