Jackie’s p.o.v

“I’m home.” I entered my house and as soon as I stepped in the living room Ethan turned around confused.

“I thought you were in your room sleeping.”

“I wasn’t. I actually felt a little better as I was going home and decided to take some fresh air. You know sit in the park...”

“Oh…alright.” He sighed. ‘Good thing I thought you were here, I was going to panic otherwise.”

I pressed my fingers into fists smiling.

“You and panic? Really?” I laughed. “You told me the first day we met, you rarely panic and then quickly calm down and take care of the situation.”

He looked at me with a confused almost sad look on his face.

“Is it weird then, that I worry with the thought something could happen to you?”

I started to blush.

“It’s not weird. I have to study. Bye.”

I ran up the stairs closing the door to my room and then breathing out nervously.

I finally let go of my fists looking at the rubber band I was holding tightly in my hand. I put it back on my hand grateful I didn’t ruin any plans.

Distracting my self with studying was really the best option I had. I just had to follow the rules. That’s all.

The next few days I secretly met with Landon and Logan and telling them how Ethan was doing. In return they told me stories about him. How he was as a child, how he was always the best in class, but always under pressure, how he helped everyone and listen to the twin’s problems. I got a more bigger picture of him and I started feeling really bad because I wanted him to tell me those stuff himself. Weren’t we friends? Weren’t we…close?

“Jackie, are you listening?” They pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Yes, what?”

“We wanted to ask you if you decided to tell him or not.”

“I haven’t so far but I have to.”

They came closer with sad looks.

“Just think how heartbroken he will be when he finds out how you kept this from him.”

“The one he thought he could trust.”

“The one he thought was loyal to him.”

“Complete and utter betrayal.” They both finished.

I clenched my teeth angry.

“Well it’s your fault I kept it quiet this long.”

They both chuckled and walked away.

“See you tomorrow Jackie.”

I waited for Ethan to finish with his extra class today and while doing so I stared at the picture Logan set as my background. He deliberately somehow put it so I can’t remove it. And it was annoying. Very annoying. Especially when it had me hitting Ethan and him laughing. My face looked so red. Damn it.

“You waited for me Plush. I’m surprised.” I raised my hand to see Ethan smiling down at me. I tried to remain serious.

“Well I knew you wouldn’t take too long.”

We walked home in silence but suddenly Ethan stopped. I turned around to see what was up.

“I was wondering why you avoided going home with me this few days but you seem really lost in your thoughts Plush. Are you hiding something from me? Is something worrying you?”

I bit tongue not to spill everything out, instead I smiled. “Of course not Ethan, let’s go.”

He caught my hand as I turned to walk away and he walked closer.

“What aren’t you telling me?” He asked and I felt anger inside of me. Well he wasn’t telling me anything either. If it wasn’t for Logan or Landon I wouldn’t even know his parents were always gone. I wouldn’t even know that he must be feeling sad all the time because of that. Or how lonely he is. I wouldn’t know how much he wanted a pet when he was little and he could never have one because he wasn’t allowed too. I didn’t know any of those things until they told me. If I had known…if he had shared…I might have…I might have reached out to him.

I pulled my hand out of his angry and turned around leaving.

“Wait...Plush..” I started walking faster and as I noticed him walking even faster I started running.

“Wait…”

He ran after me and I tried to out run him. I was almost home when he finally grabbed me and we stumbled down falling on the lawn.

“Get off me idiot.” I yelled at him trying to push him off.

“Calm down Plush.” He sat on top of me pinning me to the ground and caught my hands as I tried to hit him.

“Let go.” I tried not to blush as I noticed how awkward my position was.

He was still holding my hands and leaned lower his forehead touching mine. With that he closed his eyes and breathed out heavily.

“You run pretty fast.” He finally said and felt his chest move up and down as he was gaining breath again.

When he lifted his head and looked at me I noticed the glow in his eyes he always had. I tried shifting under him to push him away. I can’t…do this…

“Moving like that makes me really uncomfortable.” He said and I glared at him angry.

“If you don’t get off me I will…”

He cut me off before I finished my threat.

“Why did you run Plush? Why aren’t you telling me?”

I felt losing control as my anger did the talking.

“Well aren’t you not telling me anything too?” I yelled and he looked taken back.

“What am I hiding from you?”

I turned my head on the side hating that I couldn’t keep my emotions and common sense together anymore.

“I didn’t even know your favorite color.” I murmured to myself sad.

He released my hands and instantly I covered my face with them. I felt him lifting me up and hugging me while I was still in my trance.

“You want to know my favorite color?” He asked when I pulled my hands down from my face.

“You don’t have one. You like to keep your options open.” He looked completely confused to how I managed to get that answer.

“I’m…sorry.” I pushed him slightly off him and then got up dusting myself off.

“Are you going to leave without explaining anything to me?”

“You’re a detective right? Investigate.”

I turned around to leave when I heard his words.

“Do I always have to investigate everything? Can’t anyone just tell me already?”

He said it with slow calm words but I couldn’t ignore the pain that came in that. It stopped my heart for a moment so I couldn’t just shut down as I did with everyone. I just…didn’t want to.

I turned around and pulled my hand out to help him get up.

He looked at it and I sighed giving him a smile.

“Come on. Let’s talk inside. It’s cold here.”

We sat on the couch and I handed him the cocoa I made while he changed into something more comfortable.

“So what else do you know? About me?” He asked and I avoided his gaze speaking. “Few things. But it doesn’t matter. Unless you tell me something you wish me to know I won’t say or mention anything.”

He looked very confused at first and as I glanced at him I noticed him observing me like he was thinking it through.

“Also, I am sorry for avoiding you these few days.”

“Ah, so you were avoiding me.” He turned his look drinking from his cup.

“I had to. I couldn’t really look at you without feeling bad for…” I stopped choosing words carefully. “For hiding some things.”

“Like what?” He looked worried.

I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out of it. I didn’t know how to explain this.

“Does it involve someone else?”

I nodded my head.

“Is it someone from my gender?” He asked carefully.

I nodded my head again.

“I see.”

There was a long silence until I started talking again.

“They just wouldn’t let me tell you. I’m sorry.”

“They? As in more than one?”

I nodded my head again and Ethan looked very uncomfortable. I’m sure by known he knows that Logan and Landon were just thinking about him and how they can help him.

“But don’t be mad they were just thinking it was for the best if we kept this from you.”

He looked restless and then smiled breathing out.

“I’m sorry Plush. I’m pretty sure I am misunderstanding you right now because knowing you, you wouldn’t date one, never the less two guys.”

“Dating?” I yelled surprised. “Are you out of your mind?”

He grinned and then leaned his head on the couch.

“I knew you wouldn’t do that.”

“What kind of thoughts did you have, you pervert, thinking I would date two guys.”

He chuckled and took a drink from his cocoa.

“I was talking about Logan and Landon. Your evil twins.”

He suddenly started chocking and I took the cup from him, hitting his back to stop the coughing.

“Be more careful you idiot. You will chock otherwise.”

“Logan and Landon? How? Jackie, when did you meet them?”

“Few days ago. They found you through me so they followed me so they can watch out for you. But I caught them and to shorten the story they didn’t want me to tell you because they were worried.”

“I see.” He didn’t over react or yell but kept his cool interior.

“They just worried about you, and couldn’t leave knowing they were in danger. I checked their story out, everyone thinks they are with their parents so there isn’t any harm done. You’re friends are very brave. Stupid and idiots. But brave.”

He turned towards me and smiled slowly.

“They are idiots aren’t they?”

We laughed about them for a while and then we agreed to see them the next day.

Ethan’s p.o.v

I was so relieved to find out she was hiding my friends instead of something else. I knew that something was bothering her but I couldn’t ask her because I knew she wouldn’t tell me. The only way was letting her come to me. But while all of this happened I found out what thing that moved my heart. She said she wanted to know more about me. I sensed that it bothered her that I knew so much about her and she didn’t know anything about me.

I know there is more than one reason why she felt that way, but I was happy to know she wanted to at least get to know me.

The next day I and Jackie sat on the bench behind school where she usually met with the twins.

“Are you comfortable in my sister’s room?” She tried to make small talk and I appreciated the effort.

“Yes, thank you.”

“I’m glad. Sorry for sleeping on the couch for so long. I thought this case was going to be solved a lot sooner.”

“That eager to get rid of me? I asked her and she smacked the back of my head.

“Idiot. Why are you thinking like that?”

“So you like having me around?” I smiled and then I heard two very familiar voices.

“I have never been happier in my entire life.”

“Me too.”

“They look adorable.”

“I agree.”

“You’re late.” She told them and then they looked at me.

“Ethan aren’t you going to say something?” One of the twins asked me smiling. I stood up and walked slowly towards them. They looked scared at first and then I hugged them which I knew would surprise them more. After I let go they stared at me confused with their mouths dropped.

“Thank you for staying behind and worrying about me.”

“He..”

“He..”

“Hugged us.” They replied in a union.

“Told you he had feelings. Calm and collected. See the difference.”

Jackie told them and as I was about to ask her what she meant by that I heard a squeak.

“Why weren’t we invited to this party?” We all tuned around to see Tazia coming our way with Dom.

“Guys, these are Ethan’s friends.” She pointed at them. “This is Logan and this is Landon.”

“Hello.” They smiled in union.

Tazia and Dom observed them for a minute.

“Darn it Jackie, how can you tell them apart?” Tazia asked and in the same moment everyone kept quiet. Everyone realized what Jackie just did.

“She..”

“She..”

“She can tell us apart.” The twins looked at her confused.

“So she did tell you apart?” I asked confused.

They nodded their heads.

“Can’t you tell them apart?” Jackie asked me all of a sudden.

“Well, no.”

“But you’ve been hanging out with them since you were kids, how can’t you guess who is who.”

Everyone had their eyes on me.

“Well I guess I tried but they always dress the same, talk the same, walk the same, smile the same, laugh the same, yelled the same, wore accessories…”

“The same, we get it.” Dom added.

“And when they dressed differently they usually change their clothes back and forth just for the likes of it. You can never know who’s who.”

“So you guys are really into this twin thing.” Tazia asked them observing them closely.

“But you can tell them apart. How?” Dom asked Jackie and everyone turned towards her confused. She suddenly smirked. It was a sneaky face she rarely did.

“Wouldn’t you all like to know?”

“Oh come on.” They all complained but she just laughed and stood between the twins. They were one head taller than her.

“It will be my little secret.” She smiled and they looked at her like they were looking at a miracle.

I knew that they wanted someone to tell them apart but it was impossible to do when they made it so hard. I wonder how she actually managed to do that.

I was glad though, that she managed to leave a good impression.

***

 I was so terribly wrong. The past week was horrible. Due to the fact now Jackie was able to identify which twin was who they spent every day with her.

Every afternoon after school we hanged out all together, and then at home we were constantly surrounded by her parents. I didn’t get to spend any time alone with Plush and I was starting to get annoyed.

“Give me back my phone Logan.” She jumped as he held the phone over her.

“Haha, you can’t reach.”

“Don’t make me take it on my own will.” She threatened but he didn’t listen. With that she punched him in the stomach and he curled down. She got her phone back and then helped him sit down.

“I warned you, you stupid kid.”

I laughed finding this funny. She always did that. Kick first and then rushes to help you. Tazia nudged me to stop.

“You punched me.” He breathed out slowly and Landon just came closer worried.

“Is it going to leave a bruise?”

“Probably.” Jackie answered for him.

“Punch me too.” Landon added clenching her fist.

“Whaa? Are out of your mind?” Jackie yelled at him angry.

“He can’t have a bruise and I don’t. There can’t be any differences.”

“Oh my god. Stop it with the twin thing already. Why is it so bad to be told apart?” Tazia pulled Landon away from Jackie’s fist.

“Because it just is. If she doesn’t punch me I’ll find someone else who will.”

“Don’t you think you are over reacting about this? I mean no one will see the bruise under his shirt anyway.”

“That’s not the point.” He yelled at her and she crossed her hands annoyed.

“I wonder how you two date other people.” Tazia eyed Landon. “Let’s say I ask you out and we start dating…”

Landon flinched. “Hypothetically speaking, right?”

“Of course you idiot. I have a boyfriend.”

“Right.”

“So I ask you out and…”

“We both go.” Logan added instead of Landon.

“No freaking way.” Tazia laughed and then looked at their faces.

“It’s not like you could tell us apart anyways.” Landon added and Tazia looked annoyed at their answer.

“So if I ask you on a date you both go…or..If I practically want to take you anywhere you are both going to come? As a package?”

“Yes.” They nodded their heads.

Tazia leaned her head as she was thinking about it and then smirked looking at Jackie.

“You know, hearing answers like this sure makes me think how far they are willing to go through with this.”

There was instant silence between everyone and both of the twins blushed.

“I’m going to smack you Taz.” Jackie told her.

“Look at their faces.” She turned towards them with an evil smile. “You guys go all kinds of way of dirty…”

I stood up and put a hand on Tazia’s mouth to stop her from talking.

“Thank you. You are such a good friend.” Both of the twins sighed.

“I didn’t do it for you. I just don’t want her putting any ideas in Jackie’s head.”

“Please, that’s the last thing I think about.” Jackie added and sat down while everyone started laughing. Even Tazia pulled away for a good laugh.

“Too bad for you Ethan.” Logan added and kept on laughing flinching from time to time from the hit. Yap, too bad for them now we can tell them apart.

Phone ringing interrupted us all.

“Hello?” Jackie answered her phone.

“Ahamm..okay..mhm..no..why? Yes..Actually yes. Fine dad. Bye.”

She hanged up and looked at me.

“I just got strict orders to call you all for dinner tonight at my house.”

I was very interested why.

“We’re in.” The twins immediately responded.

“I’m sorry; I have a date with Mathew.” Tazia frowned.

“I have a test tomorrow.” Dom apologized too.

“I can already see us all the table eating together like a family.” Landon and Logan smiled totally lost in some fantasy.

I sat next to Jackie giving her a look. She understood right away. “Important news. The twins are distraction.”

“Got it.”

I hope you liked this chapter ♥ As usual you know what to do ;) I am moving forward to more intense chapter so get ready.