☆~Jace Parker~☆

"I was almost twelve years back then when my life decided to fuck up." I began staring down at my hands as I couldn't be able to tell the whole story looking into her grayish eyes. "My dad worked in South America while my mom was a waitress in a local bar."

"My mom always worked her ass off to feed us because dad would sent us money once in a month or sometimes he wouldn't. So what my point is.." I cleared my throat. "We were as poor as a church mouse." I said and suddenly she held my hand squeezing it.

"Jace, that's okay. money is not everything y'know?"

"Yeah, yeah. I got to know it when my dad couldn't bring my mom back with the money he had." I told staring out of the window as the stupid tears already started to blur my vision.

"Where are you going David?" nanny asked while my dad was packing his luggage.

"Columbia." he replied flatly and nanny gaped at him.

"What? It hasn't been a week since Madison's death and-"

"Look mom, there are so many works pending there and we can't just sit on and cry all day for someone who was no more with us. Plus, how could I raise my kids if I don't go to work reasoning some lame excuse?"

"Lame excuse? Oh Jesus," nanny sighed hopelessly, rubbing her forehead. "David, do you think your kids would live without getting the love and care of mom and dad? They're too youn-"

"Cut the crap, mom. Jace is matured enough to take care of Gia and why should I be worried when they have you? Even when Madison was alive also, you were the one who look after them, weren't you?" he asked and nanny sighed loudly and turned on her heel as she knew she couldn't win over her son, and marched towards the door. I quickly ran out of there before she could caught me eavesdropping their conversation.

I sighed and turned the other side, glancing at Jessica who was smiling at me with some emotion that I fucking couldn't name it.

"She's always lovely and bubbly. My nanny too loves her so much. They both were like besties. However I didn't even like her as much as I liked my nanny. But for Georgia, she's the super mom, her idol and blah blah blah-"

"So you think your mom's not a strong woman? Do you think it's easy to raise two children only being a waitress in a local bar?" she asked accusingly and I wish I had met Jessica long ago so maybe she would have opened my eyes earlier on.

"Momma, I wanna be a strong woman like you." Georgia beamed sitting on mom's lap.

"Nah sweetheart, you should become better than me." mom said smiling faintly and the happiness on my little sister's face had been drained completely and I frowned at the television as how on earth could my mom admit that she's not so strong by herself.

But actually she was so strong and tougher than her problems. I could tell that now so surely.

"I didn't think at that time. Because I was so stupid back then. It's like I was kinda biased, that my brain registered to show only hatred towards her. Eventhough she bought me little gifts that I liked with her savings on Christmas Eve I couldn't ever be able to love her.." I paused and realized a lump was forming back of my throat. "..until I started to feel the absence of hers."

"But what's the reason for the hatred on her?"

"Well, I was a dad's lad and he was my everything. But I could only be able to meet him once or twice in a year and I'd always blame my mom for that. Because if she could've earned enough, my dad didn't need to work in abroad. And there was one day when I asked her to buy me a guitar for my nineth birthday and she instantly refused saying 'I'll get you that next time because we're strapped for cash right now.' and it became her habitual phrase whenever I asked that on my upcoming birthdays."

"Is that why Noah presented you a guitar on your twelfth birthday?" she asked and my eye brows shot up in a bit surprise.

"You remembered it?" I sounded surprise and she chuckled heartily.

"If an exam is about you, I would ace it with no trouble." she smiled and I resisted the urge of move forward and press my lips against the rosy lips of hers. She's looking so beautiful today and most importantly, in a strange way she was resembling my mom.

"What are you hiding?" mom peered over my shoulder and I placed my hands on the drawing that was lying on my study table and tried to hide it from her sight. "Aw, show me darling. I won't say anything." she cooed and I sighed, scowling at my hands before taking them and she slowly took the paper in her hands and glanced it for a few moments.

"Wow, you've exactly drawn our family. But where is nanny? And wait, I don't have curls." she stated and I stood up snatching the paper away from her.

"It's not our family. It's a family I wanted."

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" she asked warily and I rolled my eyes.

"This one is not you, mom. You could never be like this. This is my fictional mom. Her name is Allison." I said pointing to the female who was playing with her son, which was supposed to be me, in a flower garden.

"Oh, but her name is similar to mine. Plus she looks pretty too." she remarked forcing out a smile but I ignored her, packing my pencil case. "Jace, do I not deserve to be your mom just because I couldn't spend much time with you?" her voice dropped to a whisper.

"No mom, absolutely not. But before anything else, would you answer my three questions please?" I asked turning my full attention towards her and suddenly her face lit up.

"Sure dear. Go on."

"What's the name of my favourite cartoon?" I questioned and she thought for a moment before replying.

"Tom and Jerry?" she told unsurely and I sighed.

"It's Spongebob Squarepants. Fine, who's my bestfriend?"

"Oh wait, I know that. It's a girl right?" she asked and her forehead was creasing as if she was trying hard to recall the name. "It's Trash or something right?"

"Trash? Seriously mom?"

"Wait wait, let me think properly. It's-"

"It's Tash." I stayed sighing exaggeratedly. "Natasha Taylor is my bestfriend."

"Ah yeah, see, I almost said it."

"Sure mom. Whatever you say." I clapped my hands mockingly and she let out a soft sigh.

"Okay, and the next?"

I took a deep breath before asking it out. "What would I do if I could go back in time?"

"Err.. tell your dad not to go abroad or play well in the specific basketball tournaments in which your team get defeated? I'm not sure which one is correct exactly." she said doubtfully and I closed my eyes and I could feel the wet in my eyes as I opened them, shaking my head.

"Neither. I would tell you to abort me because you didn't deserve to be my mom at all." I stated as calm as I could but much to my surprise her eyes were filled with tears too and her lips were quivering.

"These are the three simple questions a child could ask, mom. But you couldn't even tell at least one answer correctly. See, this is how you knew me. I wouldn't only blame you either. I'm hundred percent sure dad doesn't even answer any of these questions too but do you both think I deserve this?" I hissed wiping my tears furiously and she whimpered approaching me but before she could hug me or to do whatever crap she wanted, I left the place.

"Jace? Are you there?" Jessica waved her hand infront of my face snapping me out of my trance and I blinked before nodding my head.

"Yeah, yeah. Spaced out I guess."

"So.. is that why you mainly hated her?" she asked slowly and I scoffed.

"No Jessica, not at all. Everyone has financial problems. But like I already said, my brain had pure hatred on her and I couldn't be able to change it. For an example like you hated Oliver. He's such a good friend to me but you kinda hated him right? Likewise." I said and she groaned in response.

"I still hate him." she corrected and I chuckled lightly.

"Oh, noted."

"Well, what about your dad?" she questioned and I was really curious as why on earth was she curious to know my past besides Tash.

"Uh, the day had arrived when my dad would come back home. But for the past few days before that, my mom didn't seem to be normal. She was panicking and suddenly crying for no reason and sometimes she'd yell at us too which was kinda strange."

"She wouldn't ever been like that until then, because my dad fell in love with her because of her bubbly personality and kind heart. And my dad was super cool too. I loved him so much and vice versa. Whenever he visited home he'd bring us big toys and all. And he'd spend all of his time with me by playing basketball or watching movies with me." I said, smiling to myself when I recalled those moments.

"Your dad seems to be nice. Don't tell me he's dead too." she mumbled and I chuckled emotionlessly.

"If only."

"Huh?" she sounded confused and I swallowed audibly.

"He remarried shortly after my mom's death and blessed with a baby girl a few years ago and now he's living in Columbia with his new happy family." I told quietly and her face hardened.

"Did he abandon his own kids?" she fumed and I gave her a tight-lipped smile.

"Kinda."

"But why?"

I fidgeted with my seat facing her properly.

"Jessica, again I'm saying I was so stupid and immature back then." I told holding her hand even more tightly and she nodded slowly in understanding.

"After a few days of my dad's arrival he found out that my mom was hiding something from us and it was, obviously, she was two or three months pregnant." I muttered blinking my eyes.

"B-But you said your dad lives in abr-"

"It's not my dad's." my voice barely came out louder than a whisper.

"Oh." was all she said and suddenly she looked embarrassed. "But that's okay-"

"That's not okay because it's not what you think. She was fucking raped." I said through my clenched teeth and her eyes widened as she gasped loudly.

"Oh My God! No no no. It's not true. It's not true." she croaked and I closed my eyes, inhaling.

"This was what we thought too; It's not true. But it's fucking hell true. But when I realized it, it was too late." I blinked my eyes continuously as the tears were threatening to fall down. "No one believed her. Even my nanny. And that broke her heart. But nanny said to her it's okay if she was having an affair as she needed relaxation and a little distraction from her stressed life as my dad was far away too. And no matter how many times she tried to convince my dad or nanny that she was actually raped, they never really believed her." I told and a tear rolled down my cheek but I quickly wiped it away.

Suddenly I started to feel difficulty in breathing eventhough I've rolled down the windows already.

"Jace, I can't believe that you were hiding so much inside and being all loving and charming outside like nothing happened." she gulped, stroking my cheek. "You and your mom don't deserve any of these things."

"Scratch the You. I do deserve this and I deserve so much more to kill my own mother." I blurted out and her eyes bulged in shock.

"W-What are you talking about?"

I cleared my throat and turned my gaze to the digital clock. "We should go probably."

"You're lying, aren't you?" she asked and I squinted in confusion.

"What am-"

"The Jace I know, would never kill his own mother eventhough he was immature or stupid back then." she stressed each and every words and I sighed shaking my head refusing to accept it.

Maybe I haven't killed her physically but I was the reason for her death so practically I was the one who killed her.

"Er.. I told her I hated her a lot and I asked her to die a few days before my twelfth birthday and you know what did she do next.." I closed my eyes tightly and bit my lower lip hardly. "..she killed herself and her unborn baby on my birthday."

"On your birthday?" she asked slowly and I nodded, murmuring.

"As a birthday gift. Because I was the one who asked her to die every single day and told her I couldn't be anymore happier if it happened."

I could see her pale body laying on the kitchen like it was happened yesterday. I could hear the shocked gasps of my nanny's and dad's and the screams of my little sister.

"Plus, we found out a gift-wrapped in her room which was a.. yamaha guitar. Actually she was the one who presented me a guitar on my twelfth birthday. Not Noah." I buried my face in my palms and broke down into tears.

I miss you, mom. I'm sorry.

Suddenly a pair of arms enfolded me and I didn't need to open my eyes to know who it was. I slowly took my hands off my face and wrapped them around her waist and snuggled against her neck as if it was what I needed the most right now. Neither she nor I spoke anything as we both stayed like this for a good minute or two until I heard a siren sound.

I quickly pulled away, wiping my tears and started the engine. "We have to get outta here." but she didn't respond anything as she stared at me with a smile on her lips.

When I turned to the left, I glanced at her with furrowed brows as she was still staring at me. "What?"

She blushed, averting her gaze to the window. "N-Nothing."

I stared at the back of her head for a moment and smiled before focusing ahead.

Why was I feeling so happy and relieved all of a sudden? Did Georgia wake up?

But if truth be told, It was really funny that the girl I hated four months ago was the same one who gives me lots of butterflies in my stomach whenever I touch her skin or lips. Even whenever I think of her too.

Although I've kissed her once, I would never ever forget that in my lifetime.

Most of the people say, that first kiss was couldn't be forgotten and a bestest memory ever. But for me; No, it's not.

I kissed my bestfriend when we were both tipsy and especially when I was heartbroken and to be frank, my first kiss was sloppy and lack of experience. I wanted to forget it and it was one of the memories I always regretted about.

But the girl who was sitting beside me was really something.

The girl I hardly paid attention a few months ago, was the same girl with whom I shared all of my sweetest memories lately.

"Jace, your phone's ringing." she said interrupting my train of thoughts and I nodded taking my phone out and glanced at the screen which read Tash.

I looked at Jessica and she was already staring back at the window. I fidgeted with my phone arguing with mind whether to answer it or not and finally pressed the green button.

"Hey Ta-"

"I HATE YOU!" she shrieked and I slowly took my phone a little far away from my ear and Jessica too turned around, rolling her eyes before mouthing at me.

"Tell her that the feeling is mutual."

I chuckled at her and before I could response anything to Tash, she screamed again.

"How many times I'm calling you? You forgot me huh?" she asked and I frowned, slowing down the car when I heard obnoxious noises of typical teenaged guys on the other line. "Tash, where are you? Are you okay?"

"I'm not okay, call 911 now." she said and for a brief moment I thought she was being serious.

"Tash, can you tell me where are you?" I asked very calmly.

"I'm at Ollie's house. Come and take me from here. I misss you already, plus this party is super boring." she slurred and I realized she was drunken.

Oliver and his lame parties.

"Is Sam or Ryan beside you?" I asked and she cackled with laughter.

"They both are banging their own chicks in their allocated rooms and left me here alone. Poor me.." she stated.

"Louise's there too?" I questioned and Jessica raised her eye brow at me.

"Yeah, yeah that blondie's here too. But guess what, Sam was fucking a random red head who has huge boobies than her." she told and I pinched the bridge of my nose as I imagined the glances people would be throwing towards her right now. "So, are you going to pick me up or what?" she asked huffing in annoyance and I sighed.

"Will be there in a minute. Please don't do anything stupid." I said speeding up the car and from the corner of my eye, I noticed Jessica was staring ahead with a blank expression on her face.

"Sure daddy!" Tash replied and I chuckled.

"That's my girl." with that I hung up the call and placed it on the holder. When I turned to the direction of her street I glanced at Jessica but she was just staring at my phone blankly.

I wish my phone could automatically take a snap of her right now because despite the fact she was a bit preoccupied, she was looking like a mini cupcake which was cute in my point of view.

She let out a soft sigh and that made me frown slightly.

"Jessica, you're okay?"

"Did Natasha know about your past?" she asked out of nowhere, looking at me and my car instantly slowed down when I realized it was the thing that was bothering her for the whole time.

"Uh, yeah." I nodded. "She's a single child and she's being taken care by her father since she was a kid because.. uh, actually it's not my story to tell but as you know, I told her because she could relate atleast a little, plus she's my bestfriend after all. How could-"

"Did Samuel or Ryan know about it?" she cut me off and sounded slightly annoyed for some reason.

"Uh, well, they knew about my mom's death but do not know the reason." I stated and she nodded slowly.

"Oh.. Did I really push you out of your comfort zone? Because if so, I'm really sorry and don't worry I won't say-"

"Oh c'mon, Jessica. I wouldn't open up to anyone unless I want to." I admitted and her lips curved into a warm smile.

I parked the car beside the lamp post which was located across from her house and turned to face her. I noticed her eyes were glancing at my lips for a nanosecond before they were meeting my gaze.

"See you." she whispered and I smiled.

"See ya."

"Uh, I hope Georgia would wake up sooner than we expect." she told and I sighed.

"I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

She nodded, looking down at her lap and I figured she wanted to say something to me.

"Well.. do you come to school tomorrow?" she asked reluctantly and I shrugged.

"Maybe yeah."

"Maybe?"

"Uh, I mean-" the ringtone of my phone interrupted our conversation and when Jessica glanced at the screen she frowned and looked at me forcing out a smile.

"I should go or else my mom would kick me out of the house and tell me to beg on the streets as a punishment." she said jokingly and I chuckled.

"You should go then. Bye." I waved my hand as she got down from the car and she waved me back bending down a little and looked at me through the window, pointing to my phone.

"Can you please answer it unless you want my neighbors to wake up and yell at me." she told and I smiled pressing the decline option and watched her walking towards her house as her longish blonde hair swaying along with her movement.

Why am I starting to miss her already?
----

I pulled my car into the driveway of Oliver's house which was crammed with teenaged people and when I got down, I instantly spotted Tash sitting on the courtyard talking with a random guy. I quickly approached her and as if she heard I was coming she looked up and gave me a huge grin when her eyes met mine.

"Oh Jacey.." she tried to stand up and I grabbed her arm gently helping her to get up. "I missed you." she cooed wrapping her arm around my waist and waved at the random guy.

"Bye Dylan! Had a wonderful time with you." she beamed and that guy looked slightly intimidated by me as he waved back at her, smiling hesitantly.

"Let's go." I turned around dragging her along with me and opened the passenger seat door and made her sit there before making my way towards the driver seat.

While she was putting on the seatbelts I noticed she was looking like a typical nerd who didn't have fashion sense, though I've to admit she was cute in her own way. But much to my surprise she wasn't wearing eyeglasses today.

"Tash, where's your glasses?" I asked starting the engine and she gestured to her eyes back and forth.

"Contact lenses."

"Oh." I nodded in acknowledgement and increased the volume of radio when I realized the song that was playing on the radio, was one of my favourites.

"So.. since when do we hide secrets from each other?" I heard Tash ask and she sounded like a sane person.

"Tash, I thought you're dead drunk." I stated and she sighed loudly.

"Don't you know I have better acting skills than Meryl Streep?" she asked flatly as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Now will you answer my question?"

"What question?" I asked glancing at her with furrowed brows.

"Since when did you choose Jessica over me?" she emphasized each and every words like she was talking to a toddler.

"Huh?"

"Don't huh me, Jace. I'm your bestie but still I'm not even updated as much as Jessica is." she frowned looking at me and I slowed down the car.

"What are you talking about Tash? I really don't underst-"

"Seriously? You don't?" she scoffed. "Well, let me enlighten you then. I was at Ollie's party waiting for you but you didn't show up as you promised so I called you countless times and finally got to know from your grandma that Gia is in hospital with a serious condition and you were there with.. Jessica." she concluded and now I wasn't driving anymore as I parked it in a street corner and by studying her face I realized I somehow hurt her.

"Well, would you forgive me if I apologize?" I asked with puppy dog eyes but she wasn't making eye contact with me.

"Why did you call Jessica instead of me?" she asked quietly and I frowned. Why was she always bringing her up for no reason?

"Tash, if you tell me what do you want to know then I could tell it to you straightly. Because for the whole time I was thinking you're ranting because I didn't attend the party-"

"It could be the reason too." she said playing with the strap of her pinafore dress. "But if I were you, I wouldn't have attended the party too. So the main reason I'm mad at you is, you gave importance to her more than me."

"Jeez.. why are you comparing yourself with Jessica? you both are not same for me okay?" I told running my fingers through my hair frustratingly and she nodded.

"Okay then. Just tell me whether she knew about your past?" she asked and it caught me completely off-guard.

"What are-"

"Stop playing dumb and answer." she ordered and I sighed.

"Yeah. I told her today."

Her eyes narrowed in shock. "See, it took you almost three years to tell me the reason for your mom's death and only a few months for Jessica huh? She's having a great influence on you Jace." she accused and I frowned.

"I just couldn't be able to hide anything from her, Tash. She's so innocent and trustworthy." I reasoned and she rolled her eyes.

"Kiss my arse." she muttered and I guess, Tash and Jessica weren't on good terms. She suddenly looked straight into my eyes with much emotions as she questioned quietly.

"Jace, if I asked you a question will you answer it honestly?"

"Of course."

She took a deep breathe and held my hand. "Uhm.. do you- do you love me?"

"Of course I do." I replied undoubtedly nodding my head and she smiled faintly at me but her expression replaced into a sullen look again.

"And.. uh, do you love Jessica?" she asked and my eyes widened and my muscles stiffened when the question registered in my head.

"Tash, what the hell are you talking about? This is bullshit."

"So you don't love Jessica right?" she asked cautiously and I frowned as I didn't know the answer for it. Because I never thought about it eventhough Jessica and I were in a nameless relationship for a long time which was good in my opinion. "Answer me, you love her or not?" she questioned again and I opened my mouth but nothing seemed to be come out.

She loosened the grip on my hand and sighed exasperately when she noticed my expression.

"Look Jace, no is a simple word with two letters. If you couldn't be able to say it, then you probably fell in love with her." she stated but she didn't seem to happy about that fact. Neither did I. Because I was too shocked rather than being happy that how on earth did I fall for a girl who had a crush on my bestfriend.

"But Tash, how's that possible?"

"Isn't that my question?" she asked tilting her head to one side. "I mean, we've been fake dating for a long time but Jessica was the one who made you fall for her charm, you know what, it's awfully sweet."

Awfully sweet?

"Okay, but why are you being so uptight today?" I asked and she laughed nervously.

"Uh, the Bloody Mary has arrived yesterday." she stated flatly.

"Oh.. my poor Tash." I pouted slightly pinching her cheek.

"Look Jace, I really want the best for you. And if you chose Jessica as your best then it's perfectly alright." she told and I realized no matter how hard I tried to change the topic she wouldn't stop rambling.

And even before my mind could process that I liked her in a different way, Tash was making me to admit that I was loving Jessica and have to ask her out sooner for some unknown reason. Doesn't she know that I need some time?

"But maybe you'd regret your decision too. So always think twice." she adviced and I nodded like an obedient child for whatever she was saying. "..And I hope you won't share the love you have on me." she whispered looking at her lap and I've never ever seen her being worried lately until now and it was saddening me too, so I pulled her into a hug which she gladly accepted wrapping her arms around my neck.

"I love you Jace. I love you so much." she said with much emotion and hugged me even more tightly which made me chuckle.

"I love you too cupcake."

"I don't care whoever you date. I always give you bear hugs, kiss you on your chin and cheeks and slap your sexy butt and-"

"Ssshh.. that's maybe enough." I cut her off, resting my head on hers and I felt her body shaking as she giggled silently. We both remained silent until I heard her mumble.

"I wish you know what I really mean."

Hey Lovely Readers!

Sorry for the late but see, I've updated a long chapter.

So guys, I've noticed that one of my stories has published on an illegal site and some book which I didn't want to say the name, has slightly copied my plot and that hurts me.

Plus, I've never seen her/him either voting or commenting on my story. I guess she/he must be a silent reader. Lol.

But on a serious note, Please do not ever copy my story and I would really appreciate if you guys inform me when you see my story was published other than Wattpad.

Thankyou guys!

I love y'all and I love that silent reader too because she/he's indirectly saying that my story is super awesome.

Because she/he didn't need to copy it if my story is less interesting right?

Though it considers as plagiarism so I warn that person not to copy my work!!!

Anyways do Vote and Comment!