September 10th, 2017

Life goes on normally in the two weeks leading up to my first day of school. Jace never mentions anything about the night he saved me, and I never bring it up. I get to know Beatrice and Robert on a deeper level and even get to explore the sports shop they own. Jaylin opens up to me more and more each day. She even went as far as offering to take me shopping the weekend before school started.

The only sad part about the thirteen days is the simple fact that Finn wasn't in it. He's parent surprised him with a family vacation to the Seychelles islands. Now he probably rests on a comfy beach chair made of Benjamins, a cold drink in one hand, and his new iPhone in the other.

I, on the other hand, lay on my twin sized bed made of whatever the hell beds are made of, no sweet, cold numbs my fingers as I pick what I'm going to wear tomorrow. I'm going for a look that says cute, but at the same time not too out there that I draw any attention to myself.

So you want to be a cute ghost?

Yes.

Sometimes the voices in my head actually get me. I want to look good, but not be seen.

With this new idea in mind, I pick out my only tight fitting crop top and pair it with black ripped jeans. Setting the two on my desk, a smile breaks across my lips at how easy that was. Most teens my age spend hours picking out what they want to wear for the first day of school, but not me. Invisible ghosts don't have to worry about what people think of them.

A quick look at the clocks allows me to see that it's eight thirty-three.

Bedtime.

Right on cue, a little yawn leaves my lips. I'm so tired--weirdly I did nothing to be this pooped out-- that even my something ounce phone feels heavy. I quickly unlock it and send Finn a quick good night text. Not waiting for his reply, I plug the small device back into the outlet by my bed, and I'm inches from perfect sleep when my door is slammed open.

"MOVIE NIGHT!" Jace screams, his usually deep voice changing to a higher pitch. "Come on, little sis!"

Recently, like two days ago recent, I found out that Jace was four months older me. Ever since then he been calling me little sis. He claims it's because my name is too long, and I've made no secret of the fact that I hate it being shortened.

"Nooo!" I whine, pulling my pillow over my head.

It's after eight thirty, on a school night! I should've been sleeping ten minutes ago.

"'Noooo' isn't an option." He sings, ripping the covers off me. The flimsy little shirt and booty shorts that make up my normal sleep attire do absolutely nothing to shield me from the coldness of my room.

"Go away." I turn my freezing body towards my blue wall, childishly avoiding looking at Jace.

"Not tonight, little sis." He chuckles lightly. I feel his shadow loom over before warm fingers wrap around my midsection. "I've got orders to make sure you attend a family movie night, so that's what you shall do."

With that, Jace effortless lifts me from the comfort of my bed and tosses me over his shoulders like I'm a sack of potatoes. "I don't like you!"

"I know." He shrugs. I feel the motion on my stomach. Weird experience.

I considered myself a small person, and it's well known that Jace is strong, yet none of these facts stop fear from wedging its way into my stomach. The idea of getting dropped on the stairs is just really unappealing to me.

"Here she is." Jace gently drops me on an empty couch, then walks the few feet that separate him from his 'twin'.

I look around the average living room, eyes first landing on the relaxed Robert taking up a whole couch to himself, and then the twins on the couch across me quietly fighting over a blanket.

Where's Beatrice?

The lady in question appears from the kitchen right as the thought crosses my mind. She first hands her kids huge bowls of popcorn, Robert a few candy bars, stopping at me last.

"Care if I sit with you?" Beatrice asks sweetly, her voice soft and smooth like caramel as she hands me a medium sized box.

OMG!

Surges of happiness twist all over my body once I see that the box contains my favorite food in the whole world: zebra corn. I told Beatrice about my love for it on Wednesday when we tried a sample of it while grocery shopping at Costco. We hadn't bought it then, so it means a crap ton to me that she remembered.

Back in the present day, I shake my head no at her question and scoot my butt into the far corner to give her tons of space.

"Thanks." She smiles at me. "What movie are we watching tonight?"

Good question.

"Conjuring 2," Jaylin responds, stopping her tug-a-war with Jace for a second.

Robert shakes his head left to right. "Not tonight, Jay-Jay."

"But why?" She draws out the last letter.

"Because I'm pretty Jacqueline hadn't watched the first movie, so it wouldn't be fair to watch the second."

"But Da-"

"Another time, Daughter."
Robert dismisses her with a wave of the remote. "We're watching It tonight."

"I saw that the other day!" Jace chips, earning a glare from Beatrice.

I learned quickly that she hates her kids watching anything over TV 14 without her or Roberts presence. With that information came the knowledge that they do exactly that whenever they wish.

"Jason Robert McCains, what ha-"

Robert accidentally hits the play button, giving his son an out that he eagerly takes. "Mom, please be quiet. The movie is starting."

Beatrice rolls her eyes but listens to his words. After tossing a pillow at his head.

Drama king Jace screeches an ovary fake cry of pain, but quickly drops it when he realizes no one will give him pity.

The room sinks into a peaceful silence as everyone's attention is sucked into the fake reality.

I, never one to really enjoy watching tv, get bored after five minutes and pull out my phone. A wave of pride washes over when I remember how I'd managed to snug it from its hiding place without Jace noticing.

After turning the screen to its darkest power, I open up Finn's message.

Good night, cuteness. Can't wait to see you tomorrow;)

Like always, his flirtatious nature fills my body with warmth and tingles.

Argh! I really him!

And for the first time in over three years, the thought isn't one of dread. It's one of happiness: I actually like liking a boy.

No, not a boy.

Finn.

I like liking Finn. Only Finn.

Beatrice leans back into me. "What's making my beautiful daughter smile like  she's seeing food?"

I bit my lip lightly, a smile sneaking its way onto my face. "A guy."

"Interesting, you'll have to tell me more about him later." She whispers, rubbing my knee with the affection of a mother.

"Ok," I reply back softly, leaning over and hugging her back.
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Hello awesome readers:) Thanks for reading. Please vote, comment and share if you liked!

Q.O.T.C.: What do you like/dislike about Jacqueline's relationship with her family?

Sorry, I didn't update yesterday: life got in the way. And I had to change this chapter TWICE! cause I didn't like it. The good news in doing that is that I now like it, and have 300 words of the next chapter done.

I'll try to update Wednesday and Friday again if you guys get 25 on the recent chapter before said day:)

Love you guys, Liv

DP: Aug.23.17
WC: 1,237