♡ Jessica Woods ♡

No one had no idea how pathetic I was because I've faced a lot of embarrassing moments in my life and all I could do was recalling them and soaking my pillow.

I was laying on my bed with my black striped pyjamas, doing nothing as I lost in today's thoughts.

When I came home, my mother was cooking something enthusiastically as usual and when she saw me she waved at me and before I could wave back she turned her attention to the freaking pan, she was holding on.

I knew my mother didn't care me at all but now I was feeling that she was going far away from me. She didn't even ask how my prefects investiture ceremony had gone or atleast she could've asked 'how're you doing, Jessie?' instead of giving me a quick hi gesture.
-----

I descended downstairs and slumped on the couch when I realized it was dinner time. Alexander, my brother, was watching something on the television and I didn't have much energy to fight with him for the remote so I took my phone out of my pocket and unlocked it before opening my gallery and looking at Jace's picture I screenshotted yestereday from whatsapp.

After today's incident, I found Jace more handsome than Samuel. I stared at that picture only God knows how long until my brother spoke.

"What are you looking at?" he asked, turning his gaze towards me.

"Is that your business?" I retorted, hugging my phone to my chest dramatically and he huffed before averting his gaze back to the TV.

"Fine, but don't be like this when my friend comes here for the dinner." he stated and I sat up, crossing my legs.

"Friend? Who's that?" I asked curiously.

"Is that your business?" he repeated the same question I asked earlier and I rolled my eyes.

"Okay okay. But is it a girl or boy?" I asked, wiggling my eye brows.

"B-"

"No lies, young man." I cut off him before he could lie and he frowned.

"It's a girl okay?" he groaned. "Now go get yourself dressed."

"Sorry bro I can't. but I'm happy that my little baby brother has grown up to get a girlfriend by his own." I said, leaning over to pinch his cheek but he quickly swatted my hand away and I giggled before laying on the couch again.

"She's not my girlfriend." he remarked and I waved my hand in the air.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."

"Alex! Come here!" mom shouted from the kitchen and he warned me not to touch the remote before leaving and I kicked his butt when he walked past me in response. He glared at me and I glared back but before he could anything, my mom called again so he just walked away.

I wondered would Jace reply me if I sent him a message as Thankyou. Maybe he would. Maybe he wouldn't. It was unpredictable so I decided not to send anything.

"Jessie!" mom called me by my name as she approached the couch and extended the wallet towards me. I looked at her wallet and then at her in confusion.

"Go and buy an oyster sauce bottle and yeast." she commanded and I scowled at her.

"Why should I want to go?"

"Because I said so." she said nonchalantly.

"Mom, I can't.." I denied, standing up.

"Why?"

"I have my reasons."

"What are the reasons?" she questioned, crossing her arms over her chest and I sighed.

"I can't go to the supermarket by walking which was two blocks away from here." I explained and she rolled her eyes.

"Fine. I'm going and you prepare the dinner for us." she said sharply and I pursed my lips together as I knew she was the one who would be winning the arguement no matter who was standing against her.

"Alright! I'll-"

The sound of the calling bell interrupted me, and my mother handed me the wallet as she said.

"Here. Open the door before you go and tell her to come in." she instructed and I nodded my head in irritation and cursed his new friend underneath my breath as I made my way towards the door, grabbing the jacket from the holder.

I unlocked it and swung open the door and my jaw dropped in surprise when I saw Jace standing in front of me with the same expression I was wearing on my face right now.

"Jace??" I gasped exaggeratedly and closed the door slightly, glancing behind if my mom or my brother him. "What are you doing here?"

He rolled his eyes at my overdramatic actions and he looked less surprised now as he glanced down and I turned my gaze where he was looking at and that's when I noticed the little girl who had much similarities of him, standing beside him. She smiled at me but I was too shocked to return the smile.

"This is-" I cut Jace off.

"Oh My God!" I placed my hand over my mouth and Jace glanced at me, furrowing his brows. "Is she your daughter?"

He groaned, running his fingers through his hair and the little girl giggled as she told. "He's my brother, Jace Parker and I'm Georgia Parker, Alex's friend." she extended her hand and I shook my hand with hers as I started to understand.

She was the one who was the friend of Alex but she looked too young to be a teenager, maybe the puberty hit her less hard than the others.

"Oh, come in." I welcomed them, opening the door widely and she looked up at her brother and said. "I'll text you."

He nodded and she gave me a large smile before entering in and I waited for Jace to enter in but he didn't move as he scanned me from head to toe.

While he was taking some time to check me out, I too did the same. He was wearing plain navy blue t-shirt and khaki shorts and I gulped when I saw his long lean legs.

"You're Alexander's sister?" he asked suddenly and I looked up, shaking my head.

"No. Alex is my brother." I replied.

"Is there any difference?" he questioned, raising his eye brow and before I could answer, my mother appeared.

"Welcome!" mom beamed and Jace smiled uncomfortably. "Jessica, let him in."

"No no. I came to drop Georgia. I'm just leaving now." he informed and I felt a pang in my chest eventhough I wouldn't be here if he stays.

"Oh." she said and whisper-yelled."If he's your friend, ask him to give a ride." she suggested and I wanted to shut her mouth as she said loud enough for him to hear and noticing my expression, she excused herself and left us both to face the awkwardness which was about to surround us.

"You are going anywhere?" he asked a moments later, fidgeting with his key.

"Supermarket." I replied, putting on my jacket.

"Do you need a ride-"

"No no. I can walk by myself. it's not far away." I assured, smiling at him and he nodded before turning around and walking towards the car.

It got me three seconds to realize that he was not going to convince me to get into the car like in the cheesy romantic movies I watched and I was making myself more awkward by standing here and staring at him without blinking my eyes. So I started to walk past his car, tucking the wallet inside my jacket pocket.

He drove the car matching with my pace and I stopped walking, turning at him as he was staring at me through the window, placing his hand on the steering wheel.

"Get in." he commanded and I crossed my arms over my chest.

"As I already said I can walk by-"

he stopped the engine and turned his head towards me, looking at me in amusement. "As you already said.. you can't walk by yourself as it was two blocks away from here." he stated and my mouth fell open.

"You eavesdropped our conversation?" I exclaimed.

"No. You're just shouting for the whole world to hear." he shrugged and I rolled my eyes dramatically.

"So are you going to get in or what?" he asked and I sighed as everyone knew that I couldn't refuse this offer. I moved towards the passenger seat and opened the door as I got in and buckled the seatbelt. He glanced at me before stepping on the gas.

"You wanna go to the supermarket right?" he asked as he turned on the radio before driving off and I nodded.

We didn't speak anything as his gaze focused ahead, driving one-handed and humming the unknown song that was playing on the radio while I was thinking how wonderfully cozy this car was and if anyone said me to sleep here, I'd gratefully agree to do.

He stopped the car where I pointed at and when I was about to open the door, he stopped me.

"Here." I heard him say and I turned towards his side and he was extending a ten pound note to me which made me confuse but before I could say something, he spoke. "Buy me a dark chocolate."

"Which kind?"

"Any kind but only dark." he shrugged.

"Okay." I nodded slowly as I took the money from him. I stepped out and headed towards the supermarket.
----

Ten minutes later I exited holding the bag and checked the bill whether the amount was correct. When I glanced at the car, he was gesturing me to come soon and I nodded as I quickly approached the car and got into the car, fastening my seat belt. He started the engine and I rummaged my hand in the bag and took out the expensive dark chocolate and the remaining money.

When I extended them, he glanced at them through the corner of his eyes before taking it out of my hand. I shivered slightly when his fingers traced mine while he was taking them.

He slipped the money inside his pocket and tore the wrapper of the dark chocolate through his teeth before taking a big bite of it and savouring it for a moment. I couldn't take my eyes off of him as I found this hot.

"You want?" he asked, chewing it when he caught me I was looking at him and I shook my head awkwardly.

"Nah." I denied and turned my gaze to the window where I could see the trees moving very slowly.

"Jessica," I heard Jace say and every time he calls my name my heart would do a quick flip. I pretended to be normal as I looked at him.

"Yeah?"

"I didn't know you are Alex's sister." he stated and I nodded, smiling at his radio weakly.

"I'm glad that you didn't ask 'What? Alex has a sister?' 'Oh My God! the popular guy has an antisocial sister?'" I mimicked how exactly his fans and friends sounded when they met me for the first time. "Because that's what everyone used to say." I told flatly and he stole some glances at me.

"I like introvert girls more than extrovert." he stated and I scoffed.

"Says the one who's the bestest friend of Natasha."

"I didn't say I hate extrovert girls." he shrugged and I rolled my eyes.

"So your point is?" I questioned and he waved his hand to me in a 'look at you' gesture.

"See.. If I didn't bring up a topic you wouldn't be speaking till I drop you home. You don't have friends because you don't gel with people and you're shy to talk with someone but if you started to speak, you are talking till we shut your mouth." he explained and his tone was mixed with seriousness and sarcasm.

"Maybe you're right but I'm not shy, I just don't wanna talk with people when I don't have anything meaningful to say." I told.

"But sometimes your nonsense talks could make people laugh." he stated and I jerked my head towards him.

"Really?"

"Yeah." he shrugged, taking another bite of his chocolate and I smiled at him and stared at my lap as I suppressed the squeal.

He liked introvert people and he liked my nonsense talks.. Right?

Finally our conversation came to an end when he stopped the car at my driveway.

I gripped the door handle but before stepping out I turned towards him and he tilted his head slightly urging me to speak and I smiled genuinely. "Thankyou for.." I paused, glancing at him. "..everything."

"Don't mention it." he waved his hand which was holding the chocolate bar. "And a small tip, don't let anyone make fun of you or embarrass you just because you're clumsy or antisocial or whatever." he adviced and his concerned words really made me feel better and my smile broadened till my cheeks ached.

I didn't know what came over me but without any second thoughts I leaned forward, gripping his hand which was holding the chocolate and he hesitated but didn't pull it out of my grip so I brought it closer to me and bit a small piece where he bit at and glanced at him, letting go of his hand.

I surprised when I saw the light shade of red forming on his ears as he glanced at the chocolate, gripping the steering wheel tightly with his other hand.

"I really had a good time with you." I confessed and I saw his adam's apple working. When I found he was dumbfounded right now, I stepped out and closed the door behind me as I headed towards my house.
-----

I couldn't think any other than those pinkish ears. Life was unfair when the hottest ones look more attractive while they were blushing and we couldn't do anything other than sighing at them dreamily.

"Why're you not looking up from the plate?" I heard Georgia ask, though I ducked my head down.

'Because I want to get rid of Jace's thoughts and if I look at you then immediately my mind wanders about Jace as you're resembling none other than him.'

But I decided not to answer as I stirred the mushroom soup. Alex who was sitting beside Georgia, waved his hand at me. "Jessie! She's talking to you!"

"When will you be leaving?" I asked Georgia, looking up and immediately regretted my words when I saw the surprised look on her face. My mom placed her fork down as if she was going to give me a lecture about my manners and before she could, I apologized to Georgia.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I wanna talk something with Jace." I explained and Georgia gave me an 'Oh' look.

"You both are friends?" she asked casually after a few moments as she took a sip of orange juice.

"No no. He's just my HP." I smiled awkwardly as I stirred the soup again, praying God to change this subject but as we all knew I wasn't that lucky.

"Then how come he gave you a ride home?" she questioned and I furrowed my eye brows.

"Uh, I don't understand what you're talking about." I admitted and glanced at Alex but he just shrugged as he stuffed a big piece of cake in his mouth.

Stupid!

"He doesn't let anyone to get into his car unless they are so close to him." she explained and I stared at her for moments as I didn't know what to say.

"Maybe-" I cut her off before she could guess something which would get me into trouble.

"I guess, he just took pity on me." I said and gave Alex a 'do something' look and he nodded as he held her hand. "C'mon! Let's go for a walk."

I didn't fail to notice her reddened cheeks as she nodded at him, glancing at his empty plate. They both stood up and I sighed in relief.

"But she didn't finish eating." mom protested.

"I'm already full, Auntie." Georgia provided and followed Alex holding his hand tightly.

Those pinkish ears are more cute than this young couple!

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