When we were finally out of the hotel, I felt the fresh wave of wind hit my face. Subconsciously, a smile was plastered on my face. It felt like I was out of a prison or something, though of course, the hotel obviously didn't feel like a prison to me. I just couldn't find a better comparison than that. When you live your whole life inside air conditioners all day, you'd just want to feel the fresh air for once.

The only thing that I was still a bit uncomfortable about over here, that kept me back from walking at nights here, was that incident back when we were coming here. That touch still felt like they were burning into my skin, and it really creeped me out sometimes. I knew I could never forget that throughout my entire life, just like I couldn't forget how those bikers tried to stalk me while I was trying to cross the road to my school. Sure, these aren't even such a big deals compared to what other people go through, but it sure can turn out into big deals if we simply ignore the case and not react. Which is exactly what I keep doing, thanks to me being a coward who depends on bodyguards all the time. I'm almost sure that someday I might get killed due to my stupid 'freeze' mode during every single incident of danger.

Of course, that's exaggeration, but still.

Avoiding all my thoughts quickly, I glanced around as mobs of people rushed into different shops. This was a very busy street filled with various boutiques, grocery shops, malls, literally everything that a person wants. People living in this street, especially the ones who live right nearby the mall, are so lucky.

"There it is," Jasper said, pointing to a tall but narrow building by our side. I could see through its clear windows different floors and different blocks with various shops. But the way in which it was so tall but so narrow made me think of Klaus, who's very tall but very lean, maybe even leaner than I am. Karly can never match his height, though, so her lean body matches well with her average height.

I nodded, "Sure, let's go."

Even before he could reply, I walked towards it and he followed. As we entered through the entrance, the cool air of the AC met us again. Though I was really getting irritated by always being in conditioned areas, I couldn't care about that in between glancing around the large building. This mall is huge, I realized, Completely different from the narrow place we saw from outside. Maybe it's partly because of its outer appearance that the newer mall is more popular than this one and hence the lesser rush here. People always judge a book by its cover than actually taking the time to read and fucking find out. Dumb freaks.

"If we decide to shop at all places here, we wouldn't be done even by next week," Jasper said in awe, and I chuckled, "Who says so? I can."

I mean, though I do shop here and there in a month, I'm not a big fan of shopping as if in being completely addicted to shopping and going to malls during each and every weekend. So, what I expect from myself while entering a shop is to just go around, watch some stuff and buy one or two things while doing so, but not more than that. As I said before, I'm not a shopping addict, so I prefer keeping my time in a shop short but useful.

"I was talking about humans."

I paused and narrowed my eyes at him, "You just called me inhumane."

"Oh, really? Did I? Impossible."

Well, I just gave him a chance to ridicule myself. Shit. Good move, June.

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes, "Where are we going, anyways?"

Jasper frowned at me, "I thought you knew -"

"Yeah yeah, I obviously do. But where's the clothes shop here?"

"Do you think I've got a map of this mall?" He smirked, "We go around, we find out."

I nodded and we walked ahead, aiming at finding a good clothes shop first, then a stationary shop because both Jasper and I needed several items related to our respective work, and then going over to the next - if we've time left after all this, that is. We might probably enter some random restaurant too, or just have dinner from the hotel restaurant. Fortunately, we had to walk only a short distance before we were met with the first clothes shop at the mall. There were several others right beside and behind it, but this one caught our eye than the others did because of its highlighted forty percent discount banner and the fact that it included some stationary items too.

"We're going there, aren't we?" I asked, staring at the shop in front of us with quite a thirsty look. I was more than eager to choose from the various collections of dresses it showcased as well as one or two items I might need for school next week, before our exams start. And all with a discount!

"We're definitely going," Jasper nodded quickly, just as much as in awe as I was. Well, of course no one can choose anything else over a good shop with quite a good discount offer. And this means that Jasper has to spend less over me - if he does so, that is, because I know I'll try my best to prevent him from paying for me completely.

Like expected, there was indeed quite a number of people in this store, but comparatively less than usual thanks to the new mall at our street. Well, that's the only advantage that that stupid mall has given us till now, but of course I'm not really grateful because had it not been there, we wouldn't even have to be here right now. As we entered, a guy met us at the billing counter with a wide smile and greetings. We smiled back and then went in, looking around.

"So, uh, if we go together, it's going to take forever," Jasper told me. He pointed to the far side of the large store, "Your section is over there. I'll be right here, and I'll return once I take my own stuff. In case you need something, you can call me, alright?"

I nodded, rolling my eyes internally at his long speech. Why does he even have to instruct me so much about a simple thing, as if I'm a little kid who might lose myself somewhere if I'm not careful? Honestly, he doesn't even have to advise me about this; I do know that I can just call him in case I need some help, and that he's here and still watching over me. But I know why he was being cautious, and I'd rather adhere to what he says than go against it or scoff it off again - after what happened during our walk to the hotel from the new mall. Not that something like that might happen again, especially in such a public and safe place, but even then being careful is better than being sorry about it later. I'm never avoiding Jasper's advises ever again, even if they're stupid and almost ridiculous.

We then went our own ways and I went to the side to which he had pointed, the section for 15-16 year olds. I walked past each counter swiftly, swooning over how many clothes were look here and how they all costed less than usual. I could easily choose the most fancy, glittering gown ever and still get away with a low price. But of course, my aim was to choose just a few casual tops and then some stationary items and not buy off the entire store. I mean, I rarely even wear gowns, so yeah. The one gown I do have was bought one or two years ago and I've worn it only once during some event at school. Dad always scolded me for not wearing it more but hey, what can I do? I either end up wearing cool crop tops and shorts or skirts when the weather is too high to bear but when it's too cold, we rarely ever go out.

Having sort of a little trouble with choosing what I might need, I looked at the guy at the bill counter with an awkward look. He understood what I meant, because he instantly pointed to a middle aged woman standing by the corner, texting away on her phone busily. Ah, the pros of running a shop for so long - you get to understand what the looks on your customers' faces means. Either, the customer is unhappy with the high prices, happy with the discount, disappointed at a little tear or something on an item, or, like me, confused at what to choose and how to choose. Jasper did say that I can call him in case I need help, but in this case, I needed a woman's help to choose, especially an older one.

I murmured a little thank you to him and moved over to the woman, "Excuse me, where can I find some simple -"

I paused as I realized that the woman didn't even seem to hear me. She was still typing on her phone, glued to it. I sighed, cleared my throat in an attempt to distract her, but nothing worked in front of the power of the mighty mobile phone.

"Sylvia!" The guy at the counter half yelled-half whispered to the woman, making her jump a little and turn to me, placing a wide smile on her face immediately, though it was a bit strained, "Y-yes, sorry. What were you saying again?"

I pointed to the counter behind her, "Can I see some simple, comfortable tops?"

"Sure, follow me."

I did as she said and soon, we were in front of a long counter filled with tight or oversized, warm or cold casual shirts and T-shirts. The entire counter was colorful due to the variety of colors each shirts had. Most of them were had the same brand though. Now actually unable to choose from this, I asked stupidly, "Uh...I might need some tops which are good during travel."

The lady, Sylvia, looked at me weirdly and smiled, "Kid, all of these can be used while travelling, they're very comfortable. In case you're referring to a beach trip, then -"

"No, I mean, just usual travel," I quickly corrected her, not wanting her to take out some swimsuits or shit for me, "Like tops meant for the hot weather, since it's pretty sunny outside."

"Oh, like light-colored and soft?"

I nodded. She took out some tops from between, then placed them in front of me and smiled, "You can try them on in the trial room over there."

And that was yet another trouble that took about ten to fifteen minutes. But, after it was done, I decided on taking about six out of the ten tops she'd handed me. Out of it, I'd liked only one or two that looked really nice and fluffy, but I needed the rest so that I can use them for the remaining days we're staying here. Which can extend more than a week sometimes. I'd probably have to reuse all of these.

Packing the six tops in a bag and keeping them on the counter for billing them later, I returned to the front of the shop, where Jasper said he would be there. Indeed, he was right there, looking around at random stuff and checking out some though he absolutely looked like he had no interest in buying it.

Suddenly, getting an idea for a harmless joke, I looked around to make sure that nobody was around and went over to him from behind. He hadn't seen me yet, and that's exactly why I planned this. Before he could turn around, I popped out from behind his shoulders with a pretty loud, "Boo!"

That was silly, I thought at right that second. And his reaction made it even sillier.

He turned around absolutely casually, then smiled at me and asked, "Yes, June?"

No way. Why can't I ever trick him? And why does he get to trick me everytime? This is so unfair! This was such a harmless but stupid trick and he still didn't get the least bit surprised. It's as if he'd been expecting me to do this. Actually, considering that it's Jasper we're talking about, I'm sure he'd expected me to do something like this since he's always playing jokes on me.

"Ugh," I mumbled in disappointment.

"Someone looks unhappy."

"Yeah, it's me. You could've at least pretended to be scared," I huffed, even though I knew very well that he has no reason to do that. Besides, he'd use any possible chance to ridicule me. And I always end up giving him those chances myself.

He shook his head at me with a chuckle, "Yeah, well, did you get what you needed anyways?"

"Yep. What are you looking for?"

"Some folders. I've ran out of folders to keep my work papers."

"Alright, I've to look at some stuff too. I'll help."

We walked through the aisles together, Jasper's hands fixed in his pant pockets while I looked around everywhere, trying to find something that I might not need at all but looks good. Y'know, like a nice keychain or a new pencil case even though my current case is still perfectly okay. I've this habit of not being much attracted to shopping but buying literally every unnecessary things there after I get to it. Dad teases me and says that I'm greedy, but believe me, once he says no to something I've taken unnecessarily, I keep it right back there unless I've got my own allowance to buy it. I think twice about the item I've taken and keep it back if I too realize that it's useless. Otherwise, I buy it using my allowance.

"June," Jasper called suddenly, and I turned with a curious look, quite surprised at his tone change. He shrugged, his hands still kept in his pockets awkwardly. "You know, I'm really sorry about this. I never thought that we'd face such a problem here and that we'll have to stay here for more than a week. I took this lightly, but seeing as of how stressed you look, I realise that you're really frustrated."

I stopped in my tracks. Is that why he kept so quiet till now? Because he was thinking about this and reflecting back on how the littlest things can hurt me, how this little problem was enough to increase my worries? Well, but he doesn't know the actual reason to a part of my stress, and I'm glad he doesn't, because knowing that I'm still not so sure about whether I should trust him can do nothing other than strain our current interactions and make it further awkward for the both of us. Right now, we're starting to get better along. Doing something that might make it awkward for him will only make it worse for me, and that's not what I needed. Before I could trust him, I needed him to trust me completely, and make sure that he isn't having a façade of a nice guy.

"That's...fine," I murmured, not sure of how exactly I was supposed to explain that I'm better now, "I'm not stressed anymore, that was just the after effect of knowing that it might take more than a week to go home. You don't have to worry about me anymore, Jasper, because I really am okay."

He smiled, and I did the same. He turned, took something from one of the counters and handed it to me, "Alright, but as a compensation for tolerating me for so long, here you go."

I looked down at what he had handed me and saw a little keychain. A casual keychain, but that's exactly what spiked a smile in me, because though so simple-looking, it had its charm. Hanging along the little chain was the letter 'J' which had been customized well with seldom decorations but not in a very bare way either. The blue-colored letter was outlined with a bold outlining of black and then again by a narrow outlining of sparkling blue. The keychain wasn't completely blue either; it was a gradient of blue, as if in blending from sky blue to indigo from left to right, increasing its elegance.

"J for June," Jasper said slowly, "Maybe it's too casual, but that's fine, you can always choose another one from here. So, which one -"

"I love this," I interrupted, keeping the keychain on my palm and folding my fingers over it, "And blue is my favorite color. How did you know that?"

"I didn't. I just chose what came in my mind, but I never thought you might actually like it," he shrugged with a smile.

"But I do," I grinned, "Wait, we can actually match, Jasper. Your name starts with J too."

Something about that idea excited me for no particular reason. Maybe it's the fact that after he leaves my home, I could have a keychain in the memory of his days here and he can have another, making it even more ironic. But then I reminded myself, like always, that I'm not supposed to be attached to Jasper. I've got time, a lot more time, to know him and understand him. Without having done that, I can't get attached to him and let myself be under the control of sentiments than logic. I looked at the keychain and smiled. J for June...for now, that's what it is.

He pretended to think, "Oh, yeah. Should I?"

"Yes!" I exclaimed and pushed him aside so that I can take one for him too, "Tell me what your favorite color is."

"I'm honestly not sure what it is, June."

Ugh, literally every adult ever. This is the exact same answer I get whenever I ask my dad the same question too, and it's turned annoying now, because no one can stop themselves from having a favorite in any category. Maybe some people can't choose from a group of their favorite items, but at least they can try before they jump to the answer that they 'haven't got a favorite'. A very cliche dialogue, in my opinion.

"All people say that," I groaned, "Come on, it's not difficult to choose some random color you like. It's not like the other colors would kill you if you don't choose them."

"No, but they'd feel left out," Jasper pointed out, "Anyways, just because you asked me to, I'll choose green."

I took out the green colored one of the same type of keychain - same bold outline of black and a narrow sparkling green outlining over it. The keychain was a gradient of green, starting from light green to dark by the right. One of the green shades was exactly like my eye colour, a sort of emerald green.

Wait... I quickly checked my own keychain for something that I just noticed and squinted in surprise when I realized that one of the shades on the keychain reflected Jasper's blue eyes, which got darker at the edges. Now that's another irony; we've got the keychains of each other's exact eye colors. However, I didn't point out any of this to him. That'll sound cringe.

"So, friends, right?" Jasper asked me, pointing to the keychain. I immediately nodded, "Yes!"

As each of us held out our keychains, we bumped our fists with the same grins on our faces, "Cheers!"

Half of the people in the store turned to us.

We pretended to ignore them although we secretly rolled our eyes at each other. We laughed and high-fived - making it sure to be quieter this time.

After we had collected whatever we needed, which included my clothes, our keychains, and some other stationary items like folders, we exited the shop with a pretty good look of satisfaction on both our faces. My disapproval about staying here for so long, my stress about school and exams, my worry about whether or not I should trust Jasper had all went away for a while, and I hope they never returned. In this cool, okay-ish atmosphere, I felt safe and more importantly, I got along with Jasper. He had let me put in my shares for whatever we bought too; unlike usual, he didn't protest that he would pay the entire thing and that I shouldn't waste my allowances when I've got him right beside me. When I protested back about how he's my bodyguard and not my bank, he laughed that off and never gave me a reply. But today, probably figuring out my stress since my realization that we're stuck here for sometime, Jasper didn't argue for a lot of things he would've easily argued for and though that made me a bit relieved, a part of my mind ached for it too. Why on earth have I got this weird obsession to my arguments with him? It's like I look forward to it sometimes, but that's probably because it gave me the feeling of having someone beside me, unlike usual, when I'm always lonely and bored. I realized that Jasper, though a nuisance to me, had become a part of my daily life and that when he leaves, I'd probably feel at least slightly empty. But sad? I'm not sure about that. I might pretend to be happy then and even jump around just to show him, but even when a very annoying, dumb enemy of yours is leaving you after such a long time of stay, you'd feel empty. And maybe yes, sad too.

When I heard Jasper call my name, I shook off my thoughts with a surprised nod and forced a smile, "Yeah?"

"Is something wrong?"

I was expecting that question. And I lied, like always.

"No, why?"

"You seemed completely out-of-the-world. Are you still worried about -"

"Not this again, Jasper," I groaned, then held up the keychain that we'd just bought and raised my eyebrows questioningly, "Remember? We made a truce over these keychains."

He pretended to nod in realization, "Oh, yeah, I forgot."

I chuckled and shrugged. Though having gotten accustomed to being asked the question 'Are you okay?' everytime I sigh, groan, or even bend my head a little, I still pondered about why Jasper would get so concerned about the simplest things ever. I mean, come on man, it's like his eyes are on me 24/7. Well, it is that way, but I thought his only job is to safeguard me from any attacks or even health problems, but the way he's concerned whenever I have the littlest heartbreaks ever is quite strange to me. Not even dad cares about me that way, nor my friends, but that's not because they're ignorant; either it's because they realize that my current problem is not that big and maybe even silly, or they just can't understand that I'm going through a hard time because of how well I hide my feelings in front of them, especially Klaus, because he can identify me at the slightest revelation of a problem. He's been closer to me than both the others too, mostly.

"Hey!"

We turned around simultaneously, having understood that the call was directed at us because people were pretty few in the concourse of the mall through which we were walking, and were crowded in various shops and restaurants.

As the two figures approached us from one of the shops, I gasped in visible shock. This can't be real...How are they here?

Sally and Trent!

Ugh, shit.

I got ready for the next fight or whatever that's going to happen with those dumbasses this time, but before that, I wondered how they'd reached here. Did they follow us here? Could they've been creepy enough to stalk me - or maybe Jasper, considering that Sally already has her target on him - and follow us to such a distant place? But why Trent? I thought he'd stopped stalking me after so long. Disgusting idiot.

As I watched in absolute terror, Sally crossed her arms while scowling at me with a look of heavy disapproval on her face, "This is crazy. How do we encounter you wherever we go? Are you on a stalk-hunt for us or something, August?"

Crazy? Crazy? After doing all this, stalking us throughout our entire routes and following us here, she refers to me as the stalker? Great riddance. I expected her to have the least decency of covering this up as a simple coincidence but no, she had to put her own accusation on me and pretend to be the goody-goody, like always, though everyone at school knows her well. I bet she knows even the entire structure of the hotel room we've booked. And what does she mean 'wherever we go'? This is honestly the first time we're ever having such a meeting at someplace that's far from our hometowns. If she's referring to our usual encounters and the fight that ensues right afterwards at the shops nearby our homes, then that's incomparable here because meeting at our usual places isn't like meeting at a faraway place. It's not my fault that these two chose their touring destination the same place as us or that they were having a stalk-hunt on us. But that's when another fact struck me...Why was Sally and Trent even together here in the first place?

Before responding, I stole a quick glance at Jasper and observed that he was as confused as I was, maybe even more, because he didn't know Trent and though he has seen Sally before, I doubt he might remember her. Your chance, June, I reminded myself, then plastered a very wide smile on my face, "Oh, do I look like I'm stalking you? I'm sorry then. I mean it, really, because I absolutely do not wish to be seen stalking a creature like you and having to live with that reputation forever."

"For fucks' sake, June, stop thinking that your roasts are so good that they'd burn down an entire universe. They aren't, honestly," Trent rolled his eyes, and that's when his eyes fell on Jasper, "And who's this guy with you?"

"And why do you think I should tell you, Trent?" I questioned back, finding no reason to explain my life story to him about how I need a bodyguard whenever my dad goes on business tours.

Sally sneered, "She wouldn't tell you, babe. She never does."

Babe? That's the word that hit me first, because I'm sure as hell that till yesterday Trent had been Karly's boyfriend, not Sally's. And even when Karly asked him to, Trent has never brought her out on dates or even a short shopping trip, but now here they were, hanging onto each other's arms like a cute couple. Well, yes, they were cute and matching too, especially the bitchy personalities, but the fact that Karly had messaged me just yesterday regarding how Trent messaged her an apology letter for his ignorant behaviour popped into my mind. I, obviously knowing Trent better than anyone, copy-pasted the apology onto Google and found that he'd just taken it from there. I sent that to Karly with a comment about how Trent did take his precious time to take these quotes from Google, paste them and send them to her. I mean, how much time it must've costed him, isn't it? Cute.

Anyways, after realizing what Sally just said to me - again -, I frowned with red anger fuming on my face visibly as I said, "How about you shut up and mind your own business, Sally? I'm sure I already told you who he is, and I'm no fool to explain to your microbrain about that yet again. If you had a brain, you would've remembered."

Now sensing the anger in my tone and that these people here weren't just joking around me, Jasper came into the picture. He placed a hand on my arm comfortingly while he looked at the two in front of us, "What's your problem? If you really want to know - I'm her bodyguard, and I would like it if you left her alone."

Sally's frown immediately got converted into a bright, cheery smile as she suddenly noticed his presence. I smirked underneath; oh, had she really not noticed him just because all her focus was upon me? To think that she would forget her next target guy just because of me? Ugh, the number of fans I've got is unbelievable. And these fans are the richest members of town too - Ava, Brian, their broke best friends who are pretending to be rich (that's Sally and Trent). Out of these, only Brian was the better one. Trent obviously didn't notice his 'baby' drooling over Jasper, so he continued barking rather than talking to his own damn girlfriend about trying to seducing another guy who was clearly way older - but of course much younger than other guys she's given herself to, which is anyone less than thirty five.

Besides, she's trying to flirt with Jasper not only because he's attractive, but because he's my bodyguard. Though she knows very well that nothing's up between us, she's still jealous that he stays with me and that I've got the chance to talk to him while she doesn't, because of me. Though I never saw him that way, I knew what Sally was thinking. While Trent continued bickering with Jasper, I caught hold of Sally's attention somehow. At the sight of me, she went back to her signature scowl again and growled, "What do you want, bitch?"

"That's exactly what I'm asking you, you dumb fucker," I muttered, finally having gathered the courage to curse a little since Jasper's attention was away from me, "Do you really think you're going to get to Jasper?"

She frowned, "What?"

"Stop pretending to be innocent. I know what you're thinking and what your intentions are. Don't you dare try anything, Sally, because I swear that he won't fall for it and neither will I keep myself back from finally punching the shit out of your guts like I did to your dumb plastic bestie. You did see how I damaged her entire ugly face, didn't you? You better watch out too."

"Oh, is that so, honey?" She smirked, admitting that my accusations against her were true through that single expression change from being confused to mocking, "First up, you can't guarantee anything when it's me you're talking about. I can get any guy, and you've seen how I can do that," she nodded to the guy who was arguing for her right now, "Just because he's under your false spell right now doesn't mean he'll eventually fall for me gradually."

I frowned, suddenly having the need to gag and throw up whatever I had today and yesterday. Does she think this is some movie where whatever she wants to happen would happen and where the two girls would fight for that one guy, the better girl wins him through love and care? Like a love triangle? I scoffed at the thought; because I'm obviously not falling for Jasper and never will. But if Sally wants him, fine. She can take him as much as she wants to, but one thing I'm sure about Jasper is that he would never like someone as dumb and bitchy as Sally. And someone as young as that. Something I trust him on. Besides, for all I know, he may even have a girlfriend his own age or something. I just didn't know it yet.

I clenched my fists in anger at the mix up of thoughts in my mind. The fact that Trent was not only ignoring Karly and making her feel like she was at fault but was cheating on her with Sally too, the mere thought of Sally trying to hit on Jasper even while she was with Trent now, then accusing me of being the liar who was lying about who Jasper was, everything angered me so much. Though I did have the intense thought to just smash open their heads, I didn't. However, what she said again bothered me to the core and I couldn't stop myself anymore.

"Stop playing around me, June. I know that you both live under the same roof, in the same room," she grinned mischievously, making me go as red as a tomato, "Do you also sleep on the same-"

"Shut up, you bitch!"

With that, my hand landed hard on her face.

Ah, there it is, the monstrous June that had punched and abused Ava for her torture towards me for five years. I was wondering when this spirit of mine would finally pop out for Sally.

Had I not slapped her in time, she would've spilled some nonsense that might've let Trent make this a whole news around school and make both me and Jasper embarrassed, thus straining our usual interactions. I hated thinking about him in that way and so did he, obviously. I knew what she was about to ask me - if we slept on the same bed too - but unlike her, I'm not always thinking of the opposite gender as sex objects. As quickly as the hard slap was heard, Jasper and Trent stopped and turned to us with confused looks. Seeing Sally pretending to weep with her hands on her face in a hurt expression and me standing there with the most furious look ever, Trent immediately fumed up while Jasper understood that something had went intensely wrong for me to suddenly turn violent like that. He did see how I was just replying sarcastically to Sally until now. However, I could never tell the reason why I hit her, especially not in front of Trent the radio.

"Trent, she hit me," she whined, then turned to Jasper with the same look that'd make anyone sympathize with her, "I think she broke my teeth."

The way he rolled his eyes only for me to see, was enough for me to reply to Sally again.

"I hit you because you went too far, Sally. And you'll get one again if you dare say anything more. You know I don't hesitate."

"What did you say to her, you -" Trent stopped as his face went red in anger and his hand began to raise themselves towards me. He's about to hit you, move! I said to myself, reminding myself of the various times he's hit juniors or his classmates when he gets too angry. And when he's bullying them.

I couldn't move in time.

Just as Trent's hand almost reached my face, Jasper stepped forward and blocked the hit by grabbing his raised hand. His eyes narrowed in anger, quite menacingly, a face I've never seen before. Unlike what I expected, this simple response was enough for big brave boy Trent to start trembling like some scared kid. Jasper towered over the short Trent, adding more fear in the latter's face. "How about you step back a bit, deal this without getting physical and go on your own damn way? She never intended to bother you here, so you better not get in her way either," Jasper said in a firm tone, "If not, you'd regret ever getting on her nerves. I'm sure you wouldn't want that, right?"

Trent backed up a bit, and it really was funny to watch him getting so shit scared. And it was the first time he actually listened to someone and did whatever they asked for. Also his first time being stopped from hitting someone, since students at school are too afraid of him and his daily punches. Well, too bad the guy's never dealt with a professional bodyguard before. He almost looks like he's pissed himself already.

"He wasn't getting physical, he was just defending me from her insults," Sally played victim, which annoyed me more than anything. She came to us first and started this. How were they even here in the first place? Though I knew the answer by now, I did have to be sure. The fact that Sally knows that I and Jasper share a room is enough to be sure of that, but somehow, I had to figure out how it got to her. Did she fit some camera in our room or something? I mean, she's crazy enough to do that, and from what I've seen until now, I think she's pretty crazy about Jasper too. Maybe she really wants to see what happens in our house. Creepy.

"Look, I don't know who you are and neither do I care, but just stop with your drama for once," Jasper responded, actually annoyed by Sally's fake weeps, "I mean, really, what's your problem?"

"The problem? She insulted me!" Sally whined again. This stupid crybaby. She usually acts way better than this.

"No, she didn't. Do I look like I'm deaf?"

"Wait," I interrupted, "Sally, Trent, why don't we make this a peaceful truce and leave? We'll deal the rest at school, okay?"

Maybe I should plan my next wrestling match with both of these idiots.

"Peaceful truce?!"

"Are you serio-"

"Sure, thanks guys," I exclaimed with a cheerful smile, pretending to have heard none of their protests, "You're the best, bye!"

With one single wave to the both of them and a secret middle finger, I caught onto Jasper's arm and pulled him. It was obvious that Trent was mad angry by now and I could see Sally's teeth grit at how I'd caught Jasper like that - which is exactly why I did that in front of her -, but I didn't care about neither of those as I rushed past the scene and then stopped by another shop with a heavy sigh. Jasper glanced at me, and I quickly let go of his hands, though that wasn't what he looked at me for. When he saw my stupid look, he burst out laughing and I couldn't stop but join in.

"That was dramatic," I said, still giggling, "How did you even manage to keep a straight face? I was honestly at the edge of laughing. Or were you actually serious? Because I wasn't."

Except about the threatening-Sally part. I did mean that seriously - if she dares to try to hit on Jasper or even on any of my two guy friends, I'd soon be punching her face in the guts like I did to Ava. Not that I'm jealous of her trying to flirt with Jasper, but I do wish for his better future and for him to not end up in prison for statutory rape - which he never would, because he'll never accept Sally's advances though she might be crazy enough to accuse him falsely like some other bitches do and thus stop the real victims from reporting their cases.

"Yeah, I was obviously serious about whatever I said. Your argument was pretty funny to watch, though," he remarked. I frowned a bit and tilted my head curiously, "You mean you were serious when you threatened Trent? Like you might actually do something to him if he ever tries to touch me again?"

He rolled his eyes, "What'd you think, June? Should I award him something if he hits you?"

"No, that's not -"

"I know. I wasn't exaggerating about that. My first and foremost job is to protect you from any sort of violence, but if by chance I'm a bit late and you do get hurt, I've got some rights to attack the attacker for your defense."

I nodded slowly, processing everything. A question still laid in my mind; would he actually hit Trent in case he did something to me? Trent is just my age, a fifteen year old, and I don't think it might be legal even for professional bodyguards to raise their hand against a minor, regardless of gender. But if what Jasper meant is a simple hit or a punch on the nose, then it may not be entirely illegal, especially with Trent being quite outrageous and violent than most guys at such a young age. He already had one or two cases registered against him for assault outside school, although he did commit such things inside school as well but it didn't get reported only because of scared kids and foolish teachers. Sometimes, even parents were scared of him. But one thing none of them knew was that Trent was actually a coward in reality - he can do nothing if Ava and Sally didn't support him and accompany him all the time. It's only because a rich person supports him and can bail him out anytime, that he does stuff like this. Otherwise, he'll be the one getting punched around by the junior guys, which he deserves.

"Who is that guy, by the way? Why was he trying to hit you? And the girl with him - I can't understand what her problem is," he asked, shaking his head. I grinned underneath; it's obvious that he understood what her problem was. They hated me, that's a sure fact, but Sally's intense flirting was enough for any dumb person to realize that she had something towards Jasper. And he understood that too.

"The guy is Trent, my friend's ex boyfriend," I rolled my eyes at the word 'boyfriend'. They weren't officially committed, to be honest. Trent asked Karly out right before our 8th grade prom, and she agreed because back then, most students didn't exactly start dating the people they went to prom with. However, he started following her and stalking her a lot, which caused her to dislike him a bit, added to the fact that he was a rude guy to most others excluding just the three of us.

Later on, however, she had to accept him when he started to show signs of transformation by pretending to be nice to everyone when Karly came around. He asked her out on a date, she agreed, and he took that date as the starting to show his real character again. He began bullying others again, he hated both me and Klaus, and he ignored Karly on a daily basis. Ironically, he's Ava's cousin and now Sally's boyfriend too. They all match so well, almost like a happy 'idiots' family.

But now that he actually cheated on Karly, I felt nothing less than sympathy for her for when she comes to know what he did. However, a part of my mind said that this was for the better, that Karly doesn't deserve to be treated like Trent treated her, that a person as strong and kind as Karly deserved someone way better. I smiled; I knew who that 'better' person was.

"And the girl, Sally, my top hater and Ava's best friend," I explained. I'd already told Jasper who Ava was and that her hatred towards me was very mysterious. "And her problem is that she dates multiple guys at a time."

And her eyes are on you right now.

Jasper frowned, "So she's dating your friend's ex-boyfriend now?"

I nodded.

"And your friend doesn't know?"

I nodded again.

"So he's cheating on her," he shook his head, "I can't believe that he's only 15. What would he be like when he's in his twenties? Honestly, I feel pity for both of them. He would be in prison if he keeps going on like that and the girl would soon be in a mental hospital."

"She's already at the edge of that," I rolled my eyes, "And they're a pair of maniacs. Don't they match well? I'm glad that psycho left my best friend. At least she can live in peace now."

He chuckled, "I've got to agree. She dodged a bullet, in my opinion. I had just spent minutes talking - actually, arguing - with those two and I already dislike them."

I grinned. Our thoughts don't match for most of the time, but right now, we had the exact same thoughts about the pair of maniacs.

"Even while he was still dating Karly, he never got along with me or Klaus and always argued with us for the littlest things ever," I continued, "And as for me, a guy who can't accept my friend group will never be in my 'good' list. I won't even let him get close to me."

"Don't worry, they won't get close to you even otherwise," he nodded with a smirk, "What if you beat him up or something?"

I rolled my eyes and punched his shoulder. I thought we were talking about Sally and Trent; why did the topic suddenly change to being about me? 

"I've to ask the same question about you, Jasper, because I really appreciate myself for tolerating you all these days."

"And I appreciate myself for tolerating you, too. So we're even, right?"

"Right."