Jackie's p.o.v

Ethan didn't leave his room once we were back home. His mood never changed either. I could tell seeing that person Andy made him uneasy but what bothered me he still couldn't open up and share what he was thinking. Well, I didn't expect anything like that on the other hand.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Taz. There was one thing she always did for me when I was in a bad mood weather I liked it or not.

"How did the date go?" She answered enthusiastically.

"It was great until someone spoiled it."

"What? Who is that person, give me their home address and I swear..."

"I don't know his home address."

"He?"

"One of Ethan's friends...or not..he didn't look like his friend but he is someone that went to school with him."

"I can tell he is an asshole, interrupting a date like that. Who does he think he is..."

She went on and on about something in Italian.

"So the reason why I'm calling you, is the upcoming exams..."

She cut me off.

"Uh, no, really Jackie?"

"Study date."

She stopped. "Study date? You mean as in...study date?"

She pronounced it like it was a big secret.

"Yes."

"I'll be right over."

An hour later everyone was at my doorstep. They all had snacks and the twins brought a cheesecake.

"What is this?" My sister asked annoyed.

"Study date." Me and Tazia said it in the same time and laughed.

The thing is, when ever Tazia was in a bad mood and wanted my company but didn't want to talk, or I was the one sulking we always did a study date. It meant we had a plausible reason for coming to each other's house, plausible answer for not talking about the bad mood, and plausible answer for eating a lot of food.

"I invited everyone because we have a lot of exams coming up so we will help each other." Tazia smiled at my parents and they went with it.

"Why are they even here, they don't go to school." I asked Dom about the twins.

"Logan was with me when Tazia called so he insisted they come too."

"With you?" I asked suspiciously. What were they up too? Could it be that?

"I'll explain later, come on now."

We entered Ethan's room and he was on his bed sleeping.

I sat on the bed and started shaking him gently to wake up.

He opened his eyes looking at me and then took my hand in his. I pulled it out because he didn't seem to notice the others in the room.

"Wake up you idiot. We came here to study."

I yelled in his ear and he finally noticed the others.

"I'm not in the mood." He turned around and put the blanket over his head.

"You see Jackie, you are not doing it right." The twins said in the same time and ran towards the bed jumping over Ethan.

My sister is going to kill me if we break the bed.

" Get off me." He struggled but they just laughed and kept on torturing him until he gave up and woke up.

Dom Taz and I already had the books and everything else set on the small table in the middle of the room and sat down.

"What should we study first?" I asked going through the books.

"I'm up for history. So many years and names...I can't remember them all." Tazia complained.

"Are we talking about your love life here?" Dom teased Tazia and I punched him because he sat next to me.

"Be serious."

"Sorry." He rubbed his shoulder.

"Alright let's get started then."

We studied for an hour and then I noticed one of the twins wasn't paying attention.

"Logan, have you been paying attention at all?" He finally raised his head from the phone.

"Hah?"

I came closer starring in his eyes. "Why aren't you paying attention?"

"But..i..don't...even..need."

"You are skipping school but once you are back you will need all of it, so pay attention, is that clear?" I came closer threatening him but Ethan pulled me by my shirt back.

"Don't get that close to him."

"In translation, jealousy." Taz winked and Ethan gave her a glare.

I gave her a secret thumbs up.

"Let's take a break, please." Dom complained and pulled out a bag of chips.

"I agree." Logan added as if he's been tired from so much studying.

"Seriously, what's so interesting that you've been staring at your phone?"

"It's a government secret thing." Logan smirked.

"Actually..." Dom interrupted him. "He's been texting non stop with a girl I introduced him too. Seems to be really into her."

"I am not, she's just...funny." He said it trying so hard not to blush.

"Good for you Logan." Tazia suddenly said. "I think you've finally grown and matured deciding to be independent instead of hanging out with this loser." She pointed out Landon.

"Like I need the stupid Italian girl to tell me. You probably pay for your grades and yet you use the word independent. If it wasn't for Jackie you probably won't know how to use big words." He added crossing his arms but didn't look insulted at all.

"You've got nerves to say that. You are the one skipping school."

He smirked. "Well unlike you, I don't need school to know how to use big words. Hey Tazia, can you spell the word penultimate."

(Penultimate means second to last - as in loser)

She looked angry now but gave him an evil smile.

"The trouble with you is that you lack the power of conversation but not the power of speech."

He raised his brow and rolled his sleeves up. "If I ever need a brain transplant, I'd choose yours because I'd want a brain that had never been used"

"Well, you probably do need a brain transplant cause yours doesn't work at all!"

Logan decided to interfere giving a nice smile. "Guys can we just drop this and..."

"No." They both replied and then Taz sighed.

"I guess it's just no use. You'd probably learn your mistakes once Logan gets a girlfriend and you see how a girl should be treated. You lack knowledge in that department I see."

"Unlike others that have treated you nicely for their use I will be honest with you because that's how much big of a heart I have towards stupid and naïve people."

"I want to conduct an experiment." I interfered and everyone was looking at me.

"Tazia can you leave the room for a moment."

She hesitated but eventually she left.

"Good job Jackie, we don't need her anyways."

I smacked the back of his head. "Get up Landon and don't make me repeat myself."

I eyed Logan too and they both stood up. I made them spin few circles and then stand still.

"The both of you stand still and don't make a sound or a move. Got that?"

They nodded their heads. I called Tazia back.

"Okay Tazia, I've noticed something lately and just for an experiment can you please guess who Landon is and who is Logan."

She smiled. "Of course."

She stood before them and then punched one of them in the stomach.

"You bitch." He yelled.

"This one is Landon." She pointed at Landon who curled and hugged his stomach.

"Correct." I smiled.

"Are you just going to stand there are watch while these two are tormenting me?" Landon looked at Ethan who was eating from the chips and observing everything.

"Dom and Logan are right here. Why are you asking me?"

"Traitor." He sighed out.

And Ethan just raised his shoulders like he wanted nothing to do with it.

"There, there." I patted his head. "I didn't know she was going to punch you."

Suddenly he looked at me and then towards Ethan.

"I believe you. Can you give me a hug to feel better?" He opened his arms and I gave him a weird look.

"A hug, I don't think so.." He pulled me inside his arms hugging me tightly.

"That's enough break for now. Back to studying!" Ethan pulled me out of Landon's arms and we got back to the table.

After this whole drama I noticed the situation was better. Logan and Dom imitated everything and laughed it out while Tazia and Landon were giving each other death glares. And of course Ethan didn't have that gloomy expression anymore. We were leaned back on the bed and while everyone was busy he reached for my hand on the ground and held it. I tried to look calm as I was reading but I didn't let go of his hand.

"Thank you for coming everyone." I told them as I was sending them out.

"I'll drive them home safely." Dad took his coat and offered them a ride.

I went back to Ethan's room to clean up the mess we made.

He was sitting on his bed with a phone in his hand. Wait a phone?

"Hey, where did you get the phone?"

"The organization gave me one. To contact them."

"What about gps and..."

"It doesn't have any I checked. There is no way they can traced me back here in any case."

I sighed...but..

"Even if I trust them and you don't I won't let you get in trouble." He game a reassuring smile.

I frowned and started putting everything in a trash bag.

"You idiot, stop worrying about me and worry about yourself more."

He got up and started helping me in silence.

"So..." I started searching for a way to ask about Andy but I changed my mind. I didn't want to spoil a mood I just recovered.

"Can I have your phone number?" I asked and he looked at me weird but then smiled.

"Okay, I guess it's only natural if my girlfriend has my number so she can text me when she feels like it."

I bit my lower lip. Must he tease every time?

***

Three weeks passed and the exams were finally over. Thankfully we all passed.

"I say let's celebrate." Tazia said pulling me towards the exit of the school.

"I am treating you shopping. Since you started dating Ethan you've been wearing everything we bought, so don't make excuses we wasted money. You want to look pretty."

"I told you it's for me not for him and shh.No one else knows yet."

"I think it's about time you tell them. I mean I fell sorry for Ethan. These last three weeks must have been like hell for him. He can barely touch you in school and at home you spent your days locked away in your room studying."

"That's not how..." I blushed thinking it was really like that.

"When was the last time you guys kissed?"

"Three weeks ago on the date?"

"See what I mean. That's why we are going to relax and starting tomorrow you will pay more attention to your boyfriend."

"Let me call him then to let him know."

"Just text him on the bus."

Ethan's p.o.v

The moment exams are over we'll be together without interruptions.

Or that's why I thought until Tazia stole her from me.

"From: Plushy

Hey Ethan , Tazia says she wants to relax so she Is taking me in the mall today. I'll be back after lunch, okay?."

Even the message I got feels so cold. Ahhh....

Ring..Ring..Ring

"Hello?" I answered my phone.

"We got them Ethan. We got them."

"Tony?" I guessed surprised he was the one calling from the organization.

"I just got back from my two weeks stake out and we caught the ones who infiltrated us. It was an inside job from those of the lower ranks. We found a loophole of theirs and now we have them under custody."

"That's great."

"We also remodeled your house the way it was so you can go back there tomorrow. We also took care of your school so they didn't suspect anything."

"I see." Moving back home tomorrow?

"Well then, I can leave you packing now, go back home tomorrow and you can go to school the day after. We will be waiting for you at the organization. Goodbye."

"Bye."

He hanged up and I was left staring at the blank wall.

I will leave tomorrow. I am supposed to leave this house life behind.

"Do you have a minute?" I raised my head as Jackie was standing at the door. " I knocked few times and I thought you were sleeping." She smiled and I smiled back. She came closer and sat on the chair.

"When did you come back?"

"Oh just half and hour ago. I had to put everything in my closet and took a shower. What did you do, were you bored? My sister said you never left the room. Are you sick?"

She just kept on and on because I didn't reply. I just couldn't say anything.

She raised her fingers and flicked my forehead.

"Ouch." I rubbed it. That hurt.

"You weren't listening. Has something happened, why are you in a bad mood? Is it because I left with Tazia?"

"Jackie there is something I need to tell you. I found out just this morning after school."

I took her hand and she sat on the bed next to me.

"They caught the criminals. The one that infiltrated our organization. It's over. They were lower ranks in our organization but there wasn't any other goal other than steeling information and selling it for a high price."

"That's great." She smiled and then frowned. "Eben though I'm suspicious this ends like this I guess there wasn't a case to solve or some big mystery behind it."

"I see you're disappointed."

"Only for the mystery part but mostly I'm thankful it's over. That means you not in danger anymore. We don't have to worry anymore."

"I guess I was causing you too much stress after all."

Smack.

"Ouch." I rubbed my head as this time she hit me on the head. Hard.

"What are you going on and on about? I thought you were bursting with self confidence and now I'm hearing this."

"Well I have to go home now. Back to my house. They remodeled it so I can live there from tomorrow on. And I go back to that school the next day."

I expected her to be sad or frown but she was just starring at me coldly.

"Is this the thing that has been worrying you all day? Is this the stupid reason you are sulking?"

"I..."

"You are such an idiot." She sighed. "What if you are back in that house? Thankfully now, I don't have to worry anymore that you will steal my spotlight at school and my sister can get back to her room. And it's not like it changed anything else? You said so yourself. You will call me everyday or text me, and we will try to see each other that often. You can also drop by here when ever you like. You are like a part of this family so coming here everyday isn't going to be weird. You are not going to be alone anymore so stop sulking. You are even going to have a job now. You can afford a better phone and..."

I cut her off and hugged her. I didn't care if I crushed her body because I held her too tight.

"Ethan...can't breathe.."

I loosened my grip and she pulled out her arms and hugged me back.

"Thank you." I breathed into her neck. She was right. Things weren't going to be the same if I just went back now. I had her.

She just kept on holding me until I finally let go.

"Now, before you say anything else this is the main reason I came here. Give me your hand."

I gave her my hand confused and she pulled out a rubber band from her pocket and put it on my hand.

"Since you gave the one you wear to me and I see how you reach for it when you're nervous I thought this would be a good present."

I looked at it happy. She bought me a present.

"Oh and also this..."

She handed me an envelope.

"What's this?"

"You have to open it Einstein."

I frowned. "I don't like the tone you said it in." I opened the envelope and took out what seemed like pictures.

"I know we don't have ones we took but the twins had already given me the ones they took and Tazia had a secret stash on her own from when we were on that trip, they were taken in the bus...why are you looking at me like that? You think its stupid right? Maybe I should have made a collage or..."

She was completely blushing and moving restlessly.

I leaned and kissed her. It was the only way I could tell her for what I lacked words. This gesture that she thought it was just a present, for me it was a lot more. And it made me happier than anything else to see she actually made a present.

I put them on the side and pulled her neck closer. Her hands that touched my waist wrapped around it.

"I am sorry for interrupting.."

We both split up and turned to the door to see Mrs. Summers awkwardly looking at us.

" Mom.." Jackie couldn't form a sentence.

"I just want to know if you both can go and buy nutella because I'm making pancakes for dessert after dinner."

We both nodded our heads still red. I can't believe we got caught. I'm pretty sure Jackie closed the door. We are in such trouble.

"Don't look at me as if I don't know what's happening in my own house." She smiled.

"You knew? Since when?" Jackie asked.

"The unspoken romantic chemistry between you two was too powerful not to notice."

How...

"Also I saw you holding hands three weeks ago when you didn't even see me."

Right.

"Okay then, come downstairs so I can give you money."

"Mom...do dad and Erika know?"

"Of course. Who do you think you live with? Your dad is an FBI agent and your sister is a nosy teenager. Come on Jackie you are supposed to be the smart one in the family." She grinned and walked away. Jackie didn't seem please with her mother's reaction.

"They won't let this go until I'm dead."

I chuckled and pulled her up.

"Let's go. We'll take Pebble with us too."

***

As we were coming back from the store I held Pebble's leash in one hand and Jackie's hand in the other. It was a chilly yet warm night and there were stars in the sky. I appreciated this peaceful night I had with her.

"Hey, I've been meaning to ask you, when are we going to tell the others we are officially dating?" I finally asked.

"I think we can tell them this week. I mean not immediately because you guys are going to be going back to your old lives but we can go out all of us one weekend and we will just show them we are a couple." She smiled. "Though I think they already know."

"I think so too, but we'll announce it officially next weekend, what do you say?"

"I like that idea." She gave me a sweet smile.

Jackie's p.o.v

After we told everyone yesterday that Ethan was living back home the conversation took another path.

"Too bad you're leaving. But at least you're not in danger anymore." Mom smiled and I looked at her confused.

"Oh and by the way I know that too. Ethan's stay and everything else."

"Okay, how?" I asked angry.

"Nothing goes unnoticed underneath my rooftop. Who do you think I married?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Maybe I should recommend her in my organization as an investigator." Ethan added just to tease me.

"I'll drive you home tomorrow just to make sure and take of the things in this school." My dad offered to help Ethan.

"Thank you." Ethan nodded his head.

So here we are, at Ethan's house and it was a beautiful one. Definitely bigger than mine.

"Would you like to stay for coffee?" He asked us.

"No, there's no need. I'll wait in the car."

Dad left and Ethan and I were both standing in the hallway looking at each other.

"So how do you feel about going back to your old school?"

"Nothing. I feel nothing."

"The twins will finally be back so you have them."

"Yes."

Again, the silence.

"I have to go..." I turned around but he pulled me in a hug putting his chin on my head.

"Text me and call me and also don't flirt with other guys or I'll tell the organization to cut you off from every chance of being a detective."

I rolled my eyes but didn't say anything. As if I was going to do that.

"Will you miss me?" He asked.

"We agreed to see each other tomorrow, why are you making this a big farewell."

"You're right." He pulled me away. "Now go away before I change my mind."

"About what?" I asked and he leaned closer

"Kidnapping you and keeping you in my room locked up everyday from now own."

"Idiot pervert." I gave him a glare and speed walked to my dad's car.

So is this danger over? Can Ethan and Jackie finally develop their relationship in peace?

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