Jump In,
Kid
Chapter Thirteen (I messed up the
chapter numbering. Whoops!)
I woke up to birds singing and the
sun shining through the cracks in the treehouse's walls.
I looked up at Jack, who slept sitting up so that I could be
comfortable. "Wake up, sleepyhead," I played with
his hand until he woke up.
"Morning," Jack smiled at me, "You fell asleep on
me!"
"Sorry, I was really tired and my parents were stressing me
ou-OH MY GOSH. WE SLEPT OUT HERE." I sat up really
fast, but I gave myself a head rush.
"Yeah, thanks Captain Obvious," Jack laughed.
"No, I mean, my parents don't know where I am!"
I put my hands on my face and groaned; falling back into
Jack's lap.
"Don't worry, I called them before I came out here last
night. I told them you were spending the night at my house
and that I would walk you home tomorrow, which is technically
today."
"What would I do without you," I kissed his cheek.
Then I rolled over to my bag and dumped out its contents.
My phone, iPod, swimsuit, and a change of clothes tumbled
out. I checked my phone, two missed calls: Mom and
Cass<33.
I groaned at my mom, then I sent her a text to let her know I was
okay. Then I listened to the voicemail from Cassandra.
"Hey Leah. It-It's me. Patrick called Josh.
I just wanted you to NOT bring my brother into this, and NOT
have your boyfriend fight your battles. Just open your eyes,
Leah. Patrick won't be there when college comes around.
He's going to UIC with me. Leah, I don't want
to fight you. But you need to realize he really isn't
gonna be there! I know he's your best friend, and I know
you don't want to listen to me, but hon, he'll leave in a
few months. The only thing you can do is enjoy the summer.
You know who I always saw you with? Jack. I guess
that's why I went after him. But I won't anymore.
Just please, call me." I set down my phone,
shocked. So many things were rushing through my head.
Me and Jack? I mean, we're just friends! But
me and Pat were just friends. And I could never break up with
Patrick! But maybe Cass is right.
I told Jack I was gonna go get ready for the day. I greeted
his parents happily and then went into his room. I went into
his bathroom and called Cassandra. She picked up in seconds.
"Leah," she breathed, "I'm soso
sorry-"
"Don't. What I did was wrong. I knew you'd
be upset and I did it anyways. And that was wrong."
"What I did with the car was wrong! I shouldn't have
done any of that to you. I should've supported
you."
"I should've stood up for you. I'm so
sorry!"
Cass paused, not saying anything, and then, "Leah, Patrick
came over last night."
"What?" I felt all the air come out from me.
"He came here. And I thought he just wanted to talk, so
I let him in. And then h-he kissed me. Leah, I
don't know what was going on, so I just pushed him off and ran
into Josh's room. I locked the door and waited for him to
leave. Then, I called you. Leah, I'm so sorry, but
you have to believe me, I would NEVER kiss a guy you slept with.
Please, you have to believe me."
"He wouldn't do that," I felt my eyes water.
"He did. Leah, lovely, I'm so sorry. He was
always a flirt, we agreed on that."
"I-i have to go," I hung up. I put away the
nice clothes I was going to change into. Then I went into
Jack's closet and picked out some basketball shorts and a
t-shirt. I threw my hair up into a pony tail and took off the
remnants of make-up from my eyes. Then I walked out to Jack.
I didn't say anything, I just walked up to him, threw my
arms around his shoulders, and started crying.