lemonade

Chapter 4: is this appropriate?

Jackie's POV

I was sitting on the couch squished in between Dylan and Jaden— not that I was complaining— and

we were just watching Trace Urban. At least, I was watching Trace. The two gods beside me were

fixated on their phones as were the rest of the boys. Dylan looked intensely at his screen and it

seemed like he wasn't liking what he was seeing. His lips pulled into a heavy scowl and his brows

furrowed together as if he was fuming. He abruptly stood up and went upstairs.

I looked to my other side to see Jaden aggressively playing a game of FIFA. He was focused and I

wondered what would happen if I just bumped his phone out of his hand.

"Oh no." The phone fell with a sounding crack that had everyone frozen in their place. That doesn't

sound right. Jaden picked his phone up and stared with his mouth open like a fish. His once scratch

less screen was now a canvas of multiple shatters. Some of the glass had even spread out on the floor

and Bryan had gone to get something to sweep it up. I stared back at Jaden with apologetic eyes and

started blabbering. "Jaden, I'm so sorry. I didn't think that would happen. I was just bored and none of

you were paying me any attention. I just wanted you to talk to me and so I tried distracting you. I'm

sorry for your shattered screen, I'll repay all the damages. How much do you think it'll be-"

I stopped my rambling when I heard his chuckle. "You're funny when you babble." He looked at me with

something that looked like adoration in his eyes. Err. "It's fine. You don't have to get my phone fixed. It's

due for an upgrade anyways." At this statement, I narrowed my eyes.

"You stupid boy! You made me freak out over this thing. That was not right!" I sealed it with a slap

across the face. Now, that was loud. His head turned to the side from the impact and Jaxon laughed

loudly while everyone was speechless.

"What the hell?! That was painful!" Jaden rubbed his cheek, bewildered at my reaction. "Damn woman,

where did you learn to hit?" He cried out.

"When someone messes with me, I tend to do that." I blushed furiously— even though they can't see it

— and reached out for his face. "Here, let me see." I tried to help but he held his hands up to block his

face.

"Don't hit me again." He pleaded.

"I won't. Just let me see your cheek." I pried his hands down to his lap to be faced with the sight of a

red hand mark on his tanned skin. Well.

How do I say this? "Um... There's a tiny red mark on your face. Like, you're blushing type of red." The

look he was giving me was murderous. "I think I'm just going to go to the kitchen, right about..." I was

already bolting out the lounge. I could hear heavy steps following closely behind me. I made many

twists and turns and opened a random door. I slammed it and leaned against it, sliding down. Why was

this house so damn big? My eyes were closed and my breath was ragged as I tried to compose myself.

When I caught sight again, I looked around the grey and white room. Well, this place is bland. Who

even sleeps here? As I got up, I could hear Jaden's taunting voice out in the hallway.

"Hey Jackie, where are you? I just want to talk. Come on out." I'm so dead. "I wonder what room you're

in? Is it this one?" pause "Nope. I bet it's this one... Aw, no luck." I could hear his footsteps getting

close and decided to hide in the bathroom. Locking the door, I heard Jaden entering the room and tried

to be as quiet as I could be.

After a few minutes of silence. I let out a sigh of relief and walked closer to the door. Opening it, I

looked around to find nothing. I walked out of the room and downstairs to the kitchen to find Jaden

waiting, leaning against the counter with an Oreo in hand. Oh no.

"Hey Jackie. I was looking for you. See this," He turned his face to reveal a bruised cheek turning a bit

green. Ooh, that's not pretty. "This is my beautiful face ruined. And I'm going to get my revenge." He

gave a cynical smile and that was my cue to leave. I turned around to be blocked by James and Alex.

"Oh, come on guys. I don't wanna die." I hissed quietly, trying to negotiate my way through this.

James turned me back around, placing his hands on my shoulders. This feels nice. I felt shivers when

he leaned down to whisper in my ear. "Calm down, princess. Just go apologize to nice Mister Jaden

and give him a nice hug." Is it bad that I enjoyed being embraced by him?

"No. I don't want to give him a nice hug. He'll probably crush me to death." I pleaded for him to let me

go as I saw Jaden grinning with open arms. We advanced to him, closer and closer, while I struggled

out of James' grip. "Please don't let that monster touch me." I was fake-crying now. Burying my head

into James' chest, I sobbed loudly.

"Hey, hey, hey." It was him. Jaden. "I'm not going to hurt you. I was just joking, come on, don't be so

gullible. Come here, baby girl, I'll give you some chocolate." I heard a sliding door open and close.

"Here, see, it's Toblerone." I held my hand out to feel the triangular prism of Toblerone chocolate and

hugged it to my chest. "This is my favourite chocolate and I'm letting you have it. Do you believe me

now?" His voice was soft.

"Thank you." My voice was small. Man, I was a really good actress. I sounded helpless to my own ears.

Lifting my head to face him, I wrapped my arms around James. I wasn't letting him go just yet. "Sorry

for slapping you."

"Sorry for scaring you." He smiled warmly, joining my and James' hug.

Suddenly a loud voice made itself known. "Okay. Sorry to interrupt this weird but comforting moment

but I'm feeling awkward right now." Alex spoke out and broke our group hug. "I'm hungry, make me

something."

"River is the cook, not me." Jaden spoke.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. "I'm not your servant, you boy." River barked out walking

towards the stove. He took out a pot and a pan from the cupboard and some pasta from the cupboard.

After filling the pot with water, he added that stringy pasta- I think it's called linguine or something like

that- and closed it, setting the plate to 4. He put some oil into the pan and defrosted some chicken.

"Where did he learn to cook?" I inquired.

"His mom." James replied.

"Oh, that's so cute. Where is she now?"

River interrupted. "She's dead."