"I'm trying to sleep, Jack." I said the second I answered the phone, "What do you need?"

            "What I need and what I want are two different things."

I rolled my eyes even though he can't see. "What do you need, Jack?"

He was quiet for a few seconds, but finally spoke, "We need to talk. Can you come over?"

I tilted my head to the side to look at the clock, "It's two in the morning, can it not wait until tomorrow?"

            "No." He said quickly. "I need you to come over now."

            "Why?" I asked as I got out of bed. "What is so important that it just couldn't wait until tomorrow?" Or technically today.

            "I know you know Paxton was here."

He knew I was watching, but it shouldn't be a surprise. "I'll be there in a few minutes."

            "Just come up to my room." And he hung up before I could get another word out.

            I lazily put on a pair of shoes and walked down the stairs quietly. James wasn't even home yet, which wasn't surprising. I stepped outside into the cool night air and made my way to Jack's even slower. I didn't knock, as requested. I opened the door and closed it quietly. I walked up the stairs, but I was too tired to even realize I was back in Jack's house. I was too tired to react to the feeling of being close to Jack again.

            I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. I started walking again and went to Jack's room. The door was cracked so I pushed it until it was opened. Jack was pacing but came to a stop when he noticed me. I leaned against the doorframe and crossed my arms over my chest. "What did you want that couldn't wait?"

            He scanned my frame and pointed at me, "Nice shirt."

            I looked down at the shirt I was wearing, realizing I was still wearing the shirt Jack let me borrow. Now I'm embarrassed. "I didn't come here so we can talk about clothes." I defended and stepped into his room. "What did Paxton say?"

            Jack lifted his eyes to meet mine, "He said it wasn't him—"

            "What?" I exploded, stepping further towards Jack. "Jack, it was—"

            "I didn't say I didn't believe you, Juliet." He said calmly, "After you told me about him coming to the diner, I never doubted it."

            Part of that made me feel better, but for the most part, it made me uneasy. Paxton's denying it, but Jack believes me. I don't know what I would've done if Jack believed Paxton didn't actually stand under my window, watching for only god knows how long. "Is he dangerous?"

            "I won't lie to you and tell you he's not, because he is. I don't like him hanging around here."

            "Then tell him to leave—"

            "I can't." Jack cleared his throat. "I mean, he wouldn't listen to me."

I guess he couldn't force him to leave, and I guess it was stupid of me to say that, but I don't feel the safest right now. "Then I can't help you anymore. I'm sorry."

            "What? Why?" He took a step closer, "If anything, Paxton wouldn't even bother you if you were here."

Now that's interesting, "You have my notes, you don't need me anymore. I helped you as much as I could, Jack."

            He eyed me for a moment, "It's because we kissed, isn't it?"

            "You kissed me." I snapped.

Jack took another step closer, a grin surfacing on his lips, "It takes two, Baby."

I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms against my chest so he couldn't move in further.

            "You were a part of that kiss just as much as I was."

            "You said you wanted to talk about Paxton." I swallowed.

            Jack didn't take another step forward, but the grin was still playing on his lips. Jack smiled wider and I knew he caught me staring at his lips, "You want to do it again, don't you?"

I scoffed, "Don't flatter yourself. It wasn't that great." Wow, Juliet. Let's lie some more. I'm already buried deep in them.

            "Okay, well, since it wasn't that great, then I don't see the problem with you still helping me..."

I felt something I didn't want to. "I just don't want to be anywhere where Paxton could possibly show up. It has nothing to do with kissing you." That was only half the truth. It was both Paxton and the probability that I'll kiss Jack again.

            "Fine." Jack's smile faded and he took several steps back. "I'll fend for myself. But thanks for the help that you've already given me." Even though it felt like a guilt trip, I knew it wasn't.

            I did something stupid. I stepped towards him, putting a hand on his arm. "I'm still your friend, Jack." My heart swelled in my chest, "I don't want you to think you don't have anyone. I'm still here."

            Jack's face hardened and he stepped away from me, "I don't want your pity." He nearly spat. "I don't want you to be friends with me because you feel sorry for me." He laughed, but there was nothing humorous about it.

            I didn't want Jack to know that his words affected me as much as they did. I didn't cry like I wanted to. I stood up straighter and pressed my lips together for a moment. "I want to be your friend because I like you." I said. "And I don't want you to feel like you can't talk to anyone when I'm here."

            He didn't say anything.

            "Don't push me away too." I said softly.

Jack stood up straighter, "Then why are you pushing me away now?"

            "I'm not." I said defensively. "That's the total opposite of what I've been doing, Jack. I've told you something I've never told anyone."

Jack look surprised, "About your parents?" He spoke slowly. "Why haven't you told anyone?"

            I shrugged my shoulders, "You're the only person that's ever asked."

            "Really?"

            I nodded, "Lindy doesn't ask because I think she's afraid to and I can't talk to my grandparents about them. My grandma still cries over her daughter." I smiled sadly, "So don't you dare say I've been pushing you away."

            "I'm an idiot, I'm sorry." He smiled a little, "We're definitely going to have to work on this friends thing."

            "Friends." I repeated and smiled slowly, "Shouldn't be a problem."

Jack raised an eyebrow, "Why would it be?"

            "No reason." I said quickly after realizing what I said, "Just that we need to learn to be in the same room without fighting."

            "Friends can argue." He smiled.

            "Not as much as we have."

Jack came closer, barely leaving a foot of space between us, "Glad we can sort this out." He put his hand in my direction.

I wrapped my hand around his, "Me too." As cheesy as it sounds, I got lost in his brown eyes. I couldn't look away and I couldn't let go of his hand, but the sound of Jack's phone tore us apart.

            When Jack turned his back to look at his phone, I let go of the breath I had been holding. I don't know how well this friend thing is going to work out if I can't even control my breathing around him. Of course I wanted to kiss him again, but he can't know that.

            Yep, this friendship thing is going to be a breeze.

            Not.

            Jack turned back around and threw his phone on the bed, "He'll be back tomorrow."

Paxton, "I have to work anyway." Not that he expected me to come over or anything. But we are neighbors and I don't want to see Paxton.

Jack looked away and nodded, "Good." He mumbled.

"When do your parents come back?"

Jack met my gaze again, "Monday. Why?"

"We should get as much studying done between now and then so I don't have to come over so late." Okay, maybe it was just an excuse to spend time with him. More time than I already spend here.

"You're still going to help me?" He asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.

"I thought we just settled that." I grinned, "I'll be back tomorrow night after work to help. The tests are coming up soon, right?"

He nodded quickly, "In two weeks."

"You should be ready by then." I walked up to him, standing on my toes to leave a kiss on his cheek, but immediately regretted it, "Goodnight, Jack." And I walked away before he said anything or I could see the look on his face. Probably surprised I would even do that.

I'm surprised I would even do that after what we talked about.

And I swear I heard him say, "You shouldn't have done that." Under his breath, but I couldn't be sure.

Business at the diner today was slow. We had about three tables filled and no one sitting at the bar. I sat back at one of the booths in the far corner with my head in my hands. I rubbed my temples, hoping to get ride of the tension that was built up. "Long day." I heard Madison say. She let out a sigh and slid in the booth across from me.

            I lifted my head up to look at her. Even after being at work all day, she still managed too look like she was full of energy. "You can say that again."

            "Everything okay?" She asked, her voice soft. She was always soft spoken, never really had much to say. Maybe that's why I liked her so much. And she's been quite a good friend to me when Lindy wasn't around.

            I managed a nod, "I think so..." I trailed off, avoiding her eyes.

            "You think so? Doesn't seem like it, Juliet."

            I looked at her again, "Can I ask you something and you promise not to get mad at me?"

            She eyed me with curiosity, "Have you ever seen me mad? It's a rarity. So, ask me anything." She was practically buzzing in her seat.

            I picked through my head, trying to pick the combination of words that wouldn't sound so ridiculous. I think no matter what it's going to sound ridiculous. "Um...how was Jack when you dated?"

            I waited for a reaction that didn't come.

            She looked at me the same, almost like she was expecting this question. But she had no idea Jack and I were getting closer. "He was...different." She nodded to herself, "Yeah, that's a good way to put it." She smiled a little.

            "Different how?" Now I was curious.

            "He's always acted the same. Reckless and rebellious. But he was always good to me. You probably can't tell by the way he's acted."

            Okay, now all of this came to a surprise to me. I couldn't imagine Jack doing something for someone else. Especially a girlfriend. It's good to know though. I knew he couldn't be all bad. "Definitely sounds different." I muttered, "And I know it's none of my business, so feel free to shoot me down any time."

            She shrugged her shoulders and leaned back, "I honestly don't mind. Jack and I rarely ever fought, and when we did, it was probably over pizza toppings." She laughed a little.

            Part of that made me smile, "Wish I could say that about our fights." I said it out loud instead of thinking it.

            "You're together?"

I quickly shook my head, "No, no, no. Never. I've been helping him with his work he needs to get done before he can take his exams."

            Madison still didn't seem fazed. She smiled like she always has, "I wouldn't care, you know..." and I believed it, "Jack can be the most stubborn person you'll ever meet, but he's also one of the greatest friends I've made since I moved here three years ago."

            All of this was surprising. She was talking highly of Jack and I couldn't wrap my head around it. I knew there was good in Jack, but I never actually heard someone say it. Someone who actually dated him for almost a year. "May I ask why you broke up with him?" I asked slowly with caution.

            Her smile faltered a little, "He broke up with me."

            Now that wasn't a surprise that he broke up with his girlfriend. It was a surprise because she said they were happy, "He broke up with you?"

            "Sadly. We were doing really well, and I mean really well. He was always happy. But one week, he decided to go back to his old ways and I tried. I really did. But he said he just wasn't feeling it anymore." She shrugged. "What can you do, right?"

            I smiled sadly, "It still sucks though."

            "I guess so, but we're still friends." I could see she was sad about it and I hated that I brought Jack up. I didn't want to upset her. Madison is the last person I would ever want to upset.

            I reached over the table and put my hand over hers, "I'm glad you're still friends."

            She didn't look as sad as before, but I could tell she was still a bit sad.

            The way she talked about Jack was new. It was new to me anyway. Every time I've heard someone talk about him, it was never good. I've never heard anyone talk highly of Jack, not once. And hearing it from someone as sweet as Madison made me believe he was a completely different person. Not the person he is now. Or who he's pretending to be.

            On the down side, it didn't help how I felt about him. As horrible as it sounds, I was hoping Madison had nothing good to say. I wanted that to influence my decision. If anything, it made it harder.

            When I got off work, I closed up and went home. Meredith was home, but James wasn't. He hasn't been all day and I wondered if I should be worried. Meredith has told me he does this sometimes. It was odd because I haven't seen him all day. Haven't even heard from him. I'm sure he's just fine.

            I was a bit happy Meredith was already in bed when I got home so I didn't have to make an excuse to sneak out. Meredith is great company, but sometimes it's hard to get away. And she can't keep a secret, so I trust the other twin to hold all of them basically.

            I took a quick shower and put on comfortable clothes. I put my hair into a messy knot and put my shoes on. I quietly walked down the stairs and out the front door. I walked to Jack's house and rang the doorbell. I was feeling nervous. More nervous than I have coming here before and I think it has to do with this new information.

            Jack opened the door and my smile fell immediately.  "What happened?" I gasped, taking his face in between my hands gently. We walked further inside and I closed the door with my foot.

            "It's nothing." He mumbled.

            The cut on his lip, the bruise beneath his eye, and the gash against his opposite cheek told me different. "Nothing?" I swallowed the lump in my throat and brushed my thumb across his bruised cheek. "This is the total opposite of nothing, Jack."

            "I'm fine." He moved his eyes away from mine and swatted my hands away.

            "You're not fine. What the hell happened? Did you at least put ice on it?" I wrapped my hand around his wrist and brought him towards the living room. I forced him to sit on the couch while I went to the kitchen. I grabbed a dishcloth and wrapped a few pieces of ice in it before retreating to the living room.

            Jack raised his head as I came back in the room. I kneeled in front of him and leaned forward to press the ice against his swollen cheek. "I don't need your help."

            "I never said you did."

            He placed his hand over the one against his cheek and I dropped my hand. I leaned against his leg and looked up at him, "Who did that to you?"

            "I ran into a door."

            I rolled my eyes, "Then I feel sorry for the door."

            Jack managed to laugh and it made me feel a bit better. It was a short-lived feeling when he winced, "I guess the door did more damage than you think." I sat up on my knees again and reached for the hem of his shirt.

            Jack put a hand over mine before I could lift it, "Don't. I'm fine."

            It was my turn to swat his hand away. He didn't stop me when I lifted his shirt, another small gasp escaping my lips. There was a large bruise close to his hip and I lifted the shirt a bit higher, seeing another smaller bruise on the upper side of his torso. "You should've called the—"

            "Not worth it." He said quickly and removed my hand. He put his shirt back down and looked down at me.

            "Not worth it? You could have broken ribs or internal bleeding—"

            "Nothing is broken. It's not worth violating my conditions."

            And then I understood. I guess getting into fights is part of his house arrest conditions. But how many fights did they expect Jack to get in when he couldn't leave his house? "My grandma could help you." I blurted.

            Jack quickly shook his head, "No, please. It's fine, I'll be fine. It's nothing I haven't dealt with before."

            I leaned against his leg again and I felt defeated. "She would help you if I explained everything—"

            "Juliet," Jack breathed, "Don't. It's not worth it."

            Now I didn't know what he was talking about. And I was too afraid to ask. "It was Paxton, wasn't it?"

            He looked everywhere but at me and I knew I was right. "Why would he do this to you?" I asked softly. "I thought you guys were close—"

            Jack shook his head lightly, "There's a lot you don't know. And there's a lot I can't tell you, you have to understand that." He looked at me with worried eyes.

            I nodded without hesitating, "I do. I just don't want to see you like this." I stood up from the floor and sat down close to him. He leaned his head back and turned his head slightly to look at me.

            "You're acting different." He commented and his eyes scanned my face.

            "I don't know what you mean..." I trailed off.

            A small smile tugged at his lips, "I didn't say it was a bad different."

            I guess that's a good thing, but I didn't know what he meant by it. I'm not sure exactly how I'm acting different, "Because I'm acting like a friend?"

            He narrowed his eyes at me for a moment, "Something like that."

            I thought of that as a good thing as well. I still wasn't sure what he meant. I think that statement confused me even more. I'm just trying to be a friend. Maybe I shouldn't have kissed his cheek earlier today and to be honest, I don't know why I did it. I just thought it was a good idea and I don't know why. I don't regret it though. I did when I first did it, but I'm kind of glad I did.

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I've been thinking about doing a chapter in Jack's point of view very soon, but I'm not sure if it's too soon, hahaha. But if you guys want one, let me know!

Hope you liked the chapter! :)