by Jack Parker
"Jack, I'm really sorry to call you here so early," began Melan. She fiddled with the end of her plait, then continued, "But, I mean, has Damien ever mentioned anyone else to you? I mean, you guys seem really close and, well, you know."
Val made a loud noise with her gum.
Damien's words from their first meeting suddenly rang in Jack's head.
"I'd probably want a steady one. I'm not into the whole one-night stand thing. You?"
Damien ran a hand through his hair and smirked. "Personally, I prefer a bit of both, if you get what I mean. I like to have one on the side, just in case the first goes past her expiration date."
Jack shrugged. "Not really. Well, sort of. But nothing direct."
Melan creased her forehead. "What do you mean by 'sort of'?"
Jack continued to swing his legs beneath the table. Before he could reply, Kel came back with the water and handed it to him.
She grinned. "That'll be £1.95."
What a cheap place. They charged for water?
Kel took a seat beside them as Jack rummaged through his pocket for some money.
Melan rolled her eyes. "Jack."
He looked up. "What?"
"She was joking."
"Oh."
Kel laughed.
Val popped her gum again. "Men."
Melan and Kel nodded in unison. "A waste of space."
"And effort," added Val.
"Don't forget time," said Kel.
Melan and Val nodded in affirmation.
Melan smiled. "We're joking, Jack."
Jack took a sip of his water. "That's good. I thought you were all getting ready to attack me or something."
Melan laughed. Her face glowed when she laughed and she had two dimples at the top of her cheeks. They were really cute.
"You can stop staring at her now."
Jack nearly choked on his water.
Melan's expression dropped. "Quit being so horrible to him, Val."
"You're not my mother."
"Thank the Lord," she replied.
"She would have disowned you long ago if she was," added Kel.
"Shut up, Kel."
"Freedom of speech."
"Doesn't apply to you."
"I think it's that time of the month, don't you, Kel?" Melan threw.
Was it just him or did they sound like they were joking with each other?
Kel widened her eyes in surprise. "She'd have to be a girl for that, Melan."
Val rolled her eyes. "Didn't you know that guys have a 'time of the month' too."
Kel grinned. "Really?"
Melan turned her attention to Jack. "Do you?" she said excitedly.
Jack frowned. "I-"
"Who's bullying him now?"
"I'm only asking him a question."
Kel shook her head. "Don't put him on the spot, Melan. The poor boy's gone as red as a beet-root."
Jack's frown deepened. "I think I better be leaving now…"
Kel bit her lip. "Look at that, Melan, you scared the poor boy away."
"He's not a boy-" Melan smiled at him, then winked "-he's a maaan."
Val tilted her head to the side. "Right, Jack?" she said sultrily.
"See! Val's the one scaring him away."
Jack edged toward the door.
Melan noticed. "Wait, Jack!"
Her voice stopped him. He pivoted to face her, then scratched the back of his neck. "Um, yeah?"
She smiled again. "Thanks, Jack. And if you find out anything, let me know."
He nodded. "Okay."
He turned to leave.
"Hey, wait!"
He stopped again. "What?"
She fiddled with her plait. "You should hang out with us more often. You're pretty cool."
Kel nodded. "And cute."
Val yawned. "You've got a nice ass."
Melan hit her on the arm. "Val!"
Val shrugged. "He does."
"But you're not meant to tell him that."
"Why not?"
"Because it's just –well, it's just rude."
"But he likes it." Val turned her attention to Jack, then winked at him. "Right, Jack?"
Jack grinned. "Um, bye."
But before they could say anything else, he had left.
* * *
Lia watched the bag swing from side to side, then forward and back. She punched. Once. Twice.
The door opened behind her, its creak resounding through the gym.
"Back to where it all began." Cal's voice echoed through the gym.
She frowned. "The punching bag."
He yawned. "Remember to be civil this time."
"We made a deal."
"And I expect you to keep it."
She smirked and pivoted to face him. "In other words, you don't want another shiner."
Cal shrugged. "I couldn't exactly hit you back. You're a girl."
"So you're saying I had an unfair advantage?"
He leaned against the wall, a towel slouched over his bare shoulders. Lia crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow challengingly.
"Yeah, you did."
She shook her head, then sighed. "Men, you just can't accept defeat."
"We die with honor."
"You fight to the death?"
He yawned. "What can I say? We like to be heroes."
"Suicide is heroic?"
"You're missing the point."
She grinned. "The point being?"
He smirked. "We die for our ladies."
"How romantic," she said dryly.
He shrugged. "It is, isn't it?"
"I couldn't imagine you off all people giving yourself up for a girl."
"I'm so glad you think so highly of me," he commented wryly.
She smiled. "Did you come here for something?"
Cal stretched his arms. "Well, seeing as we are supposed to try and get along. I thought I'd show you something that might…interest you."
She narrowed her eyes. "What?" her voice was wary.
He inclined his head to the door. "Come on. But keep it down. We can't let them hear us."
"Tell me what it is first."
He made his way to the door. "Are you coming or not?"
She sighed. "Fine. But it better not be something stupid."
They made their way out of the gym and entered an empty corridor. Cal led her down the corridor, then stopped at a corner and indicated for her to be quiet. He backed against the wall. She copied him and they stood their silently for a few moments; Once in a while, he peeked around the corner.
"What are we waiting for?" she whispered.
"Wait and see."
She opened her mouth, about to reply, when they heard voices. She snapped it shut and listened.
Someone giggled. Lia frowned. Was that-
"Come on, Lacey. Just try it."
Lia's eyes widened in shock. That sounded like-
"Jude, no! Don't give me that look." Lacey groaned. "Fine, then. Go on."
"What's your name?"
Lia could see them now. They had stopped. Lacey was frowning.
"Sausages," she replied.
Lia narrowed her eyes, and she could see that Cal was suppressing a grin.
Jude dug his hands into his pockets. "Who's your best friend?"
Lacey winced. "Sausages."
"Who will you marry?"
"Sausages." She was on the edge of laughter.
Lia didn't understand what was so funny.
"Who do you love?"
"Sausages."
"What have you kissed?"
"Sausages."
"What are you wearing?"
Lacey began to laugh. "Sausages."
Jude smirked. "What comes out of your nose?"
Lia's eyes widened.
"Sausages!"
"What comes out of your ass?"
Cal was on the verge of laughter.
"Sausages!"
They both broke into fits of laughter.
After a few
minutes, they finally stopped laughing.
Lacey smiled. "Thanks for keeping me company, Jude."
He rubbed the back of his neck. Was it just Lia, or did Jude look shy? "It was nothing. I mean, yeah. Errh… Do you need a ride home?"
Lacey pushed her hair behind her ear and shuffled her feet. "The flat's only a few minutes walk. Don't worry about it."
Jude dug his hands into his pockets. "I'll walk you home."
"I'd like that."
Lia wanted to laugh at the awkwardness, but she knew it would give away their position.
Before Jude could reply, the sound of approaching footsteps was heard. Emilie and Leigh emerged from the other side of the corridor. They stopped abruptly upon seeing Lacey and Jude.
Emilie plastered on a smile. "Hi Jude-" she tilted her head to the side "-and Lacey."
Lacey smiled. "Hi."
Jude shrugged. "Hey."
Leigh looked shocked for a moment before he hastily replied. "Hi, guys."
Emilie leaned against the wall and watched them, a calculating look in her eyes. "What are you two doing here?"
Jude shrugged. "Work."
She raised an eyebrow. "Work?"
Lia was far too enthralled in watching the conversation to notice that Cal had turned the corner.
"Hi, guys," his voice rang through the corridor.
Lia followed him out hastily. Lacey, Jude and Leigh watched them with identical looks of shock. Emilie remained placid.
Lacey's eyes widened. "Hi, Cal…and Lia."
"Hi," cooed Emilie.
Cal smirked and leaned against the wall, then turned his attention to Leigh who was shuffling his feet nervously. "What brings you here, Leigh?"
Leigh narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Cal shrugged. "Just asking a general question. No need to get so defensive."
Emilie flipped back her hair. "He needed to give Lacey something."
Cal folded his arms. "Oh really?" he raised his eyebrows.
Leigh frowned. "Yes," he bit.
"And I suppose you wanted to talk to her too?"
Emilie smiled acidly. "He probably did."
Lacey intervened. "What did you want to give me, Leigh?"
Lia was sure that she was missing out on something.
Jude glowered as Leigh made his way towards Lacey and pulled a few papers out of his pockets. He handed it to her. His expression softened. "Michael wanted me to give these to you, Lace."
She smiled and took them. "Thank you."
Jude decided to speak. "So, Emilie, what brings you here?"
Emilie gasped. "Oh, I almost forgot." She turned her attention to Lia. "Do you know where Carmon is?"
"The ward."
Emilie regarded her with distaste. "I know that. But which one?"
Lia wanted to roll her eyes, but she looked generally concerned, so she replied. "Twelve."
Emilie nodded. "Okay."
She turned on her heel and left. Jude and Leigh were glaring at each other whilst Cal leaned against the wall, smirking with amusement.
Lacey shuffled her feet. "I'll go home with Lia. Bye, guys."
She grabbed Lia's arm and, before she could protest, dragged her away.
* * *
Jack scuffed the floorboards with the sole of his trainer and knocked on the door. Jessica had sent him a text message telling him to meet her at her room. She lived in the same building as he and Damien did; only her flat was on a higher level.
"Come in. The door's open."
He pushed it gently. It slid open and jammed on the carpet. He pushed harder and it finally opened.
The first thing he noticed was the carpet. It was red, a deep red which bordered on maroon, but wasn't quite there yet. It was covered in thick, swirling designs that made it look like it was covered in hundreds of vortexes ready to suck him in. In the middle of the room was a sofa and in front of the sofa were a table and a television. The layout was like that of his and Damien's flat.
Jessica was sat on the sofa, her right leg resting on her left. She looked elegant even when she was watching television. She had her hair up in a loose ponytail; a few white-blonde tendrils framed her face. She turned her attention to the door, then smiled sweetly.
"Mr. Harlton, what a pleasant surprise."
Jack scratched the back of his neck. "You wanted to see me?"
She continued to smile, then patted the sofa. "Please, take a seat."
Jack furrowed his brows in confusion. "Okay."
"And close the door whilst you are at it."
Jack closed the door, then made his way towards her and sat beside her. "What did you want to see me about?" He began to swing his legs.
She raised an eyebrow, the sweet smile still plastered across her face. "What do you mean?"
She was facing him now. She pushed a tendril of blonde hair behind her ear, then regarded him with a look of wonderment.
What the hell was she playing at?
She was beginning to confuse him again. Before he could reply, she continued. "I expect you wanted to talk about the mission."
He furrowed his brows. She made it sound as if he had arranged this meeting. It was probably just her way of telling him what she called him for, he reasoned. "Yeah, I guess."
She bit her lip, then shook her head. "You sound unsure." Her voice was patronizing.
He continued to swing his legs. "You're confusing me," he said sheepishly.
She edged toward him until their faces were barely centimeters away. "I don't understand." She was still smiling, that sweet innocent smile. But there was a glint in her eyes.
He could feel her breath on his face. "What did you –"
She broke the gap and kissed him, cutting off his words. She tilted her head to the side. Jack was shocked for a moment before he responded, wrapping his right arm around her waist. She leaned back slightly so that her back was against the sofa and Jack was in front. He dug his hand in her hair, pulling it loose from its ponytail, as she kissed him slowly.
And then she pushed him off.
What the hell?
She ran a hand through her hair, smoothening it out. The sweet smile still quirked on the edge of her lips. She tilted her head to the side. "I think it's about time you leave." Her words were laced with venom.
Jack creased his forehead. What was with the sudden personality change? But she was his boss and it looked like she was angry. He had to apologize. "Miss Coles, I –"
"Leave," she hissed. Her tone suggested that there would be no further argument.
He couldn't get out of there quickly enough.
Jack ran a hand through his hair as the door slammed shut behind him.
What was her problem?
First she acted all open and then she suddenly pushed him off as if he had committed some great sin. Women were so touchy. He dug his hands into his pockets and ran his eyes over the corridor. It wouldn't take him too long to get back to his room and then he could relax for a little while. Maybe he could even watch some television.
As he neared the corner, he heard some voices. Gut instinct told him to stop and not turn.
The voice was feminine and he was sure that he had heard it somewhere before. "Come on. I don't think this is the best place –"
A male voice cut her off. "Don't be so boring." Damien. "Anyway," his voice dropped until it was barely a whisper. "No one can see us."
Jack peered around the corner. Damien had someone backed against the wall. He bent down and kissed her.
Jack saw a familiar curtain of blonde hair. His eyes widened.