Chapter 22

These last few days has been intense. The dance squad had practice every day after school because we needed to win and if everyone didn't give 110%, we would do the routine again until they do. Although the competition meant a lot to me, I couldn't help but get distracted by Jason. Our parents being back meant that we would have to be sneakier but even then, I could feel him pulling away from me. That hasn't stopped me from sneaking into his room every night to sleep with him.

I know this was supposed to be no strings and no feelings involved but come on, does that even work?

Now I can't get Jason out of my head and not because we been having sex. I've never had a boy cared for me the way Jason did and because of that, it made me realized how Braydon was a horrible boyfriend even prior to his cheating scandal.

"What you are you thinking about so hard?" My head snapped towards the voice and immediately my eyes rolled when I see Nicole standing next to me at my locker.

After what happened at the cafeteria, Nicole kept her distance and I thought we had an understanding that although because I don't care for Braydon anymore I forgive her, I also wanted to forget her.

"What do you want Nicole?" I snapped, giving her a glare. I really didn't want to deal with her today.

She shrugged, "you looked out of it and you were making a weird face. I bet if the boys at the school saw you like that none of them would be attracted to you anymore." She laughed.

"Okay one," I held up a finger, "you need to stop talking to me because I am not your friend and two, unlike you, I don't really care what people think about me."

"Oh, please Blake," she scoffed, "you care. You wouldn't be miss popular if you didn't."

"Why would I care?" I questioned, "it's just high school."

"Because high school defines you."

I had to laugh at that. "No, it doesn't. I don't know why people think that, but high school doesn't define you Nicole. The only person who can define you is you and that's why you are such a miserable person because when you look in the mirror, you see an ugly creature. Once you let go of that hatred then maybe you can get acquitted to the real Nicole." I slammed my locker shut and turned my back and walked away. I didn't have the energy to hear her comeback. I needed to find Jason.

**

No cars were in the driveway when Jason and I parked the car which means that we had some alone time and I almost leaped for joy. Our parents have been cramping our style and Jason and I hardly had any time for ourselves.

Jason got out the car and he walked towards the passenger side and open the door for me. Always the gentleman. I thought chivalry was dead but over the past few weeks Jason had proving me wrong. It wasn't like Braydon wasn't kind to me, but he was clueless to the little things that counted like opening the door for me or giving me his jacket when it gets cold outside.

Jason immediately went up to his room and left me alone. What is up with him?

I sighed out of annoyance and made my way towards his room. He opened the door on the first knock. "Can I come in?" I asked.

He sighed running a hand through his hair. "It's not a good time Blake."

"When is a good time? You have been ignoring me ever since we got back from the competition."

"Not everything is about you Blake." He snapped.

I was taken aback. Jason would always tease me and made fun, but he has never been rude to me. "I never said it was." I said, my voice breaking.

He opened his door wider and motioned for me to come in. I stepped inside, and he closed the door behind me. "I'm sorry Blake but I've just been dealing with a lot."

I stroke his arms. "Maybe I can help."

He shook his head and pushed my hands away. "It's not your problem to solve."

"Is this about Taylor?" He snapped his head in my direction. I wanted to ask about Taylor a long time ago, but I was afraid that she was the reason that he was holding back on our relationship.

"How do you know about Taylor?" He asked softly.

I shrugged. "I heard you a few times talking to her on the phone and you sounded upset."

"It's not about her." He walked over to his bed and sat at the edge of it. I followed and sat beside him. I took his hand and intertwined our fingers together.

"Jason, I want you to know that you are not alone. I will always be there for you." I encouraged. I know what it's like to feel like you're alone and have no one to turn to.

"Apparently my dad got his act together," He sighed, "He claims that he is clean now and somehow he convinced a judge to give him joint custody." He scoffed.

"So, what does that mean?"

"It means that since I am only 17, I would need to go stay with him and since my mom have a big project coming up at her firm, the judge thinks it is a good idea that I stay with my dad until I turn 18 and would be able to make my own decisions."

"Wow." I breathed. I was lost for words and I didn't know what to say or what I wasn't supposed to say.

I had known that his parents met in high school and that his dad got involved with the wrong crowd and he soon became addicted to drugs. He abandoned Jason and Madeline when Jason was young, and Jason grew up without a dad. At the same time, I couldn't help but think that this could be a good thing for Jason to bond with his father after all these years. At least he's trying now and it's never too late for redemption.

"What you are going to do?" I asked after a few minutes of silence.

He shrugged. "It not like I have a choice."

"Okay," I sighed, "look I know your dad hasn't been the best dad but you can take this opportunity and get to know him. He doesn't have to be this bad awful guy that you painted."

"It's not just about my dad Blake. There's just things in that town that I'd rather forget, and I can't do that if I move back to California."

I nodded in understanding. "Is that something name Taylor?" He nodded. "Because you don't want to see her?"

"You don't understand Blake." He responded.

"Then help me understand Jason," I snapped, "Who is Taylor? Why you keep talking to her on the phone? Why don't you want to see her? Is she the reason—"

"Blake" He interrupted, "Taylor is dead. She's dead because of me and I would never be able to forgive myself."

My eyes widen.