I hugged Jesika goodbye and walked out to my car. Justin stood behind Jesika, his arms wrapped firmly around her waist as if to claim her. I didn't like that. Jesika wasnt some prize for him. I started my car and backed down the drive. I waved to Jesika and took off down the street. I didn't feel right with leaving her there alone with him. There was something about Jusitn I didn't like. Insted of going striaght home, I cut a few laps around town, looking out for anyone I knew. When I didn't see anyone, I decided to go see Grace, my girlfriend and Jesika's cousin.
"Zac! How lovely to see you. When did you get home?" Grace's mom asked me.
"A few hours ago. I was just over at Jesi's and I decided to come see Grace... is she home?" I asked.
"She sure is. She's upstairs in her room. You can go on up, just make sure you knock first if her door is closed ok?"
"Ok" I replied and then made my way upstairs to Grace's room. The door wasn't closed and I stopped in the doorway. Grace was sitting on her bed, facing me, a book open on her lap. Her hands traced over the pages as she stared straight at me. But she didn't see me. Grace was blind and had been all her life. I stood and watched her for a few minutes. Then suddenly her fingers stopped moving over the brail book.
"I know someone's there... I may be blind but I'm not stupid" Grace said. I smiled.
"It's me" I said. Grace's face lit up as she got up off of her bed and walked towards me. When she was close enough I reached out and took her hand gently. She smiled as I pulled her to me and wrapped her up in a warm hug. Grace loved to be hugged.
"I missed you." She whispered hugging me tighter.
"I missed you more." I replied. I lead her back to her bed and sat down, and pulled Grace down so she was sitting on my lap. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure sweetie, go ahead." Grace said. I sighed.
"Well, how long has Jesi been with that Justin guy?"
"A few months.. why?"
"Has she ever said anything about him hurting her in any way?" I asked. Grace was silent. "Grace... has she?"
"Jesika made me promise not to say anything to you. She knew you would ask me about him." My jaw tightened. By saying what she said, Grace was telling me Jesika had told her something, but she wasnt prepared to tell me what. Apart from my mother and sisters, Jesika and Grace were the most important women in my life and I didn't want either of them hurt.
"So, she has... Grace, tell me.." I said, almost pleading with her. She shook her head.
"Why don't you ask Jesika? If she wants you to know, she'll tell you.. Zac, you know what she's like, she'll end up telling you anyway." Grace told me.
"Yeah, I know... I just wish you would tell me now Grace.... if Jesi needs help, she'd need it now... not a few months down the track when I'm on tour again with Ike and Tay...." I said.
"Zac... please don't do this. You know how hurt and angry Jesika would be if she found out I had been betraying her... she trusts me with what she say's to me. She know's I wont repeat it. And you know that to" Grace said. I sighed. I knew I shouldn't hassle her as she wouldn't give me the information I wanted. I hugged Grace tightly.
"I know... I'm sorry. You know how I get about my two favourite girls. Can't let anything happen to them can I?" I apologized. Grace smiled at me, and even though she couldn't see me, I smiled back. Grace raised her hand and ran her fingers lightly over my face. "That tickles" I said. Grace laughed.
"Does it? well get used to it coz it's the only way I know what you look like. I know for a fact that you are gorgeous" Grace said. That surprised me. She had never said anything about the way I looked before.
"Oh really? And how do you know?"
"Jesika told me. She described your blonde hair, your deep brown eye's, your full lips and teeth with the gap inbetween your front ones, the way your cheeks go red after you've been playing for a long time, the way your face lights up at the mention of my name". Grace smiled when she said that. "Jesika said you were absolutely gorgeous, inside and out and I believe her. I just wish I could see for myself"
"Jesi thinks I'm gorgeous?" I asked, shocked. Grace laughed and nodded.
"Yes, her and everyother Hanson fan in the world... I may not beable to see, but I can hear... I hear the way girls go on and on about you at school and how they say that one day they are going to make you theirs.... it's actually funny to listen to because I know they aren't going to get you... well, not just yet anyway"
"And not ever. I'm with you until the end Grace. I love you so much." I said softly to her.
"I love you to Zac" Grace said before she came closer for me to kiss her.
"Zac, Tay.... I want you to meet Cain..... " Jessica, my younger sister said to me and Taylor later that evening when I had returned home. I looked up from the video game Taylor and I were teaching Mackenzie to play and nearly choked on the popcorn I was eating. The boy standing before us was tall, very tall, with shoulder length black hair, a Metallica t-shirt on, ripped baggy jeans, sneakers that looked ten years old, his face was pale and he looked drugged out of his brain. Taylor looked how I felt.
"Uhh.... hi" Taylor said, standing up. He was about an inch taller than Cain. I followed Taylor's lead and stood up beside him.
"Hey" Cain said. Well, at least he sounded normal.
"Cain, these are two of my brothers, Taylor and Zac... the one down there is my younger brother Mackenzie... ok, thats the whole family, we can go now" Jessica said before turning to leave, dragging Cain by the sleeve.
"Whoa... wait a minute... where are you going? and why are you going with him?" I asked, stopping my sister from leaving. Jessica glared at me.
"We are going to a movie with some friends. Some friends that I haven't seen in a long time thanks to you and your music. And Cain is my ride there." She snapped.
"We're just friends" Cain said, comming to Jessica's defense. He soon shut up with the look Taylor gave him.
"What time are you gonna be home?" Taylor asked. Jessica shrugged.
"Whenever Cain decides to bring me home." She said.
"You'll be home by twelve" Taylor said.
"Like I have to listen to you! You're my brother, not my father!" Jessica shot back.
"How old are you?" I asked Cain, who, by now, was looking rather uncomfortable.
"Just turned sixteen"
"You do know that my sister is only thirteen?" Taylor asked.
"Sure do"
"Good, well, if you know what's good for you, and if you value your safety, then you will have her home by twelve.. ok? Because there's not only Zac and I here... but there is also the other big brother, Isaac... who get's very angry when Jess is brought home late.... ok?" Taylor said, both he and I were trying to control our laughter while Jessica on the other hand, looked ready to murder the two of us on the spot. Cain nodded.
"Uhh...... sure.... ok... um.... well.. let's go" He stuttered. Jessica gave us a look that could kill.
"I hate the both of you" She hissed before walking out of the den. Once they were gone, Taylor and I let our laughter loose.
"It worked!... again!" Taylor said. I nodded.
"I know! Would've been better if Ike was here though" I commented when we had calmed down. We knew we were in for it when Jessica got home but we didn't care.
Chapter Three
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