Marlboro Nights by Lonely.

I don't wanna go to school tommorow I can't study thinking about you and you know I always do.

The annoying piercing sound plays in my ears for the fifth time this morning. I slap the alarm off without even bothering to check the time. 

My door creaks open yet I still have no desire to open my eyes. I hear some footsteps approach me and then feel the bed sink down a little at the other side. 

Two strong arms wrap around my stomach and pull me close. His head rests between my neck and shoulder. 

"Wake up Eiffel Tower" Jameson speaks into my neck softly with a croaky morning voice. When I don't respond he gets out of bed making me groan in discomfort, "Come back" I beg. 

He opens the curtains making the bright sun spill into my room and fill my closed eyes. "I'm breaking up with you" I joke bluntly, "Love you too" he says placing a light kiss on my forehead.

"Come on Paris. Last day of school before summer. My last ever day" he whispers. "Even I'm going in" he speaks quietly into my ear. 

"Just like twenty more minutes." I beg. The painful ringing is back, I throw my arm onto the table to turn it off but instead I hit the hard wooden surface. I search with my hand around the table but the sound moves across the room. 

Jameson Hawthorne. The bane of my existence.

I pry my eyes open, throw my duvet to the side and stand up. Jameson stands smugly holding my alarm clock. I approach him and tap the alarm clock off, I make my way to the bathroom but before I even make it a few steps away there is a loud and forced cough. 

I turn around to face him bitterly, "think you forgot something?" He teases. I place a little peck on his cheek and open the bathroom door. Before I walk inside I turn to look back to him, he is wearing a proud face whilst he places the alarm clock back on my bed side. 

After closing the bathroom door I turn the shower on and wait for it to heat up. I pull the cropped black vest over my head and throw it straight to the floor. I roll off my plaid bottoms and hop inside the hot shower. 

Exactly one week ago Jameson kissed me in the pool and told me he loved me. Things have been moving quickly between us and I'm not complaining. Only thing is we've not officially confirmed our 'relationship' yet. We're currently sitting at 'two people who love each other but aren't officially in a relationship and are way too comfortable to be friends with benefits and technically there aren't benefits except making out because I'm sixteen'.

Today is his last day of high school before leaving for the tradition of Hawthorne travelling gap year. What he and nobody else knows is this will hopefully be my last day as well. I've applied to two colleges, most colleges require you to be at least 17 but these places don't really care so long as you're a good dancer and have at least like 5 brain cells, plus I'll be 17 at the end of August and would start in the middle of August. The Massachusetts Academy of Dance and California School of Performing Arts. I don't want to tell anyone I've applied until I get in because that would probably cause a lifetime of embarrassment if i don't. I should receive the results of my application any time now or up to a week and I've been eagerly checking my emails every minute of the day for the past week. 

I rinse the conditioner from my hair and lather my body with a peach scented body soap and rinse it off slowly. The door creaks and I quickly wrap the shower curtain over me and stick my head out.

"Jameson!" I shriek, "Just ignore me, I'll just be a second" he says as if it's no big deal he's in here whilst I shower. "Is my watch in there?" He asks. "No! Why would your watch me in my shower? Why would a watch be in any shower?" I urge.

"You know, I could always help you look" he offers playfully. "Out" I warn. He smirks and leaves.

I turn back towards the water to turn it off but on the shelf beside my shampoo is his watch. I get out the shower and wrap a towel around me and brush my teeth. Before I leave I grab his gold watch and walk back into my room.

"Care to tell me why your watch is in my shower?" I ask Jameson who is currently making my bed. "It's a long story" he shrugs. 

"Why are you making my bed?" I ask with a raised eye brow. "Because we're leaving in twenty minutes and you're not even ready" he says, placing the last pillow down. 

"Well put your watch on and get out whilst I change." I order, throwing him his watch which he catches smoothly. "I'll be out there sharing a lovely conversation with Kennedy" he says bitterly.

I change into my school uniform, brush my hair into a braid, put on some light makeup and spray some perfume. I grab my necklace and leave the room. 

When I get outside Jameson waits by my door looking down at his watch. 

I hand him my necklace which he wraps around my neck and clips it together. He takes my hand in his and starts running down the staircase until we reach the foyer, poor Kennedy is stuck chasing us whilst struggling to breathe. 

When we reach the foyer I see Avery and Xander talking closely with Oren to their left. 

"Bye Ken Ken" Jameson says teasingly to the bright red colored and sweating security guard behind us. 

"Stop it" I laugh slightly knowing its a shame for Kennedy but hilarious to us. 

"Ready for your last day Jamie?" Xander asks. "Ready is one word to put it" he jokes. The two boys walk ahead on the way out to the SUV which Oren drives. 

"Avery?" I ask slowing down. "Yeah?" She asks matching my pace. "I've been meaning to talk to you about something for a while now but I haven't got the chance. It doesn't feel right keeping it from you so I'm just going to tell you" I start. 

"Pear, I know you and Jameson are together" she laughs. "What? No we're not! I don't think we are at least" I say defensively. "You're not?" Her smile drops, "then what was it?" She asks. 

"I applied to two colleges for after the summer. They're both dance schools and I really want to go" I tell. She looks a little shocked for a moment and then she blinks out of it. "Yeah. Okay. Where have you applied?" She asks. 

"The Massachusetts Academy of Dance and California School of Performing Arts." I inform her. "And if you got into both which would you choose?" She asks, "Massachusetts, but that's the harder one to get into. The audition method is really extensive apparently."

"Well thanks for telling me" she says. "Let me know when you get an email back, I want to be there when you find out" 

"Yeah, I will" I nod getting into the back of the car with Jameson in the middle of Xander and I with Avery and Oren in the front. 

I reach into my pocket and collect my phone in order to check my mailbox yet again this week. I refresh it at least 10 times when I'm checking making Jameson look at me strangely.

"You waiting for something?" He asks quietly. "No" I reply quickly. I refresh it a few more times just in case and one email comes through. From California School of Performing Arts Admissions.

I eagerly hit the notification and read it.

Dear Miss P Grambs,

Thank you for expressing interest in California School of Performing Arts. 

The Admissions Committee has given a careful consideration to your application.

The Committee regrets to inform you that we are unable to offer you a place in our first year class. You have been a competitive applicant, however, we have had many students with similar qualifications applying for admissions this year. Therefore, many desirable candidates have been turned away. You may apply again for the same course next year.

We thank you once again for your interest in our college and wish you success for all your future endeavors.

Sincerely, 

Headmistress Alicia McConnell .

That was the easier of the two and I didn't get in. There's always next year.

"Paris?" Jameson asks from beside me, I turn towards him and place my phone down on my lap screen down. "Yeah?" I answer, hoping he never saw. 

"You didn't tell me you'd applied to colleges for after the summer" He says. "What? No I didn't" I lie. "I saw the email" he says. "Oh well yeah that was just one application, I knew I wouldn't actually get in" I lie. 

"You didn't get in?" Avery asks turning around from her seat. "No but I didn't really want to anyway" I say. "Well I'm sure you'll get into the other one" she assures. I clench my jaw and try to hint to her to stop talking. 

"You applied to more?" Jameson asks. "Just one other one but its like super hard to get into so I definitely won't" I say. He just hums in response to suggest he is unhappy about me keeping this from him. "Let me know if you get in or not" he says not looking at me. 

I spend the entire day checking my mailbox just in case. Still nothing. 

On my way out of school I pass Jameson and his friends spraying the teachers with water guns. Senior day. I'm pretty sure he's been avoiding me all day because I kept the whole college thing from him.

I stand by the school gates waiting for Oren in his SUV to arrive, Avery isn't getting a ride today, she never told me why because I haven't seen her all day and I would text her but my phones dead. Xander has robotics today so it's just me and Oren, wherever he may be. 

I lean against the stone fencing leading to the school and keep my eyes glued on the road. Any time now Oren, everyone has already left as school ended 20 minutes ago.

I keep waiting. 4:31pm. School ended at 4pm.

I feel a cold wet drizzle on my back, I ignore it for a moment assuming it's rain or something. It hits my neck making me shiver. I turn around quickly and see Jameson holding the water gun he was once spraying teachers with. He's wearing his classic mischievous grin. 

Once I turn around he stops spraying me and I grin up at him, glad to know he isn't too upset with me.

He starts spraying me again and I yell at him to stop but he keeps spraying me. "Jamie!" I shriek. I'm freezing my the time he stops spraying me. "See, this is where the nickname Dickhead comes from" I say.

"You deserved that after the stunt you pulled earlier" he says, referring to me not telling him about the colleges. I put my hand out for him to shake, "even?" I ask. He thinks for a moment "Almost" 

He places a gentle kiss on my lips and shakes my hand. "Now we're even" he says. 

"What are you still doing here? School ended half an hour ago" He asks. "Oren hasn't showed up yet" I say. He thinks for a moment and removes his phone from his pocket. He dials a number and waits as it rings. "Hey Oren.. Yeah, Paris is still out here waiting, are you still coming.. Everything okay?.." I don't like the way he said that. "Yeah, I'll make sure she gets home safe.. thanks" he says and hangs up. 

"Something came up and he had to drive Avery somewhere. Everything's fine, she said that she tried to call you and sent a couple texts" he recaps. "Yeah, my phones dead" I say. 

"Okay, my friends and I are all sharing a ride but you can tag along, I'm not sure there'll be enough seats but we can always have one of them get their Butler to give them a ride." He says. "No, I wouldn't want to just barge in like that. I'll just walk" I insist. 

"No, it's fine. They're really good guys" he assures. "Thank you for the offer but I'd honestly rather just walk" I say. "What 6 miles? Alone?" He laughs, "do you even know the way?" He asks. "I could use my- Phone" I start before remembering the charge. 

"Exactly. At least just come and meet them" he offers, I shake my head and the second I do he grabs me and throws me over his shoulder effortlessly. I scream and kick my legs but he runs across the road to where his friends car is. He fixes my skirt so I'm not showing off my underwear. 

He places me down and holds me by the shoulders in front of himself. "This is my friend, Paris" he introduces. Well that stung. 'Friend'. That confirms it, friends with like one benefit. "The famous Paris" one says placing his hand out for me to shake which I do. "We've all heard so much about you" another says reaching his hand out which I shake. "Yeah, Jameson won't stop talking about you" a third guy says reaching out his hand for me. " 'Paris said this today' 'Paris wore this today' 'Paris looked amazing today' 'I love her'" the first guy says. 

"On second thought let's walk" Jameson says with an embarrassed laugh, trying to walk away. "Oh no, I would love to hear what else he says about me" I grin. "I'm Phillip" The first guy grins as well.

"Robert" the second guy says, "I'm Winston" the last guy nods. "Well it's great to meet you all but I should probably head home" I say starting to walk away.

Jameson stops me by gently pulling me to him by the shoulder. "I'm not letting you spend 2 hours walking home when we can get there in like fifteen" he asserts. "It's really no big deal. If I run I'll probably be there in an hour" I exaggerate.

"Don't be ludicrous, Paris. We're going there anyway. Just hop in" Phillip says getting in the drivers seat. "Honestly, it's fine. There aren't enough seats anyway" I persist. "Nonsense. You can sit on Jameson's lap" he suggests. I raise my eyebrows slightly. 

"You're not getting a choice Eiffel Tower" he says getting into the passenger seat. He pats on his lap and nods me over, I try to resist but he practically pulls me in on his lap. 

"This is definitely not safe" I laugh as he shuts the door, Winston and Robert get into the back of the sports convertible. 

"If we crash I promise you I will put your safety way over mine" Jameson says. "But that won't happen because Phillip is the safest driver you will ever meet." Robert laughs from the back. 

"Better safe than sorry" Phillip says. He starts driving and just as I had been warned, he drives deadly slow. 

"So Paris, what's it like dating James?" Robert asks, "James?" I try not to grin at how little he looks like a James. "He good in bed?" Winston asks slapping Jameson on the back playfully. My jaw falls slightly and my eyebrows rise up.

"Actually, 'James' and I aren't together. So I wouldn't know" I smile awkwardly. "Oh really? That's not what he tells us" Phillip scoffs. 

"Guys" Jameson hints, "I think you're making her uncomfortable" He mutters. "No it's cool" I laugh. "I think the only uncomfortable thing about this is the speed Phillips driving at" Winston changes the topic. 

"You wanna drive?" Phillip offers begrudgingly. "Actually yes. Pull over right now" Winston says. Phillip actually does pull over and gets out, swapping far too carelessly with Winston. 

"Paris I hope you don't mind breaking the rules" Winston says, stepping on accelerator until we're speeding down the quiet street. 

Jameson clings on to me for dear life whilst I have my hands in the air, enjoying the cold air blowing my hair around. 

He's currently going at a 70 on a 50. I don't know much about driving but I know that's not okay. "So Paris, do you drive much?" Winston yells in order to be heard. "No, I don't have my license yet" I explain. "Yeah, me neither" he yells back. I nod in understanding until I analyse what he just said. 

I look down at Jameson and we share an equally concerned glance. "You what?" Jameson asks. "I never got around to it, too much paperwork" he says. "You're kidding, right?" Jameson asks. "No man." Winston says with a laugh.  

"Pull over then. I'm not letting you kill us" Jameson yells, actually getting angry. "It's cool man, just relax. Your girlfriend seems fine" he says. "Not his girlfriend" I remind. 

Jameson holds me tightly the entire way to the house, knowing he can't stop his friend.

Once he arrives at the house he slams on the brakes and we all lurch forward. Jameson opens the door for me and I slide off of his lap, he follows me out and closes the door again. "Later" he says to his friends who all reply with their own goodbyes and go speeding away.

Jameson puts his arm around my shoulder and walks me back through the gates. On the extended walk to the house from the gates we talk.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know" Jameson says, "Don't be. I thought it was pretty fun. My Mom probably wouldn't have agreed." I laugh a little then realise how much that dampens the mood. "Sorry" I frown. 

"No, don't be. Tell me more. You never mention her." Jameson says drawing little circles with his thumbs on my shoulder. 

"Yeah. I don't think I've spoke about her since she.." I say sadly. "Do you wanna? If you don't it's completely fine" he offers. "What do you wanna know?" I ask. 

"What was she like?" He asks. I smile, "She was great. She was always so positive all the time. Like when Avery and I were younger we never had money so when the power would go out because she couldn't pay the bills or whenever we never had enough money to eat she would make these games for us. Like the 'The who can wear the most clothes game' so that we didn't freeze to death when she hadn't payed the energy bills. Or 'The working game' where we would help her at the diner she worked in. It sounds really depressing when I say it out loud but at the time I was never upset about anything because I was just worried about winning the games which I always did." I tell him, not realising the tears forming in my eyes. 

"There was this one time I was being bullied at school cause I couldn't afford the same stuff other kids had. And when she found out, she went down to the school and like threatened the headteacher. It didn't work though so she moved us to a new school and took every single thing I owned and sewed on labels of all the big brands so all the kids in school thought I was so cool" I laugh.

"I think she would've loved you." I croak wiping the tears from my cheeks. Jameson stops and turns the face me, "She sounds great" he smiles. "She was" the words almost don't come out of my mouth.

He looks at me sympathetically for a moment before pulling me into his chest. I sob into him as he holds me. "It's my fault" I cry, "hmm?" He asks. "I killed her" I say pulling away to look up to him. 

"What?" He says sadly. "I killed her Jamie" I admit. "Tell me exactly what you did to kill her." He says. "She had this rare disease and she was doing great, getting better. She told me and Avery to stay away from school so we didn't pick up anything that could make her sick, we even stayed home from work, we never left that house. She was doing so well and then-" I do those horrible hiccups when you cry. 

"Just breathe Paris." Jameson urges. "I just had to meet up with Danny though. He had the flu and I caught it from him and gave it to her. She got sick after that and died." I hyperventilate.

"Paris. Answer me honestly. Do you think, after hearing the whole story. That I killed Emily?" He asks. I look into his stone cold face, "Of course you didn't. It was her heart." I promise.

"You didn't kill your Mom. It was a disease that you had no control over. Okay? Say it." he holds my shoulders and looks directly into my eyes.

"Say it" he demands. "I didn't kill her" I say bluntly. "Now believe it."

(a/n. First chapter of book 2!!!!!!!!

I think ive been losing a lot of readers recently, probably because at the end of 1/3 she chose Jameson but it's a little annoying because I'm adding so much Grayson content soon...

In other news, I'm starting a Ravi Singh fanfic later so if anyone would be interested let me know.)