Blurry

Sequel to Back to Good

by: Ticia

Prologue
Things were quiet once again at the school. The socials were slowly gaining a new respect after showing Bray who was more powerful. Jay emerges as the social leader, giving Martin more time to arrange plans for the wedding and a home. Everything was peaceful and nice. No one worried about another prep takeover.

The original socials were seen as legendary. They fought against adversity and brought Bray to his knees despite relation and loyalty. They truly performed a feat that all the school was glad of. The new hierarchy was easier to deal with. Jay decided what should be done based on everyone’s wants and needs. A great leader he was too. He was a real candidate for student body president next year.

Bray fell but not to the bottom. He was still leader of the preps. The few that still remained. He was still fuming about his embarrassment and loss of his “best friend” Lex. The thing that weighed the most on his mind was Ebony being with Jack. She left him for a… geek! That was something that couldn’t be tolerated. He wouldn’t stand for these upsets in their world. Jay and Amber were together, Jack and Ebony and now Lex left the group for… Them.

Jaymes, on the other hand, was paying for what he tried to do. Everyone gave him the cold shoulder. He knew it was wrong. But he had to make up for it somehow. He would make it up to Trudy if it were the last thing he would do.

Chapter One

“So where are we meeting this afternoon?” Amber asked as she and Jay sat at the lunch table. She was a queen of the school now. Thanks to a trick that put Bray in his place. The social lunch table was now crowded with people eating their lunch on the grass next to them.

“How about me house?” Ebony asked and everyone agreed. Jack moved closer. He was glad it was Friday. He and Ved would get to stay with Ebony and Cloe respectively until at the most two AM. Definitely the boys’ favorite day of the week.

“What’s been going on lately?” Jay opened his drink waiting for someone to answer.

“Well,” his brother answered. “No one has been able to catch up with Trudy and Martin. Which is bad because Ebony, Patsy, and Cloe are the Bride’s maids.”

“So?” Asked KC continuing to eat.

“Do you know what a bride’s maid does?” Lex asked his little brother.

“No. Do you?” He shot back causing everyone to laugh.

“Baby,” Patsy stifled her laughter. “A bride’s maid helps plan the wedding.”

“Oh. Ok. Continue, Ved.” KC shrunk into his girlfriend, Patsy’s, hug.

“Ok.” Ved looked at his friend for a second before continuing. “There are two new kids; a girl named Danni, and a boy named Dal. They just registered for classes today.”

“Have they picked a group yet?” Jay asked his brother.

“Yes. The girl was with Bray all morning and Ellie was with the Boy.” Ved announced as if her were giving security reports to the president of the United States of America.

“They’re gone.” Amber stated.

Martin and Trudy quietly joined the table and sat on opposite ends. No one said anything. They only looked back and forth between the couple.

Finally Trudy said something. “Martin, marriage counseling is not an option. We have to go through it to get the marriage license.”

His eyes shot daggers as he spoke. “We’re waiting until closer to the wedding date.”

“We’re going now!” Trudy yelled at Martin. They had been ‘discussing’ this for two days and Trudy was tired.

“No and that is my final answer!” Martin jumped up and went to his brother’s table. Since the plan, the two got along great. It was very odd.

“Hem makes me so angry!” Trudy exclaimed to everyone.

“What’s happening?” Lex asked in confusion and Jack suddenly wished he were an only child.

“Let’s see Lex.” Trudy began. “Martin doesn’t want to comply to the marriage law. He doesn’t agree with any flower arrangements and he doesn’t like the suites.” She let her head rest on her knuckles and turned to Cloe and Patsy. “To say the least, he is annoying me. I need a break.”

“Not from Martin, right?” Jack asked scared of the reply. She couldn’t think of putting things on hold with his best friend.

“No! Of course not! I just want to have a break from this…” she flailed her arms about. “…The wedding plans. Plus, its not helping that Brady has learned to say ‘daddy’ and cries for Bray every night!”

Patsy reached across KC and rubber her friend’s shoulder. “Maybe you should let Bray keep Brady for awhile. He’s only seen her when she stays with Martin.”

“What if she’s calling Martin ‘daddy’?” Cloe asked.

”She’s not. She calls Martin ‘tin.’ She thinks that’s what we’re calling him.” Trudy smiled thinking of her daughter before frowning again. “I don’t want Bray near her.”

“Trudy, he can call a social worker and say that you are refusing to let him see his daughter.” Amber explained.

“You’re right.” Trudy started to say something but then she was Jaymes. For some reason her anger for him was over. She had participated too. It was as much her fault as Jaymes. Martin had every right to be angry with her. She was just glad they were back together, forever. Jaymes sat with the remaining preps and Martin. Martin stood and pushed Jaymes causing him to drop everything. Bray pulled his brother back but Martin hit him strait in the jaw before walking off angry.

“See! He’s different now!” Trudy exclaimed before letting her head fall to the table.

Chapter Two

Ebony lay back against Jack on her bed. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. They remained quiet while everyone else talked. This was their time together. Their exes were with other people; no need to worry about outbursts and sabotage. He aimlessly brushed her braids back taking one and wrapping it around his finger.

“You guys are disgusting.” KC stated about his brother’s show of affection.

“Shut up KC! You and Patsy are worse.” Jack shot back. Ebony sat up to watch him. In a dew seconds, all three brothers would be arguing.

“Why don’t both of you shut up? At least you have girlfriends.” Lex stated in a grumpy tone. Ebony almost laughed at her knowledge of the brothers.

“Ex, you don’t need a girlfriend. You always have twenty girls at your call.” Jack stated as KC leaned back against Ebony’s bed to slap hands with Jack.

Now everyone was watching so KC had to keep up the show. “Yeah, Lex is a man-ho!” Everyone laughed but Lex. He jumped over the end of Cloe’s bed and started choking KC. Jack came to his little brother’s rescue by pulling Lex off KC. Lex hit him, knocking him onto the bed. Jack jumped back up and hit Lex who was now being attacked by KC. KC missed his target and hit Jack. There were no sides now as they were just hitting whoever got nearest to their blows.

The door was thrown open and everyone but the brothers turned to look. Mrs. Keating (Ebony and Cloe’s mother), Mrs. Thompson (KC/Jack/Lex’s mother), and Trudy with Brady stood in the doorway. “Alexander, Jackson, Kian Charles! Stop that right now!” They all jumped apart at their mother’s voice and sat, ironically, in age order. “Who started this fight?” Jack sat in the center and knew what the outcome was going to be. So he pointed to Lex. He was wrong this time though, KC pointed to Lex and Lex pointed to KC. “Okay, that’s two votes for Lex and one for KC. So that means…” she thought for a moment and looked at Mrs. Keating. They both pointed at KC. “It’s KC.”

“Come on, momma. All I said was Jack is disgusting.” KC whined as his mother pulled him by the shoulder. He looked back at his brother but Lex only laughed and mocked him.

“Alexander! Stop mocking your brother.” She stated without turning around. When she did she called her eldest son to her. “You’re leaving too. You should know better and don’t mock your brother.”

“Come on! I’m almost 18 mom!” Lex pleaded.

“Maybe you should act your age, then!” Every girl in the room admired her sense of knowing about her sons. They had definitely made her a strong and powerful woman.

“Jack did stuff, too.” Both KC and Lex said at the same time, trying to take their other brother down with them. The entire room was holding their laughter at the scene in front of them. The brothers were getting treated like babies.

Mrs. Thompson looked at her middle son. He was trying to look innocent, but it wasn’t working. “You guys get him into enough trouble without him doing anything. We’ll consider this payback.” With that she took her sons and left with Mrs. Keating closing the door behind them.

“You’re right. Tonight is fun.” Trudy stated before placing her daughter in Jay’s outstretched arms. “What were ya’ll fighting about?” She asked Jack.

He put a finger up and waited for the sound of the front door closing. SLAM! “I don’t remember.” He answered as he got back on the bed and leaned against Ebony who placed his head on her shoulder.

“Okay. Let’s start the meeting.” Amber stated looking at her boyfriend who was too busy playing with Brady, trying to get her to laugh. “Jay?”

“Oh yeah.” He wrapped his arms around Brady making her sit in his lap. “Anybody have anything to say?”

“I got more info on the new kids.” Ved sat up still holding Cloe. “Danni is at Bray’s right now and Dal is at the coffee house with Ellie. As far as I can tell, from my sources, Danni is stuck up and hates those below her standards. Dal is a nice guy. Not the type to be with the preps. At least, not with Bray and Ellie.”

“Ved?” Patsy asked her twin breaking everyone’s amazed silence. “Are you a spy?”

“If I told you, I would have to kill you.” He joked but sounded serious.

“Okay…” Jay said turning away from his siblings. “So do you think they will cause a problem?”

“No. I think they should be okay.” Ved stated.

“Maybe we should have someone on the inside keeping an eye on the.” Jack suggested.

“Yeah. Lex could ask TaiSan.” Cloe added before they talked about other matters.

Chapter 3
The next day Lex was informed of the group’s decision to have a spy from the inside of the preps. TaiSan was the target. At first, he refused to use her like that. He knew that she liked him and he didn’t want to play on someone’s feelings to get what he wants. That would make them no better. But he finally gave in.

At lunch he made his move. The socials were sure to tell him when she entered the outside lunch area. He rose from his spot next to Jack and sauntered to her. She sat beneath a tree meditating. Almost as if she could feel his force coming closer to her, she opened her eyes to admire the beauty in his movement. He sat beside her and took her hand in his.

“TaiSan, I need to ask you something. I wouldn’t ask you to do this, but there is no one else that can do this for me.” He rubbed gentle circles on the palm of her hand with his thumb.

She just looked at him with hungry eyes. He was too close. She might just pounce on him. “What do you need help with?”

“I don’t know if I can ask you to do something like this. It would be wrong.” He put his head down and moved away from her.

She moved with him and put her arm around his shoulder. “What is it Lex? I can help you. Don’t worry about it.” She looked at him with sympathetic eyes and he acted as if she had convinced him.

“Well, we,” he gestured to the rest of the socials, who looked away quickly, “were just wondering if you could find out some things about the new kids and what they are up to with the preps.”

“I dunno.” She looked at Bray, who was glaring at her for speaking to Lex. “Bray would get angry with me.”

“If Bray says anything to you, tell me. I’ll put him in his place. At the most you could even join the socials. We take care of our friends.” He brushed back a strand of her hair and leaned in close. “You are my friend, right?” He brushed his lips against hers but pulled back when she leaned further in for the kiss.

“Of course, but Bray is scary.” She added looking back at her group’s leader. “He can make things happen.”

“So can Jay. Jay can help you get away from fearing Bray’s influence. Jay is a great guy. Much like me.” He smiled.

She looked back at Bray. He was menacing standing there with Danni at his side and Ellie snickering at something probably horrible that he had said. “I can’t do it. I want to help you, Lex. I really do but I can’t do that. I would lose too much.” She grabbed her stuff and got up. She walked directly to the prep table. Bray grabbed her and forcefully asked her something that Lex couldn’t make out.

He stood and walked back to the socials dejected. He threw up his hands in defeat when he arrived. “She said no.” He sat Indian style on the end of the table facing the rest of the group.

“Da.mn. Well, there goes that idea.” KC stated.

Trudy looked up at the door to the school suddenly. No seemed to notice the sudden change in her behavior. They continued to silently think of what to do next. “Why does he do this?” she finally asked to no one in particular.

“Do what?” Jay asked his best friend. He put an arm around her and pulled her to him.

“That.” She gestured to Martin sitting between the new girl and his brother. “Why can’t we just get along right now? UHH!”

“Maybe he is just feeling stressed. It’ll be okay.” Cloe promised trying to make her friend feel better.

“Yeah. You are both going through a lot of worry right now. Just give him some time. Maybe he is getting in good humor with his brother again. Who knows? That might be the key to getting Bray to stop his behavior.” Jay stated kissing her on top of the forehead.

This action didn’t go unnoticed by Martin who immediately left to avoid watching his fiancé with another man.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

“MARTIN!” Bray yelled from his room. He and Danni were talking about the memories they all had together.

“What?” He exclaimed as he threw open the door. Bray was sitting on the floor and Danni was lying across his bed. “I am trying to get something figured out about a loan.”

“You need to take a break from this wedding business. You still have another year of school left. Sit. Relax.” He smiled at his little brother.

Martin took a seat on the bed next to Danni’s head. “You sure are hanging around a lot.” Martin stated to Danni not really looking for a reply. It was a little annoying having her around all the time. Like a constant reminder of what not to do.

“What? You don’t like having your ex-girlfriends hanging around your house?” Danni asked with a pout, causing Bray to laugh.

“Yeah, Martin. Don’t you want your ex around? Why don’t you introduce her to the next Mr. Fielding?” Bray turned to look at the two on the bed.

“Shut up, Bray! That was stupid.” He glared at his brother’s stupidity. “As for you,” He turned to Danni, “Stay away from me and Trudy. We are perfectly fine without any interference from a bad summer fling that was over more than a year ago.” He stood to leave the room.

“Oh. That hurt.” Danni grabbed her heart as if she were in pain. “I was only hot, animal sex. What do you say about that Bray?” She turned to the other Fielding brother.

“I say…” He grabbed her head as she leaned over the edge of the bed to kiss him lustfully.

Martin could only retch in disgust. Why had he thought that he wanted… that? He left the room so as not to disrupt the perfect match of ruthlessness and distrust.

Chapter Four
"Trudy?" Martin asked as he sat with the group at Jack's house a few minutes after the situation with Danni. "Can I talk to you in the corner please? You have to know this."

"Okay." She handed Brady to Ebony before sitting next to Martin in the far corner.

"So, what's wrong?" She wrapped her arms around his chest and rest her head on his shoulder. He said nothing only looked strait ahead. "Martin!"

"Yeah, baby?" he looked at her confused.

"You wanted to talk to me."

"Oh yeah. I wanted you to know before anyone else told you. Danni and I know each other really well."

Trudy moved away a little to look at him. "How well? And how long ago?"

"Don't worry it was before I got together with you."

"Better be." She leaned back against him. "So tell me the story.

Martin made sure no one was paying attention to them. They might be angry if Danni shows her true side to them. She was capable of horrible things and at the time he was with her, he was too. But things change for some people. They didn't for her. "Well, two years ago, we went to some coastal town for summer holidays. I met her on the beach and we had quite a summer fling. She was angry when I ended the relationship because I was going home."

"So you just had a summer fling with her? That's it?" Trudy asked.

"Yeah."

"Then why are you worried?"

"Baby, you don't know what she's like. She is capable of anything and using my past against me."

"Martin, we all know you are different now. You have nothing to worry about."

"I hope so." He pulled her closer and thought what Danni and Bray could possibly be planning.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Ebony smoothed Brady's hair. The baby cooed at he and they both smiled. Brady was so adorable and had Ebony wanting a child someday. It was something that she had always dreamed of. Staying with the children and being like those old sitcoms.

Jack looked at Ebony cautiously. He knew what she was thinking. All girls had the same thing on their mind while holding a baby. That was to have one of their own. Jack wasn't ready for that. And by da.mned, that meant, Ebony wasn't ready for that.

Ebony handed the baby to Jack's free arm as had his other arm around her. Jack looked down at the baby and felt his heart warm.

"Do you want to have children someday?" She asked as he looked at Brady.

"Someday. A long time from now." He replied making faces at the child.

"Why not soon?" She knew that she was just getting him nervous. She didn't want a child anytime soon either. The fun of making him squirm was just too good to pass up.

"Because..." His voice squeaked and he stopped to compose himself. "I want to finish school and I don't think I could be a good father right now."

"You would be a great father." She stated before kissing him.

"Really?"

"Really. I hope we stay together."

"Me too." He sighed. He was glad that she said it first. That way, his brothers wouldn't make fun of him.

She leaned so that her lips were by his ear. "Maybe we can have children too. You would make a great father."

He could only smile. She had thought about their future together. This time two months ago, she was dating Bray and ignoring him. Now she was his girlfriend and thinking about having his children. In the future, of course.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

"So, do you think Martin is worried yet?" Danni asked Bray as she aimlessly looked through Brady's baby book.

"Of course. You know he has gone soft since he broke up with you." Bray spewed. "It's all Trudy's fault, too."

"Why do you hate Trudy so much?" Danni asked.

"Look." He turned the baby book to the first page that held a copy of the birth certificate before pointing to a name. "See. She's Brady's mother. She tried to trap me by getting pregnant. It didn't work."

"Oh." She put the book down. "What exactly did you want me to do for you?"

"I want you to pay back Trudy for what she did to me and my brother and get him back to the way he used to be."

"How do you expect me to do that?" She moved closer to him.

"Oh I don't know. Maybe you could 'talk' with him."

"Okay. What do I get if I do this?" She asked, now practically in his lap.

"Let me see." He leaned over and kissed her gently before pulling away. He lowered her to the bed before jumping on top of her. He kissed her again before moving his lips down her neck to her collar bone. His hands began to slip lower and lower until... Nothing. He got off the bed.

"What was that for? Why'd you stop?" She was furious that he didn't finish what he started.

"I was just giving you a taste of your payment." He smirked causing her blood to boil even more and hate and lust.

Chapter Five
"Hey, Jack!" Martin yelled trying to get his best friend's attention in the hallway at the school. Jack didn't stop. As if he hadn't heard him, Jack opened his locker. Martin stopped in the middle of the hall. `What's his problem?' he thought.

"Hey, Jack! Didn't you hear me." He said to his friend when he caught up to him.

"What? You have time to talk to me?"

"Jack, don't be like that you know Trudy and I have been busy lately."

“It’s amazing that she has time to spend with Jay, Patsy, and Cloe.”

“I’ll hang out with you more. I’ll just be bringing Bray around more often.”

“No!” Jack exclaimed. “You know he isn’t welcome around here since he hurt Trudy like that.” Jack looked at his friend with anger. “How could you want to spend time with him after he did all those things to the woman that you love?”

“He’s my brother. I can reform him.” Martin pleaded.

“Whatever.” Jack walked off leaving Martin standing there thinking about what he had said.

"Hey baby." A manicured hand slid across his shoulder and he rolled his eyes.

"Danni, go away." Can't you sexually harass my brother or something?" He turned around to see Bray was beside her with Ellie, Dal, TaiSan, and Jaymes behind him. "Do you guys ever travel alone?"

"No. Safety in numbers." Ellie replied.

"More like a pack of wolves about to attack."

"We were just wondering if you would like to hand out with us this afternoon." Bray asked his brother.

Martin looked in the direction Jack walked off in. "Okay. Where and when?"

"My house after school." Danni announced before walking off with the crowd following.

"I guess they have a new leader." Martin said to himself before seeing Trudy and catching up with her. "Hey babe." he kissed her quickly. "What have you got planned for this afternoon?"

"Just taking Brady shopping for some new clothes. She's growing so fast. Can you believe she is almost a year old?"

Martin thought of his niece and soon to be stepdaughter. It was like she was his child. Many people even thought she was his daughter due to the genetics that came from Bray. "Can you wait until tomorrow to take Brady shopping?"

Trudy thought for a moment and then remembered who was taking her. “My mom's driving me."

"Well, I'll borrow Bray's car and drive you tomorrow." he pleased.

"Why are you pushing for this?” Trudy asked with curiosity."

"I wanted to let Brady visit her father while the both of us are around." He stated calmly.

Trudy became upset but tried to calm. "I know you are only bringing this up because you know I don't want him alone with her."

"Of course." They stopped walking in from to Trudy's class.

"Okay. I'll go with you. Where will it be?"

"Danni's house." he answered before leaving Trudy at her class. She was angry they were going to be a t Danni's house, but at least she would be with Martin.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Ebony and Trudy sat side by side behind Jack. They were chattering away leaving Jack to think about Martin’s newfound want to spend time with his brother. Bray was totally different. And Jack feared that he would have a bad impression on Martin.

"Jack? Did you hear me?" Ebony asked touching the back of his neck. He jumped a little causing the two girls to laugh.

"No. I didn't. What did you say?"

"Has Martin been acting oddly to you?" Trudy asked.

"Actually?" Jack’s eyes darkened. "Yes, he's not acting like himself. Where has he been lately?"

"With his brother." Trudy groaned. "That is where we're going tonight."

"Maybe his presence will make Bray see the error of his ways." Ebony stated in a hopeful manner.

"I doubt it." Jaymes's voice announced as he sat beside of Jack and in front of Trudy. "Danni seems up to something."

"What?" Jack asked looking at him.

"Danni has been playing at something and I can't figure out what." Jaymes answered looking to Trudy.

"Well, what else do you know?" Jack asked him.

"That is all that I know. But I've heard that you are all looking for a spy."

"Yeah." Trudy answered.

"I can help you. I want to make up for what I did to you, Trudy." Jaymes touched her hand but she pulled it back.

"Ok. Then when can you meet us with more information?" Jack asked.

"We are all meeting tonight. I can give you more information tomorrow."

"Tomorrow after school good?" Trudy asked and everyone agreed but Ebony. Ebony didn't say anything at all.

Ebony sat back in he chair quietly. "What's wrong?" Jack asked her.

"This isn't right!" Ebony stated to her boyfriend. "I can't believe that you would spy on people and help to do mean things. That is not the person that I thought I was getting into the relationship with."

"Ebony, I am not just going to let Bray and Danni affect my best friend. I have to protect him at any cost."

"Whatever. We'll talk about it later." Ebony sat back again and opened her book as the teacher entered the room.

Chapter Six 
Jaymes glanced through out the gymnasium to make sure that no one saw his quick journey to under the bleachers. Jay, Jack, and Lex were waiting for him. The job was important to their survival as a group. A spy would know when Danni and Bray planned something. The information could then be passed on to Jay who would be able to prevent a tear in their group.

"So, what's the news?" Jay asked Jaymes.

"Well, Trudy and Martin joined us at Danni's house. Everyone was nice. And Bray has Brady for a few days. Nothing really interesting happened if you don't count Dal trying desperately to get away from Ellie." Jaymes laughed adding a little humor to the situation.

"Very well, you are dismissed." Jay stated dismissing Jaymes as if he were part of an army or something of that nature. Jaymes left the group again just as quickly as he had arrived. If he were found out, Bray would know that the Socials were after what he was going to do. There would be no telling what Bray could do as revenge. Hence the need for a spy.

"Maybe they aren't up to anything after all." Jack added with defeat. He knew deep down that something was up but was beginning to believe that nothing was going to happen.

Lex shook his head. "No. They are up to something. Do you all realize the amount of embarrassment that you laid on Bray? He will seek revenge. There is no doubt that something will happen."

Jay agreed. "They are planning something. If Bray isn't someone is. Danni has reason to get at Trudy."

"Why?" Jack asked.

"The other day, Trudy told me how Martin and Danni know each other." Jay simply stated looking at his watch.

"Well..." Lex prodded to get the info from his friend.

Jay finally answered, "A couple of years ago, Danni and Martin had a summer fling. Danni got angry when he broke up with her."

"Oh." Jack stated before looking at her brother. "Did you know about this?"

Lex only looked at his brother with a stupid look on his face. "How was I supposed to know? You are the one that is Martin's best friend."

"Whatever. Guys, let's get to class before we're late." Jay stated as he left the brothers to argue.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

"Students..." Mrs. Good announced in an attempt to get the silence of her class. Everyone continued to talk as if she had never said a word. "Students!!!!" She raised her voice and everyone became quiet. "Thank you. We have a new student joining our class." She waived someone into the room. In walked the brother of Danni. "Everyone, this is Dal Christensen. He just moved here and has been transferred to our class. Please be good to him." She pleaded before waiving Dal to the seat beside of Jack.

"Hello, I'm Dal." He stuck out his hand to Jack.

"Hello, I'm Jack."

"Nice to meet you." Dal stated before taking out his notebook. Realization finally hit him. "You're THE Jack. The one that went out with Ellie and then 'stole' Ebony from Bray?"

"That would be me." Jack stated nonchalantly.

"You're so lucky."

"How?" Jack asked turning fully to look at Dal.

"You actually got away from Ellie alive." Dal shook his head thinking about what Ellie was like.

Jack laughed. "I see she has decided that you are going to be with her."

"Exactly." He pushed his hair back in defeat. "How do you get away from her?"

"It is very hard. But I can tell you that she doesn't like you to be in the Socials." Jack stated with a plan.

"Really? Are ya'll looking for new membership? I would do anything to get away from her and I am tired of the as.sholes that my sister hooks up with." Dal stated with a grimace.

"Sure. Come by the lunch table and I will get you introduced. I'm sure they won't have a problem with you."

"Cool." Dal added before the class officially started.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Chapter Six Part Two



Jack walked confidently into the part of the courtyard that was used as a cafeteria. Dal was by his side when he sat down at the social table. Everyone stopped their conversations to look at the new addition Jack brought to the table. Jack looked around as if he thought they were all looking at someone else. Dal merely looked back and forth between the group and Jack.

“Oh! You guys are probably wondering why I brought the new boy around here.” Jack stated in mock realization.

“Yeah… We are/” Lex added with sarcasm, winning an annoyed face from both of his younger brothers.

“It’s like this…” Jack stated as he began to really his reasons for asking Dal to join the Socials. “Dal’s new and didn’t know what group to be in. His sister immediately went to the preps, so naturally, he followed the guidance only an older sibling can give.” Jack laughed as Lex sat up and puffed out his chest. Then he hit his older brother. “I was referring to me being a good role model for KC.” Lex deflated. “Anyway…” he shot the group a look to see if they were still listening. “Ellie attached herself to him like she did me. Dal decided the preps were a bad idea and became my friend.”

“So Dal’s on our side?” Cloe asked to clarify the long-winded speech.

“Yes.” Dal said finally finding his voice.

“Well, Welcome to the group.” Jay greeted the newest social. Dal lost all the tension knowing he could actually trust this group. “Trudy,” Jay stated turning to his best friend. “How was the gathering with the preps?”

“Actually, it was nice. No one tried to be evil to either Martin or me. Plus, Bray has Brady for a few days. The three of us are going shopping this afternoon.” Trudy smiled thinking about the possibility of Bray changing.

“Danni was only nice because Bray made her be nice.” Dal added.

“Why?” Ved asked finally gaining interest in the conversation. He had heard rumors that Danni and Martin had a fling together a couple of years ago and now she’s jealous.

“Well, I don’t know if Martin would want me to tell this in front of his girlfriend.” Dal hesitated.

“I know.” Trudy waved him to continue. “Tell them. Martin won’t.”

“Okay. Two years ago, Bray and Martin came to our hometown for vacation holidays. Danni and Martin met in a dance club and immediately became a couple. They were inseparable. Then came the day they were supposed to leave. Martin broke up with her. She became so distraught that her temperament changed. She had always been quiet and nice. After the breakup, she became what she is today.”

“Wow!” Ved exclaimed causing everyone to look at him. “What? My sources were right, once again.”

“So,” Jay turned away from his little brother. “What do you think she has planned?”

“She wants Martin at any cost.” Dal simply stated. “I’m sorry, Trudy. She usually gets what she wants.”

“She won’t this time.” Trudy resolved with an iron fist.

“I can’t believe you all!” Ebony exclaimed jumping up. “How are you all so sure that she is planning something. She’s been here three days and you are plotting and spying as if you were some covert government agency!”

“Baby.” Jack grabbed her arm but she pulled away.

“Don’t call me Baby! You are the one that I am most disappointed in. I changed a lot to be with you, because I thought you were different from Bray.” She glared at her boyfriend. “I love you, but this isn’t you.” She walked a few steps away from the group then turned back. “You know, the socials and preps are exactly the same. They are always plotting because they think you are trying something. You all might be able to get along if you only tried.” With that she walked out leaving the group silent.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

“Can you believe this?” Danni spat looking at the social table. “Dal has left me, his sister, for them.” She gestured in his direction.

“Danni, they’re not all that bad. They’re actually nice.” TaiSan stated using reason.

“You would say that. You’ve probably slept with half of them.” Danni added with a maniacal laugh that both Ellie and Bray copied.

TaiSan jumped over the table almost grabbing her. “BIT.CH! Don’t you dare call me a slut!”

Jaymes pulled his ex-girlfriend back. “She ain’t worth it.” He glared.

“He’s right.” Danni stated calmly. “Save your energy for Lex. I’m not a lesbian.”

TaiSan looked to Jaymes. His eyes told her not to hit Danni. So, she stormed off. Jaymes stated to go after her, but remembered his work that must be done.

“Stupid slut.” Danni mumbled before continuing her outrage at her brother’s desertion. “We need to start already. I’m tired of waiting.”

“Things have to be right. If we mess up, we’ll lose a lot.” Ellie added. “I don’t want another embarrassment. Either Jack or Dal is coming back to me.”

Bray added, “I agree with Danni. What do you say Jaymes?”

Jaymes tried his best to act like his old self. “What’s the plan? I’ve heard nothing about it.”

“We are all trying to get back what we lost because of the socials.’ Ellie explained. “What do you want?”

Bray looked at Ellie as if she had no brain. “Of course, he wants Trudy.”

“Yeah! So, what are going to do?” Jaymes asked fishing for information.

“We’ll let you know when we need your help.” Danni glared at Bray and Ellie.

Jaymes was now part of the plan. It wouldn’t take long to get into the inner circle and hear the entire plan. For now, he would have to meet up with Jay, Jack, and Lex.

Chapter Seven
It was dark and Ebony found herself sitting in the middle of the park’s playground. She couldn’t stop thinking about how much Jack had changed. She didn’t know why he changed in such a short time. He was always the person that she thought would stay the same. He would be there to trust and to be honest with. That wasn’t the truth anymore. She was lost. Even when she was with Bray, she knew that Jack was still across the road or in the next class. Now, he wasn’t there anymore. He was replaced with someone that called her, “Baby” and “Babe.” He was arrogant and flaunted his friendship with Jay and Martin. He was definitely changed.

“Hello?” A male voice asked bringing Ebony from her thoughts and almost caused her to fall from the swing she sat on. “Hello?” The boy came closer until she could see him. He was the boy that Jack brought to lunch today. “May I sit with you?”

“Sure.” Ebony watched as he crossed her and sat in the swings on her left side.

“I’m sorry if I made you angry at lunch today. I shouldn’t have told your boyfriend that if it was going to cause the two of you problems.” Dal offered.

“No.” Ebony looked at him closely. He was actually concerned that he was the cause of her blow up at Jack. “You had nothing to do with that. I’m just tired of it all.”

“I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what are you tired of?”

“I’m so tired of them, the socials, always trying to plot. They always think that they are saving the school from the preps. Sure they put Bray in his place, but that doesn’t give them the right to take the place of the preps.” She didn’t know why she was telling this boy all of her problems. She didn’t even know him.

“That’s what I hate about my sister. She is always trying to be the top of everything. That’s why I decided to hang with you guys. Jack made everything sound so great.” He admitted with a defeated sigh.

“Don’t feel bad. They really are good people.” Ebony stated. “They are just confused as to what they really should be doing.”

“Oh yeah. What are they supposed to be doing?” Dal asked with curiosity. “We’re teenagers. We are supposed to be doing this. Plotting against each other.”

“No. We are supposed to be having the time of our lives and preparing to be adults.” Ebony explained pushing herself in the swing a bit.

Dal looked at her carefully. “That’s what adults do. They do all the things that are going on in your school. Every school is like that.”

“Maybe I am a bit optimistic, but I thought that we all used to be friends and can get it all back. I’m wrong.” She stopped and felt a tear slip from her eyes at the memories of her childhood. She wished things had been different.

“You may be optimistic, but you have a wish for your friends. It will all work out.” Dal leaned over and wiped the tear from her cheek.

“How? How can it work out? They have already become what they tried to stop.” Ebony now openly cried. She was loosing more than her boyfriend. She was loosing her closest friends, because she couldn’t continue to sit around and let them do this. She just couldn’t be a part of this spying and acting like they were doing something big. They were only getting into Trudy and Martin’s business. If they could just let things be, Bray and Ellie would see that they were wrong to think Jay was a bad influence. These actions were only showing Bray that he was right about Jay trying to break everything away.

“It will be okay.” She hugged the boy close. It seemed at that moment that he was her only friend, even though she didn’t know his name. “I’ll help you with anything you need.” He promised drawing back from her.

She wiped at her tear before sitting up strait. “I’m sorry for putting all this on you. I don’t even know your name and you are trying to help me.”

“Don’t feel sorry. We all need someone.” He paused. “I’m Dal.” He put out her hand to shake.

“I’m Ebony.” She shook his hand delicately. “Do you need someone?”

“I hate to say it, but I think I could use a friend.” He added with a laugh.

“May I be that friend?” She asked as if she were a tiny child.

“I would be honored to have such a sensitive soul to be my friend.” He watched as she stood and took his hand. She pulled him across the park to an area next to a tiny waterfall in the creek. “Wow. This place is great.”

“I used to share this with Jack when we were children.” She stared out at the shallow water. “We used to tell secrets here. You can tell me your secrets here. It will stay here.”

Dal just looked at Ebony. When he had seen the girl earlier, he had thought she was a nag. That all she wanted was her way. Now that he talked to her, he knew that she wanted what was best for her friends. She missed them dearly and wanted them to surround her. He understood how she felt. Danni was slipping away from him. As children and only until years ago they were best friends. “I don’t understand my sister. She is a different person. I don’t understand how Martin could have caused her that much pain. He just broke something inside her.” This time it was Ebony that did the comforting. Dal was the same as he was before, just pensive. She only wanted to make sure he knew that he had a friend. “She thinks that she has to have him back. I was a friend to him and Bray. I don’t want her to do something to hurt them. I know Martin is engaged. She has the drive to ruin that. She will ruin that for Martin.” He stated looking in Ebony’s dark eyes. It was dark in this part of the park, but he could tell she was looking at him with interest. She actually wanted to know what he had to say. No one in the past two years listened to him without trying to get close to Danni. He hadn’t had a friend. Ebony was promising to be his friend with the look in her eyes.

“Well, Trudy isn’t going to give up. She can take care of herself. You’ve warned her and now we have to leave it up to her and Martin to take the proper steps.” Ebony added trying to make Dal feel better.

“You’re right. What more can I do? I’ll still trying to talk Danni out of it at any chance I get.”

“As long as you are not sabotaging someone’s image. You are just trying to get your sister to her old self.”

“Yeah.” He stood and helped her to her feet. “I have to go. Maybe we could talk tomorrow.”

“Definitely. But I could use a walk home.” She added shyly. She enjoyed this boy’s company and didn’t want to leave him.

“I could walk my new friend home.” He laughed as they walked to the sidewalk. “Thank you.”

Ebony took his hand as she crossed the street. For some reason, she had never outgrown the need to hold someone’s hand while she crossed the street. “For what? You helped me more than I helped you.”

“You have no idea how much you helped just by becoming my friend.” He looked down at her by his side, her hand still in his. “I haven’t had a real friend in awhile.”

“I hope I can live up to that title.” She stated realizing she still held his hand and dropping it gently. She slowed as she noticed that she was near her house.

“I’m sure you can.” They stopped in front of her house. “Well, I guess I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Of course.” She pulled him into a hug. “Bye.”

“Bye.” He pulled away and watched as she walked down the path and into her house. He turned and started to go back to his house at the end of the street when he saw Jack standing on the front porch across the road.

“Hello, Dal.” Jack stated with a bit of jealousy. “Going for a walk?” he came down the steps and walked over.

“Actually, I saw Ebony in the park and talked to her.” Dal added with an annoyed tone. He wasn’t sure why he was acting defensive.

“Really? That’s great. Did she happen to mention that she had a boyfriend?”

“No.” Jack started to boil over with anger, but Dal continued. “She didn’t have to because nothing happened and I knew that you were with her.”

“Okay, whatever.” Jack turned to leave then stopped. “By the way, I don’t wanna catch you holding my girlfriend’s hand again.” He added with a sadistic smile as if he were about to cut off Dal’s offending hand. He finally returned to his house leaving Dal wondering if Ebony was telling the truth about these people being good underneath it all.

Chapter Eight

Jack slammed the door and stormed into the living room. His blood boiled at the sight of his new friend, Dal, walking his girlfriend home. Wasn’t it bad enough that things were stressed between him and Ebony because he wasn’t the dream guy for whom she had hoped? He was normal and not perfect. What could he do?

He paced back in forth in front of the couch on which Jay sat. Jay, Martin, and Lex just looked at each other as Ved and KC continued to play the video game that presently occupied the two. Patsy and Cloe seemed to ignore Jack as they often did.

“What’s wrong, mate?” Jay asked when Jack finally fell to the couch next to him.

“I can’t believe Ebony! First she starts thinking that I am the devil himself and now this!” He ran a hand through his short brown hair in frustration.

“What are you on about?” Martin asked now completely confused by his friends actions and words.

“Ebony was just walked home by Dal, whom watched her till she was inside her house.” He fumed sitting up. “How can she do this to me just because I am not perfect?”

“What is she doing to you?” Martin asked.

“She’s going for Dal. He is far more perfect than I am. He’s tan and nice and trying to help Trudy from the kindness of his heart. And Ebony is right, I am just someone trying to scheme and be powerful. I’m not trying to help anyone.”

“She doesn’t like you because you aren’t tan?” Lex asked in hurt. “How could she not like you? You are my brother after all. Girls fall for us. I mean, look at me. I am always trying to get away from girls and KC and Patsy are in love. There is no way that Ebony can’t like you.” Lex answered his own questions trying to make his younger brother feel better.

“No she doesn’t like me because I changed. I’m not the person I was when we were younger. He.ll! I’m not the person I was months ago when her and me got together the first time.” Jack added with fear that he might actually lose the only girl that he ever loved.

“Listen,” Jay begun. “You just have to show her that you are still the guy for her despite the fact that you changed. I’m sure she’s changed and you still love her.”

“Yeah.” He stood up and looked to Martin, then to Lex and then to Jay. “I’m going to talk to her now. I’ll see you guys later.” With that he was up and out of the room.

“Guys?” Martin asked looking to his remaining friends. “What does he mean when he says that he is scheming? What scheme do ya’ll have running?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Lex stated as he moved to sit next to the boys on the floor, leaving Jay to answer the question.

“Well…” Martin was beginning to get a little worried. They never lied to him before or kept anything away from him.

“Okay, we found out that Danni has a thing for you.” Jay waited for the piece of information to sink in but Martin’s face stayed the same. “So, her brother, Dal tells us that after you broke up with her and she changed into someone like your brother changed into. We were trying to stop her before you found out, but it doesn’t look like we were able to do that.”

Martin thought for a second. He had realized that Danni was going to try something. She had called him numerous times since they broke up and he knew quite well what she was capable of from phone conversations with Dal. “Does Trudy know what you are doing, Jay?” he asked with a bit of sarcasm. He had to admit, since the incident with Jaymes, Martin was a little wary of Jay and Trudy’s friendship.

“Yeah. She knows.” Jay could sense that Martin was starting to get angry but he thought it was at Danni.

“So, you thought you were just going to do the exact same thing that Danni was planning before she got a chance to. You were going to ruin someone for no reason. You had no faith in the fact that I can control myself and that I love Trudy too much to let anything come between us?” Martin jumped up with outrage. “I can’t believe you Jay. I defended you time and time again when my brother put you down. He said that you wanted the power of leading a group.”

“Martin, We weren’t saying that you weren’t able to defend yourself against Danni. We definitely weren’t doubting your love for Trudy.” Lex tried to calm Martin down as the game had now finished with Martin and Jay’s discussion.

“I don’t understand any of you anymore. It’s like you only get enjoyment from seeing people hurt. I thought that was why we did what we did to Bray. I thought we were trying to tell people that hurting other people was not acceptable.” Martin walked towards the door then stopped. “I’m leaving to find my brother and Trudy. From now on, don’t expect me to be anywhere near you guys. I thought you guys were different.” He slammed the door behind himself.

“You know, he’s right. We are wrong to do this. We should have left this to him and Trudy.” Cloe suggested coming to sit next to her boyfriend’s brother.

“What was I supposed to do Cloe?” Jay asked putting his arm around her shoulder and pulled her near. He knew she was afraid that Martin would be angry with them forever. “I couldn’t let Trudy lose him. She’s my best friend. If some girl was trying to break KC and Patsy up, would you just let it go?”

“I guess not. I just don’t want Martin to be angry with us. Let’s just let it go.” She sighed laying her head against his chest.

“Yeah. You’re right. We need to let it go. It went to far.” Jay stopped talking thinking about what Martin said. Martin was right. He was wrong and he had to make it up to his friend. He was becoming what Bray thought he was. He was becoming power hungry over such a stupid thing as who leads the group.

Ved walked over to the couch and took Cloe’s hand pulling her from Jay’s embrace, causing him to look up. “We’re leaving, Jay. Coming with us?” Ved asked.

“Yeah. Ready Patsy?” Patsy kissed KC goodbye and everyone left Lex alone in his living room.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Jack knocked heavily on the door before him. It swung open to reveal Java, Ebony’s oldest sister. She looked at him with calculating eyes. She had been at college and had not seen Jack for almost three years.

“My, someone has grown.” She commented on Jack’s more adult appearance. He had bulked up slightly and now looked fully-grown into his body. “I suppose you are here to see my baby sister.” She spat out as if the words alone left a bad taste in her mouth let alone the thought of Ebony. “You know. I think you could do a lot better than her.” She stated leaning against the doorframe to present herself to the teenager.

“Isn’t that just great. You don’t see your sister’s old friend for three years, you wait for him to become her boyfriend and then you hit on him? Cradle robber.” He stated as he pushed past her.

“And I see you grew an attitude too. Maybe Ebs wasn’t lying when she said that you were changing. Although she said it was for the worst. I like a man with attitude.” She closed the door and followed him into the house.

“You know what, Java, just leave me the he.ll alone. I don’t have time for you and your arsenic personality. I just want to see Ebony.” Jack glared at Java making her more persistant.

“Jackie, boy, you know that…” Java started but was interrupted.

“Java, get your filthy claws out of my man.” Ebony stormed into the room and pushed her older sister.

“Don’t push me, little sister.” Java pushed back and Ebony was about to hit her when Jack stood between them.

“Come on Jack, let’s go to my room.” She pulled her boyfriend behind her with strength that Jack didn’t know she possessed.

Before they were able to leave, Java spoke up again. “You better watch your ‘man’ or some girl will snatch him away. He’s fit.” She walked by running her finger across his chest.

“I guess we can stay in here now.” Ebony led him to sit on the couch. After he was settled she placed herself in his arms. “So what’s up?”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” she looked at him quizzically.

“I’m sorry for becoming manipulative and scheming. I was wrong and I have become something new. I hope I am not all that bad and that you can take the good bit of me.” He looked down at her just wanting to kiss her and show her that he was enough for her.

“Jack, your not bad. You just lost sight for awhile.” She took his hand and kissed his palm.

“Are you sure that I am enough for you?” He asked quietly.

“Enough for you? What are you talking about Jack? Of course you are. I love you.” This time she kissed his lips quickly. “What is wrong with you.”

“Nothing. I am just feeling a little insecure.” He pulled her closer. “So what is the deal with your sister? Why is she acting like a nymphomaniac b*tch?”

“She’s mad because her boyfriend just broke up with her. She wants to break us up too.” Ebony stated as if it were an everyday thing for someone to come on to her boyfriend. “I talked to Dal this afternoon.”

“Really?” Jack asked trying to keep his jealousy in charge.

“Yeah. He told me about Danni. He is really worried about her. He says that she was normal before all this happened. Maybe we can talk to her and let her know that she doesn’t have to be this way. She has friends.” Ebony suggested.

“I don’t think it is that simple, but if you want help, I’m here for you.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry that I yelled at you in front of everyone, today.” She said shamefully.

“Don’t worry about it. You were right and you made me realize how much I was changing for the worse.” He kissed her softly then more passionately desperately trying to prove that he was the one for her.

Chapter 9

Jay walked into the school following Ved, Cloe, Patsy, and KC. Everything was so easy at their age. They didn’t have to worry about manipulative little wenches trying to make their best friend unhappy. They only had to worry about themselves. He watched as KC slipped his hand from Patsy’s back to her butt. He was about to yell at him, but then let it go. Patsy could defend herself. Wait… He stopped at his locker and opened it thinking. ‘If Patsy can take care of herself, I just have to trust that Trudy can take care of herself too.’ He pushed the books around in his locker, moving Trudy and Martin’s books around looking for his poetry book for English class. ‘Well, Martin’s books are still in the locker. That’s a good sign. Maybe he doesn’t completely hate me for getting into his business.’
Jay felt someone tap his shoulder and turned.

“I heard what happened last night.” Trudy stated looking at Jay with sympathetic eyes. “Before you even say anything. I’m not angry with you. Remember, I knew. And Martin doesn’t hate you.”

Jay fell back against the lockers with a sigh. “How are you so sure?” He ran his hand through his short blonde hair.

Trudy leaned next to him, her shoulder against the lockers and her chin on his shoulder. “I am sure because I know Martin. He wouldn’t let something like this come between him and one of his friends.”

“I’m not one of his friends. I’m one of your friends.” Jay whined.

Trudy laughed at the look on his face. “Do you realize that you look just like Ved when Cloe won’t kiss him.”

Jay tried not to laugh at the thought of looking like his brother. “I do not.”

“You do too!” Trudy laughed again as he stuck out his bottom lip and acted as if he was sobbing. Then she sobered. “Just give Martin some time. He needs to remember that you were only trying to help.” She threw her arms around his neck.

“Yeah. I guess. I hope he talks to me soon.” Jay stated wrapping his arms around her waist. They stood there for a moment before moving to stand next to one another again.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

“What are you looking at, bro?” Bray asked seeing a grimace on his brother’s face. Martin said nothing only stared ahead. “Martin!?!” Bray asked again lightly hitting his brother’s arm.

“What?” Martin asked in an irritated tone.

“What are looking at?” Bray was a little worried about his brother’s behavior lately. Martin had been acting withdrawn and even a little doubtful of Trudy.

“That.” He stated pointing in the direction of Trudy and Jay. “What is he doing? First he is all up in my business and now he tries to pretend to be Trudy’s friend so that he can get next to her.” He spat.

Bray looked at the two standing by the lockers. They didn’t look as if they were secret lovers trying to steal a touch. They looked more like to friends sharing a story. He turned to look at Martin with a skeptical eye. Maybe his brother was going wild with jealousy.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” Martin asked defensively.

“Why did you say that Jay was trying to get into your business?”

“Oh he was trying to work something out with his little followers that should have been between me and Trudy.” Martin turned and walked down the hall expecting his brother to leave it at that.

“What did he say?” Bray asked catching up with him.

“He said that he was just trying to protect his best friend. He says that Danni if trying to break us up. But I bet he was just trying to get closer to Trudy as it seems.”

Bray thought for a moment. “Wait… if Jay was trying to get between you and Trudy, why would he be trying to stop you and Trudy from breaking up?”

Martin stopped almost causing his brother to walk into him. “I don’t know!” He started to walk again noticing that Bray was still at his side. “Don’t you have a class to go to?” With that Martin continued to walk as Bray tried to figure out what was wrong with his brother.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

“Jack!” Dal greeted as he saw his new friends next to the door to his class. “What’s up?”

“Not much.” The two shared a manly handshake as if they had known each other for years. “Hey, man, I’m sorry about last night.”

“It’s okay. I probably shouldn’t have done that anyway.” Dal stated ending the conversation just as a look of confusion crossed Ebony’s face. He didn’t want her to know that Jack was being jealous. It might make her angry.

“Well, the plan Jay had going is over. There will be no more trying to stop your sister. Martin and Trudy will have to work it out on their own.” Jack stated wrapping his arm around Ebony tighter. He hated to admit it; there was something about Dal that made him want to hide Ebony. ‘Maybe it is just because he is the only other guy like me around Ebony.’ Jack though as Ebony snuggled into his arms.

“I hope they can.” Dal stated with his voice low. “Danni is really set on getting Martin back.” No one said anything for a moment. “So, am I wanted in the group? Or do I need to find another group to join?”

“They like you.” Jack simply stated. “They just take a while to warm up to someone.”

“I hope so.” Dal stated. “I don’t think I want to find another group.”

Ebony moved from Jack’s grasp so that she was closer to Dal but equally as close to Jack. “If no one else likes you, you know that Jack and I are your friends.” She hugged him. “Don’t worry about the others. They’re really nice once they get to know you.”

“Well,” Dal turned to the door. “We better get to class before we are counted tardy.”

“Yeah. He’s right.” Ebony stated coming close to Jack again. “I’ll see you later.”

“Yeah, baby.” With that he kissed Ebony deeply before he watched her walk off. “I love her so much.” He stated with a smirk as he walked past Dal.

“Well, isn’t he a little proud of his pretty toy?” Dal stated before following his friend inside the room.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

“Well, I’m glad I changed my schedule.” Danni grinned as she sat down behind Martin.

“I’m not.” Martin spat as he tried to ignore her staring at the dry erase board in the front of the classroom.

“What?” she asked with a fake pout. “You don’t want me around?”

He turned around in his seat abruptly. “Actually no. Some of us come to school to learn.”

“Baby, I came here to learn something far more important.” Danni stated with a breathy voice.

“What’s that?”

She ran her hand down the side of his face before he pushed it away. “I’m here to learn how to get you back.” He turned back around. She leaned forward with her lips touching his ear. “I will get you. That little nothing of a girlfriend you have now will not be around for much longer.” She reached out her tongue and licked the rim of his ear before sitting back and joining the class.

Chapter Ten

Dal sat down in the chair behind Jack. He liked Jack from the moment that he met him. Jack seemed like a cool guy but he was now getting on his nerves. Jack had found his weak spot and was using it against him. So, what was Jack going to do now that he knew that he liked his girlfriend.

"Well, what you had to say yesterday was right." Jack commented to his girlfriend.

Ebony looked a little confused. "What did I say?"

"Remember when you went off about getting into Martin's business. Well, he found out last night that Jay was scheming against Danni." Jack explained. "Lex told me all about it."

"Lex? Is he really a reliable source?" Ebony asked with skepticism. She didn't want to be mean but even Jack had to admit that Lex liked to stretch the truth for a good reaction.

"What are you saying?" Jack could feel himself become angry. "Are you calling my brother a liar?"

"Jack, I think that she..." Dal began but was interrupted by Jack.

"Why don't you stay out of this?" Jack turned back to Ebony. "So?"

"What is wrong with you?" Ebony didn't know why Jack was being so defensive. "Normally you would agree with me. I didn't mean anything by that. Lex just likes to stretch the truth."

Jack turned around abruptly so that he was looking at the front of the room. "Nothing is wrong with me. I know that Lex is like that sometimes. I just thought you would have a little more faith in your boyfriend's brother."

Ebony looked down at her desk, then back at Dal and finally back to Jack. "I'm sorry."

She sounded as if she was about to cry. Lately, everything she said today seemed to be a cause for Jack to get angry. This was the second time that the two had an argument. The one earlier had been as they were coming into the school and Ebony had just passed it off as him being tired but now she was beginning to wonder as he was being moody with Dal too.

Dal wanted to take her into his arms and away from Jack. Jack was ignoring the great thing that he had. Ebony was just trying to make sure that Jack had the right information. Ebony looked back at Dal with a false smile. He looked at her with caring eyes and she mouthed the words 'talk later' with questioning eyes.

"I'm sorry too." Jack stated looking at her and catching the exchange between her and Dal. "What is going on with you two? First, I see Dal standing outside your house and now this?"

"Jack, we are just talking. It doesn't mean anything." Dal stated rather harshly. He didn't mean to sound that way but he couldn't stand to see Jack treat the caring and sensitive girl just as harshly as he had spoken.

"Why are you always into our business?" Jack asked with an attitude.

"You put me into it." Dal stated with a firm voice. "Plus, I am Ebony's friend and I am not going to stand here and let you treat her like this. Your other friends may let you, but I will not. She is too good to everyone, and especially you, to just let you make her feel bad."

"Dal, I am not messing with you! Stay out of this!" Jack's face was beginning to turn red with anger.

Dal looked to Ebony. The defeated look on her face said to leave it to her. She would handle it. And she did. "Jack, leave Dal alone. He was just trying to take care of me. You know, you used to be a lot like him." Jack's face began to calm but he was now shocked. "After I got to know Dal, I knew that you two were going to be great friends but you are ruining it." Ebony looked at him once more and moved to sit behind Dal. Putting him farther into the dislike of Jack's thoughts.

Finally, Jack turned around and began to write down the boardwork. Dal took the time to turn to Ebony. "Are you okay?"

She wiped a tear away. "Yeah. He is just being moody lately. I don't know why."

"He is probably just stressed. Maybe everything will be better soon." Dal added hopefully.

"Maybe."

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Trudy sat on the floor in front of her locker waiting for Jay to arrive. Martin was refusing to talk to her. She had said hello to him before she went to class and given him a note just a couple of minutes ago, but he acted as if he was angry with her. He snatched the note away and slipped it into his back pocket without even opening it. She knew that he was angry with Jay but that was no reason for him to not speak to her.

"Trudy, why are you sitting on the floor?" Amber asked as she and her boyfriend made it to the locker they shared. She reached out a hand to help her friend up.

"Oh, I was just waiting for Jay." She smiled at her best friend. "But maybe you could help me too. Martin has first period with you doesn't he?"

"yeah." She answered with confusion as Jay took her books from her to put them in her locker.

"Did he say anything about being angry with me?" Trudy asked.

"Actually, he didn't say anything to anyone. He just sat to himself." Amber answered. "Why? What's wrong?"

"He won't talk to me. I thought maybe he would have said something about what made him angry with me." She leaned against the locker and looked down the hallway opposite of where Jay and Amber were standing. Martin was walking down the hallway talking to Jack and Jaymes. He looked as if he were happy, but when he looked up and saw that Trudy was looking at him, they stopped at Jaymes's locker and he turned away from her. "I'll catch up with you guys at lunch." Before either one could say anything she was gone.

"So what is the deal with her and Martin?" Amber asked turning to her man, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I don't know. I hope it doesn't have anything to do with him being angry with me." Jay answered kissing her on the tip of the nose.

"Why is everyone arguing? Martin is angry with you for something that would potentially help him. Jack is angry at Ebony for no reason at all..." She trailed off.

"I think the group is just growing apart." Jay answered with sadness. "Ebony was right. We are just taking too much on. It is causing all of us to be all crazy because we are too worried about everyone else."

"Well, you know it isn't too late to make things better." Amber kissed him lightly to try to make him smile. It only worked for a second until he was able to remember whatwas going on again.

"I think it is. I mean... Look!" he gestured to where Trudy was talking to Martin.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

"Hey, baby." Trudy greeted as she wrapped her arms around Martin's waist from behind.

"Hey." He stepped away from her. Jack and Jaymes even knew something was up now.

"What's wrong?" She moved to him and put her hand against his forehead. "Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah, I'm feeling okay." He pulled away again.

Trudy didn't know what else to say. She couldn't think of anything that she has done to make him angry. "What have I done to make you angry? I've thought about it all this morning."

"You've done nothing." Martin replied stressing the first word. "Jay is the one that has made me angry."

"I know. You told me about it last night." Trudy replied crossing her arms. "So why have you been talking to me?"

"Well, it is kind of hard to find you without him being around."

Trudy looked at him hard. "He's my best friend. What's wrong with him being around me so often? Jack is near you just as often."

"That's different." Martin snapped.

"How?" Trudy took a step closer to him. "Because you and Jack are guys and Jay and I are a guy and a girl?" he did answer. "How is it different, Martin?"

"You're right. It is because he isn't a girl. Trudy, people talk." Martin tried to rationalize with a softer voice than before.

She uncrossed her arms and threw them up. "Who's talking? I haven't heard anyone talking about me and Jay. Wait... let me stop someone and ask them." Trudy could feel herself become furious that Martin would care what people would think. That the thought of someone thinking that she was unfaithful to Martin with Jay was just horrible. She quickly caught sight of a boy she remembered from one of her art classes a year or two back. He name was... "Mega, may I ask you a question?"

"Sure." He looked at all that was present. There was a prep and three socials. What could they possibly want?

"What have you heard about me lately?" Trudy asked calmly as she could trying not to seem to mean to the younger boy.

"Well, I heard that you and Martin are about to get married." He answered nervously.

"Nothing about me and Jay?"

"Well, I have heard that you two were best friends. But I thought that was common knowledge."

"It is. Thanks Mega." She dismissed him before turning back to the group. Mega only walked off as confused as he was when Trudy stopped him.

"See, no one is 'talking.' You have nothing to worry about." Trudy stated to her fiance. Moving to kiss him on the cheek now that he had to believe her, he couldn't be angry with her.

He allowed her to kiss him on the cheek. "Whatever. I have to go to class, I am going to be late for Economics." He stated motioning for Jack to follow.

"Can you believe that?" Trudy asked Jaymes once Martin was out of hearing range.

Jaymes leaned against his now closed locker and looked at her. "No, why would someone so lucky as to have you wouldn't trust you?"

She sighed and leaned against the lockers next to him. "Well, I did almost cheat on him with you."

"But that was a long time ago and you two have gotten over that."

"Jaymes, you never get over something like that. You just push it to the back of your mind." She stood up strait again as she saw Ebony walking down the hallway with Dal. "I'll see you later."

"Yeah." She hugged him before running off to catch up with Ebony.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Dal walked with Ebony to their next class. He seemed to have every class with a member of his new social group. They were cool, so it was great. But the best part of the day was the morning, when he had his first three classes with Ebony. She was someone amazing to talk to now that he knew her.

"I'm sorry that Jack is being so awful to you. He is acting weird lately." She leaned over as if she was going to tell him a secret. "I think he is PMSing."

Dal couldn't help but laugh at the innocent look on her face. She laughed with him and Dal could have swore that he heard bells. Her face lit up the entire hallway and Dal felt his heart constrict.

"Hey, guys." Trudy greeted finally catching up to the two.

"Hey." Ebony greeted back in a cheery tone. She had made a last minute decision to forget everything that was going on with Jack. She would just bear with his mood swings until he went back to his normal self.

"So what's up with you two? Why isn't Jack with you?" Trudy asked with confusion. Was Jack angry with Ebony, also?

"Jack is angry with me. I said that Lex wasn't exactly a reliable source and he got angry." Ebony stated with a sarcastic tone. "I thought he would be the first person to think that."

"Yeah." Trudy agreed. "Martin is angry with me too."

"Okay, now I really think it is male PMS. Dal are feeling moody yet? Or have you not been around these guys long enough to be on their cycle?" Ebony asked in a joking voice.

"Well, it has only been five days since I got here. Not long enough for anything, yet."

"I guess we'll have at least one guy we can count on." Trudy commented before stopping at her classroom door.

Dal stopped at the door next to the one Trudy stopped at. "So all the guys around here are going crazy?"

Ebony walked in before him and sat in the back of the room. Dal sat in the desk next to her. "Yeah. Bray is being nice to Trudy, Martin is angry with Trudy, Jack is angry with me all the time, Jay is out of his mind trying to get into someone else's troubles, and I guess the younger guys are staying pretty much out of this."

"It's probably just stress over something." Dal rationalized trying to make Ebony feel better.

Ebony looked at him hard. "Be honest. You know we are all just growing apart. Some of us probably should have never been together in this group."

"You shouldn't think like that."

"It's the truth. Things are just getting out of hand in the last couple of days just because your sister shows up with a crush on Martin. I think all the sh*t about her was just an excuse for us to break down." She pulled out her notebook and began to write down the boardwork as the bell rang ending their conversation.

Chapter Eleven
The courtyard was buzzing with activity at lunch. But the Preps and the Socials were unusually quiet. No one was running back and forth between the two tables and few people talked at each table. It was as if a dark cloud had fallen over the groups, stopping all communication within them. No one knew what to say in light of the recent moods that had fallen.

Ved, Patsy, Cloe and KC continued to chatter oblivious of their friends' and siblings' silence. Everyone watched the happy teens talk about everything and be held in their lover's arms. It was all they could do at the moment, in the uncertainty. Jay and Amber sat close with Trudy by Jay's side. Jack sat on the opposite side of them with Ebony by his side and Dal beside her. Beside Amber sat Ved and Cloe and Patsy and KC sat opposite of them. And Lex sat on the ground behind Jack. Martin seemed to be the only one absent. He was sitting with the Preps toady as he had been for the last few days.

Danni was the only person talking at the Prep table. She sat at the end with Martin on one side and Bray opposite of him. Jaymes sat beside Bray and TaiSan next to him with Ellie sitting next to Martin. Danni spoke to Martin about what she had heard said about Trudy and Jay.

"Luke said that he saw Jay walking Trudy to class. You might want to do something about that Martin." Danni stated with an evil smirk.

Martin looked up from his plate with contempt. He didn't like Danni getting into his business anymore than he liked Jay being in the same business. "Oh really? What do you think that I should do?"

"Well," she reached to take his hand in hers but he pulled his away. She grimaced. "You could always break up with her and be with me. I would never leave you for a good for nothing pretty boy, like Jay."

"No." Bray interrupted. "You would do far worse. You would take him from the person that he loves." He had been on Danni's side at the beginning because it might have been the chance for him to gain back his popularity. Now that he saw what she was planning to do to his brother and the mother of his child. He couldn't just stand to watch her do her damage.

"What crawled up your butt, Bray?" Ellie asked.

"Nothing. What's made you so bi.tchy?" he could have laughed from the look of shock on her face. "Oh yeah, two guys left you for a social girl."

Ellie's shock turned to a smirk. "Would that be the social girl that left you?"

TaiSan moved closer to Jaymes. She was tired of all of Danni's plans and she was tired of the division between the socials and the preps. They were all once friends until Jay came around and the simple fact that Bray was jealous of Trudy's attention to Jay drove the group to pick sides.

TaiSan's movement was almost a demand for Jaymes to say something. "Can we all just act civil? Danni wants nothing more than to drive Martin from Trudy, Bray wants nothing to do with this anymore and Ellie is bitter. Let's just face it. None of us are being friends to one another."

Danni looked at him with a glare of daggers. "If you don't like this group, then you can leave. But before you go, weren't you the one that tried to break up Martin and Trudy only five months ago?"

Jaymes stood pulling TaiSan up with him. "We all make mistakes. Some of us make up for them." He looked to Bray with the last words that he said. He walked away leaving only Bray, Martin, Ellie and Danni to the name of the group.

"He's right. Some of us should make up for what we have done." Bray stood looking his brother in the eyes to see if he would follow. "I'm leaving. Maybe they will take my apology for all that I have done in the past two years." he walked past Danni and looked over his shoulder at what Martin would do. His brother didn't move only continued to look at his tray as he ate. "Maybe he will see what she will do in time." Bray said to himself in a whisper as he crossed the courtyard. He quickly caught up to Jaymes and TaiSan just as they made it to the Social table.

"Excuse me." Jaymes greeted gaining the attention of the entire table. "May we sit with you?"

Jay could only look for a moment as he realized that Bray stood behind Jaymes. "Sure. But are you sure that you want to be seen with us, Bray?"

"Better to be seen with you than to be seen with Danni." Bray answered with honesty that shocked everyone at the table but Trudy. She knew what he was changing into. He was becoming honest and he wanted to stop Danni from keeping his brother from being the man to raise his daughter. *(AN- doesn't that sound like Jerry Springer?)*

"Well, then welcome to the group." Jay greeted. Jaymes was called over to sit between Jay and Trudy and Bray sat on the other side of her. TaiSan joined Lex on the ground instantly being taken in his arms. "To what do we owe the visit?" Jay asked Bray with much curiosity. He knew that Bray didn't think well of him.

"Hopefully it won't be a visit. I'm sorry I judged you." He offered. "I was too critical and should have given you a chance. You are a lot better of a person to be affiliated with than Danni is. May we stay with you guys?"

"I dunno. You have to speak to the rest of the group." Jay stated looking to everyone else that was left at the table before standing to take his tray up with Amber following her boyfriend.

Bray looked to the rest of the table. No one seemed to pay any attention to the new additions. Trudy and Jaymes were talking; Ebony and Dal were talking with Jack scowling at them; the young ones were once again chattering; Lex and TaiSan were talking in a whisper. Bray took this as a good sign turning to talk to Trudy. "So, how is my daughter? I haven't seen her in a week."

Trudy smiled brightly. "She is doing great. She misses you and wears the Tigger hoodie that you bought her whenever she goes out and can't sleep without her stuffed Tigger."

"Would you like to come over this afternoon and hang out with me and Jaymes?" He asked looking to Jaymes for his answer also.

"Yeah, me and Brady will be there around four." She answered just as the bell rang to let them know lunch was over.

Chapter Twelve



Bray opened the door to a smiling Trudy. She threw her free arm around Bray's neck while saying her greeting. Brady, seeing her father in front of her, threw out her arms in a silent request for him to take her from Trudy's arms. He did as Brady asked. "She is very alive today isn't she?" He asked Trudy with a life as Bray took some of his long hair in her hand.

Trudy pushed some of her hair behind her shoulder. "You have no idea. She was fighting me while I was walking down the street. I almost dropped her."

"Well, Daddy is going to take care of Brady's behavior." as if Brady knew what behavior ment, she released her father's hair and looked up at him with sad eyes. "Don't worry honey, you aren't in trouble. Just be nice to mommy."

"I'm nice to momma." She stated causing Trudy to look on in wonder.

"Bray! That was her first full sentence!" She reached over and kissed her daughter on the head.

"I have to tell them!" Bray rushed into the living room leaving Trudy to follow with a smile on her face. "Guys!" Jaymes looked up from the couch and TaiSan and Lex continued to kiss in the chair that they were sharing. "Brady just said her first sentence!" He explained as he sat on the opposite end of the couch from Jaymes.

"That's great!" Jaymes congragulated. He looked up to watch Trudy walk in to the room. The whole room lit up with her smile or so thought Jaymes. "Trudy, hello." she sat beside him.

"Hey, Jaymes. How are things with you?" She asked still on the high of one of her daughter's firsts.

"Things are great. How are things with you?"

"Great right now. But earlier, I could have killed Martin." she conceeded letting a frown grace her face for only a second. "Brady made my day much better."

"That's good. But what is the deal with you and Martin?" He asked taking an interest in her everday life.

Bray stood not letting go of his daughter for a second. Time with her was precious and dear. "I'll go get you a drink, Trudy."

"Okay. Diet Sierra Mist." she answered before turning back to her new friend. "I don't know. He suddenly suspects me of having a secret relationship with Jay."

"Where did he get the idea? I saw what happened this afternoon." Jaymes asked taking her hand in his to comfort her.

She looked at her hand in Jaymes's. "I have no idea. No one is talking about me and Jay. There are absolutely no rumors." She looked back up at him. "I just don't understand."

"I think that he might be getting his information from Danni."

"As part of what we thought she had up her sleeve?" Trudy asked with worry. She wasn't exactly sure that she wanted to know the whole truth.

"Yeah. Since she knew that she was moving here, she formulated a plan to get Martin back to her. I think she started phase one." Jaymes commented quietly afraid to hurt Trudy.

"Really? So that is why he doesn't trust me, his future wife? Because she casually mentioned that something happened between Jay and me?" She jumped up from the couch and paced. It couldn't be true. Martin would never believe someone else over her. They had gotten through Trudy's situation with Jaymes months ago. He couldn't use that as a basis to conclude that she would do something similar with Jay.

"Trudy, I have no idea what Martin is thinking." Jaymes stood and pulled Trudy against him in a hug. "All I know is that Danni has to be stopped."

"Who's going to stop her? Dal says that she is manipulative." Trudy gave a defeated sigh.

"I'll stop her." Jaymes stated firmly almost scaring Trudy. She was about to say something more to him when Bray returned.

"What happened?" Bray asked noticing Trudy crying. "What did you say to her?" he felt himself becoming angry. He never cared what had happened to Trudy before but after his shopping excursion last week, he was beginning to feel the way he used to feel for her.

"He didn't say anything bad. He just told the truth about Danni. Her plan. I know you know something Bray." Trudy advanced on him taking Brady from his arms. "So tell me."

He backed up and tripped onto the couch. "All I know is that she is after Martin, she was going to help me get back at you and Ellie was going to get Jack back."

Her eyes narrowed. "So you had a part in the plan?"

"Yes." He answered with a gulp. "But as soon as I saw that I was wrong about what you are like now, I got out. I couldn't do anything to hurt you now."

"Whatever. I can't believe that you would do this! Wait, I can believe it." She added with a look of contempt.

"Trudy! I swear I didn't give her any information about you or helped her get to Martin. She started that when I wasn't around. I swear!" He pleaded.

TaiSan and Lex were now broken apart looking at the reason for the raised voices. "I think we shoud leave. See ya at school tomorrow." Lex stated almost dragging TaiSan behind him.

"I'm going to head out of here too." Jaymes added. "I'm sorry."

Trudy walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You have nothing to be sorry about."

"Bye." With that Jaymes left Bray, Trudy and Brady alone.

"So you didn't know she was already working on Martin?" Trudy asked lowering her voice.

"No. I had no idea. At first I wanted to help her but when I spent some time with you again, I coudn't do it." He added.

"Okay. I believe you but what are we going to do about Martin. He already doesn't trust me." Trudy stated.

"Talk to him. He wouldn't ask you to marry him if he didn't trust you." Bray rationalized. "He has to believe you."

"I guess you're right." The door was thrown open.

"Sounds like you chance is now." Bray added as Martin stomped into the room.

"What the he.ll are you doing with Trudy?" he directed at his brother.

"He's talking to me." Trudy stood up for her own honor.

"What?" Martin's face was red with anger. "Jaymes and Jay wasn't enough for you? You had to go back to my brother?"

"Martin, where are you getting these ideas?" Bray asked causing his brother to glare at him.

"Stay out of this Bray. You've caused enough problems for everyone!" He pushed his brother causing him to topple to the floor. Bray just stood and brushed his jeans off. "What? You're not going to hit me?"

"No, little brother. Some people know of a thing called trust." He stated taking Brady from Trudy. "I'll put her to sleep for you." Trudy nodded.

"What does he mean'trust?" Martin asked calming as his brother left.

"He means you trusting Danni over your future wife." Trudy answered with sacasm. "What are you thinking? I couldn't cheat on you with Jay."

"Why not? You cheated on me with Jaymes."

"I thought we were over that." Trudy ran a hand through her hair in fustration.

"We'll never be over it. If you did it once, you might do it again."

Trudy took a few steps closer noticing something on Martin's collar. "Is that lipstick?" she touched the offending mark. "It is! I thought you were at Danni's house."

"I was." He looked at her smugly. "If you can do it, I can do it, too."

"I DIDN"T DO ANYTHING!" Trudy screamed. Martin had done something with Danni. "What exactly did you do?"

"I slept with Danni. Just like you slept with Jay, Jaymes and Bray."

"The only person other than you that I have ever slept with is Bray!" Trudy announced.

"Well, I guess it is too late now. I am getting back together with Danni. She is much better than you anyway."

"What?" She asked in shock. Was he breaking up with her? Danni had only been setting these thoughts in his head for a few days according to Bray. How could he already distrust her enough to sleep with another girl?

"I said we...are...breaking...up." Martin stated slowly.

"Okay. That's just fine. I don't need to be with a man that will sleep with other people and not trust me." She threw the ring at his chest before running out of the room and up the stairs intent on running to Bray.

Chapter 13



"Trudy, calm down!" Bray pushed back her hair as she wiped at her eyes furiously.

She looked up at him with flooded eyes. "How can I calm down, Bray? He just broke up with me! We can't take another break up!" She broke down into choking sobs again. Martin was giving her up for Danni and she was expected to calm down. How could anyone think that she would calm down after loosing the man that would be her husband and served as father for Brady while his brother was in denile? This is the end of everything.

"Maybe you are better off. You don't need to be with someone that doesn't trust you." He explained thinking about his crimes against her. He had accused her of Martin being Brady's father. But instead Martin had only been taking the responsibility that he had not been man enough to take himself.

Trudy stopped sobbing and leaned against him. "Didn't you do the same thing? You said Martin was Brady's father."

"I was wrong then. But I am telling you the truth now. You got rid of me and you were happier without me." He pushed back her hair again that kept falling in her face. "It may sound cold, but you just need to move on from Martin too." she shook her head in disapproval. "Yes you can. There are plenty of guys that would love to take care of you and Brady. Give them a chance."

"Can't I wait a while? I mean, Martin just dumped me."

"Sure, just don't give up on men." He looked at her lovingly and she almost thought that he was in love with her again. "No one could leave you without love."

"Really, now?" She was suprised at Bray's behavior lately. He was nice to everyone and he was less coniving than usual. Almost as if he had hit an about face.

"Really. I will always be there to take care of you and Brady." He walked over to the cradle in the corner of his room to look down at his tiny daughter. "I should have took care of the two of you to begin with. Then you wouldn't be in this situation now." He muttered pulling the blanket up over Brady more. "She's so beautiful when she sleeps. Just like her mother."

"Bray, I have to leave." Trudy stated thinking Bray's actions were too off for her. "Can Brady stay with you tonight? I don't want to wake her."

"Sure. She'll be well taken care of. Momma will watch her tomorrow, so tell your mom not to worry." He walked back to the bed where Trudy now stood and pulled her into a hug. "Remember that you have people that love you."

Trudy looked at his out of the corner of her eyes. He was really starting to scare her. He was acting like the last two years never happened, that he was still the great guy that everyone was in admiration of. "Talk to you tomorrow?" She pulled away and walked to the door.

"Yeah." he smiled.

Trudy opened the door to leave saying "Bye." as she left.

"Bye, Honey." Bray stated quietly closing the door after her.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Trudy breathed the cool night air. It was refreshing to her pained throat from sobs. It had been an odd evening and Bray was right. If Martin couldn't trust her, how could she live a life with him? It would be impossible. She may not have liked the outcome but it was what should have happened.

The night was clear and gave Trudy the idea of sitting in the park. She strolled in the opposite direction of her house and quickly ended up in the park near the little creek. The water flowed over the small smooth rocks surely as if had been doing for years. It was continuous. Nothing stood in the way of its flow to the nearby river. The creek had it much easier than she. Many damns stood in her eay and there seemed to be no ford for her to pass. She was stuck right in the middle being weeded through life's little situations. Only things didn't seem so little.

First, she fell in love with the perfect guy and got pregnant. Then, he denounced their relationship. Finally, she was dating the love of her life, or so she thought, and he gave her up to simple rumor. It seemed like she would never get to be happy for a long period of time. One of her mistakes seemed to pile on the other.

"A penny for you thought?" A voice broke her from her thoughts. She turned to see Jaymes standing behind her.

"Are you following me?" She asked in mock fear.

Jaymes laughed. "No. I saw you walking by me and thought I would say hello."

"Well, hello." Trudy added trying to feign her normally bubbly personality.

"Are you okay?" Jaymes saw through her sheild. "What happenned?"

Trudy debated for a second on weither or not she should tell him. He was after all one of the reasons that she lost Martin. But that was as much her fault as it was his. "Martin broke up with me and slept with Danni." she didn't cry and she didn't slump. She merely stated as if she were tell him what was for lunch.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." He put his hand on her shoulder the reassure.

"You were right. Danni is manipulative. She got his quick. She's been here, what? Three weeks? And she's already stole my love and crushed my heart." she stated with a voice giving away the feeling of hatred she felt.

"Honey, Martin was just as to blame as she. You weren't the one in the wrong."

"I know, but it doesn't hurt any less and it doesn't mean that Danni is any less of a bit.ch! I hate how she just walked in here and took over without anyone stopping her. She had lackeys in less that two days. Is she really that popular? Tell me! You were one of her people." Trudy demanded taking angry steps towards him. When he didn't answer her she became even more angry. "Well..."

"I was never one of her people." He tried to place his hand on her shoulder again but she pulled away. "I was spying for Jay and Jack. I thought you knew that. I wanted to make up for what I did to you."

"Well, it didn't work! That was one of the reasons behind Martin sleeping with Danni." Trudy lashed out.

Jaymes started to say something in his defense but thought against it. She was right. He had caused the problem and he couldn't say anything to defend his reasons. He was just as evil as Danni, just not as clever. He looked to the ground in shame. "You're right. I take full responsibility. I did the same thing that Danni is doing now. I just wasn't as clever as she. I let myself get caught up in a moment and ruined my whole plan." he looked up at her, staring strait in her eyes. "I'm glad I did mess up. I was doing something evil and I want to make up for it." He grasped her shoulders in his hands. "Trudy, let me make it up to you. I am desperate."

She pulled away gently not wanting to think she was angry with him. His small speak caused her to think. "A lot of people are desperate for lots of things. I am desperate for Martin. Bray is desperate to know Brady. Jack is desperate for Ebony."

"What can I do to make it up to you?" He was to the point of kneeling if she asked him to.

"You could start by taking me home." She answered with a sly smile before taking his arm and urging him to walk out of the park.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

The entire room was blanketed in darkness as the movie played. The wooden man came up behind the man and attempted to stab him. To say the least, this movie was far from scary. It downright bordered on comedy. A wooden man was wreaking havoc on a group of people on a halloween vacation. The man turned out to be the evil incarnate of the main character's late father. Hardly scary.

However, the group watched with facination as the horrible movie progressed, laughing at points where one was expected to be scared stiff with fear. It was a great bonding moment that allowed the group to avoid arguements. But finally, the movie was over.

"That was an excellent movie." Ebony stated sarcastically as she hit the stop and rewing buttons on the remote she held in her hand. She leaned over, placing her head on her boyfriend's shoulder. "Are you thirsty, Jack?" he nodded to her. "Dal, will you help me gather some drinks and snacks?"

"Sure." the two stood and walked to the kitchen with Ebony blowing a kiss to Jack before exiting the room.

Java took her chance to make a move on Jack now that her sister was away. She slowly slind her manicured hand over Jack's thigh to his crotch under the quilt that lay over the laps of all four of the group. Java leaned over so that she could whisper in his ear. "Ebony's gone to be alone with Dal. What do you think we should do to amuse ourselfs?" She licked his ear and blew on the wet place she made as she massaged the place her hand had rested on.

"First," he band reaching under the blanket and removing her hand. "You could move you hand and then next you could move away from my ear." He turned to look at her with a menacing expression.

"You don't like me?" She gave a fake laugh that almost make Jack retch to think of what she was going to do to him next. "But, I do things that my little sister is to...nice to do." She reached up and ran her finger over his neck where his hair meets his neck causing him to shudder involuntarily. "See, I knew you would like that. There's more where that came from." just as she uttered those words Ebony came back in the room with a tray of drinks and Dal followed her carrying a tray of food. Jack jumped away from Java causing her to laugh at his fear of her angelic younger sister.

"Hey Baby." Jack greeted as she sat down next to him, giving him a can of jolt cola. He turned her face to him and kissed her for a long amount of time. It was more of a show for Dal and Java. To show the two that him and Ebony wouldn't be breaking up anytime soon.

Ebony pulled away short of breath. "What was that for?" She leaned back against him with her head on his chest.

He wrapped his arm around her 'accidently' touching Dal to let him know whose arms belonged around her. "Just because I love you." She rewarded him with a sweet chaste kiss. "You're too good to me."

"Ughh! Do we have to watch this anymore?" Java asked with an irritated voice. She was offering sex to the boy and he said no, but Ebony barely kissed him and he pitched a tent!

"No." Ebony stated with a voice of venem. "No one invited you anyway." She shot a glare of daggers at her sister.

"Well, excuse me for trying to liven up your boring little life." She stood and walked over to Dal. Beside Dal was just enough room for Java to sit if she sat very close to him. "Hey, where's your little blonde girlfriend?"

He turned to her with contempt. Ebony had told him about her sister the evil bit.ch that tried to steal men from other girls. "She's not my girlfriend anymore."

She sat down letting her hand fall to his thigh. "So, you are free?"

"For some." He looked to Ebony, but she was busy occupying Jack with her kisses down his neck.

She smiled at him and winked as she slid the hand on his thigh closer and closer to his crotch. "For me?"

Just as she was about to reach her destination, Dal removed her hand. "No." With that he stood causing Ebony to fall into the vacancy he left on the couch and away from her work on Jack. "I have to go. I'll talk to you later." With that he walked out the door.

Ebony turned to her sister. "What did you do to him?"

"Nothing that I haven't done to Jack. And nothing that neither of them didn't like." She simply stated standing and exiting the room with the stairs.

"What does she mean by that?" Ebony asked with confusion.

Jack watched Java saunter up the stairs. "I have no idea." He moved slightly beside her, suddenly feeling uncomfortable in his baggy jeans.

Chapter Fourteen



The next day at school things went perfectly fine. No one even mentioned Martin and Trudy's break up even though the entire school somehow knew by lunch time. Danni was all over Martin after lunch. She had no shame and even threw it in Trudy's face by taking every chance to walk by her. Trudy was hurt but Jaymes and Bray took care of her. She couldn't talk to anyone else about it. She even felt ashamed to say anything to Jay. As if anything she said would bring on another resurgence of tensions between everyone.

After school, she met with Jaymes and Bray in the park to escape the chance of seeing Martin as he never came into the park.

"Why do we all have to create such a drama?" Trudy asked watching Brady playing with her father. "Can't we just be happy. We are still children. We are supposed to be happy and calm." She stated looking at Jaymes as she finished. "Well, sort of."

"I guess everyone has this drama in their life as teens." He explained. He couldn't take his eyes away from her. He was afraid that if he looked away, she would materialize and prove she really was a dream. "As you get older, maybe, you forget about it all. You know, it fades into obscurity."

Trudy looked up as she heard her daughter yell, "Tin!" Martin picked her up and she began showering him with hugs. Trudy debated whether or not to go to him and take Brady from his arms. Before she got a chance to stand up from the ground, Bray took his daughter from Martin. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but Martin scowled at her before turning to leave. Bray immediately brought Brady to her mother.

"What did Martin want?" Trudy asked as Bray sat down next to her and Jaymes

Bray looked to his daughter in his arms. "He just wanted to know what my problem was."

"Your problem?" Trudy asked in outrage. "You're the one that has a problem?"

"Apparently, I convinced him that you and I weren't going around behind his back and then he saw you Jaymes. So you might want to watch out. You are probably next on his list of people to haunt."

Jaymes didn't look too impressed. "Oh yeah, because I am scared of Martin? I'm not even doing anything with Trudy. Unless, being a friend to someone is against the law."

"It's against Martin's law of exes." Trudy stated with an angry tone. "He is out of control. He sleeps with someone else. He breaks up with me. Then he thinks that he has the right to be the jealous boyfriend. I think not." Trudy crossed her arms causing Bray and Jaymes to look at each other before dissolving into fits of laughter. "What!?!"

"The way you said that..." Jaymes got out between laughs. "...it was just so funny!"

"You guys shouldn't make fun of me." She said with a laugh.

Jaymes reached over and gave her a hug for an apology. Bray seeing this decided it was best to leave the two. "You guys know what? I think Brady and I are going to go home and have a nap." He looked down at her. She was almost asleep. "She looks really tired."

"I can take her. You can just stay here." Trudy offered.

Bray was still looking for an excuse to get away from here so Jaymes and Trudy could be alone. Jaymes was just the guy that Trudy needed. He would love her and take care of her and Brady when he couldn't. "No, you just stay here and have fun." Bray stood and nodded his head to them saying bye as he left.

"So, what was that about?" Jaymes asked after Bray was out of hearing range.

"I dunno." Trudy was really confused. Bray never did anything like that before. "So, did you hear about the party that Ebony's sister is throwing?"

Jaymes thought for a moment. "Isn't Java her name?" Trudy nodded. "Yeah. I heard about it. Are you going?"

"Yeah. I just wanted to make sure that I wouldn't be alone." Trudy answered.

"You would never be alone. All of the socials will be there." Jaymes stated with a heavy sigh.

"No. I mean, I would be alone because I would have no one that I could be alone with. I can talk to you and tell you things that I can't tell them. I can't even talk to Jay because I am afraid of causing even more tension between people."

"What tension? What's going on?" He asked causing Trudy to go off into the complete story of everyone arguing and scheming against one another. "So, Jay and Martin aren't friends anymore." Jaymes asked getting his facts strait. "Jack is worried that Ebony likes Dal better and will leave him."

"Exactly!" She stated laying back on the cool grass. Jaymes laid on his side looking at her. "Isn't it all ridiculous?" she let out a bitter laugh. "Jay was just trying to help Martin and Dal is just trying to make a friendship with Ebony because Jack doesn't want anything to do with him. Most of this whole thing is one misunderstanding and everyone is so full of pride that they can't get over themselves."

"Sometimes that happens. Maybe some of us can get along without any more trouble." Jaymes stated looking at Trudy with kind eyes as she watched the clouds.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

"Java?" Ebony asked as her sister walked by her bedroom door.

"Yes?" She asked sweetly as she noticed Jack and Dal were in Ebony's room.

"Why didn't you tell me you were having a party?"

Java thought for a moment. "Maybe because I didn't want you to ruin it with your goody-goody ways."

Ebony let out a sigh of frustration. "Whatever." she waved her sister off but Java sat on the floor beside Jack. "What are you doing?" She glared at her sister.

"It looks like I am hanging out, but I have been known to be wrong." She stated looking around.

"You're wrong this time. Now leave." Ebony pointed to the open door.

"Just let her stay." Jack defended Java and a smile crossed her face. "You know she isn't going to listen to you."

"Whatever." Ebony moved from her position on the bed to sit opposite of Jack and beside Dal leaning against the bed. "So, who all is coming to this party."

"Well, Bray, Martin, Jay, Amber, Cloe, Ved, Patsy, KC, Danni, Trudy, Jaymes, Lex, TaiSan, and lots of other people." Java announced. "Would you like to come?" She asked turning her sight from her younger sister to Jack.

"Sure. We're not doing anything." He said looking to Ebony to make sure it was true.

Ebony looked down then back up again. "Actually, Jack, Dal and I were going to the Library to work on a school project."

"What? Were you going to tell me?" He asked starting to get angry. "What is it with you? Don't you ever tell me anything anymore?"

Java was feeling pleased. Jack and Ebony were having problems. Maybe her plans would work. She just hoped Jack would believe her over Ebony. Ebony was sure to tell him about the email that Java 'forgot' to send.

"What? I asked Java to send you an email the other day when she wouldn't let me on the computer." She asked feeling stupid for trusting her sister.

"I never got an email." Jack stated looking to Java for confirmation of what Ebony was saying.

"What?" She tried her best to look like she was innocent of all crime. "I swear on my honor that Ebony never told me to send you an email."

"BIT<H!! Why are you always doing this to me?" Ebony jumped up causing Java to do the same. "Get out of her now, or else."

"Or else what? You'll cry?" Java taunted.

Ebony stepped toward her sister in a commanding way that told the boys that they should get out of the way. "You'll be the only one crying." She slapped her sister hard across the face. "I am tired of your shi.t!" Java didn't say a word. She just pulled back to punch her sister, but Ebony was much faster. She hit Java square on the right side of her face where she had slapped not a moment before. Java stood up strait running at Ebony, but Ebony ducked down causing Java's stomach to make contact with Ebony's shoulder. Java fell back, winded as Ebony stormed out of the room.

"What do we do?" Dal asked.

"I guess we take Java to her room and find Ebony." Jack stated walking over to Java. He picked her up as if she were a sleeping child and carried her from Ebony's room. "Dal, go find Ebony." He took Java to her room and laid her on her bed. By this time, she had regained her breath and was enjoying being so close to Jack. "Are you okay?" He asked running his hand over where she had been punched.

"Yeah. Thanks for carrying me to my room. I never knew you were so strong." She reached up to touch his muscles. "I wished I had a man like you to take care of me all the time, like you take care of Ebony."

"Ebony doesn't want me to take care of her." Jack sat on the bed next to Java.

She sat up leaning against the headboard. "She doesn't see how sweet and handsome you are?" She asked in a sweet voice that could only fool those that wanted to see her as sweet.

"Handsome?" Jack asked in disbelief. "You can't think I am handsome."

She smiled at him "Why not?"

"Because you always have a boyfriend and you are beautiful!" He was falling right into her plan.

"So that is reason for me not to like you." She quickly acted as if she hadn't meant to let that little bit of information slip. "Oh no! I shouldn't have said that. You are dating my sister." Java buried her head in her hands.

Jack wrapped his arms around her. "That's okay. Don't worry about it." She looked up at him as if she were making sure he wasn't lying. "I won't tell Ebs, if you won't."

"I won't." She crossed her fingers behind his back. "I promise."

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

"I can't stand her, Dal!" Ebony exclaimed as she paced back and forth in her backyard. "She always does shit like that! She's always getting me in trouble!"

Dal took her hand and led her to sit on the steps to the raised patio. "I know, but you are just going to have to find a way to fight fire with fire. You can't continue to fight with her. One of these days, she is going to learn how to fight you."

"You're right." She sat silent for a moment. "Where's Jack? It's been almost five minutes."

"I dunno. He said he was coming strait down here when he was through getting her into her room."

"I bet she is trying to con him into hating me. As if he doesn't already hate me enough for being friends with you." She propped her elbows on her knees and her chin on her hands.

"Yeah, what is the deal with that?" Dal asked turning to face her.

"I dunno. I guess he thinks that I am going to leave him for you. He's really insecure, but shouldn't he trust me. I think I know what I'm doing."

"Yeah. I would never do that to my girlfriend, unless I had proof that she was going around behind me." Dal stated looking in her eyes. He really liked Ebony and wanted her to be with him, but he wasn't the type to just whisk a girl away. Despite the fact that he wanted Ebony for himself, he wanted her to just stand up to Jack and show him that she is not someone to be controlled.

"Hey!" Jack greeted coming outside and pushing Dal to the side to sit in between him and Ebony. "Why did you beat her up like that? Maybe she really did forget to email me."

"Jack, I can't believe you. You know what she is like. She is manipulative and she will do anything to get what she wants. Most of the time that is some man." Ebony chided.

"Are you saying she is after me?" Jack was shocked that Ebony would think that he would fall for such tactics.

"Maybe. You wouldn't know if she was. But I don't know why she would want you." Ebony pondered what Java was playing at.

Jack stood up and looked down at his girlfriend. "What are you trying to say? Am I repulsive or something? Am I not good enough to be with you?"

Ebony jumped up and tried to take his hand but he pulled it away. "No, that's not what I mean. She usually goes for the jock. She would never go for a guy I was with."

"Whatever. If I'm not good enough for you, just say it. Then you could be with Dal."

"No! I want to be with you."

"Sure, I'm going home. I'll see you tomorrow at school or at the party." With that he stormed back into the house and to the front door.

"That was odd." Dal stood up and walked over to Ebony who was almost crying. "I think he was overly dramatic. Just talk to him tomorrow after he cools down." He hugged her tight.

"I didn't mean that in a bad way. I still want him." She cried on her her friends shoulder because Jack could no longer let her cry on him. He wasn't her friend anymore. She was beginning to wonder just exactly what their relationship was coming to.

Chapter Fifteen



Java opened the door to find Jack. "Hello, Jack. I didn't expect you so early?" Her voice was sweet and smooth as if she were trying to hypnotize him. "You're looking nice." She looked at him slowly letting her eyes travel from his feet to his face. He was dresses just how she liked. He wore a pair of baggy hears, an open blue silk button down shirt with a tight black wife beater underneath. "Please come in." She stepped to the side to let him in.

Jack knew she was coming on to him but she came onto everyone. He just wished she would go back to college but she was taking the semester off to help her parents and get a job. Jack was out of luck. "Is Ebony back yet?"

Java started for the stairs making sure that Jack noticed how she was dressed. She wore a short red glittery skirt and a black tank top. "No, she and Dal are still at the library, but you can wait here. I could always use the company while I am finishing getting ready."

"Okay." He followed her up the stairs to her room. She opened the door to reveal a different room than the day before. The lamps were covered in red silk scarves and the bed had been changed to have black sheets. "You changed the room."

"Yeah," She looked around thoughtfully. "It was getting time for a change. I just got tired of looking at it."

"I like it." Jack stated sitting on her bed.

Java smiled into the mirror as she began to apply her makeup. "I'm glad. I needed a guy's opinion. I was thinking of making a move on the guy I like tonight."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah, I kind of nervous." She ran the eyeliner over her eyes. "What if he doesn't like me?"

"Java," Jack started with a kind voice much like the one that he had used the night before. "he will love you. You look beautiful and any guy would be proud to have you." He didn't mean the part about being proud but she is beautiful.

"Are you sure?" She stopped lining her lips to talk and then finished by putting on lipstick and lip gloss.

"Yes, I am." he noticed that she was through. "Now let's go get the drinks and things ready." With that he stood and left the room.

Java looked at herself in the mirror. "Great job, Java. He is putty in your hands.”

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

By the time that Dal and Ebony made it back to her house, the party had already started. Various people were scattered about the living room talking and music was playing lightly. The lights were low and soon music would be blaring and people would be making out in every corner of the house. She would be very uncomfortable. She didn’t like to be all over Jack in public. She was afraid that they might take it to far.

“Do you wanna put your stuff in my room?” Ebony asked as she and Dal made their way to the stairs.

“Yeah.” The two climbed the stairs and Ebony threw open her room to reveal that it was now purple and fuchsia. “How did you change it so fast?”

Ebony threw her stuff in the chair by her window before opening her closet. “Oh, it is just the stuff from Java’s room. She changed her room last night.”

“Oh,” Dal sat down on her bed Indian style. “I hope Danni and Martin don’t show up.”

“You know they will.” She pulled out two tank tops one red and one black.

“The black one. Yeah, well, we can wish.” Ebony pulled out a pair of skintight hipster jeans.

“I’ll be right back.” She slipped into the bathroom that connected her and Java’s bedrooms.

Dal looked around the room. He liked the change in color. It was more like Ebony than all the red and black. He liked that the bed was a girly pink and that it seemed a little friendlier. He laid back and looked at the pictures on Ebony’s bedside table. There was a picture of her and Jack lying on a bed hugging and kissing. It would have been a cute picture if Dal didn’t like Ebony, but he could feel his heart breaking. Next to that picture was an instant picture of Dal and her. That was a picture that was like the one that he had. He kept it in his wallet.

Ebony threw open the door to the bathroom and stood looking as if she were a model on the runway. “What do you think?” She walked across the room with attitude turning and throwing a scowl over her shoulder before laughing.

“I think you look beautiful. Are you ready for the party?”

“Let me get some shoes.” She fished around in her closet and pulled out a pair of black platform sandals. “Okay, now lets go find my man.” With that she linked her arm in Dal’s and pulled him down the stairs and to the party.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Jack looked everywhere for Ebony. She had to be around here somewhere. It was nearly seven and surely she would be home from the library. That is unless Dal had convinced her to make out with him. “Wait… He wouldn’t do that. It is all in your head.” Jack said aloud to himself.

“Who wouldn’t do what?” Ebony asked taking her boyfriend’s hand. She smiled up at him. They had apologized that morning in History class and thay promised not to argue anymore especially over Java.

“Nothing. I was just talking to myself and looking for you.” He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “You look absolutely beautiful.” He stated with a deep voice. He moved his lips close to her ear. “We might have to sneak away later.” He kissed her ear causing her to shiver with delight.

“Maybe, but right now, we have a party. And Dal is behind me.” Ebony whispered back to her oblivious boyfriend.

He looked over her shoulder and there was Dal looking around for someone to talk to. “Oh. Well, then, would you like to dance?”

She looked at him odd. “But the music isn’t loud enough.” As of on cue, Lex walked over to the stereo and turned up the music. A fast rap song was on and Ebony immediately started moving as she pulled Jack with her to the makeshift dance floor and began to rub her back against his chest. She turned around and pulled his arms around her body. “Jack, baby, I know you can dance better than that.” She grabbed his *** and pulled him closer her. He began to forget about the people that were possible watching them and moved with her. She ran her hands from his but around to his chest. She slipped her hands into his open shirt and over the muscles on his stomach. She loved his stomach. When he first started going to the gym she was afraid he would lose the geekiness that she loved, but now he was sexy to boot. “I love you.” She stood up on her toes and he leaned down as their lips met in a kiss.

The song ended and Jack pulled Ebony to the kitchen to get a drink. “I can’t believe that you are making me dance.” Jack laughed once they were away from everyone in the kitchen. He picked her up and placed her on the counter in front of him. He leaned onto the counter with one hand on either side of her. “But you looked great out there.” He gave her a quick kiss. “You look good in here.” He kissed her again this time longer allowing his tongue to enter her mouth for a few moments before moving his lips from her mouth to her cheek and then to her neck.

“UGGGHHH! Jack, no! I’m blinded forever!” KC exclaimed causing his brother to accidentally bite down on Ebony’s neck.

“OWWW!” Ebony screamed at causing the music in the other room to stop and everyone to rush to the kitchen.

“What is going on in here!?!” Java asked in anger seeing her sister sitting on the counter with her legs wrapped around Jack’s waist.

“Nu…Nuthin” Jack stuttered seeing everyone looking at him and Ebony.

“Good. Now everyone, let’s go back to the party.” She shooed everyone from the kitchen including KC, Jack and Ebony.

Once back in the party, Jack and Ebony parted ways afraid that if they were close they might be caught in another embarrassing position, maybe even a worse one.

“Hey Dal. I saw you dancing with my sister.” Ebony greeted as she leaned on the wall next to her friend.

“Yeah, I didn’t want to, but not many people are here yet. Not much choice.” Dal reached out his hand to touch the bite mark. “What happened in there?”

“Uh… Jack and I were kissing and he was sucking on my neck when KC said something to startle him. It caused his to accidentally bit me.” She could feel a blush come to her cheeks at sharing that with Dal. She knew that he had a crush on her and she didn’t want to throw Jack in his face.

Dal looked down. “Oh.”

“So, would you like to help me get some drinks? That’s what Jack and I went in there to get in the first place. We kind of forgot.”

“Sure.” Dal answered walking with her to the kitchen as the doorbell rang.

Chapter Sixteen



Lex swung the door open to reveal Trudy and Jaymes. He greeted them with a hug for Trudy and a handshake for Jaymes.

“So, what have we missed?” Trudy asked joining the group that Lex was talking to, which consisted of Jack, Lex, TaiSan, Jay and Amber. She thought Amber, Lex and TaiSan were going to fall over with laughter. “What happened!?!” Trudy asked looking from them to Jaymes. He just shrugged watching them.

Jay finally spoke up. “Jack and Ebony went into the kitchen for a while and then we all sent KC in to try to catch them at something. Jack was kissing Ebony’s neck and when KC said something to them, Jack was startled and bit her neck.” Trudy started laughing thinking about Jack and Ebony. Stuff like that was always happening to them. It probably had something to do with the fact that both of them were shy and afraid of showing affection in public.

Lex let out his laugh. “You should see Ebony’s neck! Jack bit her deep! He must ha…” Lex was interrupted by Jack’s hand hitting the back of his head. “You need to stop that!” He turned to his brother with a glare. He took a step forward and looked up at his younger brother defiantly.

Jack looked down on him. “You need to stop telling things.” Jack pushed Lex almost knocking him to the floor. Lex stepped back ready to return the gesture when Jack put his hand against Lex’s forehead causing Lex to wave at the air furiously trying to hit him, but Jack’s arm was longer and Lex couldn’t reach him. Finally, Lex gave up and stopped struggling. He walked off pulling TaiSan behind him. “So, what’s up with you two? Are you guys…” he gestured between Trudy and Jaymes.

“No…No. We just walked together. You know, safety in numbers?” Jaymes stated a little nervous.

“Sure.” With that Jack walked over to Ved and Cloe.

“Wanna get something to drink?” Trudy asked taking Jaymes’s hand and leading him to the kitchen. Inside she saw Ebony talking on the phone and Dal leaning on the wall next to her. “I just figured out why Jack is in a bad mood.”

“Really?” Jaymes was confused. He hadn’t picked up on Jack being in a bad mood, but then again, he hasn’t known him as long as Trudy has. “Why?”

“Look.” Trudy pointed with a nod of her head to Ebony and Dal standing close by the phone. She picked up two cans of Pepsi.

“How did you know that?” Jaymes asked in awe.

Trudy led him out of the room again. “Jack is a jealous guy because he doesn’t believe that Ebony really wants him. He doesn’t usually fight with Lex they just argue. So I knew something was wrong with him.”

“Oh.” Jaymes answered as the song turned to a slow song. “Trudy, would you like to dance?” She nodded and Jaymes put both of their cans on the table. They walked out to the area where couples were already dancing close. “Thanx for asking me to come with you.”

“Thank you for coming with me. I don’t think I could have been here all by myself with Martin and Danni here. You are my protection.” She wrapped her arms around Jaymes. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“You would still be in good with Martin.” He loosened his grip on Trudy. “I messed things up for you when I came onto you at the last party.”

Trudy laid her head on his shoulder. “No, you didn’t. I learned that things just happen. We have to get over them and move on.”

“So, you have gotten over Martin?”

“I’m working on it.”

Trudy’s breath was tickling his neck and he wanted nothing more than to take her to a dark corner and tell her that he wanted her all to himself, forever. Of course, too much too soon might scare her, so all he said was “I wish there was something more that I could do to help you.”

Trudy stopped dancing and pulled back just enough to look in his face. “You can help more than you know.”

“How can I do that?” Her answer was not what he was expecting. She leaned forward and brushed her lips across his. At first he made no move for fear that it was only a dream, but reality set in and he moved his lips against hers just a little before she pulled away.

“So, will you help me?” Trudy asked with a smirk.

Jaymes acted as if he were thinking as he pulled her to the wall. “I dunno. What is my motivation again?” Trudy laughed as she leaned forward to kiss him again.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Danni threw open the door as if she owned the place holding Martin’s hand. She marched into the room and over to Java who greeted her with a fake friendly kisses. The two girls talked back a forth as Martin looked on in wonder. How did they know each other? As Danni moved away from Java he asked her.

“Oh, she went to college in my old hometown. I met her at a party. We are like best friends.” Danni gushed pulling Martin around making sure that everyone knew that he was her property. They passed Jack standing between Ebony and Dal talking. He tried to stop but just as Jack was about to say something, she jerked him with her.

Finally, Danni stopped in front of Trudy who was now standing against Jaymes as he had his arms around her from behind. “Hello, Trudy. Nice to see that you are moving on. I’m sorry that things didn’t work out between you and Martin.” She laughed a bitter laugh. She pulled Martin closer almost forcing his arms around her waist in a manner similar to Trudy and Jaymes. “Well, I’m not too sorry, and it looks like you aren’t either.”

“Things happen for a reason. People get what they deserve.” With that, Trudy walked away with Jaymes following.

“What is her problem?” Danni asked looking at her new boyfriend with a laugh. “Some people can’t take the heat.”

“Yeah,” Martin had to find a way to get away from her. She was pulling this sh.it again. Every time they went somewhere, Danni treated him like a trophy. “I’ll be back in a minute. I need to get something to drink.”

“Okay,” Danni flipped her hair as if she were irritated. “But don’t take to long, baby. I wanna dance with you.” She kissed him quickly before he could make an escape.

Instead of going to the kitchen he walked over to Jack and hid behind the group. “What are you doing, Martin?” Ebony asked placing her hand on his shoulder.

“I am hiding from Danni. I am tired of being a plaything.” He answered gazing across the room to make sure that Danni didn’t see him. “She is treating Trudy like ****.”

Jack spoke up looking at his best friend. “No offense, but it doesn’t look like Trudy much cares what Danni says or does.” He pointed to where Trudy and Jaymes were laughing and dancing to the electric slide. “She seems pretty unaffected to me.”

“Whatever, Jack.” Martin stated in denial as he pushed past his best friend to get to the kitchen.

“He needs to calm down. He did get himself in this mess, after all.” Jack commented throwing his arm around Ebony’s shoulder and drawing her near. “So, what was that phone call about?”

“Umm… How mad would you be if…” Ebony struggled to get the words out. She knew that he wouldn’t be too happy to hear what she had to say.

“If what?” He prodded.

Ebony looked to Dal. Maybe if he said the words, Jack wouldn’t be as angry. He took the initiative and finished Ebony’s sentence. “How mad would you be if Ebony and I had to go back to the library?”

He looked back in forth between Dal and Ebony to see if maybe they had planned something but they seemed to be genuine. “Why would you go back to the library?”

“I forgot my purse and Dal forgot one of his books.” Ebony answered.

Jack looked between the two again. “I could go with you and get Dal’s book.”

“No,” Ebony kissed his cheek. “You stay here and talk with your brothers. You haven’t spent much time with them. Plus, I think me and Dal both could take some time away from our sisters.”

“I could go too. There is safety in numbers. What if someone attacks you?”

“Dal will be there to protect me.” Ebony kissed him again, this time on the lips. “Just stay here and relax. We will be back in less than an hour. I love you.”

Jack let her pull away reluctantly. He didn’t want her alone with Dal any more than he had to but it looked as though he had no control over her. “I love you too.” With that, she was gone.

What was he to do? Everyone was talking to someone or dancing. So, he sat on the couch against the far wall to think about Ebony’s actions. She wasn’t trying to get with Dal. They were being just friends. He knew he was over reacting, but the sinking fear that Ebony didn’t belong to a geek like him. She’s beautiful and she should be with a guy like Bray, maybe even a guy like Dal.

“What are you thinking about Handsome?” Java asked sitting next to him. He only looked at her. “Where’s Ebony?”

“She went back to the library. She forgot her purse and Dal forgot a book.” Jack explained although he didn’t understand why he owed anything to Java.

“Sure.” She raised her eyebrows as if she were in doubt of her sister’s monogamy with Jack.

“They are. I trust her.” Jack added trying to convince himself more than Java.

Java moved closer to him. “Sure you do.” She placed his hand in hers. “Now, tell me more about yourself.”

Chapter Seventeen



Java moved closer to him. “Sure you do.” She placed his hand in hers. “Now, tell me more about yourself.”

“Well,” He took his hand from hers. “First of all, I have a girlfriend. I think you might know her. She is your sister and she doesn’t like other girls holding my hand.” He replied with a snappy comment. “As a matter of fact, I don’t like it either.” He scooted down the couch a little.

Java looked around as if she were looking for someone. “You know, Ebony’s not here and no one is paying attention to us.” She followed him and pressed herself against his shoulder as she whispered in his ear.

“Apparently, you weren’t paying attention to me. I don’t want you this close to me. I don’t want you holding my hand, I don’t want you whispering in my ear and I want you to remove yourself from me.”

“As you wish. But I know some things that will have you coming back to me.” She stood and sauntered off leaving Jack wondering what she meant.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Jaymes and Trudy finished dancing to the electric slide and moved to sit in one of the overstuffed chairs. Trudy sat on the arm with her legs draping Jaymes’s lap. The two said nothing; they only sat and watched everyone including Danni and Martin.

Martin was trying desperately to look like he actually cared what Danni was saying. But anyone could tell that her mindless drivel was making him bored. Trudy almost laughed. He couldn’t blame anyone but himself. They all told him what Danni was up to. They told him that she would lie to him. Now, he was stuck with her, and Trudy could move on with a free conscious.

“What are you looking at baby?” Jaymes asked moving so that his lips were next to her ear. He then moves to her neck and kissed it.

“Just watching Martin suffer.” Trudy laughed as Danni scolded him.

Jaymes pulled away from her and looked in her face. “I thought you were moving on.”

“I am. Can’t I enjoy my ex’s misery?” She asked raising one of her eyebrows making Jaymes laugh before she kissed him quickly. “Come on. I want to talk to Jay. I want to tell him about you and me.” She jumped up and pulled him over to her best friend.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Jack decided that he needed some time away from the party, so he stepped outside into the front yard. The noise inside was too much for him. And Java. She couldn’t keep off him. All she did was follow him around and wait for a moment to do something to him. Of course, no one saw any of this, so it wasn’t like he could get Ebony to make her stop. He was just going to have to live with it until she decided that she wanted to stop.

Jack jumped as he heard the front door open. He knew who it was. He didn’t even have to turn around. He knew that she would place her manicured hand on his shoulder and then whisper in his ear something that she would like to do. Or something that Ebony had done. So far she hadn’t came up with anything that Ebony done while she was with him.

“Jack?” Java sat down next to him on the porch swing. Her voice was concerned and apologetic. “I’m sorry.”

He whipped his head around. She said that she was sorry. “What for?”

“I drove you outside.” She looked at her hands crossed in her lap. “I should give you a little more respect. You want to be with Ebony. I should just let you be.”

Jack wanted to scream that she finally got it, but he had to be nice to her. “You didn’t drive me outside. I just needed some time alone, to think.”

“I’ll leave you.” Java stood to leave hoping that he would stop her.

“No.” he sat forward and put his hand on her arm. “Stay.”

“If you think it is okay.” She sat back down but kept her distance to give him a sense of security. “So, can you tell me about you now. What do you like to do?”

“I am a computer wiz and a geek. So not much to tell.” He blushed realizing that he was right. He was nothing special. He couldn’t expect Ebony to want him. He couldn’t even impress a girl that was coming on to him.

“There is a lot to tell about you. I remember when we were smaller that you always wanted to be like Lex. How is that going?”

“Not well, Lex is great with girls. I feel like I can’t even keep Ebony satisfied. She is off with Dal right now. I know they are only going to the library for some things that they forgot, but I am always worried that she will noticed that Dal is much cooler than me.”

“Ebony loves you. You have nothing to worry about. She threatened me last night because she thought that I came on to you. She wouldn’t do that to you. She just wants to be friends with Dal.” She had a talk with Ebony last night, but it had no threatening. Ebony did talk about Dal too. She said that she liked Dal as more than a friend but she loved Jack.

“Really? I have nothing to worry about?” Jack asked in shock. He was sure that Ebony would be looking for someone else by now and he had seen the looks that she and Dal shared.

“Nothing. You are a great guy. You take care of a girl. You love her and you worship her. Who wouldn’t want a boyfriend like that?” She gave a sympathetic smile. The smile that she wanted to give was really a smirk. Jack was falling into her trap again. Danni was right, computer geeks are easy to lure.

Of course, Danni thought that she was crazy for going for Jack. He wasn’t as built as most guys, but he was changing. He was getting muscles and when he was in his swimming trunks, he took her breath away. He had a washboard stomach and his smile was the best. Java was used to a guy that put on a show for her. The guys that she was used to hardly ever smiled and they never held a girl the way that Jack held Ebony.

That was what Java wanted. She wanted a great guy. Maybe she could start by letting things between Ebony and Jack end naturally. It would happen soon. The longer that Dal was around the more likely the two would break up. Even a total stranger could tell that things were stressed because of the third wheel. All Java had to do to get Jack when it was all over was be the forth wheel. If the plan didn’t work, she could always go after Dal. He would be feeling bad about not getting Ebony and Java could swoop in on him. He was the second best thing to Jack, maybe a little less naive.

“Maybe you are right.” He looked up at her with a smile. “So, tell me about you. It’s been years since we talked like this.”

“I’m just looking for something different. I’ve been living wild while I was at college. I just want to settle down for a while and find a boyfriend that will be good to me. The last three guys I was with did stuff that I can’t talk about.” That was because she was the one that cheated on them and they got angry with her. “They got angry with me for nothing. They all even accused me of cheating on them. I just need someone to take care of me for once. You know?” Jack shook his head. “I also need to have some friends. Danni is my only friend and she is disappointing me with what she did to Martin. A girl should never do that to another girl. It is just wrong.”

“She didn’t force him to do anything. It was his choice to sleep with her and break up with Trudy.” Jack stated. “You can’t force someone to things they don’t want to do. They always have the ability to walk out.”

“Yeah.” Java answered before noticing Dal and Ebony walking up the path. “I better go. Here comes Ebony.” Java jumped up and ran into the house just as Ebony and Dal made it to the porch.

“What is with her?” Dal asked leaning against the railing.

Ebony sat down next to Jack. “Hey baby. Did you miss me?” She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss.

“Yeah. You’re sister was talking to me.” Jack commented. “What is her deal? Last month when she got home, she wanted nothing to do with me and now she is acting like my best friend.”

“I dunno. Maybe you should watch out.” She turned her thoughts from Java. “Do you want to come in with us? We are going to my bedroom to talk. There are too many people around for my liking.”

“I’ll be there in a little while.” Jack commented. He kissed her once more, this time more lingering almost reminding her that he loves her before she stood and went in the house with Dal following.

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