I moved back in with Kristen and I helped her set up shop. I was really surprised that people wanted her paintings so much but then again, she was really good.
"Do you want a picture, Jane?" she asked, painting a picture of a cherry blossom tree in the snow. "Your room is so bare."
"I haven't figured out what I want from you yet. I would like one of your paintings in my room though, eventually."
"Just tell me what you want and I will do it for you."
"I know... Do you think it's a good idea? I mean, he works there and all."
"You can't help having to go there and that's where the safety deposit box is with our goods so... Plus, they're cheaper than the other banks around here."
"How did he get a job there anyway?"
"I think he just takes the lip ring out and brushes his hair back. I don't know... But anyhow, if you're going to set up an account, you need to go."
I nodded and sighed, dreading going to the bank. Arson had gotten a job there and despite his appearance, he seemed to be either the manager or some other big wig in the company now. If my luck was going the way it usually was, then that meant that I would definitely run into him while I was there.
Kristen said she got an account there because they were cheap and because Arson gave her a 20% discount on keeping a high-end safety deposit box since he knew her. I had some things I needed to put in that box and I also needed to make an account. I grabbed the keys to Kristen's car and realized I would need that too.

"Hi, welcome to Prosperity Bank." The teller greeted. "How can I help you?"
"I need to open an account here-"
"Jane?"
Dammit! Dammit, dammit, dammit! I screamed in my head as I turned around. Arson smiled at me and I wanted to laugh at his slicked back hair.
"Hey, Mr. Channing." I said, being formal.
"I'll take her in here, Gretchen."
"Yes sir." She said with a smile.
I lifted my eyebrow at her and walked over to his office. He closed the door and sat down in the chair.
"You want to open an account?"
"Yes."
He pulled up whatever he needed and typed in some things.
"You just get back?" he asked.
"Yeah... What's with your hair?" I asked.
He chuckled. "Can't have it wild or I won't look presentable."
I made a face at that because his bimbo girlfriend ruined that image if his hair didn't.
"Is that the promise ring I gave you?"
I looked at him and he looked at my hand. I looked as well and shrugged.
"I'm not going to throw it away. You saved all your money up to buy it, right?" He gave a nod and I blinked at him. "Are you going to finish?"
"Right..."
"Also, before I leave, I need to get into the safety deposit box. Kristen said that she put both of our names on there already?"
"Yeah but hold on and let me confirm that."
"You're so polite." I said, amused.
He gave me a lopsided smile as he typed in some stuff.
"Savings or checking?"
"Checking."
"Sorry about Tabitha at your graduation. She can be a bit of a handful."
"Bitch is more like it."
Arson frowned and I crossed my arms.
"I don't talk about your relationships, Jane."
"That's because you don't talk to me at all. You broke up with me, remember? If you want my honest opinion, the one you always used to appreciate, then I'm telling you that she's a bitch. She seems like she's going to use you."
"Are you saying that because you really feel that way or because she has me and you don't?"
That stung.
I got up and went to the door.
"I'm going to ask one of your subordinates to help me out. Good day, Mr. Channing."
"Wait. Sit."
I glared at him and he pointed to the seat again. I stood instead.
"What?"
"Why do you have that ring, Jane? Do you still have feelings for me?"
"Wouldn't you think you're so special?" I spat.
"Truth or dare, Jane?"
"I don't-"
"Please..."
"Dare."
"Why do you have that ring?"
"It said dare."
"I dare you to tell me."
I leaned against the door and pinched the bridge of my nose.
"It's the only thing that you physically gave me that was worth anything."
"Then why do you wear it? You wouldn't wear it if you didn't have feelings left for me."
"Are you out to destroy me, Arson?" I said, looking at him darkly.
"Destroy you?"
"Your words that you think are so casual are stabbing me with knives I have already pulled out from so long ago. Why don't you think before you speak to people? Look around for God's sake! You think about yourself a lot and it's alright to be selfish but conceited? I would never give you the privilege to bathe in it."
"I'm not trying to flatter myself."
"Well you sure as hell are turning me into a nervous wreck!" I yelled. "I asked you almost six years ago if our relationship was strong enough to withstand distance and you told me firmly that yes, it was. Then you call me and practically tear my heart to pieces. I tried to forget you and I succeeded most of the time, throwing this ring across the room. It ended up behind my desk that I moved and found this ring again. I put it on because it belongs there... the only piece of you I have left that I can physically say, 'yeah... that's mine'."
He looked at me and I sighed.
"Can I go now, Mr. Channing?"
He nodded and I left, going to the teller and asking for the key to the safety deposit box that was saved.

"Oh wow... I didn't think sending you down there would cause you to reveal your feelings like that." Kristen said, drinking lemonade at her easel. "I should have gone and done it."
"Yeah..."
"But what made him ask, I wonder?"
"Some sick thrill maybe?" I growled. "Either way, I didn't expect him to be at a bank like that."
"Well, he is building up a rapport because he wants to be an accountant at some bigwig company that's close by. He has to show that he's capable of handling the accounts of a small company before he can move on."
"Either way, I got what I needed so I need to buy a car."
"Ooh, what kind you gonna get?"
"I was thinking something along the lines of an Altima or something civil like that."
"Those gray ones are cute."
"I just might get one of those. You wanna come?"
"Absolutely! Let me get my coat!"

Five months went by and I finally got my big break. I was on a huge industrial espionage case and was second chair to one of the most awesome lawyers in the company I was working for. I was so excited and had to do a lot of research. I was up half the night doing research when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Jane? Is that you?"
"Yeah..."
"It's Arson."
"Oh. What are you calling me for? I'm in the middle of a case-"
"I just wanted to hear your voice again."
"Are you drunk?"
"No... Tipsy, but not drunk."
"I thought you'd stopped that?"
"I did..."
"I can't talk right now, I'm in the middle of a case."
"I know you are. It's all over the news. You look good up there, Janey."
"Don't. I'll talk to you later." I hung up the phone and delved back into my work.

When I was finally done and was just about to go to sleep, I heard something outside. I ignored it and changed into my nightclothes when I heard the noise again. Then all of a sudden someone yelled, "HEY, STELLA!"
I blinked and looked out the window to find a drunk ass Arson in my front lawn. I growled and ran down the stairs, yanking open the front door.
"Arson, what the hell?!"
"Oh! Jane, you're home..." he said, tripping over himself to walk over to me.
"Of course I'm home! It's two o'clock in the friggin morning! How did you get here anyway? Did you drive?"
"Uh... no... I don't think so?" he said, looking around.
"What would the company say if they saw you like this?" I asked, trying to keep him from moving around like a retard.
"Funny thing about two in the morning: no one's up." He said like it made perfect sense.
Which was true but so not the point.
"That's very true but you're waking me up. I need to get rest for the big case tomorrow."
"Yeah..."
I gave him a look and he ran his fingers through his hair.
"What are you doing here, Arson? Haven't you burned me enough?"
"I know... But I saw you with that ring and what you said and all and... I want you back, Jane."
"You can't just do this and expect something to happen. You hurt me deeply-"
"I know, that's why I wanted to make amends... You were right about Ta-Tabitha and everything."
He finally toppled over onto the grass and laughed at himself. I put my hands on my hips and watched him for a moment.
"Damn it, Arson, you're going to make me drag you into the house, aren't you?"
"If you so will it, princess." He said overdramatically.
I rolled my eyes and held out my hand. He grabbed it and then pulled out his inhaler, shaking it and sucking medicine in.
"Still taking advantage of your body..." I said, shaking my head.
He smiled and I took him inside.
Kristen came down the stairs and made a face, putting her hand on her hip.
"This is familiar. They call this déjà vu, don't they?"
"Haha, yeah they do. Except the only thing missing is the bullet." I said, sitting Arson on the couch. "There you go."
"I'll get blankets." Kristen said, leaving the room.
I nodded and grabbed pillows from under the lid of the hidden compartment table. I put them on the couch and laid Arson down to sleep. Kristen came back in and I gathered the sheets from her, throwing them over Arson as he watched me with slits.
"There... What a baby..." I said with a smirk at him.
I went to leave but he grabbed my hand.
"Janey... Ask me..."
"Ask you?"
"That question..."
I thought for a moment and then I realized that he meant.
"Truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Why did you come here?"
"Because I love you."