This is literally the best day of my life, ever.

Though I missed dad and Klaus, at least the others were there, especially the person I liked the most. Seeing Klaus here with Sally and Ava disappointed me a lot, but I could forget that till I saw him later at school. Karly still had the smug look on her face unlike me, who hid it for Jaspers' sake, but Dorian assumed that it maybe some 'girl' problem and never asked her again. Thinking that she got her periods here, Dorian bought a large packet of foreign chocolates for her and she laughed and thanked him, blushing like hell. Still smiling widely, she shared those with all of us and never appeared smug again. That made me smile too, realizing how easily Dorian could make her smile again, though I wasn't able to do that immediately. They're indeed perfect for each other.

After the roller coaster ride, we chose to go on some less scarier rides like a large merry-go-round, ferris wheel, a video games center and so on. Then there were the popular claw machines. Some of them contained chocolates, some of them toys, some of them had random items and others contained plushies. Karly and Dorian went for the one with the random-stuff one while I stayed, torn between the chocolates one and the plushies one, and Jasper obviously stood along. "Jasper, can you help me choose between these?" I asked him, pointing to the two, "I already had chocolates, but I still like them and can store them for later. But these plushies look pretty cute and soft, y'know?"

"You've an option to choose both, birthday girl," he reminded me, "Why don't you try this while I'll try to score a packet of chocolates for you?"

"Oh, why didn't I think of that?" I sighed, "That's great, Jasper, thanks!"

He gave me a dramatic bow in response and I chuckled as I watched him put a coin in the claw machine, pushed random buttons and turned the levers effortlessly while examining the movements of the claw carefully. I did the same, trying to follow up his level of focus and effortlessness on my game too. It worked for a while, but it stopped at the final moments, when the claw was right by the side of the opening. I had fixed on a bright blue rabbit plushie. I know, childish, but hey, it's fun to be immature sometimes. It just wouldn't let the plushie down though. Besides starting to lose my focus, there was a kid behind me who was crying and shouting for some toy from the other claw machine and distracting me a lot. I'll be honest here - the kid looked pretty young but I had the urge to turn around and scream at her to stop that freaking whining. It pained me to think that once I might've been the same, but hey, that's the past. This kid was annoying as heck.

Fortunately, the kid stopped crying after a second or so and I continued with my game carefully, bringing it right to the opening and successfully dropping the rabbit plushie I'd chosen. I wondered what happened to her, but I shrugged that off, got the plushie and turned around with a smile to see that the kid was still behind me.

And in front of her, Jasper.

He was handing her a little chocolate stick and patting her hair gently so as to stop her from crying. The little kid, her face wet with tears and her hair messed up, hadn't been crying for a toy but had apparently fallen down and hurt her arm, and her parents weren't nearby. Jasper lifted her up in his arms, took her hand where she'd been hurt and rubbed it slowly, gently, telling her that it was okay. He always had a way with people, even infants. Keeping the plushie down, I went nearby them, swallowing a lump in my throat as I did so because of the guilt I felt in my heart. "Hey, what's wrong?" I whispered, patting the baby's head and feeling even guiltier once she turned to me with a light smile. Jasper turned to me, "She fell and hurt her hand," he then turned back to the kid and smiled, "But it's fine now. Aren't you okay now, sweetie?"

She nodded, touching Jasper's cheeks and giggling in a cute tone. I laughed at that, feeling glad that he comforted her at the right time unlike stupid me. When the kid was finally smiling at the both of us, her parents returned from somewhere around and took her, thanking Jasper and me profusely and leaving instantly. They had lost the kid sometime ago and were looking for her all around. I instantly felt bad for assuming that she was crying for toys like most annoying kids do and not helping her when she'd fallen down. I had even felt the urge to scream at her without realizing what had made the infant cry like that. You're a bad, bad person, June, I thought guiltily. But at least Jasper came in time and comforted her. He'd been sensible enough to understand what had made her cry.

Jasper turned to my side and handed me a packet of chocolates, "That was one sweet kid. Anyways, here's what you needed. You got your plushie?"

I nodded, lifting up the one I got, "I did. And thanks, Jasper. That was really nice of you."

He smiled at me, kind of confused by my words at the end, "That's nothing."

Little did he know, I was thanking him not only for getting me the chocolates, but also for doing what I should've done when I heard the kid crying.

*********

Finally, by the time it was noon, we entered a restaurant nearby. While Karly left to use the restroom and Dorian offered to take our order from the counter, Jasper and I found a seat for us. I began looking at the menu for the items available while Jasper tapped his fingers on the table rhythmically, glancing around at the restaurant and taking in every view from the large window.

Damn, why do I find even that hot?

All of a sudden, he turned to me and a hot pink blush appeared across my cheeks and I turned away, pretending to have been engrossed in the menu. A little smirk tugged on his lips at my reaction, but the next thing he asked made me go pale, "Why do you look so moody? I've been noticing it since we left the juice bar. Is there something wrong?"

Well, I can easily lie to Dorian and even Karly, but not Jasper. I might've started to get the knack of lying better than before but that never works on him, whether I do like it a pro or not. So, I decided to tell him. Looking around to make sure that Karly and Dorian were still away, I leaned closer to him, gesturing with my index finger to come closer. He leaned forward too, raising his eyebrows curiously.

"Don't tell Dorian, but the thing is, we saw Klaus here," I said in a whisper. He frowned, "Really? But I thought he told you that he had some other emergency. And why would you be disappointed about that?"

"Because he was with Sally and Ava."

Even Jasper was surprised immediately. "Wait, what?" He asked, leaning closer and shaking his head confusedly, "Why would he be here with them?"

"Well, maybe that's the emergency he told us about," I scoffed, "He didn't see us. We saw him, I didn't react much but Karly might've exploded hadn't I stopped her in time."

"Why? I mean, after staying with you for so long, I can expect you to have exploded at that sight too and maybe even start a physical fight with them again," Jasper said, grinning sheepishly. I forced a laugh at that. I was glad that he didn't get a clue yet, a clue about why I didn't cause any scene on this day, that it was purely because I didn't want to worry him and cause a scene.

"I would've," I said, "But today's my day. I can't ruin it in anyway. I've got a lot more days to question Klaus, right?"

"Right," he nodded, "Just don't end up beating someone else again. I may not be able to bail you out this time."

I smirked, "You can't expect anything when it's me we're talking about, Jasper."

Jasper smirked back, "Yeah? Then you can't expect me to turn up when you're in the principal's office again or to not ground you, either."

I laughed, "Ground me? You wouldn't dare, Jasper!"

"Actually, yes, June," he responded with a definite nod, "I've all rights to do so, and all reasons to do so."

I tilted my head, "You do, but if you wanted to ground me, you would've done that already. You had tons of chances."

"I still do. Honestly, I'm starting to think that you're worth some grounding, maybe?" He pretended to think, "Y'know, I shouldn't be too nice to you."

I laughed at his sarcasm and was about to reply to that when I noticed Karly at the other side of the table, leaning on the wall with her hands folded across her chest. She had a 'What-the-actual-heck?' look plastered on her face as she stared at the both of us and that's the moment I realized how close I and Jasper were, leaning towards each other, yet again. He looked in my direction and probably realized it too, because we both leaned back straight in a second. Karly took the seat in front of us slowly, still looking confused, probably weirded-the-hell-out by the way we had been smirking idiotically with our faces just inches away from each other.

I smiled to myself, my heart totally exploding at how we almost looked like a couple then. However, I reminded myself to be really cautious of my secret; especially if any of my friends or the two bitches were around me. I can't make it obvious at any cost. Jasper pretended to be immersed in looking around randomly again while I was left with the task of dealing with Karly - which is quite tough, as you all know already. Even Klaus and Dorian leave me after a while of bugging about what my problem is, but not this girl. Just like Jasper, she's adamant as heck, and she keeps bugging me even when I've got no problems at all. Fortunately, just as Karly opened her mouth to ask me what that was about, Dorian interrupted like an angel sent by god.

Whew! Saved by Doritos.

"Here comes!" he sang out as he returned with our order, placing it on the table carefully and saluting all of us dramatically. "Thank you for your lovely service, Mr.Nicholas," I replied, keeping my hand on my heart with a sigh and then rubbing my hands together at the delicious scent of our lunch.

"Damn! That's some sizzling hot chicken legs," Karly squealed. I chuckled at her enthusiasm - well, none of us were any less enthusiastic when it came to food.

"Just like me, right, Karly?" Doritos asked quite casually. I immediately got the joke and high-fived him while Karly took sometime to process it before she burst out laughing, "No, more like me."

"Never! It's me."

"Me, case closed."

"Always me, Karly."

"Okay, how about this?" I interrupted, "Dorian's hot, and so is Karly. And what do you guys do to sizzling hot chicken? Eat it."

"Yeah?" Karly squinted at me, "How's that relevant here... Oh."

She stopped and realized what I meant once she saw the horrified look on Doritos' face as he stared at me. It was actually fun to watch the most silent, introverted guy become the most dirty-minded guy in our group and understand every dirty jokes right in a second. Even Karly was taking more time than him to process the little double jokes while Jasper looked like he didn't process anything till now. "You're unbelievable, June," Karly gasped, "Unbelievable!"

I burst out laughing, "I know, I'm awesome."

Dorian had a different reaction, however. He slowly got off his initial shock, stood up and then bowed before me, "You are now officially my pun-master, Miss June Jacobs. And that was one great pun."

Karly gasped again and hit Dorian, glaring at us in utter disbelief, "I can't believe you two!"

Still laughing, I turned to Jasper again. He still looked confused, and I wondered then; did he not understand any of that until now? And yet he's the older one among us. But not old enough that he doesn't know what inside jokes sound like. Curious, I asked, "Did you not understand that, Jasper?"

"No, I did. I just pretended not to so that I can pretend to be the serious, not-so-funny adult with responsibilities."

We laughed at that. Him? Being serious? That must be the best joke I've heard.

"You guys are crazy -" Karly started again, embarrassed beyond her level, but Dorian interrupted her.

"And I'm a crazy, hot chicken which likes to be eaten," Dorian continued, grinning triumphantly. Damn, he's really rocking it. We high-fived again. Karly groaned again, "What the actual fuck?"

"What? We say worse stuff at school. This is the bare minimum. Isn't it, Doritos?"

"Exactly. Gotta have fun sometimes, Karly. Right, Jasper?"

"Absolutely," He nodded.

"Can we all, like, eat in peace now? And I mean the actual eat, not the -" she paused, glaring at Dorian and me. We laughed in response, cheering at our compatibility as the ideal best friends. But anyway, we decided against saying anymore jokes to tease poor Karly. Like she requested, we had lunch while chatting about random stuff.

I, honestly, was enjoying the best lunch ever in my life - but with my best friend missing.

--------------------------------

After lunch was over, we went over to the peaceful part of the park where benches were kept under the cool shade of large trees. We decided that we aren't getting on any park rides again, since all of us were full and tired by now. Besides, we do need some peace after all that fun, right? This seemed like the perfect place. Plus, since we had lunch earlier than usual and it was a bit cool outside, we were the only people here besides a very few others. Unfortunately, everyone except me had taken our jackets along, in case it got colder than this. But that's okay - I can always buy one from somewhere nearby. This is when I realized why Jasper had brought his jacket even though it completely didn't fit his white shirt; he always has a backup plan. He never even wore it till now, actually, he just kept it inside the duffel bag he brought.

I sat on the veranda under the tree with my legs crossed, enjoying the cool breeze flying past my skin and the natural beauty all around me. It gave me a break from always being inside the four walls of my house. Karly sat beside me, leaning backwards, picking random leaves and appearing slightly gloomy again, probably remembering seeing her brother here with her greatest enemies. Again, Dorian was trying his best to talk it out and he asked me the reason several times, but I laughed it off and so did Karly. I felt bad since only he didn't know the reason out of the four of us, but of course, she would tell him later.

Jasper, on the other hand, had talked with both of my friends much more than before and he wasn't awkward with them anymore, especially with Dorian, since their first meeting had been slightly tense. That was a good thing. It was fun to see them getting along.

"So," I said, breaking the silence, "What are you -"

"Happy birthday, June! You've now become July!"

Without even turning around, I recognised his voice at the moment he said it. Karly's reaction - scowling and turning away with a huff - was also pretty much enough to identify who it was. My best friend, Klaus, turned up at last.

Dorian and Jasper turned around in surprise as Klaus approached us with a cheerful face, rushing and panting slightly, "I-I'm so sorry I'm late, I-"

Late? Oh, even being late wouldn't have made us so furious at you, you idiot, I thought angrily. But I glanced at Jasper and decided against exploding here. He had a blank expression on his face, one which told me that I could react in anyway I wished to because I had the right to. But I just didn't want to. Not today, not after we had so much fun.

"Whatever," I stood up, but Klaus assumed that I was joking and slapped my arm with a chuckle, "I know that I'm at fault here, but just forgive me this one time, will you?"

I glanced over at Karly questioningly, who stood at the corner with the most scariest expression over. She looked like she was about to kill her brother but was controlling herself for my sake. How ironic, I thought, realizing how I was controlling myself for the sake of Jasper and my friends while Karly was controlling herself for me and Dorian. To avoid a fight that could happen anytime soon, I nodded, "Fine."

Ironic. I was the one to start fights before and now I'm the one trying to prevent it. Character development, ha-ha.

Besides, we still didn't know the reason Klaus had done that for - lying to us about an emergency, coming over here along with Sally and Ava and turning up to me only now, trying to hide the truth. It could be something else, something besides Klaus being a traitor and having been tricking us for all these years... Right?

Right now, no one - except Jasper - could tell that I was holding in my anger and disappointment, but inside, I was literally crying my eyes out. Why did Klaus have to be out with our rivals, when he was supposed - and invited - to be here with us? He was totally enjoying with them, and that meant that he liked spending time with them, right? Of course, he isn't my boyfriend or anything, but he's my best friend and I can't stand him being with people who dislike us and had once hated and insulted his beloved sister to the core. Actually, this hurts more than a break up or even being cheated on. It's also a fact that Sally had once tried to hook up with Klaus the same way she does with most other guys but he ended up denying that right then and there.

Or did he? It could be possible that he tricked us back then too and actually did hook up with her.

No. No. Stop thinking like a pessimist.

Karly came up beside me and I tensed up immediately, wondering if she was about to start a fight with him. But she turned it into a sort of passive-aggressive anger instead, which was very surprising for her. She was holding it in only because it was her brother and she loved him more than anything else. If it were someone else other than the three of us friends, she would've reacted way differently. Of course, she didn't react to Trent earlier, but that's because he had manipulated her so much into believing that he loved her and her friends and family. She couldn't suddenly react now. She needed time to have her revenge, which she obviously will have soon.

"What made you return now, Klaus? Sudden realization or what?"

Klaus chuckled and ruffled his sisters' hair, "Sister is so grumpy today, I see. As always."

This idiot. Why didn't he answer the question she asked, instead of trying to change the topic? Why was he angering her even more? As her brother, he can understand her the best, yet he's being dumb - or pretending to be so.

She slapped his hands away and scowled angrily. Then she grabbed my hand and pulled me away from them. I raised an eyebrow at her. "June, I can't stand his facade. I - I'm sorry, but I'm leaving," she said, sighing sheepishly, "Please don't feel bad. I just need to relax and then I'll ask him about it calmly, alright? Y'know how bad it gets when I start losing my temper. You shouldn't lose your temper either. Relax, chill out, enjoy your day, June. Whether he leaves or not, you always have me and Doritos and Jasper. Don't you worry, okay? If you still feel bad, call me later."

I smiled at her comforting words and hugged her, "No, Karly, I'll be fine. I won't lose my temper or feel sad because like you said, this is my day."

Karly hugged me back, "That's my best friend."

I was quite reassured by her comforting words and the genuine smile she had on her face now, but nonetheless, I still had the worry deep in my heart. Was I about to lose my best friend? Had he been playing the three of us all along? If he leaves, I'll never be the same again. I love Karly and Doritos but Klaus was my first buddy at this school, my mentor and the first guy I got close to in my life besides my dad. If he leaves, I'll be left alone forever because Karly and Dorian would be a couple and I'll feel quite awkward to interrupt while they're hanging out and stuff. Karly cares about me, and so does Dorian and they'll never think of me as a disturbance but I'll feel that way anyway. Just like I remained silent today for Jasper's sake, I'd slowly distance myself from them for their sake.

All these thoughts threatened to spill out as tears, but yet again, I was successfully able to control them - at least until they left.

We trotted back to where we were before, and Karly and Dorian left, waving us all a goodbye. I watched as they left, tearing up inside. It had been such a perfect day, such a perfect memory to be stored in the very few memories I've had in my life, until Klaus came.

Damn, was I resenting him now? Don't do it, June, don't distrust him yet. You've more to understand.

Klaus had a frown on his face as they left, "What's up with her? Why'd they leave when they saw me? Dorian even started to talk to me but Karly just pulled him along."

"They felt like leaving," I answered blankly. Klaus turned to me, still frowning, but shrugged it off, "Weird, but she's always weird, so it's fine. I'll ask her when I reach home, I guess. I gotta go now, bye June. I came just to wish you, I'm sorry... Still have some work left."

Work with Sally and Ava, huh? I thought, biting my lips to force those words back in.

Jasper and I watched in puzzlement as he left us in a rush, not bothering to even wave me a bye, unlike usual. Too busy to even wave at us? I obviously hated what he did, but when he returned now, I hoped that he would stay for sometime, that he would spend some time with me and maybe even get on some rides with us. But he didn't; he probably ran off to meet Sally and Ava again. Maybe he came just because he remembered my birthday from somewhere random. This had been my best birthday until now and now, it's my most depressing birthday ever, I thought bitterly. On everyone's birthdays, Klaus is the first person to wish them, host a party and invite everyone. But this time, he really disappointed us.

I was brought out of my frozen state by Jasper's hand on my shoulder, "Hey, June..."

Immediately, the tears I'd been holding in all along came rushing out.

There were still people passing by now and then, and I could still see Karly's and Doritos' heads from afar as they walked to Doritos' car, but I didn't care anymore. I couldn't force it back in; the moment I felt Jasper's touch on my shoulder, I knew what it meant, I knew that it was time to let it out. All I cared about right now was Klaus, what he did today, and why he did that. I wanted him back here, I really did, and I missed his presence so much. I wished that he would suddenly return, say that it was a prank, and the other two would return too.  Y'know how it feels when a friend of so many years suddenly starts ignoring you or being hostile to you? Well, I felt like that now. It was only one day and nothing like this has ever happened before, but I still felt it deep in my heart. Today morning, I felt disappointed that Jasper doesn't know that it's my birthday and that no one has wished me yet, but look at me now - I'm having the worst time of my life. The little things that worry me don't even feel like worries anymore.

Though I didn't notice until now, I had wrapped both my arms around Jasper and was crying into his chest, quite hidden from the rest of the people thanks to the large tree behind us. Just as suddenly as that, there was a loud burst of thunder from the sky and I glanced up to feel a soft raindrop touch my red, tear-stained cheek.

"Why-why did he have to do that to me, Jasper? Why? Did I do something wrong? Am I - am I too clingy or irritating? Do you think I am?" I whined, still sobbing like a baby. I think I've never cried like this before, except when I'd been an infant and when I fell down at school as a first grader.

I kept close to him, feeling the aura that always calmed me down in situations like these. He can, with no doubt, comfort me with just a warm hug. I shut my eyes like I was shutting out the world from in front of me, leaning my head on his chest and feeling the slow heartbeats.

Slowly, he embraced me back, "You're not clingy, you're not irritating, you're the most genuine friend that a person can ever have, June."

"Lies," I sniffled, shaking my head rapidly, "He wouldn't have left me like that if I were a good friend."

Maybe I'm exaggerating with the 'leaving' part, but with what he did, I'm going to remember it forever.

"That's his loss," he said, "See, June, I've got totally no role in your friendship with Klaus, but I know just one thing and that's the fact that you're not a bad friend. I've only known you for less than a year and yet you changed my life in so many ways. Klaus has known you for five years. He won't want to lose someone like you."

"You're saying that just to make me feel better."

"Not exactly, I prefer being honest," he said, wrapping an arm around my head comfortingly and ruffling my hair, "I'm sure he has a reason for this, any reason except that you've been a clingy and irritating friend."

"But he's been my best friend for years...," I murmured in hurt. We felt the raindrops patter and hit the ground rapidly, but none of us cared anymore, not even Jasper. Usually, he would've been the first to push me into shade from the rain, worrying that I might get sick.

He pulled back from me and smiled reassuringly, holding my shoulders, "Exactly. If you'd been a toxic friend, he'd have left you way before this because fake people tend to irritate people easily. But you're not, and Klaus definitely has another reason. I'm absolutely sure he does."

Why does he sound so sure about that, even more than I am? I'm the one who should be trusting my best friend of five years, yet I can't ignore the strange gut feeling in my mind that something's wrong.

"That's why I tried my best to not burst out at him today. I might feel guilty later," I sighed, bending my head, "And I didn't want to ruin this day. You spent so much on me, you spent so much for making me feel better."

Oops. That was accidental.

"Wait a minute," He paused, "So that's why you didn't ask him anything, even though you usually would've done that? Because you thought that I would feel bad about it?"

Oh, he found out, great. More like, I told him.

"Um...," I hesitated, wondering whether I should say some random excuse like I always do. But then I figured that he'd figure it out, like he always does, so I shrugged and said, "Kind of. I didn't want to create a scene after we had so much fun today. You did so much for me, Jasper."

"I didn't," he said, shaking his head, "I honestly didn't even think of it as 'spending so much on you', June. It's your birthday and I just wanted to give you a surprise. Besides, you spent on some stuff for me as much as I did."

Yeah, sure I did. Sharing expenses and buying some little keychains for us before - surely a lot of contributions from me, right?

I shrugged, "That's because I didn't want you spending your entire salary on me."

He laughed, "What? I really didn't spend that much. You're exaggerating a lot, y'know?"

I bit my lip in uncertainty, while Jasper looked up and then around us, "Wait, it had been raining all this time? I didn't realise that."

That's when I noticed that it was raining heavily from what had been a little pitter-patter just minutes ago, and I'd gotten completely drenched now. Looking back at Jasper again, I saw his soft hair matted to his forehead, the drops of water dripping down from it as he tried to rub it off.

I don't even know how, but that was so freaking good on him. Usually, people just look like bald pigs when their hair is soaking, including myself. Wait, doesn't that mean that I look like that right now? Ew, shit.

I chuckled at my weird thoughts, feeling a little more better now, "Neither did I."

"Now you do," he said, then pointed to the tree that we had been standing underneath before the entire meeting with Klaus happened, "Over there. I'm not dealing with you having a fever again."

I'd rather not go, honestly. Though I'm not exactly a great fan of rain, it felt extremely comforting to stay here, along with him. It was more than enough to make me feel happier, much better. Just his presence alone could cheer me up, but that along with the words he spoke and the way he hugged me was like a paradise for me. And even better, in the rain.

"Nah," I waved my hands, "It makes me feel better. Let's stay here for a while, Jasper."

"I hope you tell the same thing when you're shaking in bed with a high temperature and sneezing your nose out," he scolded me, "June, you can still enjoy this weather from under there-"

"Nup," I said, popping the 'p' and giggling playfully, "Make me. I bet you can't."

He raised an eyebrow at me, "You really won't move?"

I shook my head sternly, "I want to stay here, with you."

Crap. Did I really just say that?

Due to my luck, the last two words were drowned out by the sound of the heavy rain pouring down - else, he might've started with the "Huh, what did you say?" thing and embarassed the heck out of me, though I've already embarrassed myself with such slip-of-tongues a number of times by now. It wasn't much embarrassing anymore.

Suddenly, the next thing I felt was being hoisted up high. At first, I gasped, then burst out laughing when I saw Jasper holding me, and I hit on his shoulder. He just chuckled and carried me over to the shade of the large tree. Dropping me on the ground, he smiled, "You're okay now, aren't you?"

I nodded cheerfully, "Much better, honestly. Maybe Klaus really does have a reason, a good reason."

"Exactly," he said, nodding. A moment later, he frowned when he saw something and began to take off his jacket. "What-," I began when he wrapped it around me, but he shushed me and facepalmed, "You were literally half naked and you didn't even notice, did you?"

I looked down and saw the light colored dress exposing half my body.

"Fuck!" I squealed and immediately hugged myself with his jacket. How did I not see that till now? I thought, cursing at myself. Fortunately, people were less in number here, so no one would've seen me. He rolled his eyes at that gesture, "You're already covered."

"Why didn't you tell me?" I hissed, blushing furiously at the fact that he saw, and not realizing the stupid dialogue that I just spoke.

"I just did. How do you think I could tell you before I noticed?" He asked, "I'm not a time traveller, for your information."

"Ugh, damn white shirt," I cursed, noticing how it literally showcased my entire upper body after it got wet - including my violet slip. He smirked and pointed to the jacket I was wearing, "This is why I've always got a backup."

"Backup for you, or for me? Because anything you bring as backup always ends up being with me instead. I own half of your stuff now."

"Well, not my fault that you never learn from your mistakes," he shrugged, hiding a smile. That's when I noticed that even though he was wearing a white shirt too, it didn't get stuck to his skin like mine did - probably due to the white vest he was wearing underneath. "But don't you feel cold?" I asked, remembering how Jasper always wears jackets and sweaters and that's probably because he's pretty sensitive to cold. He must be feeling pretty cold now.

Well, maybe we can share a jacket - y'know. Hehe.

"No, I'm okay. And you're the one who's in trouble here, so don't bother about me, " he said, much to my disappointment.

"Why not? You protect me, I can care about you too."

"Protecting you is my job, but caring about me isn't yours," he answered with a smile. Okay, that makes sense, but what he does isn't just protection for getting his wages and living a life - he literally risked his life for me, stood up for me multiple times, and is a good friend. How many bodyguards I've had have done that before? None. He seems personally indebted to both me and my dad and though I can understand the latter, I could never decipher why he seemed to care about me so much. If it was just the 'Mr.Jacobs' daughter' sentiment, he'd be more closer to my dad than to me and talk about him a lot. But he doesn't. 

"I don't see it as a job...," I muttered, "It's just a human-thing to care about others, y'know."

"Ah yes, I've heard about it in books," he nodded sarcastically. I rolled my eyes; I thought I just scored a point by saying that and he proceeds to rub it off with that sarcasm.

"Geez, when can you ever take something I say seriously?" I groaned, leaning next to him and crossing my arms.

"Never. Take you seriously? Of course not. If I do that, that means the world must be ending."

I whined, "Why?"

"I just can't, man. How do you think I can take a tomato-faced cranky kid seriously?"

I gasped dramatically, straightening up and hitting his arm, "Excuse me, I'm 16! And it's not a tomato, it's called a blush and it's considered as a cute feature."

"Okay, agreed with the latter, you're a cute tomato - but 16 is still a kid."

Of course, I don't have to specifically say that I was trying so hard to hide the blush that arose, right?

"A teen," I corrected with a smirk, "Seems like you have never heard of that term before."

"A teen's just a growing kid with a mind that wants to be like an adult - so, still a kid."

"Okay, damn!" I sighed, "But I'm not a kid as I wouldn't like to be called so. I turn 18 in two years, I just don't look the same."

He chuckled at that, "I can't even imagine that."

"Honestly, same."

I then looked around slowly, noticing how the rain had slowed down considerably, enough for us to walk without getting drenched. "It seems like the rain has stopped. Can't we leave now?"

I loved staying here, sure, but my legs were starting to hurt and the side benches were too soaked to be sat on.

He nodded, glancing around, and we took off from there towards the path to the front of the amusement. The remaining drops of rain which were still pouring down kept wetting my now-dried hair, but I didn't care anymore, I had gotten entirely drenched. I'm sure to get a fever again, except if my immunity holds up somehow. I looked down at Jasper's brown jacket over my shirt and smiled; last time too, his jacket had ended up in my hands. Not to mention the refreshing smell it has gotten even after getting completely wet. He keeps his stuff so clean and nice. When Jasper looked away for sometime, I hugged the jacket close to me and reminisced in its fresh scent.

We stopped at the juice bar, where we held shelter for a few more minutes, and that's when dad finally called me. I answered with a pout - though he obviously couldn't see it -, preparing to taunt him for not calling me in the morning. I knew by now that Jasper had told him not to call me until the surprise was revealed, but it was revealed hours ago and dad called only by now, when it's nearing almost three in the evening.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart!" He started off with a happy cheer.

"Thank you, dad," I replied, forgetting my anger as soon as I heard his voice. I also remembered that dad might not have wanted to call me while I was in the midst of enjoying the rides with Jasper and my friends, that he was waiting for the perfect time to call me.

"How's your day going? You liked the surprise?" He asked, chuckling softly.

"No, I loved it. And it's going great, dad," I answered, turning to Jasper with a smile, "This is the best birthday I've ever had, thanks to Jasper."

He smiled back with a wink.

"I'm glad you liked everything, June. I felt bad for not being there with you today," dad said in a genuinely disappointed tone, but I reassured him that it's okay and that it's nothing to worry about - that we've always got my and his upcoming birthdays to prepare for.

"How's your day going?"

"As usual, busy and tiring."

After a few more minutes of speaking, we cut the call. We returned to the park's entrance gate where Lucas stood, glancing at the watch, seemingly waiting for us.